Scott Halford FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1—1—1 February 6, 2008
For Additional Information:
Stephanie Taylor Scott Halford
801-678-0330 801-390-0561
Stephanie@foursitefilmfest.com Scott@foursitefilmfest.com
From Entrepreneurial Student to Successful Festival Director
(Ogden, Utah)-- For Foursite Film Festival Director, Scott Halford, what started out at a way for him to exhibit his own films has grown into one of the largest film festivals in Utah.
This year, the festival will see its biggest growth yet. During this four-day film festival, 81 films from all over the world, representing various lengths and genres will be exhibited at four locations throughout Ogden. In years past, Foursite Film Festival has sustained an average growth of 200% each year. Halford expects that number to jump dramatically during the 2008 season.
Foursite Film Festival’s success is the direct result of its ambitious Director, Scott Halford. People are continually amazed by what Halford has accomplished and the fact that he is so young. At just 28, Halford is making a name for himself in the film industry and the community.
“I’m just doing what I love. My standards of excellence and high expectations drive me to produce something I’m proud of. I’m lucky to be a part of something that inspires and drives me and others,” Halford said.
This film festival journey began 5 years ago while Halford was a student at Weber State University. He was studying business, but his hobby and passion was filmmaking. Loving his craft and desiring to show his films to audiences that extended beyond his friends and family, Halford organized a little film festival that took place at WSU’s Wildcat Theater. A call for entries was made and Just Another Film Festival was born.
The endeavor was far more successful than he imagined it would be and participating filmmakers encouraged him to repeat the festival the following year.
Halford got lucky and actually earned college credit with the 2nd Annual Just Another Film Festival. A senior capstone project required he incorporate his three areas of study: multi-media, business systems and technical sales. Establishing and marketing a festival fit the criteria perfectly.
With college behind him and degree in hand, Halford knew he had only scratched the surface of the festival’s potential and decided to focus his efforts on creating a top notch international event. Suddenly, the name Just Another Film Festival no longer reflected his mission and vision. In addition to building a successful film festival, Halford wanted to get involved in the Ogden community and the local arts programs.
In 2006, Foursite Film Festival became a non-profit 501(c)(3)organization and moved the hub of the festival from the Weber State campus to the historic Peery’s Egyptian Theater on Washington Blvd to accommodate more filmmakers and larger audiences. Feedback was incredibly positive.
“Besides one of the best screenings we’ve had, the organizers go so far out of their way to make you comfortable it’s ridiculous!” Jeff Morris, Director of You Did What said. Halford approaches directing the film festival from the perspective of a filmmaker and this kind of response is just what he hoped for.
Halford’s greatest undertaking to date is the formation of Foursite Film Institute, a non-profit organization committed to uplift and educate the community through the production, promotion and exhibition of quality independent film produced in good taste. Ambitious programs and events include a summer workshop for at-risk and underserved high school students. Foursite Film Festival is now the premier annual event presented by Foursite Film Institute.
“I have always wanted the festival and independent film to become something that the community can really grab on to” Halford said.
As evidence of his belief and commitment, Halford established a base of operations on historic 25th Street. Being located in the heart of the Ogden, Foursite Film Institute is perfectly positioned to offer year-round programs and events to the community. First Friday art stroll, Ogden City Arts Festival, High School Workshops and WSU student film projects are just the beginning. Foursite is also participating with Ogden Climbing parks to establish the High Adventure Mountain Film Festival.
In addition to serving as Director for both the Festival and the Institute, Halford has somehow found time to join the marketing committee for the Historic 25th street association, and is volunteering to be a founding member of the Weber Arts Council.
This kind of community activity and monumental success with Foursite Film Festival
has attracted the attention of many city officials. As a result, Halford has been nominated for the prestigious “Americans for the Arts Emerging Leader” award.
(Quote from Carolyn Bachman here)
One thing is certain: Scott Halford makes things happen. His office staff says “Jump on board or get out of the way.” When asked about this, Halford laughs and says, “Just come to the film festival and have a fantastic time.”
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