INTERVIEW: TROMA’S LLOYD KAUFMAN

Tromadance: Still Making Their Own Damn Movies

By Contributing Writer, 2-01-06

	Tromadance's Lloyd Kaufman

By Melissa McGibbon

No longer does one festival rule the small mountain town of Park City every January. Sundance has seemingly loosened its vice grip on the necks of the grassroots festivals and deigned to peacefully coexist—for the most part. Formerly the beleaguered bastard of the January film festivals, Tromadance celebrated its seventh year in 2006. Festival founder/director Lloyd Kaufman spoke with New West about his fest’s longevity and success.

New West: What do you think has been the biggest success of Tromadance 2006?

Lloyd Kaufman: For Tromadance, it’s we have been able to keep this festival completely free. Submission is free, screenings are free, and everyone who works here is a volunteer. It has been seven years; we are finally being taken seriously. The name Troma gets the audience there and we’ve always had a huge audience because it’s free. It’s been exciting to see the filmmakers see their films with an audience.

NW: How is Tromadance funded?

LK: Tromadance is primarily funded by thousands and thousands of DVD sales. The Best of Tromadance Our biggest problem is raising the money to produce the festival and keep it free. This year we managed to just barely get by. Our fans are so loyal that we were able to raise $5,000 from individual donations. When we began our profits were better for distribution but the big conglomerates are eating the business. The festival is also supported by Troma Entertainment, which has been around for 32 years, and festival sponsorships but they are mostly in-kind.

NW: What direction is the festival headed?

LK: Our plan is to continue doing this and keeping it free. The other festivals are all making money; Tromadance exists purely for the sake of giving independent art to the people. This is the most idealistic venture. The idea of free art is amazing! Tromadance shows movies that have passion and that are motivated by nothing but the art. The films come from the heart of the artists. We are starting to get more international too. Our reputation is spreading and this year we received submissions from Russia and Australia among other countries. Tromanale has been happening at the Berlin Film Festival and we’ve also been in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Alberta, Canada; and Edinburgh, Scotland. Tromapalooza, the Troma concerts, are now in their third year in Nashville and their second year in Las Vegas.

NW: Has there been more acceptance or resistance for Tromadance this year in Park City?

LK: When we started we were not taken seriously, Sundance was hostile. Sundance in Park City had rules to stop our young filmmakers from promoting their films. The last few years, the police have been calmer. We only had one incident this year. We had a guy playing an accordion and the cops threatened to confiscate it because of the noise but Sundance has concerts on Main Street that make a lot more noise. I honestly do believe though that Sundance has returned more to their roots in terms of programming genuine indie films, perhaps as a result of Tromadance. Even last year the police were everywhere and they took away the Toxic Avenger’s mop. They said it was a weapon. The locals in Park City love Tromadance. They’ve been very encouraging and they help us with services. There are a lot of young people who come to Sundance but end up at Tromadance because they can get in. We don’t want to have a VIP policy.

NW: What is it about Tromadance that makes so many people want to be involved as filmmakers and volunteers?

LK: Tromadance represents a pure and beautiful concept. Philosophically, it is as pure as you can get. It is rare as a filmmaker, this environment. The opportunity to work with other young artists is important. Being an artist is a lonely activity but, they all keep in touch, some of them have gotten married. The people who work for Tromadance are making their own damn movies.

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