In truth, I struggle with whether this is a necessary post. A long-winded “goodbye” seems a little egotistical. But I also recognize that there is a community here that does not deserve to be left in the dark. It's that community that figured heavily into HitFix's decision to partner with In Contention four years ago, and it's that community that I've grown to respect and appreciate as part of a conversation throughout all my years doing this – not just an audience being dictated to from a perch, but an engaged collective vital to the elixir of it all.
So let me fill you in on the news: This will be my, and In Contention's, last month as part of the HitFix family.
When we came here, HitFix was an evolving brand. It was a destination for broader audiences but, with various trade dabbling and acquisitions, it was also a great destination for industry readership. I liked that hybrid personality. It was fresh and exciting to me. When Greg Ellwood first bent my ear at a Telluride screening in 2011, I saw it as a unique opportunity to hitch my wagon to a young company forging a different path.
But philosophies shift. As such, HitFix has made a decision to move out of the awards business and focus on its consumer audience, while I've made a decision to seek out a more proper fit, where I can provide the best possible coverage of this sector going forward. I wish the talented and vibrant crew here the best, but it's time for me – for us – to move on.
Beyond that, there's nothing else to report. No lengthy look back at the evolution of film awards coverage. No navel-gazing about how we”ve figured into that quirky spectrum. No drawn-out considerations and heartfelt adieus. If that piece is in me somewhere, I don't think I'm quite ready to dredge it up. So let me just say that whatever happens next, I look forward to this community being there, ready to digest the art and craft of cinema, as well as the pomp and circumstance of the season that honors it with baubles and trinkets. We've come a long way. Maybe you'll want to go a little farther.
I'll be sure to let you know where we land. You can keep track of me at @kristapley on Twitter for that and all else. Thank you for being there. Thank you for reading. Thank you for engaging. In so many words, just that: thank you.
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