Gavin Michael Booth
BIFF 2023 Honorary Chairperson
It was the fall of 2018, and totally by chance, former BIFF board member Susan Picking’s husband, Michael, was sitting on a plane next to Daved Wilkins. Turns out that Daved was a filmmaker and Michael invited him to submit a film to BIFF.
A short time later the film was selected for BIFF 2019. That film, Last Call, went on to win a BIFFY award for Daved, and his director friend, Gavin Michael Booth, who attended the festival and became an immediate hit.
It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship between Gavin, the BIFF team, and the Beloit community. Gavin became a source of knowledge, inspiration, and friendship for everyone connected with BIFF. So it seemed only fitting that he take a much-deserved turn as the annual Honorary Chairperson of the festival.
Background
His list of achievements is lengthy and impressive. And his foray into filmmaking is the stuff of which screenplays are made. Gavin began his professional career in videography sneaking into concerts in Detroit, Michigan with a fake Canadian television press pass. One of the first bands to buy into his gig as a reporter was Third Eye Blind. Frontman Stephen Jenkins liked his work enough to bring him on further tour dates and hired Gavin to shoot additional material for the band, as well as another project he was producing.
In October 2015 Booth broke new filmmaking ground, teaming up with producer Jason Blum (The Purge, Get Out) to create the world’s first movie broadcast live using Twitter’s Periscope App. The film was a success with worldwide media coverage. Booth has worked with some of the top entertainers in the music industry including music video and documentary projects for Eminem’s D-12, Todrick Hall, SYML, Third Eye Blind, Vanessa Carlton and more. These projects have aired on global television as well as appeared on best-selling DVDs and Enhanced CDs released by major labels.
Gavin & Sarah
Gavin’s creative output continues with features, shorts and music videos spilling out into the marketplace with each passing year. And his wife Sarah, who stars in many of his productions, is a force of nature herself, currently co-starring with the great Alfred Molina in the Prime Video hit series, Three Pines.
In summing up his relationship with film, Gavin is quoted as saying, “Growing up, filmmaking was always my imaginary friend. I could feel it, spend time with it, enjoy it’s company… I just had to convince the rest of the world it really existed.”
Gavin…Beloit is convinced!
It is with sincere appreciation that BIFF, its board of directors, and all indie film fans in the greater Beloit community welcome the 2023 Honorary Chairperson of the festival, Gavin Michael Booth.
Gavin Michael Booth
BIFF 2023 Honorary Chairperson
It was the fall of 2018, and totally by chance, former BIFF board member Susan Picking’s husband, Michael, was sitting on a plane next to Daved Wilkins. Turns out that Daved was a filmmaker and Michael invited him to submit a film to BIFF.
A short time later the film was selected for BIFF 2019. That film, Last Call, went on to win a BIFFY award for David, and his director friend, Gavin Michael Booth, who attended the festival and became an immediate hit.
It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship between Gavin, the BIFF team, and the Beloit community. Gavin became a source of knowledge, inspiration, and friendship for everyone connected with BIFF. So it seemed only fitting that he take a much-deserved turn as the annual Honorary Chairperson of the festival.
Background
His list of achievements is lengthy and impressive. And his foray into filmmaking is the stuff of which screenplays are made. Gavin began his professional career in videography sneaking into concerts in Detroit, Michigan with a fake Canadian television press pass. One of the first bands to buy into his gig as a reporter was Third Eye Blind. Frontman Stephen Jenkins liked his work enough to bring him on further tour dates and hired Gavin to shoot additional material for the band, as well as another project he was producing.
In October 2015 Booth broke new filmmaking ground, teaming up with producer Jason Blum (The Purge, Get Out) to create the world’s first movie broadcast live using Twitter’s Periscope App. The film was a success with worldwide media coverage. Booth has worked with some of the top entertainers in the music industry including music video and documentary projects for Eminem’s D-12, Todrick Hall, SYML, Third Eye Blind, Vanessa Carlton and more. These projects have aired on global television as well as appeared on best-selling DVDs and Enhanced CDs released by major labels.
Gavin & Sarah
Gavin’s creative output continues with features, shorts and music videos spilling out into the marketplace with each passing year. And his wife Sarah, who stars in many of his productions, is a force of nature herself, currently co-starring with the great Alfred Molina in the Prime Video hit series, Three Pines.
In summing up his relationship with film, Gavin is quoted as saying, “Growing up, filmmaking was always my imaginary friend. I could feel it, spend time with it, enjoy it’s company… I just had to convince the rest of the world it really existed.”
Gavin…Beloit is convinced!
It is with sincere appreciation that BIFF, its board of directors, and all indie film fans in the greater Beloit community welcome the 2023 Honorary Chairperson of the festival, Gavin Michael Booth.
Directors Cut Presentations
While he is visiting during BIFF 2023, you can meet Gavin at one of his two amazing Director’s Cut presentations. Both of these events will take place at the Weissberg Auditorium, 850 Pleasant St., Beloit) Here are some insights into what you will see:
While he is visiting during BIFF 2023, you can meet Gavin at one of his two amazing Director’s Cut presentations. Both of these events will take place at the Weissberg Auditorium, 850 Pleasant St., Beloit) Here are some insights into what you will see:
Director’s Cut #1
Saturday, Feb 25, 5pm
Last Call Retrospective
A screening of our Honorary Chairperson Gavin Michael Booth’s breakout feature film “Last Call” which started its festival run right here at BIFF!
With over 65 festival awards around the world, this micro-budget film has been featured on Peacock, HBO and Prime as well as helping move forward the career of its star Sarah Booth, who is currently on Prime Video’s “Three Pines”.
Gavin will discuss the making of the film, the road to a successful festival run and everything it takes to take an indie film out into the world for audiences to find it.
Last Call won the BIFF Josh Burton award in 2019 as well as two of Booth’s music videos winning Best Music Video in recent years.
Director’s Cut #1
Saturday, Feb 25, 5pm
Last Call Retrospective
A screening of our Honorary Chairperson Gavin Michael Booth’s breakout feature film “Last Call” which started its festival run right here at BIFF!
With over 65 festival awards around the world, this micro-budget film has been featured on Peacock, HBO and Prime as well as helping move forward the career of its star Sarah Booth, who is currently on Prime Video’s “Three Pines”.
Gavin will discuss the making of the film, the road to a successful festival run and everything it takes to take an indie film out into the world for audiences to find it.
Last Call won the BIFF Josh Burton award in 2019 as well as two of Booth’s music videos winning Best Music Video in recent years.
Director’s Cut #2
Saturday, Mar 4, 5pm
Pull Up Your Shorts
Michael showcases his short film work along with an in-depth conversation regarding the growth of a filmmakers’ career from one project to the next.
Featured are films BIFF has not seen from Booth. These include the comedy “Are You My Mommy”, the platinum record awarded music video “Syml – Where’s My Love” and his very first short film, a thriller “To Hell, With Love” which caught the attention of Universal Studios leading to a feature film project.
A fantastic look at what it takes to develop a directing career with valuable insight for filmmakers, actors and film lovers alike.
Director’s Cut #2
Saturday, Mar 4, 5pm
Pull Up Your Shorts
Michael showcases his short film work along with an in-depth conversation regarding the growth of a filmmakers’ career from one project to the next.
Featured are films BIFF has not seen from Booth. These include the comedy “Are You My Mommy”, the platinum record awarded music video “Syml – Where’s My Love” and his very first short film, a thriller “To Hell, With Love” which caught the attention of Universal Studios leading to a feature film project.
A fantastic look at what it takes to develop a directing career with valuable insight for filmmakers, actors and film lovers alike.
