Thoughts from 2005 staff

Name: Sai
Job: Reception
I worked at the reception at last year's festival.
Lots of people came to reception, and although I got rushed, confused by English and pretty busy, all the staff were kind and helped me very much.
I was also very happy that so many visitors came.
I think that participating in the film festival has expanded my horizons.
I met lots of people and am glad I had the courage to participate.
This year, I am overseeing submissions for the festival.
I would like to continue to contribute as much as I can.

Name: Kimura Maki
Job: Head of 2005 Executive Committee
In Autumn 2004, after appealing to get a film festival going in Kansai once again, a total of about 50 volunteers and staff gathered.
Over 100 people cooperated in some way.
It was really a lot of fun.
The feeling of satisfaction at having put together and event together, and kindness of visitors who thanked us and asked that we do the same every year.
I don't think that it's often an event attracts so much gratitude.
People often ask if it was hard work putting on a film festival, but in fact (I say this quietly), it wasn't. Basically, if you have films, a venue and projection equipment, you can do it.
Over half the films were taken directly from the programme of the Tokyo festival.
Even if the leader is a little off at times, reliable staff get the job done.
(This next part I say loudly) The next aims are to make Kansai's Film Festival even more gorgeous and to spread this kind of festival to cities all over Japan.
If this interests you, please get in touch.

Name: Sugimoto
Job: Ticket checking
The film festival is the first event I participated in since realising my sexuality.
I gained many things from working as a staff member.
The biggest of these was finding lots of new friends, feeling that it was possible to live as myself.
Secondly, there were lots of opportunities to find out about many issues I had previously been unaware of.
There was a good atmosphere among staff and at the festival itself.
Next year and after, I hope it will be a wonderful, happy festival

Name: Masaki Teruo
Job: Tidying the venue
'I stood in the lobby giving directions in a loud voice so that visitors wouldn't get lots.
Now I'm a little embarrassed as I wonder whether the message got though with my foghorn voice...'

Name: Hitomi
Job: Ticket checking
In the end I couldn't attend a single meeting and I was worried about whether I could get to the same level as everybody else.
But it was lots of fun.
You can see films for free and meet lots of people.
It's all good.

Name: Takahashi
Job: On the door
I was inspired to see so many people come to the festival.
I want to participate again next year!

Name: Hayashi Asuka
Through participating in the event, I met lots of people and found it very stimulating.
And, although there are many things I still don't understand, I came to see myself through my differences from others.

Name: Sakamoto Nao
Job: Receiving guests, timekeeper
With all the noise of a festival, it was busy and fun.
Looking forward to next time!

Name: Yagi
Job: Volunteer staff coordinator
I am Yagi, and was in charge of volunteers last year.
At first I was not sure it was really going to come through, but I got involved, thinking
'well, at least if I meet someone nice...' As time passed, discussion became more and more concrete (and last year's leader Kimura-san looked increasingly tired).
When the day came around, lots of people came along, and it was an inspiring summer.
I'm really glad I got involved.
(But I didn't meet anyone...)

Name: Hibino Makoto
Not just in queerland, but at school, at work and even in citizen's movements there are all kinds of problems.
People you don't like, strict boss, secret rules, etc.
But I was thrilled that even though this film festival was clumsy, it followed a principle that anyone could be involved and that important decisions were discussed by the committee, and that in the end it was a great success.

Name: Nishi Chizuru
Job: Booth
I was in charge of selling things at the booth.
On the day all kinds ofthings were going on and it was hard work, so I was really helped by the
other volunteers, and am very grateful.
It was a fun job, talking to peaple while taking orders for books and t-shirts and selling badges and more.
The atmosphere on the day was like a school festival, and it was brilliant to create something together with so many other people.