If you want to enjoy movies crafted by local artists who have a distinct voice and truly embody the essence of creating films with friends, family, and local community, then the Tree City Film Festival is worth your time. These films are made for us, by us.
– Tree City Film Festival Chairman Joshua Lightle
The Tree City Film Festival celebrates the art of filmmaking at the local level and the spirit and vitality of Sylvania. Their unique 50-Hour Challenge allows local filmmakers to create a film in just 50 hours and is shared at the Tree City Film Festival, this year on November 2 at Olander Park in Sylvania.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Joshua Lightle and learn more about the Tree City Film Festival.
Q: What is the history of the film festival?
A: The Tree City Film Festival was launched in 2013, drawing inspiration from almost 1,000 photos taken during a 48-hour film festival in Michigan. As an arts organization, we believed that we could do something to integrate film into our outreach to the artistic community. At the time, the festival’s mission was to “support local, regional, and national filmmakers in the pursuit of their art and cultivate a dedicated film audience in our community through education, entertainment and participation.” To achieve this mission, we invited both professional and amateur filmmakers to participate in the 50-hour Challenge. During this challenge, filmmakers had one weekend to create a short film based on a specified genre, prop, line of dialogue, character name and location significant to the Sylvania, Ohio area.
Following the first festival, we noticed that young participants were interested in filmmaking but could benefit from mentorship and learning. Therefore, in 2014, we introduced Shorties U, a filmmaking workshop for students in grades 5–8, which flourished due to the commitment of many local film professionals.
Q: How has the festival grown or changed since it began?
A: The Tree City Film Festival has always revolved around the 50-hour Challenge. Over the years, we have introduced and removed various events. For example, in addition to the 50-hour Challenge, our Shorties U youth filmmaking workshop has been growing and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers in our local area and beyond. We have spent several years exploring different programs, including open worldwide submissions, screenings in the Spring and Fall, and partnerships with other festivals. However, after navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic, we have chosen to focus on our strengths and primarily promote the 50-hour Challenge and Shorties U workshop as our main attractions.
Q: What are some of the key moments or major accomplishments in the festival’s history?
A: We are extremely proud of our returning filmmaking competitors, some of whom have been participating for over 10 years since the beginning of the festival. We are also thrilled about our Shorties U workshop. Two films created in the program were featured at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston in 2017 and several of the students, who are now of college age, are pursuing careers in the film and media industry. Ultimately, the sense of community fostered by the 50-hour competition and the Shorties U workshop is a great source of pride for us.
Q: How would you describe your festival to someone who has never attended and is thinking of coming for the first time?
A: We believe that if you want to enjoy movies crafted by local artists who have a distinct voice and truly embody the essence of creating films with friends, family, and local community, then the Tree City Film Festival is definitely worth your time. These films are made for us, by us.
Q: What about movies/cinema drives the organization’s passion for film?
A: Since the beginning of the festival, we have believed that filmmaking is not exclusive to Hollywood or New York. We believe that it is an art form open to everyone. Over the years, we have seen many filmmakers, both amateurs and students in our Shorties U youth filmmaking workshop, hone their skills and find their voice in the cinematic arts. Ultimately, it is these individuals who inspire and drive our festival
Q: How did your film festival director/leader become involved and how long have they been with your event?
A: Our current chairperson, Joshua Lightle, has been leading with the support of several co-chairs since 2014. Josh has a background in filmmaking, producing corporate videos for Global 2000 companies. However, when Josh first moved to the Sylvania area, he had very little experience in non-profits and organizing events. Over time, he has grown into the role with the help of talented and dedicated committee members.
As a volunteer organization, the Tree City Film Festival has been a true labor of love for everyone involved. As we enter our 12th year, many committee members are entering different seasons of their lives—relocating, changing careers, starting families, etc. Nonetheless, our passion for moviemaking keeps us together, and we always welcome new, like-minded, talented, and devoted people to the team.
This interview is the first in a series featuring Ohio Film Festivals. Ohio Goes to the Movies will be participating in Ohio Film Festivals in 2024-2025 to celebrate Ohio’s contribution to filmmaking. To learn more about Ohio Goes to the Movies visit our webpage.