Abita Springs International Film Festival

The Magic of Movies

Written By: Erin Moore Cowser

Ironically, when filmmakers head to Hollywood South, they often find their way to the Northshore. With its natural beauty as scenic backdrops, it's no surprise that the independent film community is setting up shop in Abita Springs. Once known for its artesian water springs, Abita Springs now sees a new source of creativity bubbling up with the founding of the Abita Springs International Film Festival (ASIFF).

When recent writers and actors strikes hit Hollywood and the entertainment industry, Sheridan Phillip sought to maintain a focus on the film industry despite the day-to-day work halt. With a collective of independent filmmakers based on the Northshore, a new nonprofit was established to showcase artists and add an educational component for film enthusiasts. Their goal? Use film as a medium to educate, entertain, and inspire, providing opportunities for filmmakers and enthusiasts to broaden their audience and showcase their creativity.

Abita Town Hall will host the first festival Jan. 12-14, celebrating artistic expression and exceptional storytelling through film.

"The impetus was to create more opportunities for filmmakers to show their work and foster an independent film repertoire on the Northshore," Phillip said. His latest short film is "on the circuit," having received invitations to 31 film festivals worldwide and 17 awards, including three for Best Director.

Serving as festival director and board president, Phillip credits co-founders and fellow board members Fiona McQuinn, programmer; Evette Randolph, development director; Jessica Montalvo, programmer; and Bob Krieger, also a programmer, for building a weekend of events and viewings both for those in the independent film business and those who simply have an interest in it.

The inaugural festival's theme is "The Magic of Movies," featuring films currently under review by festival curators.

An opening reception on Friday will include performances by monologue contest winners, the "7 in 7" contest winner (participants create a 7-minute film on the Northshore in seven days), a screening of Shane LeCocq’s locally produced and filmed work, "A Touch of Magic," and entertainment by acclaimed New Orleans magician Michael Dardant, also known as "Magic Mike" (not the dancer). An afterparty is planned. Saturday's schedule includes multiple film blocks of global submissions and a panel featuring actors with local connections, such as Christian Stokes of "Five Nights at Freddy’s" and Hick Cheramie of "Emancipation" and "Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches." The actors will talk about their career and personal paths into the film industry and field questions from attendees. And, of course, there will be an after party Saturday night, too.

Sunday features more film blocks, the festival awards ceremony, and a closing night party. Categories include Louisiana Film, Experimental Film, Documentary Short, Documentary Feature, Narrative Short, and Narrative Feature. Awards include Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, 7 in 7 Winner, and Best Film: The Healing Waters Award, which will be presented to the film that best showcases the mission of the festival.

Tickets are available at abitaspringsinternationalfilmfestival.org or on filmfreeway.com under the Abita Springs International Film Festival.