I WAS A JUDGE AT THE SOHO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL!

You never know when a favor you do for someone in one professional context will reward you many times over, many years later.

In 1987 I coordinated the move of Loews Corporation from 666 Fifth Avenue to 2 places: 667 Madison at 61st and One Park Avenue at 32nd.  I went to One Park.

At the time it was a bleak neighborhood with exactly one decent spot to eat, "An American Place", a half block from the office.  If I ever had a professional lunch, this was the place.

During the early years, there was a hostess who was better at her job than anyone I had ever met in that position.  She remembered everyone's name, always.  She was constantly smiling and warm and friendly.  She made you feel special.  The food was good, but the atmosphere she created in the restaurant was lively, vibrant, and fun.  She had a gift.  Her name was Sibyl, and she went by "Princess."

She was also a doer and an ambitious person who, you quickly learned, was going places.  When she found out about my role in HR, she asked me to be a reference for a better job she was seeking at the newest and most luxurious hotel in town, The Peninsula. "Gladly", I said.

She got the job. Then when she went for a bigger job and I gave her a glowing reference and she got that position too.

We stayed in touch over the years, mostly because we were both Mets fans.  She had also organized a group to perform Filipina Folk dances, which were a delight to attend.

So Sibyl, indeed, went places.  She ultimately became the Executive Director of the Soho International Film Festival.

And then this past June, I got a call from Sibyl asking me to be a Judge in the Soho International Film Festival.  She knew I was an avid film fan.

So I said "yes" . . . before realizing what "yes" meant.  I was assigned to be one of three judges in several categories, such as American feature films, foreign feature films, documentaries, shorts, etc. 

And being a judge meant watching 24 films in the weeks to follow, assorted among the assigned categories.  Some films were to be shown in theaters around town at scheduled times, and others could be seen at home using Vimeo.  Each film had to be rated on a comprehensive basis, in all the categories one might suspect apply in the film world - - cinematography, acting, and editing, to name a few.  And the film had to be given an overall rating on a scale of 1 to 10.

There were events nearly every night, attended by the film industry pros and actors featured in the film.  One condition: no one may be told of my status as a Judge, lest they maneuver for a better rating.

It was a blast!  It gave me a whole new impression of the world of film, and the care and creativity that goes into the making of a movie.  Their diligence as professionals made taking the job as reviewer and critic not just essential but deeply gratifying.

So Sibyl and her team managing the festival, highlighted by her husband, Carlos, executed a truly impressive professional operation.

At the final award ceremony, attended by nearly all the stars and filmmakers, the judges were introduced at last.  Not only was the entire experience an honor, but I got to meet the Filmmaker, Director, Screenwriter, and Lead Actor in my favorite film of the entire festival, The Karma Club.  His name is Kevin Porter Young, who then invited me to participate in his next to-be-produced movie, "Shelter Blues."  I've been to a couple meetings, and to say it's a new world is putting it mildly . . . but then remember the theme of this blog and life in retirement, it's all about going "TO" and not "FROM."

Stay tuned!