Getting to know the film staff

As we are gearing up for the ninth annual film festival, we thought we'd introduce you to some of our staff members that are taking on new back of the house duties (making sure Q&A's run, making sure lights in theaters go off and on, etc). If you see them around, say hi!

For more information on this year's film festival from Feb. 9-12, visit www.oxfordfilmfest.com

Detra Payne

Meet Detra Payne, Volunteer Coordinator with Kristin Rogers. 

IN 5 WORDS, DESCRIBE YOU: Funny, Direct, Mothering, Passionate, Fabulous :-)

HOW LONG WITH FEST: This is my second year volunteering.

WHY VOLUNTEER: Because you meet great folks, see great art and support the new, unknown, wonderful talent in the world of film.

FAVORITE PART OF FEST: Watching the films but mostly meeting the artist behind the films.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THIS FEST: Having fun regardless of the challenges

CHALLENGES OF YOUR POSITION: Making sure we have the proper number of volunteers for each day in the areas I am assigned to take care of. I think if we have the fabulous dedicated volunteers I expect we will, it should be no problem. 

DO YOU GO TO OTHER FESTS AND IF SO WHICH: I have been to a couple, they were the American Black Film Festival and the Palm Springs Film Festival.

ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THE FILM FEST: I hope this festival grows into one of the leaders in film festivals, and that this years is simply fun and runs smoothly.

Dawn Bullion

Meet Dawn Bullion, Volunteer Manager

IN 5 WORDS, DESCRIBE YOU: Fun, Loyal, Outgoing, Hardworking and Innovative

HOW LONG WITH FEST: this is my third year with the Oxford Film Festival

WHY VOLUNTEER: I am captivated by all aspects of filmmaking and it is exciting to see all of the wonderful films that are brought to Oxford as well as meet the producers/directors/actors of these films

FAVORITE PART OF FEST: Viewing all of the films, working with the volunteers and meeting the filmmakers

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THIS FEST: I am looking forward to an amazing film line-up this year and to working with all of the wonderful volunteers plus I am very excited for the Music Fest addition to this year’s festival!!

CHALLENGES OF YOUR POSITION: Organization in an extremely dynamic environment

DO YOU GO TO OTHER FESTS AND IF SO WHICH: MPLS underground Film Festival and the MPLS International Film Festival

ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THE FILM FEST: The Oxford Film Festival is an outstanding venue of both local and national films  

Sherrod Taylor

Meet Sherrod Taylor, Volunteer Manager

IN 5 WORDS, DESCRIBE YOU: ambitious, enthusiastic, optimistic, imaginative, out-going

HOW LONG WITH FEST:This is my 3rd year with the Oxford Film Festival.

WHY VOLUNTEER: Simply being a part of this awesome community effort is why I enjoy volunteering for the festival each year; set in Oxford, it has such incredible potential of becoming a premiere film festival of the United States.

FAVORITE PART OF FEST:My favorite part of the festival occurs when I sit in my seat in the dark theater, shoveling down a trough of popcorn and slurping Coke as I watch my favorite film of the weekend.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THIS FEST: I'm looking forward to watching the Greek Competition unravel throughout the festival.

CHALLENGES OF YOUR POSITION:The most challenging part of the festival is making sure the banner I built does not fall on the ticket sellers' head!

DO YOU GO TO OTHER FESTS AND IF SO WHICH: The only other film festival I attended was the Cannes Film Festival in France.

ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THE FILM FEST: I'm really glad to be a part of the Festival again this year, and I know it will be a huge success!

Kristin Rogers

Meet  Kristin Rogers, Volunteer Coordinator

IN 5 WORDS, DESCRIBE YOU: Outgoing, friendly, upbeat, dedicated, hardworking

HOW LONG WITH FEST: This is my 4th year, 2 years as a volunteer and 2 as a Volunteer Coordinator

WHY VOLUNTEER:  I started volunteering because it sounded fun and I love movies.  I do it now because I enjoy being part of something that I am able to take from nothing (pre-recruitment of volunteers) to a group of around 150 people who are the face of a festival that brings smiles to peoples faces

FAVORITE PART OF FEST:  Getting to know new people and working with them

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THIS FEST:  this year I would say 75% of our volunteers are first timers.  I look forward to working with them and seeing the fest through their eyes

CHALLENGES OF YOUR POSITION:  Scheduling for sure.  We use 100+ volunteers to staff a number of positions both pre-fest, during the fest, and post-fest.  The most challenging is the balance between scheduling people to do what they what when they are available with the needs of the festival.  I think we've done a really good job of that this year.