Is Swansea Bay Film Festival the worst festival ever? 

As a film maker I really appreciate this film that documents the reality of some film festivals. Film making is hard, it drains your time, money and emotions and it doesn't stop when the film is finished. Just trying to get your film shown somewhere can be a frustrating and expensive experience. Hats off to the speaker at the end of the Awards Gala who stood up for the film makers.

How apt are Binda Singh's initials?

There are many dark secrets in that man's closet. He's nothing to do with the film industry, he's a chancer and a bully and he has a rather nasty past.

I know this was posted in 2011 but I really feel for you guys. I live in Swansea and my business has had to deal with people/organisers such as that moron! My latest hobby is video shooting and editing. I haven't even got my head around the software yet and not sure I'll be going into film making but if my heart remains in it I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Take care folks and well done for making this film.

I live in Swansea, and had never heard of this Swansea Film Festival until I stumbled upon this film. I hope your bad experience doesn't put you off this town entirely, because it's a pretty good place. I remember Binda Singh as a D.J. on Red Dragon Radio in the late '80s, and wondered what happened to him. Now I know!

I've just come across this excellent video and feel I must add a comment. I had the misfortune of meeting this Bindah Singh about 8 months ago when he was looking for venues for this years Festival. He told me he could no longer use the Dylan Thomas Arts Centre for various reasons. I'm responsible for running a Workingmans Club on a daily basis, which he was very interested in using because we have several rooms capable of showing these films. I thank the Lord we have'nt heard from him since

Intriguing. There is a very strange culture in the arts world in general in the uk. Something to do with education,professional jealousy and fear. There is not a great deal of rational thinking behind it, but there is awareness that meerly playing the game is counter productive. As a result what happened at the swansea film festival is not just classic but a symptom of a very sick system in general. It would be funny if it wasnt so sad.

This is a great video...it highlights a lot of things that I've suspected about some film festivals for some time now...money spinners with no real interest in film. Well done for making and posting this video.

I'm sorry to see you had such a terrible experience, but thank you for making and sharing this video. As a film maker it's incredibly frustrating to see festivals behave like this and there really needs to be more done to highlight it. Could you tell me how it's possible to see Boyhood Shadows?

Binda Singh. I've heard so many negative comments about this man that I wouldn't believe a word he ever says.

Unfortunately, this is how many film festivals are run, and why I don't submit to any but the most well known. Sadly, there is too much competition with larger films who consider themselves independent too in the good fests. A truly unfortunate experience you've had... as filmmakers, we should all be making documentaries about our festival experiences. Perhaps it would help weed out the problematic events for others, and possibly force those who take advantage to close their doors as a result.

What a sad story. I have often wondered about all these film festivals that have sprung up and their legitimacy. Hope the couple who made this film got it screened somewhere decent.

Can’t believe for some festivals the films aren’t the main focus or the filmmakers are treated so badly, especially as they are the ones providing the content for the event! We don’t charge a submission fee for this reason although this is probably another debate.

This is an excellent documentary, and many many people have had this kind of experience trying to show their work at a film festival. I draw a distinction between the festivals that aim high while missing their goal, and those other festivals that are deceptive. There is no shame in failure, but deception is not honorable. Obviously, as filmmakers we want our films to be seen and appreciated. We are all ripe for falling prey to the shiny possibilities of a good audience for our work. I know that I am.

If you had said festiva and Wales I would have said NO. If you had specificed Swansea I would have said double no. Anyone with a brain cell left Wales for greener pastures. I felt very sorry for you watching this but at every turn I kept on saying yeah but this is Wales... thats why I left.

I am so embarrassed to be from Swansea. I have lived in many different countries and different parts of the UK. This seems very very unacceptable and totally unprofessional behaviour. I am very sorry for the couple who travelled all this way, I apologise being from Swansea. This fucking rude imbecile Mr Singh is a disgrace and can only damage the image of Swansea.

That is the sad reality, some making film festivals for art and passion and some just for money :/

This was 4 years ago? and i have never heard of this Festival..I live in Swansea i feel for you guys traveling all that way to have to deal with that Prick!

Oh wow. I'm embarrassed that this was in Wales. Its a very beautiful country (outside of Swansea). Its a shame they did such an awful job.

@amoslinz Sadly not under new management..the guy who runs it Binda Singh just invents mythical people to front his events. Would love to know how you get on at the SBFF

Oh noo.... this is pretty sad, really..

if you hover your mouse over the timebar to 6.06 and keep clicking it is quite amusing. What was he trying to say?

Great film. I'm afraid we're committed to going, and I only found you this week! However, that being said, I do believe the sbff is under new management, as it were. We're also going to Ireland (2 for 2!). I'm going to keep a record of it, and let you know the upshot. Hopefully things will have improved. If not, arses might get kicked!

That is unfair. Wales is a lovely country. Swansea is a hole though.

Well folks - the good news is: having attended the festival this year, it all seems grand! We had a technical hitch with a player, that was sorted in no time flat; we were looked after and introduced to other film makers throughout the short time we were there; folk came to the screenings. I grant that the screening room wasn't HD 5.1, etc, but then I wasn't expecting that from Swansea Bay FF. So perhaps the good side is that lessons have ben learned? A very enjoyable experience.

And now you have Cardiff International Film Festival!!

Wow! How did he get his job?

@ripporter he set up the company!

Good lord! Never heard the likes of it! (But you should have travelled to Ireland...)

great small documentary.. That film festival is pathetic

@undercurrentspaulo I should have known!

We shall see. All seems reasonable thus far, and the technical team have been very helpful. Updates to follow. Blog at soundsmove.blogspot.com

All this does is paint those film makers in a bad light, why be negative about something? Think about it - there will be no positive outcome for anyone. They should have done the complete opposite and said how great the festival was - that means next year they would have a far greater chance of getting noticed by the organisers. People need to stand back from situations and think relativity from both sides of a problem :D