Library to go wi-fi

Rob Duyser of the video library confirmed yesterday that IFFR is looking to go wi-fi for the 2009 event. ‘This year, we went partly wireless, the idea being to spread the wi-fi zone and give video library access throughout the building,’ he said. ‘But because of the capacity of the bandwidth, we had to restrict everything to the video library. But it’s something we’re looking to do next year, to have a similar service, or at least a cut-down version of it throughout the building. So anybody with a badge and a lap-top will be able to sign on. It’s an on-going process of evolving a system that is getting better and better.’
As of Friday morning (1 February), the most viewed film at the videotheque was Jens Jonsson’s The King of Ping Pong. Next up were Liew Seng Tat’s Flower in the Pocket, Las meninas (Ihor Podolchak and Dean Kar) and Abai Kulbai’s Strizh. José Luis Torres Leiva’s El Cielo, la tierra y la lluvia completed the top five. Some of the most requested films for which videotheque screening permission was not granted were Carlos Reygadas’ Stellet Licht (Silent Light), Alexander Sokurov’s Alexandra and Noah Baumbach’s Margot at the Wedding.
Total film viewings on the server, video and DVD, amounted to 6,200, with an average daily total of 544. Thursday, 31 January saw the highest number of viewings, at 740. 
Information requests about titles from accredited guests numbered 526, with a daily average of 65.75. The total number of hits, including log-ins, searches, catalogue reviews and film viewings was 340,948. NC