Mitch Davis is a lucky bastard

So Mitch is going to be the next Roy Lee? Hmm.

Howz about some continental talent, Mitch :) ???

Noooooo Mitch Davis !! He thinks he's a sort of a ultra-human being !! Which "unparallel awareness of the international genre scene", he doesn't know a damn except the nu stuff !! You've just "pumped" his EGO with an article like this !!

Davis does a great job programming Fantasia, and not just the "Nu stuff." I may not agree with the remake angle of this new gig, but I'm sure that he'll find a way to bring much deserved attention to brilliant [as opposed to "hot"] overseas [and continental] talent, not just the obvious few fanboy favorites.

I find amazing that you idolize a guy who's responsible of producing the awful SUBCONSCIOUS CRUELTY. As for organizing a good fest you don't need to be a genius to do it !! A general knowledge of "new film products" is more than enuff. Sorry he's only an overextimated average guy.

Anyone who speaks ill of Mitch Davis in regards to his new posting simply does not know the man. One thing is for certain: his heart is in the right place (which is more than you can say for most people in this nasty business). And having had numerous in-depth conversations with him, I can tell you that he is one of North America's authourities on genre cinema both old and new.
Do you honestly think a Paramount subsidiary would have gambled on hiring anyone less than a well-connected expert with good instincts for this position? Not likely.
FYI: Organising a good film fest takes much more than knowing new product. It takes knowing an evolving audience and it takes not always caving in to favouritism or imposing your own tastes. I've seen the man at work at Fantasia and, frankly, he is irreplaceable within that organisation. The petty nay sayers here are spewing venom out of ENVY, which is much easier to do than wishing someone well. That would take a bit more courage and honour. When someone trashes you in a small-minded way, it usually means that you have something they wish they had. So, take it as a compliment! Anyway, let's all wish him well and wait and see how he does before judging him.

Congratulations Mitch!

Whoa...

I just want to say that I'm extremely happy for Mitch. I cannot believe some of the venom spewed here about him. Of course, everyone is entitled to have an opinion of SUBCONSCIOUS CRUELTY (good or bad) but to chastise the man who helped make it, because you may not like it, is not right. Mitch and I are close friends who've known each other for... what?... at least 10 years now... and I have also worked with him on our own SMALL GAUGE TRAUMA DVD (as well as pre-prod on VOL. 2).

I respect the man and love him like a brother. His knowledge of the genre is amazing and the Fantasia Film Festival is one of the greatest festivals IN THE WORLD... and Mitch is a reason I keep coming back to it year after year.

Being one who is by no means exempt from public scrutiny (I've had plenty of venom slung at me over the years), I hope Mitch doesn't take any of the criticism to heart. My business partner said it best... It's when people STOP talking about you, that you don't exist. Staying in their minds only makes you stronger!

Mitch has been and allways will be one of the most influential cinema gurus ever. I think Hollywood are obviously starting to realise this for he has proven time and time again that there's some real movies out there and that there is a new brood on the rise. Many film makers have taken his advice and have improved over the years in their own art. Mitch is closer to this brood than anyone and has been promoting them from all corners of the globe for as far as I can remember.

I think the studios need him because he will be their cure. The amount of garbage that comes out of the mainstream these days are mind boggling and Mitch's experience in the art of cinema AND the art of promotion will easily help change this both in the guerrilla and commercial aesthetics of this business.

Mitch has started from the underground level even before he was producing films like Subconcious Cruelty which I think is a rare form of cinematic "Brut Art". This film is a cult classic and is recognised and hailed worldwide in the underground cult cinema culture for years now. There hasn't been many that have achieved this kind of kudos.. And this is just one of the many reasons why he is the perfect man for the job.

I have seen SUBCONSCIOUS CRUELTY at Fantasy Film Fest and it was ein stück der scheiße,I will never pick it up for my label !

What hes trying to say is that the guy has been around in the scene since the street level of filmmaking. He has experience in underground and mainstream so he would know more than anyone about the entirety of the league. I agree too that some people may not like subconcious but it really does not matter. What matters is that this guy was there from the beginning unlike many others who claim to have been.

Congrats Mitch!