BL Strang-Moya on Growing a Film Festival in a Resort Town

This episode features BL Strang-Moya, a co-founder of the Ocean City Film Festival. Host Tony Russo discusses the festival’s origins, its evolution since 2017, and the unique challenges of running an independent film event in a resort town.Guest Profile* Name: BL. Strang-Moya.* Role: Co-founder and lead organizer of the Ocean City Film Festival.* Background: A graduate of Towson University’s Electronic Media and Film Department.Enjoying the show? Subscribe to Destination Delmarva for free to get every local story and interview delivered to your inbox.Main Topics* Origins of the Festival: The festival began in 2017 through a chance collaboration between Strang-Moya and Rena Thaler of the Art League of Ocean City. It started as a way to provide a platform for independent filmmakers, particularly those creating short films.* Growth and Evolution: The first season was organized “by the skin of our teeth” with over 700 submissions—all handled without submission fees or a formal jury. It has since grown into an established event with a 25-person jury and a streamlined submission process via FilmFreeway.* Strategic Scheduling: After a summer debut in 2017, the festival moved to March to take advantage of the “off-season” charm, lower hotel rates, and less competition for press coverage.* Community and Networking: Strang-Moya emphasizes that film festivals are essential for independent filmmakers to see how their work compares to peers and to build professional networks.Key Takeaways* “Failing Upward”: Strang-Moya describes the festival’s early success as a matter of being in the right place at the right time and learning through trial and error.* Local Support: The festival prioritizes filmmakers from the Maryland and Virginia area to encourage a sense of community and ensure higher attendance from participating artists.* Content Strategy: The festival typically markets a selection of 100 films each year, with a heavy focus on short films to keep programming diverse and engaging.* Collaborations: Beyond the main event, the festival partners with other local events, such as the Ocean City Comic Con, to showcase independent cinema year-round.Featured Films Mentioned* The Rehearsal: A film by local filmmaker Dan O’Hare, which was a major draw in the festival’s first year.* Rat Film: A documentary by Theo Anthony about Baltimore’s rat problem, which was the first film the festival ever licensed.* Transformers Terminal: A recent humorous take on fandom culture shown at the local Comic Con.Join our community of Delmarva listeners today. Subscribe for free to stay updated on the people and events shaping our region. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit destinationdelmarva.substack.com