The introductory presentation, "The Good, The Bad, and the Ridiculous: S/M at the Movies" was a sell-out, attendance at the film screenings out-stripped projections and the Wrap Party at L'Oeil Cache was most assuredly filled to cozy-but-jovial capacity. Not only did the event post a healthy profit but, also importantly, the festival was a good draw for old-timers and new-comers alike. Attendance, particularly at the screenings, was pretty evenly spread between long-time TES folks, a good representation from sibling organizations such as LSM and GMSMA and a strong showing of people who showed up out of curiousity, for whom the festival may have been a first-time organized S/M or scene-related event. Best of all, everyone who came out for the festival seemed to get something worthwhile out of their participation.

In terms of reaching out to the more general public, listing information for the screenings was carried in most of the usual outlets, including the Village Voice, New York Press, New York Times, the Daily News and on Vindigo, while expanded coverage appeared in H/X and TimeOut NY. Nerve, Shout and Penthouse.com sent representatives to cover the event. Indiewire, an e-newsletter for the independent film community, highlighted the festival as their "Pick of the Day" and the Sundance Channel will include a report on the festival in an upcoming "24-Frame News" segment. A good indicator for the start of a franchise, we're already beginning to get inquiries from filmmakers and distributors who'd like their works considered for NEXT year.

Please don't hestitate to give enthusiastic thanks to the sponsors of the First Annual NY S/M Film Festival, for their part in making the event such a success - Adam & Gillian's Whips & Toys, D/s Toychest, Erotigo, NCSF (donated by Sir Michael), Purple Passion and Toys in Babeland. Kudos should also go to the TES Board of Directors for their support of the festival - and their willingness to experiment with presenting a new and untried event.

And last, but certainly not least, the festival certainly would not have been possible without the work of a fine cadre of volunteers. Their efforts ran a wide gamut - planning, advising, arranging and publicizing; schlepping and posting; website updating; ticket tearing and ushering; informing and schmoozing. Please take a moment, even as the lights come up and the crowd begins to thin, to take a gander at each and every credit.

Thanks and best wishes,

Michael the Artist, Lisa V.
Co-Chairs, NYSMFF

Film Festival Co-Chairs:
Lisa V, Michael the Artist

Introductory Presentation:
Thor Stockman

Publicity:
Gary Switch, Lolita, Phil, Susan Wright

Website Maintenance:
Dov, Larry N

Guerilla Marketing:
Alan Esq, Erica, Sir Michael, Tessa, Thor Stockman

Advance Sales:
Hieu, Jeff, Jennifer, Larry N, Lori, Sir Michael, Tessa

Head Teamster, Northeast Region Liaison:
Lolita

Local Teamster Liaison and Key Grip:
Alan Esq.

Best Girl:
Erica

Theatre Operations and Hospitality:
Bill, Bumblebee, Elizabeth K., Erica, Hal, Jeff, Master Jim, Johnjon, Marc, Michelle, Nikki, Sensei, Susie Q, Thor Stockman, Wes

Craft Services and Entertainment (aka Party!):
Cienna, Dawn, Debra, Sir Guy, Master Jim, Johnjon, Kath, Morgan HMQ, Russ, Stephanie

No animals were harmed in the making of this festival.

The events, characters and firms depicted are fictitious. Any similiarity to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events, is purely coincidental.