F.A.M. up for CBC award
By Josh Kolm
Lance Writer
March 3, 2010
“We’re not looking to beat anyone and I don’t expect us to win.”
This is a bit of a defeatist attitude for Murad Erzinclioglu, organizer of F.A.M. Fest, to have, especially considering the success he’s seen in the CBC Radio 3 Searchlight Poll, which this year is attempting to name the best music festival in Canada.
Erzinclioglu, who is also a musician, organized Harvesting the F.A.M. (Film, Art, and Music) in 2006 in conjunction with a filmmaker friend in an attempt to provide a forum for their work.
In the span of a few months, they broadened the festival’s focus to include all local artists in any medium. Last fall they held F.A.M.’s fourth edition.
Locals may remember the Searchlight Poll for recognizing Windsor’s Phog Lounge as the best music venue in Canada last year.
Due to an outpouring of local support, the venue was able to beat out more recognizable names.
Likewise, F.A.M. finds itself up against some major festivals, such as the Winnipeg Folk Festival and the Sled Island Music Fest.
Despite being the underdog, a status Erzinclioglu clearly embraces, there is a range of aspects that separates F.A.M. from the field.
“I don’t think any of them are as multi-faceted as we are,” he said.
“Ours is the only festival that uses fashion, film, and art as well. We’re also one of the only ones that doesn’t have big headliners or super-popular acts. It seems like ours is the most locally focused,” Erzinclioglu continued.
Besides the focus on the local region and on other aspects of the arts, F.A.M. is presented with a sincere passion.
“The one thing that really sets us apart is that we don’t really do our festival for financial gain. We don’t have corporate sponsors. We just do it for fun because we enjoy it.”
The contest began with 80 festivals a few weeks ago and is now down to 20, with the winner to be announced on March 10. Supporters can go to the Radio 3 website to vote.
If you happen to forget, someone is sure to remind you.
“We’ve been bombarding our Facebook groups and set up an event that will remind people to vote every day,” Erzinclioglu said about the outlets the festival is using to encourage voting.
“We’ve been making posters. My boss rigged up our computer so that every receipt at the bottom says ‘Vote F.A.M. Fest for best music festival in the country’. And of course all the bands that are involved have all been telling their fans, because they’ll see the benefit of this more than anybody.”
Erzinclioglu is able to be both cynical and passionate about the contest because of the benefits that come simply with being in it.
“We’re the festival that stands the most to gain because we are so small and it could really help us out. We don’t really have much to offer, money-wise. This is probably the biggest chance we’ll get to give back to the people who work with us.
“It would be great to win. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but even being in 20th place gets the name out there. Usually I don’t start planning until May but I’m starting to think I’ll have to start planning the next festival now just because of the energy surrounding it so far.”
It’s important to see that—even though Erzinclioglu’s attitude may not be what you would expect—the festival and the people are very important to him.
“At first I laughed at the idea of being nominated, but then I realized I would be doing a very big disservice to the people who have volunteered their time and their talents to be involved with us.”
There is only one week left to vote in this year’s CBC Radio 3 Searchlight Poll at http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/searchlight/. More information on the F.A.M. Fest can be found at www.famfest.ca. |
