UNICA PROMOTION - the Dutch way
In the Netherlands there are quite a few enthusiastic members of the Unica family. Some are active film amateurs others just enjoy the company and watching the films. Every year for a number of years now we have been organizing a special day for all these people. We call it “Unica Promotiedag” – Unica promotion day.
Who, Where and How Much?
Attendees at a UNICA Promo Day.
We keep track of all participants at Unica congress since 1992 The list contains 237 people. It includes all those who attended the festival, as well as the makers of the films which were selected for the national Dutch programme. They are all sent an invitation - nowadays mostly by e-mail. They are requested to return a confirmation with the number of people attending and whether they have a film to show during the promotion day.
We meet in a small geographically central town, so that the travelling distances are fairly divided.
Our financial calculation is based on about 30 people attending, although the actual number is usually closer to 40. We pay the rent for the hall, which has to accommodate about 40-50 people and has to be suitable for video projection. Everybody is served coffee and cake on arrival and a buffet lunch. Any extra drinks are not included. Members of one of the Dutch film clubs take care of the projection of the films free of charge using their own equipment. The price paid by the participants this year was EUR 37.50 per person. Our national federation NOVA has agreed to cover any shortfall if the price calculated in advance doesn’t work out – but this has never happened so far.
We meet in a small geographically central town, so that the travelling distances are fairly divided.
Our financial calculation is based on about 30 people attending, although the actual number is usually closer to 40. We pay the rent for the hall, which has to accommodate about 40-50 people and has to be suitable for video projection. Everybody is served coffee and cake on arrival and a buffet lunch. Any extra drinks are not included. Members of one of the Dutch film clubs take care of the projection of the films free of charge using their own equipment. The price paid by the participants this year was EUR 37.50 per person. Our national federation NOVA has agreed to cover any shortfall if the price calculated in advance doesn’t work out – but this has never happened so far.
The Programme
Jan Essing, Unica Secretary General.
This is a combination of film projection and talk. Everybody who has some visual material relating to the latest – or for that matter any other Unica event – can ask for his film or photographs to be included in the programme. There are usually 3 or 4 short films giving an impression of the latest Unica. Sometimes we find a film account of a Unica festival dating back quite a few years.
There is always a speaker who relates his personal impressions of the journey, the films, the performance of the jury, the excursions and other social and cultural events. We also take advantage of the fortunate circumstance that the Secretary General of the Unica committee – Jan Essing – is one of the participants. He gives us an insider account of the deliberations of the committee, the new developments and the venues for the Unica congress in the coming years. We usually also show one or two successful foreign films from past festivals.
There is always a speaker who relates his personal impressions of the journey, the films, the performance of the jury, the excursions and other social and cultural events. We also take advantage of the fortunate circumstance that the Secretary General of the Unica committee – Jan Essing – is one of the participants. He gives us an insider account of the deliberations of the committee, the new developments and the venues for the Unica congress in the coming years. We usually also show one or two successful foreign films from past festivals.
Timetable
Audience at a Unica promotion day.
An important part of the programme is information about the coming Unica, about the travel connections, the accommodation, the venue and the excursions. If the festival takes place in a more remote location, we may organize a group of participants who wish to travel together and we try to find the cheapest mode of getting them there. We make a list of probable participants in the next festival. Doing this publicly in front of the whole audience works very well and some people make up their minds to join the group there and then. We conclude the day with the projection of the promotion film for the coming Unica.
The whole programme is precisely planned and allows plenty of time for social contact. It is obvious that people like to talk to each other a lot during an event like this. The event takes place on a Saturday, it begins at half past 10, when coffee and cake are served. We take a break for some more refreshments before noon and we have lunch together. There is a tea break in the afternoon and the day ends at about 4 p.m.
The event usually takes place at the latest early in May, which is close enough to the Unica festival to bring the participants into the spirit of the occasion.
The whole programme is precisely planned and allows plenty of time for social contact. It is obvious that people like to talk to each other a lot during an event like this. The event takes place on a Saturday, it begins at half past 10, when coffee and cake are served. We take a break for some more refreshments before noon and we have lunch together. There is a tea break in the afternoon and the day ends at about 4 p.m.
The event usually takes place at the latest early in May, which is close enough to the Unica festival to bring the participants into the spirit of the occasion.
Guest Speakers
In recent years we succeeded in inviting some prominent speakers - Unica film makers from other countries. Their contribution takes preference in the programme of the day. This means that we talk about Unica past and coming before lunch and the guest speaker fills the afternoon. They show their films and give a talk about their work. The guests have included Max Hänsli, Rolf Mandolesi, Jan Baca and Brian Dunckley.
We offer the visitor 2 nights in a double room in a good hotel and usually 2 dinners for two persons. They cover the travelling cost themselves.
We offer the visitor 2 nights in a double room in a good hotel and usually 2 dinners for two persons. They cover the travelling cost themselves.
Rolf Mandolesi
|
Max Hänsli
|
Jan Baca
|
Brian Dunckley
|
Result: Dutch UNICA Participants
The average number of Unica participants from the Netherlands in the years 1992 through 2012 (with the exception of Unica congresses organised in the Netherlands) is more than 36. In 2011 in Luxemburg there were more than 60!
Unica 1996 in Almelo 69 Dutch visitors
Unica 2000 in Roermond 72 Dutch visitors
Our experience is that this promotion day is a good way of keeping the group of Unica visitors interested and we think it may be an example for others to follow.
- Vladimir Murtin, (Unica contact for NOVA) October 2012
Unica 1996 in Almelo 69 Dutch visitors
Unica 2000 in Roermond 72 Dutch visitors
Our experience is that this promotion day is a good way of keeping the group of Unica visitors interested and we think it may be an example for others to follow.
- Vladimir Murtin, (Unica contact for NOVA) October 2012
Another way of promoting UNICA interest.
Here is a flyer the NOVA regional organisation NH’63 (province of North Holland) distributed in photographic and video shops and in several youth organisations. It says:
YOUR FILM TO UNICA?
Do it! Via
Nh’63 (provincial preselection)
To
NOVA (national preselection)
Information:
Piet van Eerden ...
On the right border: Wereldkampioenschap voor amateurfilmers means: World Championships for amateur film-makers.
YOUR FILM TO UNICA?
Do it! Via
Nh’63 (provincial preselection)
To
NOVA (national preselection)
Information:
Piet van Eerden ...
On the right border: Wereldkampioenschap voor amateurfilmers means: World Championships for amateur film-makers.
