This time we have prepared an interview with Romča for you. She shared with us the content of her work for Kino Brasil and also what it's like to work for a festival from Mexico.
[Bára] Romi, you are in charge of fundraising. Most of the team starts moving a few months before the festival, you have to be alert all year. Is that so? What does your job entail?
[Romča] Yes, the fundraising year starts already in January, when it is necessary to process the accounts of the grants provided from the previous year, write final reports and document all invoices, etc. Then in June, the first grants for the following year are already closed and they gradually continue until autumn. I also gradually inform institutions about the organization of the festival (I send advance information, changes to dates, invitations, etc.)
[Bára] Do you raise money mainly from public institutions or also from private sources?
[Romča] After many years of experience, we draw exclusively from public sources. A few years ago, I worked on describing various private companies, non-profit organizations connected to both Brazil and the venue (Prague 7), but it didn't bring much funding, so I focused on what I already had verified.
[Bára] So you just fill out the application and send it and wait?
[Romča] Yes, I fill out the application and submit all the necessary documents, budgets, etc. and then we will wait to see if our application has been approved and to what extent. It may seem simple, but it takes several hours or days to complete one application. After years of experience, I already have the texts processed and I "just" edit them and the work is faster, although sometimes it can take a lot of time.
[Bára] What do you enjoy about working for Kino Brasil?
[Romča] What I enjoy most is probably the variety of all possible activities in which I have been involved so far as part of the preparation for the festival. At the same time, this is an opportunity for me to stay connected, at least partially, not only to Brazilian culture, but also to important topics that resonate with Brazilian society and which are often reflected through Brazilian cinema.
[Bar] You moved to Mexico. Can you attend regular team meetings? Will we see you in person at the festival this year?
[Romča] Unfortunately, the time difference is big and the meetings are based on my working hours, so I only connect during my lunch break. In Mexico City there are many opportunities to get to Brazilian cinema (film screenings, lectures). I hope that these activities will also serve as inspiration for our Kino Brasil festival.
[Bára] Which film and accompanying events are you most looking forward to this year and what would you recommend to the audience?
[Romča] Personally, I am most looking forward to the film Pureza. This film deals with the topic of modern-day slavery, which unfortunately can be applied to any region of the world today. At the same time, we can look forward to a very strong story portrayed by actress Dira Paes, for whose performance she earned the award for female acting performance.
Did the article interest you? Read more!
"I consider the festival a bit like my 'child' and by being away, I feel like I have a little less control over its fate," says Zuzka, one of the founders of Kino Brasil. More here.
"I believe I can offer different points of view," says Adilson, who is responsible for fundraising this year. More here.
"Six dramas and one (dramatic) documentary. Will this year's Kino Brasil be as dramatic?" More here.