By the time The Gangrene Film Festival had reached it’s third year, it had begun to draw a devoted following of audience members and film makers. Artists were making films specifically for the festival. Festival followers were asking when the next festival would be held. It was decided that the festival would always be held on the 2nd Friday in September due to the starkness of that time of the year. There just isn’t anything big going on in September, so the festival was meant to add a lift to an otherwise dull season. The festival was publicized outside of the close circle of friends and family. Posters were hung around town and the buzz began. Though there had been a festival theme in the past—Wonton, Two Inches—the theme of 300 mg was used more extensively. A graphic treatment for posters and handbills was created. The festival was developing a personality. The festival theme became an important part of this personality. For the first time, admission was charged to get into the festival. The festival had never been meant as a revenue-generating engine. If festival organizers were after money, they would have done something else. The decision to charge admission was made as a way to recoup show costs.

The practice of bringing each director on stage to introduce his film and for Q/A afterward became a practice. At the Gangrene Film Festival, directors sit with the host on stage while their films are shown. This gives audience members an interesting perspective of featured films. It is intriguing to watch a film and glance over at the director to get his take on it through his body language. This practice is also an opportunity for directors. For Gangrene Film Festival directors, the audience is part of the show. They are able to watch the audience as their films commence and sample the audience’s response to their material with potent clarity. The Gangrene Film Festival: 300 mg featured a fresh batch of comic shorts and the audience loved it. They went away smiling and ready to come back again; everything festival organizers had hoped for.