The reviews are in!
It’s crazy to think that just two months ago we were announcing the cancellation of this year’s festival. Back then, we’d never even heard of a Zoom meeting, pyjamas were exclusively bedroom attire and we’d have laughed in your face if you’d asked us who we thought would win season 15 of The Bachelorette (our money's on Tyler - no spoilers please).
The world has changed a lot in two months, and in that time we found solace in pulling together and delivering our very first virtual festival - Flatpack 2020: The Home Entertainment edition. For 17 days we felt connected to you all through the incredible films we had the privilege of sharing, and in many ways it felt very much like a regular Flatpack Festival (only with a much lower step count).
The week following the festival is usually spent cleaning, tidying and trawling through feedback, press and social media to piece together an answer to the question ‘So how did it go?’ We’ll say this for virtual festivaling - it really saves you the clean up part. As for the other bit...
How was it for you?
A much needed injection of positivity…
“it brought light to a dark time”
“Feel more positive that the creative arts can weather this storm.”
“inspired me to dance around the park on my daily walk”
I participated in Flatpack Online and…
...all I got was this abiding sense of fulfilment.
...I know where babies come from.
...found it to be view-expanding.
...Have found something stimulating to watch every day
Fun for all the family...
“Tubas, cats, dance and documentary - maybe I’ve gone a little off the recommended activities from school but the reactions of giggles and discussions that my 5 & 7 year olds have had have been wonderful to watch. Thank you @flatpack” - Ayla McCamphill-Rose
“It wouldn't be @flatpack film festival without cereal and Colour Box. I know it's past 5pm and it might ruin their dinner but Flatpack 2020 is Flexible. Great job as ever Team FP!” - Matt Hogan
Hot off the press…
“An experience shared by events the world over, last month Flatpack was forced to cancel what would have been its fourteenth edition. But since making that decision, the Birmingham-based team has plotted how to deliver its first ever digital edition in its place.” - Design Week
“The festival that defines the word eclectic” - Sight and Sound
“If isolation is beginning to get the better of you, look no further… while other festivals have drowned their audience in labyrinthine programming, myriad payment options and arbitrary geographic restrictions, the Flatpack team have successfully curated a limited online selection, free to everyone, everywhere, without losing its fabulous quirkiness.” - Documentary Weekly
“The Flatpack screendance competition features 12 shortlisted films made by choreographers from around the world. It’s an eclectic bunch of offerings, from the reflections of a hip-hop dancer in physical rehab to a dancing maid with murder on her mind; there’s no shortage of original ideas.” - The Guardian
We also wrote some reflections on our online experiences for the ICO blog.
Crunching the numbers
As you might expect, going online has been a brilliant way to reach new audiences. The programme attracted over 15,000 views in total, with more than 30% of the audience watching from abroad. 57 countries tuned in, from 6 out of the 7 continents (more targeted marketing is required in Antarctica). The viewing figures saw fierce Eurovision-style competition amongst a number of countries, but the final top ten looks like this...
- UK
- Hungary
- US
- France
- Canada
- Spain
- Republic of Korea
- Portugal
- Germany
- Japan
Thank you for watching!
We appreciate that there are endless surveys going around at the moment, but If you saw anything at Flatpack 2020 please consider taking a couple of minutes to fill out this form. It helps us to keep improving our work, and to justify future activity.
Thanks to all those who shared their thoughts and home cinema pics via #FlatpackAtHome.