Destination Delmarva: The Filmmakers

BL Strang-Moya on Growing a Film Festival in a Resort Town

This episode features BL Strang-Moya, a co-founder of the Ocean City Film Festival. Host Tony Russo discusses the festival’s origins, its evolution since 2017, and the unique challenges of running an independent film event in a resort town. Guest Profile * Name: BL. Strang-Moya. * Role: Co-founder and lead organizer of the Ocean City Film Festival. * Background: A graduate of Towson University’s Electronic Media and Film Department. Enjoying the show? Subscribe to Destination Delmarva for free to get every local story and interview delivered to your inbox. Main Topics * Origins of the Festival: The festival began in 2017 through a chance collaboration between Strang-Moya and Rena Thaler of the Art League of Ocean City. It started as a way to provide a platform for independent filmmakers, particularly those creating short films. * Growth and Evolution: The first season was organized “by the skin of our teeth” with over 700 submissions—all handled without submission fees or a formal jury. It has since grown into an established event with a 25-person jury and a streamlined submission process via FilmFreeway. * Strategic Scheduling: After a summer debut in 2017, the festival moved to March to take advantage of the “off-season” charm, lower hotel rates, and less competition for press coverage. * Community and Networking: Strang-Moya emphasizes that film festivals are essential for independent filmmakers to see how their work compares to peers and to build professional networks. Key Takeaways * “Failing Upward”: Strang-Moya describes the festival’s early success as a matter of being in the right place at the right time and learning through trial and error. * Local Support: The festival prioritizes filmmakers from the Maryland and Virginia area to encourage a sense of community and ensure higher attendance from participating artists. * Content Strategy: The festival typically markets a selection of 100 films each year, with a heavy focus on short films to keep programming diverse and engaging. * Collaborations: Beyond the main event, the festival partners with other local events, such as the Ocean City Comic Con, to showcase independent cinema year-round. Featured Films Mentioned * The Rehearsal: A film by local filmmaker Dan O’Hare, which was a major draw in the festival’s first year. * Rat Film: A documentary by Theo Anthony about Baltimore’s rat problem, which was the first film the festival ever licensed. * Transformers Terminal: A recent humorous take on fandom culture shown at the local Comic Con. Join our community of Delmarva listeners today. Subscribe for free to stay updated on the people and events shaping our region. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit destinationdelmarva.substack.com [https://destinationdelmarva.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 4: The Future

Show Notes: In this final installment of our retrospective series, host Tony Russo looks ahead at what lies in store for the Ocean City Film Festival. As the festival enters its second decade, we explore the evolving landscape of independent film on the Eastern Shore and why “making art is an act of hope”. In This Episode: * The Standalone Short: Artistic Director B.L. Strang-Moya challenges the traditional “calling card” mentality of film school, arguing that short films should be celebrated as their own standalone artistic enterprises. * A Growing Community: Local filmmakers Chelsea Thaler and Trevor Taylor discuss the “pure dream” of building a filmmaking hub in their hometown and the importance of remaining a “last bastion” for truly independent, no-budget artists. * Economic & Cultural Impact: Gwen Lehman and Rina Thaler (Executive Director of the Ocean City Center for the Arts) reflect on how the festival has been embraced by city leadership and local businesses, drawing crowds that support the local economy. * The Next Mantle: Trevor Taylor shares his vision for the festival becoming the premier “go-to” event for artists in the Mid-Atlantic. * Organizational Growth: B.L. Strang-Moya discusses his goals for the next 10 years, focusing on an “enhanced organizational approach” and the dedicated team that fights “tooth and nail” to make the festival happen every year. Key Quotes: “Making art is an act of hope. Hope that we can share a message and that that message will reach the right ears... at least one person’s life gets better.” — Tony Russo “We are the little guy. We want to always be the little guy because it’s tough to get eyes on your work.” — Trevor Taylor Important Dates & Links: * The Festival: The Ocean City Film Festival typically kicks off the week before St. Patrick’s Day. * Newsletter: Subscribe to the Destination Delmarva newsletter to stay updated on local stories. * New Series: Starting in April, Tony will launch a recurring podcast series featuring interviews with filmmakers from or working on the Eastern Shore. Call to Filmmakers & Sponsors: Are you a filmmaker living on Delmarva or making films about the region? Tony wants to hear from you! We are also looking for sponsors to support our upcoming series on Eastern Shore filmmakers. * Contact: Reach out to Tony Russo at bytonyrusso@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit destinationdelmarva.substack.com [https://destinationdelmarva.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 3: An Ushering of Filmmakers

In this third installment of the Ocean City Film Festival 10th Anniversary Retrospective, host Tony Russo explores the unique community and “ushering” of artists that defines the festival. This episode dives into the vital role of networking, the collaborative spark between creators, and how a local event can launch films into the global spotlight. In This Episode * Coining a Collective Noun: Tony Russo proposes “an ushering of filmmakers” as the official collective noun for the community that gathers at OCFF. * The Power of Networking: Filmmakers Chelsea Thaler and Marlon Wallace discuss how the festival combats the isolation of the craft by connecting artists across different disciplines and experience levels. * Mentorship and the Filmmakers Forum: A look at the educational side of the festival, including the Saturday morning forum moderated by the Maryland Film Commissioner. * From Local Screening to Global Distribution: * Mary Carey Craven: How her 2022 film was discovered by industry veteran Jeff Dowd and licensed for distribution. * Marlon Wallace: The success story of his short film Pier, which was picked up by Aspire TV and streaming platform Dekkoo. * Reggie’s Forest to “Hedgehog”: The incredible journey of a local documentary about a Berlin, MD farm that led to a Ukrainian collaboration and a film that won 26 international awards. * Hometown Stars: The return of former local students John Chester (The Biggest Little Farm) and Erika Messer (Criminal Minds) to a sold-out 1,200-seat theater. * The Case for Short Films: Organizers B.L. Strang-Moya and Trevor Taylor explain why the festival prioritizes “shorts” as a more accessible, diverse, and economically feasible “buffet” of cinema. * The Annual Reunion: Why the festival serves as a homecoming for original founders and long-time collaborators who have since moved on to national careers. Featured Voices * Tony Russo: Host and creator of Destination Delmarva. * Chelsea Thaler: Filmmaker on the “arts ecosystem.” * Rina Thaler: On the “full-circle” success of local filmmakers. * Marlon Wallace: Filmmaker whose career was sparked by OCFF connections. * Trevor Taylor: On the logistical and artistic benefits of short film blocks. * B.L. Strang Moya: On distribution wins and the “calling card” of short films. * Gwen Lehman: Renowned art teacher who brought high-profile alumni back to O.C. Resources & Links * Subscribe: Join the Destination Delmarva newsletter for upcoming weekly releases of the full filmmaker interviews. * Ocean City Film Festival: Check the show notes for links to follow OCFF events happening all year round. What’s Next: Stay tuned for Episode 4, the final piece of the puzzle, where we look at the future of the Ocean City Film Festival. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit destinationdelmarva.substack.com [https://destinationdelmarva.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 2: Growing Pains

Show Notes The Ocean City Film Festival didn’t become a staple of the Delmarva arts scene overnight. In this episode of our 10th-anniversary retrospective, we explore the early years of the festival—a period defined by “building the ladder while climbing it.” From strategic shifts in scheduling to some truly unexpected (and slightly scandalous) “youth” submissions, we look at the trials and triumphs that shaped the festival’s identity. Key Highlights * The March Pivot: Creative Director B.L. Strang Moya discusses the “master stroke” decision to move the festival from the busy summer season to March. This shift offered cheaper lodging for guests and filled a void in the local off-season calendar. * A Growing Community: Local filmmakers like Chelsea Thaler and Trevor Taylor share their experiences finding a creative home on the Eastern Shore. * The “Infamous” Youth Short: Jared Bigsby recounts a hilarious (in hindsight) story of a 17-year-old French filmmaker’s submission that was a bit too “adult” for its category, leading to a revamped screening process. * Strategic Partnerships: Learn how collaborations with PAC-14 and Ocean City ComicCon helped the festival expand its reach beyond traditional boundaries. * The John Waters Effect: The impact of bringing legendary filmmaker John Waters to the festival and how his “stamp of approval” put Ocean City on the map for independent film. * Economic Impact: We break down the numbers, including an analysis showing the festival brings a $140,000 economic boost to the town over just four days. Notable Mentions * B.L. Strang Moya: Creative Director of the Ocean City Film Festival. * Trevor Taylor: Local filmmaker and winner of the first Ocean City Film Challenge. * Tom Taylor: Executive Director of PAC-14. * Dylan Jones: Technical lead who shares stories of the “tech jinxes” that plague live events. * Elaine Bean: The connection who helped secure John Waters as a headliner. Resource Links * Official Website: DestinationDelmarva.com [https://www.google.com/search?q=http://DestinationDelMarva.com] * Newsletter: Sign up for arts news, history, and current events. * Related Podcast: Check out Day Drinking on Delmarva, our sister show covering culture and business on the peninsula. Coming Up Next: Join us for Episode 3, where we dive deeper into the specific stories of the filmmakers who make this community so vibrant. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit destinationdelmarva.substack.com [https://destinationdelmarva.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 1: Falling Upward, Or BL's Dream

This episode chronicles the “perfectly imperfect” launch of the Ocean City Film Festival in 2016. We explore how a casual conversation about screening independent work transformed into a decade-long institution. * The Accidental Festival: How a handshake deal between a young filmmaker and the Art League director led to a six-month sprint to opening night. * Democratized Filmmaking: A look at how the iPhone era allowed anyone with a vision, especially local students, to create award-quality films. * Managing the Chaos: The logistical challenges of handling submissions without a jury or a formal schedule. * A Seasonal Pivot: Why the festival moved from June to March to help support the town’s off-season economy. Click here [https://ocmdfilmfestival.com] for tickets and information about the Ocean City Film Festival. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit destinationdelmarva.substack.com [https://destinationdelmarva.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]