The brainchild of Y. Armando Nieto, a long time SBWC volunteer, known to veteran conference participants as "Mando", The History of the Santa Barbara Writers Conference project has evolved on two fronts in the form of a book and film titled with same name.
As seen in the byline, the book was written in a three way collaboration between Mando, long time SBWC workshop leader Matt Pallamary, and founder Mary Conrad, along with the deeply appreciated help and graphics support from veteran humor workshop leader Ernie Witham.
The film, the book, and the conference itself would never have existed if it were not for the efforts of Barnaby and Mary Conrad, the founders of the SBWC.
Barnaby was the well known and loved face and "front man"of the conference, but it was Mary's tireless devotion and work behind the scenes that made the SBWC a reality.
Enter Lisa Angle, the talented filmmaker and producer of Literary Gumbo who conference attendees usually see behind a camera at the conference filming keynoters, who came up with the suggestion to make a documentary film of the conference which has been entered into the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Add to that Mando's nephew, Hollywood special effects wizard Andras Kavalecz who generously donated his time and considerable talents to the film and the many SBWC "old timers" who came to be interviewed for the film, among them, Fannie Flagg and Catherine Ryan Hyde, with a special shout out of appreciation to Chris Mitchum who flew in from Boston over the weekend and flew right back in a "turn and burn", specifically for the twenty minute interview!
And one more shout out of appreciation to Canadian recording artist André Nobels for his generous musical contribution to the film's soundtrack.
Here is the film's trailer for your viewing pleasure and enticement.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCFQ2nhNZlc[/embed]
