Talk about your smart product placement.
Sunday night the pizza in the filmmakers lounge at the Tivoli was from Basil Doc’s (yum). The drinks were courtesy of Argonaut Liquor (ahh), sponsor of the lounge. During the day, Noodles & Co. provided lunch. Braun’s Bar & Grill and City Grille are set to feed fest guests.
Victor Fabrizio, pictured, could not be happier. A fest staffer for 17 years, the lounge’s co-manager knows donations keep a festival fat and happy.
Q: You’re a fest vet, how’s this year looking?
A: This is turning out to be one of the most, well, I should probably say “fun” years. The community has really come forward because of the way the economy is now. The community knows our artistic journey and (is) supportive of it. So they’ve made sure it continues.
Q: So how did you come to do the food for the festival? And do you still cook?
A: I still cook. You can tell by my weight (he laughs). Initially, I had a restaurant in Santa Fe called Victor’s, an Italian restaurant. I would always — along with the sponsors of that film festival — throw the big parties. So my restaurant was the place to go. Of course, I got very star-struck. When I sold Victor’s and moved back to Denver, I knew Ron Henderson (co-founder of the festival). So I asked if I could volunteer. My first job was driving a shuttle and then moved up the ladder.
Q: Does the lounge still do a last supper?
A: Oh, yeah, that’s Sunday afternoon before we break down. Comfort food. Meatloaf, one of Ron’s favorites. Lisa Kennedy
