Oz Magazine March/April 2017 - Atlanta Film Festival

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film. tv. entertainment.





As executive chairman of the board for Blackhall Studios, Ryan Millsap is not only the co-founder and co-developer of the studio but is also responsible for its strategy and expansion, to include an additional 10 stages and 40,000 square feet of office space in 2017. James Schulz, who has more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, is co-founder and co-developer and serves as president of the studios, responsible for strategy and expansion along with day-to-day operations and securing productions.

Blackhall Studios is the largest purpose-built studio in metro Atlanta and is located less than 10 miles from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, with hourly flights to and from major cities like Los Angeles and New York, and eight miles from downtown Atlanta. Luxury accommodations, such as the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and St. Regis, along with awardwinning restaurants and high-end shopping destinations, are all located within 20 minutes of the studio.


MAGAZINE

STAFF Publishers:

Tia Powell (Group Publisher) Gary Powell

Editor-in-Chief:

CONTENTS

APRIL / MARCH 2017

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Atlanta Film Festival Program

Gary Powell

Associate Editor:

Zachary Vaudo

Sales:

Michael R. Eilers Martha Ronske Kris Thimmesch

Contributors: Paula Wallace

Creative Director: Kelvin Lee

Production and Design:

Kelvin Lee Michael R. Eilers Ted Fabella (Oz Logo Design)

Cover Image:

Alex Watson

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A compilation of recent news and hot projects, from and about Georgia’s production industry.

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Voices

Georgia: Where Binge-Watching is a Cash Crop

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Let Me Give You My Card

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Seeks Next Generation of Artists


ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL TABLE OF CONTENTS

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 24 25 26 29 35 39 49 57 67 69 75

Letter from Atlanta Mayor Welcome Letter Staff Leadership Atlanta Film Society Patrons Screenplay Competition Film Competition & Jurors Awards Creative Conference Opening Night Closing Night Special Presentations Creative Media SOUND + VISION Narrative Features Documentary Features Short Films Kickstarter Backers Airport Shorts Sponsors

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Kasim Reed MAYOR

55 TRINITY AVE, S.W. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30335-0300 TEL (404) 330-6100

March 24, 2017 Greetings: As Mayor of the City of Atlanta, it gives me great pleasure to welcome the attendees to the 2017 Atlanta Film Festival. The 2017 Atlanta Film Festival dedicates ten days to the celebration and culture of cinema. The festival features films, music videos, episodic pilots, virtual reality and more, chosen from over 6,000 submissions. With Georgia having generated an economic impact of more than $7 billion in the last fiscal year, the Atlanta Film Festival is in an exceptional position to bring together global cinema and our local independent film community. I am confident that the 2017 Atlanta Film Festival will be an exciting event that allows our city’s diverse community to experience great films and empower future filmmakers.

LETTER FROM THE MAYOR

CITY OF ATLANTA

While in our city, I encourage attendees to explore the many attractions Atlanta has to offer including: the Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Center, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Children’s Museum of Atlanta, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, College Football Hall of Fame and many more. We invite you to share in our Southern hospitality, sample cuisine at our many fine restaurants and enjoy the rich and diverse heritage of our city. On behalf of the people of Atlanta, I extend best wishes to you for a memorable occasion. Sincerely,

Mayor Kasim Reed

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WELCOME LETTER

WELCOME! Dear festival-goer, Can you believe it? Forty-one years of showcasing films from all across the globe. This is a time when filmmakers, film lovers and citizens of our city are able to gather as a community to enjoy the motion picture. We are here to celebrate, get inspired and connect. As a non-profit organization, we thrive on working with and leading the community in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image while simultaneously providing an accessible platform. Atlanta currently in the top 3 for number of productions in the nation and that number keeps growing. This calls to mind the diversity of the city and how we are home to numerous creatives. People always want to call us ‘the Hollywood of the South,’ because of the influx of productions and the increase of studios being established. Don’t get us wrong, we appreciate the compliment— but ‘we can do bad all by ourselves.’ Atlanta is a marker for change and progression as the city is dedicated to constituting itself as a home for forward-thinking artistry and creativity through the moving image. We have our own unique voice. The experiences for this week will be like no other! We have nearly 200 films from 40 countries out of a record-breaking, carefully reviewed 6,085 submitted works. Our Creative Conference is a targeted and in-depth curation of panels, talks and demos regarding all of the different aspects of the art, craft and business of film, television and media. Our Screenplay Competition saw hundreds of submissions from five different continents. We’ve put our all into this festival—even a few tears—but that falls short when compared to the hours and immense effort the filmmakers have put into their films. When the lights dim and the curtains part, a filmmaker’s heart is projected on that screen. We’re honored to be the ones to present you with such fervid projects. We hope the festival leaves you inspired and well-informed. This brings us to the most the important part to the festival—you! None of this would’ve been possible without you. Thank you for showing up for the independent films from the independent voices. Thank you for allocating your time and money to this effort. It brings us joy to see your faces at the screenings, seminars and parties; to watch you appreciate, absorb and consider. It’s the little things, the laughs, gasps and sighs that makes it all worth it. No matter your tie to the festival— whether you are a board member, student, community partner, sponsor or friend—you’re family when you join us in these spaces. Enjoy the festival! Thank you. From all of us,

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STAFF

STAFF Alyssa Armand - Film Programming Director Mollie Beavers - Box Office Manager Gregory Bishop - Programmer | Content Manager Kristy Breneman - Creative Director Beau Brown - Puppetry Programmer Linda Burns - Education Director Ali Coad - Screenplay Programmer Lucy Doughty - Marketing Manager Christopher Escobar - Executive Director Trent Farrington - Volunteer Coordinator Meghan Faulker - Marketing Coordinator Josephine Figueroa - Programming Coordinator Cherish Hall - Executive Assistant Micah Hall - A/V Toolbox Coordinator Yasmine Harrisone - Development Coordinator AJ Holder - Print Traffic Coordinator Christina Humphrey - Programming Director Alex James - Programmer | Education Coordinator Kimberly Klabel - Operations Director Elizabeth Leary - Puppetry Programmer Ceci Leon - Operations Manager

Theo Lowe - Operations Director Marguerite Daniel Mancini - Business Manager Cameron McAllister - Marketing Director | GA Film Programmer Kristen Nothstein - Special Events Assistant Justice Obiaya - Education Programmer Seth Patterson - A/V Toolbox Coordinator Robert Pompa - Development Coordinator Kevon Pryce - Marketing Coordinator Zach Pyles - Assistant Technical Director Lauren Rector - Programming Coordinator Marisa Rowan - Guest Services Director Matt Rowles - Technical Director Denise Nash Skelton - Events Manager Jamie Traner - Marketing Coordinator Anna Vecellio - Programming Coordinator Alex Watson - Designer Travis Webb - Transportation Coordinator

Pubic Relations - Allied Integrated Marketing: Lindsay Corley, Kaylee Maneri Sponsorships - Mixit Marketing: Rick Kern Business Associates: Cherish Hall, Andrew Petillo, Walter Smith Marketing & Design Associates: Mikaela Dyett, Rashid Nellons, Anasha Stevens, Chasity Wingard Operations Associates: Amanda Sachtleben, Anasha Stevens, Ashli Trammell, Ashley Young Programming & Education Associates: Katherine Brennan, Jorden Collins, Michaela Eubanks Screenplay Programming Associate: Yasmine Harrisone, Page Rast

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LEADERSHIP

WALKER ANDERSON Chairman

ASHEEM KHONDKER Secretary

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Walker Anderson - Chairman | Comcast NBCUniversal Asheem Khondker - Secretary, MarCom Chair | Turner Broadcasting Eric Bromley - Treasurer, Finance Chair | WestRock Company Ashley Epting - Events & Hospitality Chair | Epting Events Barclay Taylor - Governance Chair | Chamberlain Hrdlicka Ray Benitez - Industry Co-Chair | SAG/AFTRA, MyMidtownMojo Rebecca Shrager - Industry Co-Chair | The People Store Candace Bazemore | SunTrust, J. Lane Media Cal Bowdler | Atlanta Hawks, Fox Sports Southeast, XFINITY

ERIC BROMLEY Treasurer *Ex Officio

Linda Burns* | Plexus Pictures, GPP Pola Changnon | Turner Classic Movies, Turner Broadcasting Christopher Escobar | ATLFS, Escobar Pictures Will Greenfield | Producer JoAnn Haden-Miller | Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) M. Cole Jones | Covello, NextGen Venture Partners L. Chrissie Merrill | Monarch Private Capital Caroline Osborne | The Coca-Cola Company Alix Rice | Jamestown Properties

ADVISORY BOARD Thom Abbott | MyMidtownMojo Ozzie Areu | Tyler Perry Studios PJ Younglove Hovey | Morgan Stanley Chris Ozmikowski | AMC Networks

Peggy Still Johnson | Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, The Recording Academy Frank Patterson | Pinewood Atlanta

AMBASSADOR COUNCIL Kathy Berry - Industry Committee Debra Bunkley - Events & Hospitality Committee Lindsay Corley - MarCom Committee Ryan Costigan - Events & Hospitality Committee

Gabriela Rowland - Events & Hospitality Committee Carolyn Sloss - MarCom Committee Pam Swafford - Industry Committee Chris Walker - Industry Committee

LEGACY COMMITTEE Cindy Abel | Former ATLFS Board, Filmmaker Jonathan Baker | Former ATLFS Board, Sid Mashburn Dr. Kay Beck | Former ATLFS Board, Georgia State University Stan Brading | Former ATLFS Board, Krevolin & Horst, LLC Fran Burst | Former ATLFS Board, Filmmaker Shaun Doty | Former ATLFS Board, Bantam+Biddy, Chick-a Biddy, The Federal Gayla Jamison | Founding ATLFS Executive Director, Filmmaker Michael Koepenick | Former ATLFS Board, Guillotine Post Kyle G. Koreyva | Former ATLFS Board, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

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Judge Todd Markle | Former ATLFS Board, Superior Court of Fulton County Genevieve McGillicuddy | Former ATLFS Staff, Turner Broadcasting Tim Merritt | Former ATLFS Staff, Georgia State University Michael Parver | Former AIFF PR Scot Safon | Former ATLFS Board LaRonda Sutton | Former ATLFS Board, Film City LLC Amy Tippit | Former ATLFS Staff, “The Walking Dead” Andrew Velcoff | Former ATLFS Board, Greenberg Traurig LLP Mark Wynns | Former ATLFS Staff, Turner Broadcasting


ATLANTA FILM SOCIETY

Josh Brolin and Michael Ealy at the 2009 ATLFF World Premiere of “The People Speak”

ATLANTA FILM SOCIETY Spike Lee at the 2009 Atlanta Film Festival

The Founding Board of Directors of IMAGE Film & Video Center Positioned at the intersection of art, culture and commerce, the Atlanta Film Society brings meaning to the moving image by championing the shared community experience, fostering the free exchange of ideas and nurturing the development of a thriving industry. The organization dates back to its founding as IMAGE Film & Video Center in 1976, an outgrowth of the need for equipment access, networking, information dissemination and support among Georgia media artists and producers. IMAGE was the first media arts center in the state of Georgia and on May 14, 1977, it launched the Atlanta Independent Film & Video Festival at Piedmont Park. In 1984, the organization truncated the name to Atlanta Film and Video Festival, and again in 2002, to the Atlanta Film Festival. From its inception as IMAGE and through four decades and several name changes, the same community focus and year-round programming remained the same. In 2015, the organization became the Atlanta Film Society. MISSION: LEADING THE COMMUNITY IN CREATIVE AND CULTURAL DISCOVERY THROUGH THE MOVING IMAGE.

Now celebrating a 41-year history, the Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS) is one of the oldest and largest organizations dedicated to the promotion and education of film in the United States. ATLFS aims to unite the Atlanta community by serving artists in creative growth and inspiring audiences through the power of the moving image. Enriching the community through screenings, classes, workshops and other events year-round, the chief operation of ATLFS is the Atlanta Film Festival. ATLFS screenings & events often include in-person dialogue with filmmakers, providing audiences, artists and industry professionals with meaningful opportunities to network, interact and engage. Throughout the years, ATLFS has hosted a diverse selection of films from emerging, contemporary and renowned filmmakers including Spike Lee, Craig Brewer, Mario Van Peebles, David O. Russell, Morgan Spurlock, Ray McKinnon, Aaron Katz, Lynn Shelton, James Ponsoldt, James Moll, Robert Rodriguez, Tina Mabry, Carlos Cuarón, Marc Webb, Debra Granik, Bill Plympton, James Franco, Leah Meyerhoff, David Gordon Green, Stella Meghie and Frances Bodomo. THE ATLANTA FILM SOCIETY IS A MEMBERSHIP-BASED 501(C)(3) ARTS NON-PROFIT.

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PATRONS

PATRONS BE A HERO OF THE ARTS IN ATLANTA Arts funding in our state needs heroes: individuals willing to invest in the future of Atlanta’s culture, character and growth. Georgia’s film industry boom is no secret. Independent feature films, widely popular television shows and huge blockbuster extravaganzas call Atlanta home— but Georgia has the least state-provided arts funding in the country. With this in mind, the need for your support becomes even clearer. Through a generous donation to the Atlanta Film Society, you become a founding supporter of the screenings, workshops, classes and programs our film community depends upon. In exchange, we’ll treat you like the hero that you are and give you every opportunity to play an active role in how Atlanta’s film community flourishes.

Become a Patron today at atlantafilmsociety.org/patron

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$5,000+ PATRONS • PJ Younglove Hovey $2,500+ PATRONS • Walker & Laura Anderson • Dr. Kay Beck $1,000+ PATRONS • Karen Armand • Candace Bazemore • Ray Benitez • Cal Bowdler • Eric Bromley • Pola Changnon • Julie & Jerry Chautin • JoAnn Haden-Miller • Lisa & Frank Hardymon • M. Cole Jones • Asheem Khondker • Caroline Osborne • Alix Rice


The Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition was revived in 2008, but the Screenplay Department really began back in 1985. What started as a small block of seminars has grown into a unique program that receives hundreds of submissions each year and sends three winners to a Screenwriter’s Retreat. The Screenplay Competition continues to evolve as the festival itself evolves, always looking to support and expand upon ATLFF’s tradition of filmmaker discovery and innovation. We read nearly 300 submissions from 11 countries and narrowed it down to 12 feature finalists and five pilot finalists. This year’s Screenwriter’s Retreat will unite three Screenplay Competition feature winners with established screenwriters, producers and directors who can provide advice and perspective on how to move forward with their respective projects. Our pilot winner will experience a one-on-one dinner meeting with an industry professional to talk about how to move their project forward. Once again, this year’s retreat is hosted by the beautiful Serenbe Inn.

WINNERS Feature Film Screenplay

“The Lean” — Pearse Lehane (United Kingdom) A disgraced lawyer must prevent an innocent man from being convicted of the murder of a police officer during Hurricane Katrina. “Lucky 13” — Denise Meyers (North Carolina) The true story of the only all-female airbase in American history during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. “Parousia” — Todd Sorrell (Hawaii) As punishment for their original sin, the souls of Adam and Eve are reincarnated in endless cycles, doomed to watch the deterioration of the world and their progeny while separated by great distances.

Pilot Screenplay

SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

“End of Days” — Sonja Verpoort (Canada) Shortly after Gemma Sharp turns 18, she discovers that not only is she adopted, but that her biological parents are the terrifying leaders of the ‘End of Days’ cult who believe she is the key to their salvation.

FINALIST Feature Film Screenplay

“Area 51” — Camryn Kanew “The Crab Pot” — Joseph Grinstein “Diminuendo” — Paul Gross “F*ck You, John” — Zac Kish “The Handler” — Lawrence Whitener “The Other Boys of Summer” — C. Craig Patterson “Poolside” — Jesaka Long “Rearranging Roxy” — Bridget Bell McMahon “Regarding Jaws” — Bradford Smith

Pilot Screenplay

“Party People” — Jonathan Langley “Somnia” — Danni McCleelan “Sound Effect” — David Macfarlane “Witch Way Love” — James Martin

*Screenplays are ordered alphabetically by title

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FILM COMPETITION & JURORS

FILM COMPETITION & JURORS

Jury Chair Jim Farmer Executive Director, Out on Film; Film Publicist; Film Critic

Best Narrative Feature

Bryan Glick Director of Acquisitions and Theatrical Releasing, The Film Collaborative

Jess Kwan Associate, Archer Gray

Rachel Morgan Creative Director & Lead Programmer, Sidewalk Film Festival

Best Documentary Feature

Danielle Bernstein Filmmaker; Owner, Clear Films; ATLFF alumna

Tony Dayoub Editor-in-Chief & Film Critic, Cinema Viewfinder; Writer, IndieWIRE, RogerEbert.com and Slant Magazine

Scott Teems Writer & Director, ATLFF ‘09 Best Narrative Feature winner “That Evening Sun”

Best Narrative Short

Penelope Bartlett Programmer, The Criterion Collection; Contributor, Short of the Week; Industry Department Manager, Tribeca Film Festival

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Jeffrey Bowers Senior Curator, Vimeo; Short Film Programmer & Columnist, VICE

Alessandra Raengo Assistant Professor of Communication, Georgia State University


●Clint Bowie Director of Programming, New Orleans Film Society

Daniel Robin Assistant Professor of Communication, Georgia State University; Filmmaker; ATLFF alumnus

Joi Tribble Short Film Programmer, Sidewalk Film Festival

Best Animated Short

●Fatimah Abdullah Executive Producer, TRICK 3D; Former President, ASIFA-Atlanta

Todd James Director of Post Production, Sesame Workshop

Emma Loggins Founder & Editor-in-Chief, FanBolt

FILM COMPETITION & JURORS

Best Documentary Short

Best Music Video

Danielle Deadwyler Actress; Filmmaker; Performance Artist; ATLFF alumna

Marcus Rosentrater Animation Director, Floyd County Productions; Co-Founder & Filmmaker, Climenole LLC; Filmmaker-in-Residence, Atlanta Film Society

Jen West Filmmaker, Four x Productions; Freelance Content Contributor, AJC; ATLFF alumna

Filmmaker-to-Watch Award For the fourth year, our Kickstarter backers have been given the opportunity to participate in a Backers’ Jury for a unique award. The Filmmaker-to-Watch Award is chosen out of a wide selection of short films from the 2017 ATLFF lineup.

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AWARDS

AWARDS

Originally designed by Atlanta-based visual artist Jason Kofke, the Atlanta FIlm Festival’s signature award design is based around the city of Atlanta’s classic theme of resurgence, symbolized by the mythical phoenix. “It also references the classic allegory of creation out of chaos, and ties into the sculpture within Woodruff Park, just outside the Atlanta Film Festival offices,” said Kofke. “Like the classic myth of the phoenix rising from ashes, filmmaking is an act—an art—of creating something from nothing.” In 2014, the Atlanta Film Festival then commissioned another acclaimed Atlanta artist to interpret the Kofke design. R. Land, most famous for his ubiquitous ‘Pray for ATL’ piece, used his own trademark style and natural materials as a nod to Atlanta’s trademark tree canopy. “In the heart of Atlanta, in the connecting neighborhoods and villages, I feel this grand sense of community, like a big urban Mayberry,” said R. Land. “That is the real Atlanta. Soulful, charming in spite of itself and chock full of energetic people who seem for the most part happy to be here.”

The winners of the Animated Short, Documentary Short and Narrative Short Jury Awards qualify for the Academy Award® shortlist. Cash Prizes

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Narrative Feature - $1,000

Documentary Feature - $1,000

Narrative Short - $500

Documentary Short - $500

Animated Short - $500

Georgia Film - $1,000

Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.


CREATIVE CONFERENCE

CREATIVE CONFERENCE

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CREATIVE CONFERENCE MONDAY March 27th LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main A director, production designer, and location managers discuss finding the right location and how collaboration can produce the perfect look.

REPUTATION IS EVERYTHING

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 7 Stages Theatre, Black Box From your resume to the basics of IMDb, learn to accurately and properly list your credits whether you’re an actor or crew.

CREATE ME

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main A writer, director, actor, propmaster, and costume designer work together to construct different characters from the page to the stage.

TRUST ME

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Documentary filmmakers explore when and how to build trust with their subject(s), the difficulty of staying neutral, and the lines to avoid crossing.

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MAKE IT WORK

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main Development is crucial to success—what’s involved, why it’s about more than just script rewrites, and how the right team can help bring your ideas into focus.

BREAKING IN

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Production Assistants discuss how they got started, what they wish they’d known, tips for success, and networking best practices to keep getting gigs.

I’LL BE IN MY TRAILER

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main Actors working on network television shows and studio features share what it took to get there, and how indie film started their careers.

SAGindie: GET GREAT TALENT

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Producers and production staff: SAGIndie offers an indepth look at the various low budget contracts that the Screen Actors Guild has to offer.


March 28th FINCANNON & ASSOCIATES: CASTING MASTER CLASS

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Plaza Theatre, Main Mark Fincannon explains the art of casting, self-taping, auditions, discovering new talent, and more.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Narrative, reality TV, and documentary filmmakers discuss the pros and cons of crafting stories based in real life.

BACK TO ONE

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main Actors and directors explore how to find a common language to best communicate intention, and what makes a good working relationship.

A FIST FULL OF DOLLARS

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Art department members share tips and tricks to save money, like recycling big budget sets to keep them out of landfills.

NOTE TO SELF

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main A writer, director, producer, and editor talk about the art of giving and receiving notes, whether from each other or a studio.

WORKING IN A VIRTUAL WORLD

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Directors and DPs examine the differences and challenges of VR storytelling vs typical narrative work.

BLOCK, LIGHT, REHEARSE, SHOOT

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main From shot lists to scheduling, how the DP, Director, and 1st AD collaborate to ensure a production runs smoothly.

THE BUSINESS OF THE BIZ

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Former film crew members explain how their insider knowledge allowed them to start an ancillary business that serves the film industry and their previous craft.

March / April 2017

CREATIVE CONFERENCE

TUESDAY

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CREATIVE CONFERENCE

WEDNESDAY March 29th GRIP TRUCK SHOW AND TELL

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 7 Stages Theatre, Back Parking Lot Day 1 Production Services showcases the typical 3-ton nonCDL grip truck used by indie features and smaller productions.

THE FINE PRINT

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Entertainment attorneys discuss the contracts necessary to protect everyone involved on your next production.

LIGHT AND SHOOT YOUR INDIE

11:15 AM - 12:45 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main PC&E demos cameras, lighting, and grip equipment to help you choose the right gear for your next production.

STOP AND CARE: SET SAFETY

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs From insurance and safety meetings to stunts and guns, how to get the shots you need, encourage your crew to speak up, and keep your set safe.

ANIMATE IT

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, The Workshop Hands-on workshop provides the tools, equipment, and know how to create an animated project in under an hour.

SOUND IS HALF THE PICTURE

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main From on-location sound recording and basic equipment to post audio and foley, the dos and don’ts of sound recording.

SHOW ME THE MONEY

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Film investment, tax credits, sales reps, and self distribution; panelists share how their process works and best practices.

SHAREGRID: CINEMATOGRAPHY

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main Directors of Photography discuss cameras, lenses, and the art of moving the story forward, not simply using a camera as a tool to capture the moment.

POP-UP PANEL

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Maybe a master class, maybe another amazing panel discussion, either way you won’t want to miss this pop-up surprise.

THURSDAY March 30th DISRUPTING HOLLYWOOD

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main The Hollywood system has made movies the same way for over 100 years. Is Atlanta poised to disrupt the status quo using data and new technologies?

I RECOGNIZE THAT VOICE

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs From animation to VO and narration, Atlanta’s voice talent community examines what it takes to succeed.

GOOD, FAST, CHEAP: PICK TWO

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main Filmmakers share the challenges and freedom of low budget filmmaking, plus tips and tricks to help you succeed.

UNIONS & GUILDS

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Reps discuss who their unions/guilds represent, how to join, how they work with indie productions, and what to expect when under a union contract.

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March 31th MANAGING MEDIA

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main Post-production companies handling studio features, network TV shows, and indie features explain best practices for organizational workflow.

CREATIVE CONFERENCE

FRIDAY

PLAYING GAMES

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs With over 100 video game studios, Georgia is a hotbed of talent, creating opportunities for gamemakers and interesting alliances with filmmakers.

IT’S A SMALL WORLD AFTERALL

GEORGIA ON MY MIND

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main How diversity behind and in front of the camera increases marketability and sales; delivering your message to an evergrowing diverse, worldwide audience.

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main Georgia has a deep and diverse music scene—how to license songs, get an original score, and use music to complement rather than overwhelm the moment.

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES

AIRPORT SHORTS: PUPPETRY AND STOP MOTION ANIMATION

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Documentary filmmakers examine ‘truth’ in today’s climate, its affect on their power to persuade, and whether agenda based or neutral approaches may work best.

NOT YOUR PARENTS’ CARTOONS

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main Network animated series creators share how new digital platforms expand distribution possibilities for their shows as well as animators in general.

#SHEPERSISTED

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Film Fatales, PGA WIN committee, BWFN, WIFTA, New Mavericks, and more discuss opportunities for females in education, mentorship, and support.

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Molly Coffee and friends discuss the making of “Passing 66,” her felt puppet stop motion animation airport short.

CASE STUDY: A SCENE FOR SOUND DESIGN

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main John Kassab, sound designer and producer of last year’s ATLFF feature “Like Lambs,” dissects scenes from the movie to illustrate the art of sound design.

CASE STUDY: VFX IN GIFS

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Self-taught viral video GIF maker Chris Nik demystifies the process, explains improv comedy’s influence, and how to VFX problem solve on a DIY budget.

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OPENING NIGHT OPENING NIGHT PRESENTATION Dave Made A Maze DIRECTED BY BILL WATTERSON USA, 2017, English, 81 minutes Friday, March 24, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main In a struggling attempt to create something of significance, Dave builds a fort in his living room where he falls victim to his own creation. Now trapped in a world filled with booby traps and fantastical pitfalls, Dave advises his girlfriend against entering the ever-changing mythical world to save him. Director Bill Watterson and select cast and crew members scheduled to attend.

Moonshine

OPENING NIGHT FILM & PARTY SPONSORED BY POST-PRODUCTION

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CLOSING NIGHT

CLOSING NIGHT PRESENTATION Menashe DIRECTED BY JOSHUA Z. WEINSTEIN USA/Israel, 2017, Yiddish, 91 minutes Saturday, April 1, 2017, 7:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Deep in the heart of New York’s ultra-orthodox Hasidic Jewish community, Menashe, a kind, hapless grocery store clerk, struggles to make ends meet and responsibly parent his young son, Rieven, following his wife Leah’s death. Tradition prohibits Menashe from raising his son alone, so Rieven’s strict uncle adopts him, leaving Menashe heartbroken. Meanwhile, though Menashe seems to bungle every challenge in his path, his rabbi grants him one special week with Rieven before Leah’s memorial. It’s his chance to prove himself a suitable man of faith and fatherhood, and restore respect among his doubters. Executive Producer & Unit Production Manager Danelle Eliav scheduled to attend. PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL CLOSING NIGHT FILM & PARTY SPONSORED BY

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SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

WONDERROOT’S LOCAL FILM SERIES $12 AT DOOR/$10 IN ADVANCE Thursday, March 23, 2017, 7:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Once again, we kick-off the festival with WonderRoot’s generally local, mostly independent film series. Join us for a night of aweinspiring short films from our own backyard.

ATLFF SCREENPLAY COMPETITION: TABLE READ FREE WITH RSVP Friday, March 24, 2017, 4:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Join us for a script read of selections from each of the three 2017 Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition winners, featuring local SAG-AFTRA actors.

AIGA POSTER SHOW: ART DIRECTOR’S CUT FREE WITH RSVP Friday, March 24, 2017, 7:00 PM — Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge It’s the sequel to last year’s smash hit Poster Show + Mixtape Collaboration fundraiser with a new twist: MOVIES! Our carefully selected critics have curated a poster exhibition that will be on display during the festival to pay homage to our favorite movies. All attendees will take home an event poster for free.

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW $12 Friday, March 24 & 31, 2017, 12:00 AM — Plaza Theatre, Main It’s a Plaza Theatre institution! Lips Down On Dixie performs the interactive version of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Midnight each Friday.

SILVER SCREAM SPOOK SHOW HOST: SAM & MATTIE PRESENT ZOMBIE SPRING BREAK MASSACRE $12 AT DOOR/$10 IN ADVANCE Saturday, March 25, 2017, 5:30 PM & 8:30 PM — Towne Cinema This live event will be hosted by Atlanta’s own horror host Professor Morte and the GOGO Ghouls, with magic tricks and spooky shenanigans! Featuring a Q&A with director Bobby Carnevale and Atlanta costars Madeline Brumby and Allison Maier. On a mission to save spring break, two badass bionic bros must fight and (more importantly) party their way through the zombie apocalypse. And hopefully defeat satan, who killed both of their moms.

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SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

FEAR HAUS $12 AT DOOR/$10 IN ADVANCE Saturday, March 25, 2017, 10:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Join the FEAR HAUS team during their hand-picked, 1-hour horror genre block, presented by Blair Bathory and Drew Sawyer, with guests of honor Luchagore! FEAR HAUS is an Atlanta-based international brand that curates episodic and feature content with directors and filmmaking teams from around the world. We are proud to have Luchagore with us at the festival, kicking off our newest season. Additionally, Luchagore is collaborating with FEAR HAUS on original content in Atlanta as part of our brand new FEARMAKER program. FEARMAKER provides sustainable production opportunities for talented genre filmmakers, helping showcase them and other’s work around the world. Prepare to make horror your new home.

FOOD ON FILM - 25TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION: MY COUSIN VINNY $12 AT DOOR/$10 IN ADVANCE DIRECTED BY JONATHAN LYNN USA, 1992, English, 120 minutes Sunday, March 26, 2017, 12:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Bill Gambini and Stan Rothenstein are a couple of 21-year-old college guys taking a cross-country road trek to UCLA via the back roads of the deep South. They should be having the time of their lives, except for one small mishap: They are wrongfully arrested in Wahzoo City, Alabama, for murdering a convenience store clerk. At best, they face long-term jail sentences; at worst...the electric chair. Their only hope is legal representation from Bill’s cousin Vinny, a Brooklyn lawyer who took six years to pass the bar and only made it six weeks ago. This is not only his first murder trial it’s his first case. Refusing help from his fiery Brooklyn girlfriend, Lisa, the novice lawyer must wrestle with legal procedures in an alien environment under the intimidating eye of Chamberlain Haller, a tough country judge with an obsession for the letter of the law and a powerful dislike for Vinny. This year, we are having an after-party to celebrate GRITS, in all the glorious, Southern dishes we can get our hands on. (After-party FREE with “My Cousin Vinny” ticket or festival badge.)

PUPPET SLAM $12 AT DOOR/$10 IN ADVANCE Sunday, March 26, 2017, 9:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Hosted by Beau Brown, the Puppet Slam (formerly known as Touch the Puppet Head) is a combination of live puppetry performances and curated short puppet films. Featuring “New Roommate” directed by Victor Yerrid, “Pets” directed by Raymond Carr & Molly Coffee, “Fade to Grey” directed by Rowan Patel and “Fruit Flies” directed by Benjamin T. Wilson.

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SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 28

THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS PRESENTS: SELECTED KEYLIGHT FILMS FREE WITH RSVP Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 6:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs The FSU College of Motion Pictures Arts presents a showcase of eight short student films followed by a panel discussion with representatives from the College. Ranked by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the top 25 film schools in the country, FSU College of Motion Picture Arts produces student films that regularly win prestigious awards like the Student Emmys and Oscars. Join us for an evening of cinematic entertainment as we showcase this year’s selected Keylight Films.

THE ART INSTITUTE OF ATLANTA PRESENTS: SENIOR FILM SCREENING FREE WITH RSVP Thursday, March 30, 2017, 5:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main A showcase of short films created by senior level students from The Art Institute of Atlanta.

Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.


CREATIVE MEDIA

CREATIVE MEDIA

(FEMALE LEAD & DIRECTOR)

March / April 2017

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MUSIC VIDEOS

MUSIC VIDEOS

A spontaneous and delightfully surreal assembly of music on film.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017, 9:45 PM PLAZA THEATRE, UPSTAIRS $12 AT DOOR/$10 IN ADVANCE Fighter

“OH ELISE” - VIECH Directed by Arne v. Nostitz-Rieneck | Austria, 2016, German, 6:19 “IT KEEPS YOU RUNNING (TO THE HILLS)” - METAL MCDONALD Directed by Video Rahim | USA, 2016, English, 6:37 “DANGEROUS” - BIG FREEDIA Directed by Wilberto Lucci | USA, 2015, English, 4:30 “THE RUSH” - LANGTUNES Directed by Sahar Tarzi | Iran, 2015, English, 3:37 “YOUNG REBELS” - TW WALSH Directed by Brit Wigintton | USA, 2016, English, 3:03 “SOY YO” - BOMBA ESTÉREO Directed by Torben Kjelstrup | Denmark, 2016, Spanish, 2:55 “LEFT & RIGHT” - PAZES Directed by Camila Lima | Brazil, 2016, 3:29 “PONURA TRESURA” - MAKABRESKI Directed by Ala nunu Leszynska | Poland, 2016, Polish, 5:09

“TIME STOPS” - STARBENDERS Directed by Benjamin Roberds | USA, 2016, English, 3:49 “FIGHTER” - SUPA GOOD D SMOKE FEAT. JACKIE GOUCHÉ + DAVION FARRIS Directed by Erica Eng | USA, 2016, English, 6:00 “REDEFINE” - TRENTEMØLLER Directed by Åsa Ritton & Andreas Emenius | Denmark/Sweden, 2016, English, 5:08 “MOVE” - AUSTIN ROYALE Directed by Josh Yates | USA, 2016, English, 2:30 “FUNERAL REGRETS” - CLOSET WITCH Directed by Autojektor | UK/USA, 2016, English, 2:55 “FLIGHT ATTENDANT” - XXX Directed by Mattis Dovier | South Korea/France, 2016, Korean, 3:52 “BEASTS IN THE GARDEN” - SPIRES THAT IN THE SUNSET RISE Directed by Lori Felker | USA, 2015, English, 6:29 “THE WAS” - THE AVALANCHES Directed by Soda_Jerk | Australia, 2016, English, 13:40

*All music videos are in competition.

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VIRTUAL REALITY

Transpose your senses with the next step of story and cinema. We’re thrilled to bring VR to ATLFF! Check out the website, box office or VR theatre for further info on scheduled presentations by the VR filmmakers during the blocks.

MONDAY, MARCH 27 & TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017, 6PM TO 10PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, BLACK BOX $12 TICKET FOR ACCESS TO THE VR THEATRE AT ANY TIME DURING THE BLOCKS / FREE WITH BADGE, MOVIEHOPPER OR BUDDY PASS

Ch’aak’ S’aagi (Eagle Bone)

CH’AAK’ S’AAGI (EAGLE BONE) Directed by Tracy Rector | USA, 2016, Lushootseed/English/ Tlingit, 5:00 Nature reminds us that we are all connected and to reflect on the teachings of the old ones. FOSSIL HUNTERS OF THE GOBI Directed by Jason Drakeford | USA, 2016, English, 3:44 We immerse the viewer in the journey of 1920s explorer and fossil hunter Roy Chapman Andrews, leading up to current day research. HAUNT Directed by Lilian Mehrel | USA, 2016, English, 7:39 “haunt” is a short virtual reality film about presence, experienced through the eyes of a ghost.

VIRTUAL REALITY

POWERED BY

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME Directed by Jak Wilmot | USA, 2016, English, 9:00 Stuck with a broken voice box, a decapitated robot head desperately tries to escape a giant garbage facility. TRACES Directed by Gabriela Arp | USA, 2016, English, 8:00 Traces is a cinematic virtual reality film exploring the meaning of memory for one woman living with Alzheimer’s disease. WOMEN ON THE MOVE Directed by Shannon Carroll | Niger, 2016, English, 6:24 A woman’s life in rural Niger changes when she enters into a savings group. Will her granddaughter take the next step out of poverty?

I PHILIP Directed by Pierre Zandrowicz | France, 2016, English, 13:00 “I Philip” is an immersive short fiction that takes the viewer inside the mind of one of the greatest writers of science-fiction of our time. atlantafilmfestival.com/vr

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EPISODIC PILOTS

EPISODIC PILOTS Little Mouse

FAMILY PILOTS Enjoy family pilots before the shorts block Planet of the Children! | Saturday, March 25, 2017, 12:15 PM — Towne Cinema FREE with RSVP THE DISCOVERY OF DIT DODSON Directed by Kelley Kali | USA, 2016, English, 10:35 In the Bayous of Louisiana, 14-year-old Dit discovers that she inherited magical healing powers, but they get her into a world of trouble. EGÉR (LITTLE MOUSE) Directed by Ervin B. Nagy | Hungary, 2016, Hungarian, 7:12 1986. Budapest. The later olympic champion swimmer Krisztina Egerszegi is only 12. Her opponents are stronger and bigger. COMEDY PILOTS Binge through three full season comedies at Dad’s Garage! | Sunday, March 26, 2017, 3 PM, 5PM & 7:30 PM — Dad’s Garage Theatre $12 at door/$10 in advance THE BENEFITS OF GUSBANDRY - 3:00 PM Directed by Alicia J. Rose | USA, 2016, English, 1:17:00 One woman, one man, a lot of weed, a little crying and NO sexual attraction whatsoever. Love is so gay. THE MINUTES COLLECTION - 5:00 PM Directed by Jim Cummings & Dustin Hahn | USA, 2015, English, 1:27:10 Dona Nobis Pacem: grant us peace. HART OF AMERICA - 7:30 PM Directed by Arlen Konopaki | USA, 2016, English, 55:00 Alcoholic bigfoot, sex-crazed teens, and a hard-nosed detective cross paths in the Georgia woods searching for fulfillment.

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The Benefits of Gusbandry

UNSCRIPTED PILOTS Tune into vignettes of local and domestic artists in our documentary block. | Sunday, March 26, 2017, 4:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main $12 at door/$10 in advance UNCODE Directed by Myisa Plancq-Graham | USA, 2017, English, 25:00 An original series documenting the presence, global influence, and varied interests of the African diaspora. WE THE CREATORS Directed by Babacar Ndiaye | USA, 2016, English, 12:00 “We the Creators” takes a closer look at a diverse group of artists specializing in multiple art forms. SCRIPTED PILOTS Head to Poncey-Highland for some late night drama. | Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 7:20 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs $12 at door/$10 in advance RESET Directed by Christelle Gras | France, 2016, French, 33:57 The end of the world, the beginning of theirs STEPS Directed by Fernando Sanchez & Pascual Sisto | USA, 2016, English, 59:00 A series that rearranges itself to form unique episodes for each viewer as it weaves the deviant drives of several unconnected people.


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Call 1-800-XFINITY today! Restrictions apply. XFINITY service not available in all areas. X1: X1 not available in all areas. Requires subscription to qualifying Double or Triple Play package. TV: Limited Basic Service subscription required to receive other levels of service. Internet: Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. Requires XFINITY Internet service subscription of 25 Mbps or higher. Reliably fast claim based on FCC report, ‘Measuring Broadband America,’ 2014. WiFi claim based on March 2016 study by Allion Test Labs, Inc. Voice: Service (including 911/emergency services) may not function after an extended power outage. Call clarity claim based on March 2015 analysis of traditional phone service by Tektronix. Unlimited Talk & Text requires download of the XFINITY Connect app. Standard data charges may apply. Check with your carrier. Home: Minimum term agreement required for XFINITY Home Secure service. Early termination fee applies. Requires subscription to compatible high-speed Internet service. Visit xfinity.com/HomeSupport for more details. License #s: AL: 001484, 001504 Alarm company operators are licensed and regulated by the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure, 7956 Vaughn Road, PMB 392 Montgomery, AL 36116, Phone (334) 264-9388, Fax (334) 264-9332; AR: 12-030; AZ: ROC 280515, BTR 18287-0; CA: CSLB 974291, ACO 7118 licensed and regulated by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, Department of Consumer Affairs, Sacramento, CA, 95814; CT: 1040196, ELC 0189754-C5; DE: FAL-0299, FAC-0293, SSPS 11-123; FL: EF0000921, EF20001002, EF0001095; GA: LVU406303, LVU406264, LVU406190; LVU406354; IL: PACA 127-001503; LA: F1691; MA: SS-001968; MD: 107-1776, Baltimore County: RK9552, Howard County: ER00990, Washington County: EL-R-0218, Harford County: 00005321, Calvert County: L0188, Prince George’s County: 13958-2014-0; ME: LM50017039; MI: 3601206217; MN: TS674412; MS: 15018010; NC: 2335-CSA; NJ: 34BF00047700; NM: 373379; NY: licensed by the N.Y.S. Department of State 12000305421, Putnam County: L00812; OH: 53-89-1732; OR: CCB 192945 All electrical work is performed by a licensed subcontractor; SC: SCBA-13497, SCFA-13440; TN: ACL 1597, ACL 1604; TX: B-16922,-02571, ACR-1672104,-1818 We are licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Board whose address is: P.O. Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773, (512) 424-7710; UT: 8226921-6501; WA: COMCABS892DS; VT: ES-02366; VA: 2705145289, DCJS 11-7361; WASHINGTON, DC: March / April 2017All rights reserved. ECS 902687, BBL 60251200009; WV: WV049211. Valid 10/31/16. See xfinity.com/homesecurity for current list. Call for restrictions and complete details, or visit xfinity.com. © 2017 Comcast. 33


Rent for Your Next Special Event

34


$20 GENERAL ADMISSION/FREE TO BADGE-HOLDERS Thursday, March 30, 2017, 7:00 PM — 787 Windsor Now in its sixth year, SOUND+VISION—ATLFF’s signature mid-week event—moves to 787 Windsor, after previously being held at Atlanta landmarks like The Goat Farm and Ponce City Market. Featuring live music, daring experimental films, unforgettable art installations and Atlanta’s best food trucks—this event is a true festival highlight!

SOUND+VISION

SPONSORED BY

SOUND+VISION

FEATURING ART + INSTALLATIONS BY: Alessandra Hoshor, Cass Cameron, Dylan Mulshine, Evan D’elia, Eva Nelson, House of June, Kris Pilcher, Natalie Escobar, Rebecca Shenfeld, Sloane Hilton, Wihro Kim and more!

CHOOSEATL STAGE PERFORMANCES BY: Xavier BLK Yung Baby Tate Lonnie Holley + Special Guest Tank and the Bangas + More TBA

March / April 2017

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For general information, please email us at info@thehighlandinn.com. For private events, please email us at lounge@thehighlandinn.com 644 N. Highland Ave. Atlanta, GA 3-3-7 (404) 874-5756

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2016-17 SERIES Sweet Honey in the Rock® Sat, Feb 18 • 8 pm

Balé Folclórico da Bahia Fri & Sat, Feb 24 & 25 • 8 pm

Dianne Reeves Sat, Mar 4 • 8 pm

Want to see them all? Select 6 or more shows and Save 20%! Or Select 4-5 shows and save 15%. Single tickets are also available.

For the full Rialto Series schedule, visit rialto.gsu.edu or call 404-413-9849 Shaolin Warriors Sat, Mar 25 • 8 pm

Eddie Palmieri Sat, Apr 1 • 8 pm

Randy Brecker Thu, Apr 6 • 8 pm

FREE PARKING

for Rialto Series shows in the100 Peachtree Deck (formerly Equitable Deck) on Fairlie Street.

WHERE ATLANTA MEETS THE WORLD! 38


NARRATIVE FEATURES

NARRATIVE FEATURES

(FEMALE LEAD & DIRECTOR)

March / April 2017

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NARRATIVE FEATURES

ANN DIRECTED BY CARLA FORTE USA, 2016, Spanish/English, 79 minutes Friday, March 31, 2017, 9:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Ruben, a visual artist, is tormented by his reality. He copes by retreating into his vivid imagination; creating a parallel world unlike his own. As his alternate world becomes more attractive, Ruben becomes more disconnected from the material world, societal norms, and emotional attachments. He must come to terms with reality after this disconnect and subsequent loss of ego. —Meghan Faulkner

BORN RIVER BYE DIRECTED BY TIM HALL USA, 2017, English, 84 minutes Friday, March 31, 2017, 9:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main Two childhood friends reunite in their sleepy hometown as they each face a crossroads in their lives. Scott is drifting through town (and life) after a long departure, much like a ghost to haunt his estranged family and friends. Laura, still stuck in their hometown, is living in a stagnant reality of mediocrity out of fear of following her dreams. Both feel superior to those around them, and yet experience an overwhelming unhappiness with their choices. As the days unfold, Scott and Laura begin to turn a new leaf, forgiving themselves for their past, making amends, and looking to their futures with renewed optimism. —Meghan Faulkner

THE BOSS BABY DIRECTED BY TOM MCGRATH USA, 2017, English Saturday, March 25, 2017, 2:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Meet a most unusual baby. He wears a suit, speaks with the voice and wit of Alec Baldwin, and stars in the animated comedy, DreamWorks’ “The Boss Baby.” “The Boss Baby” is a hilariously universal story about how a new baby’s arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator, a wildly imaginative 7-year-old named Tim.

CHEE AND T DIRECTED BY TANUJ CHOPRA USA, 2017, English, 80 minutes Sunday, March 26, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Two friends working as collectors for a family crime ring are assigned what proves to be their most challenging task yet— delivering the indifferent, drug-induced nephew of their boss to an event across town. As the three men cruise to their various destinations in a pale blue hot rod, they encounter more than they bargained for and find themselves caught in a web of politics, drugs, love, and their own moral values. —Meghan Faulkner

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NARRATIVE FEATURES

CHERRY POP DIRECTED BY ASSAAD YACOUB USA, 2016, English, 77 minutes Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 9:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main Drag Queens encounter an outsider and must face their own baggage during a wild night at a failing drag club. The quirky group of patrons, family, friends, and lovers experience heartache, betrayal, and acceptance through a bizarre series of events. The night begins like any other and ends with celebration of both beginnings and endings as the queens and those in attendance learn to set aside their differences and embrace what unites them. —Meghan Faulkner

CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAIN DIRECTED BY PRISCILLA ANANY Ghana/USA, 2016, Ewe/Akan, 101 minutes Monday, March 27, 2017, 7:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Caught between love for her child and respect for her culture, a mother confronts the social stigma of special needs. When her child is born with a cleft lip, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome, Essuman’s future becomes bleak. As her community disowns her and her baby, she is faced with a decision—abandon her child or defy society. She turns to the rural mountains of Ghana as she searches for answers and salvation. —Meghan Faulkner

‫( درس مد‬COLD BREATH) DIRECTED BY ABBAS RAZIJI Iran, 2017, Persian, 83 minutes Monday, March 27, 2017, 9:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Born a woman and living as a man, 30-year-old Maryam struggles in conforming to societal gender norms. She is living paycheck to paycheck when her daughter succumbs to cancer and she must find a way to pay for treatment. Trusting in love for survival, Maryam faces her greatest fears head on when her secret is revealed. — Chasity Wingard

CORTEZ DIRECTED BY CHERYL NICHOLS USA, 2016, English, 99 minutes Saturday, April 1, 2017, 5:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Jesse—a misguided musician—finds his way to the town of Cortez where he will face old love and new relationships. Anne—a woman from his past—teaches him a little something about what happens when a rockstar lifestyle meets responsibility and how re-creating oneself doesn’t always mean saying goodbye to adventure. —Jamie Traner

DEAN DIRECTED BY DEMETRI MARTIN USA, 2016, English, 87 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 9:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Dean (Demetri Martin) is an illustrator whose unwillingness to deal with the recent death of his mother means escaping his hometown of New York for an interview with an ad agency in Los Angeles. His retired engineer dad Robert (Kevin Kline) takes a more regimented approach to grief, including putting the family home up for sale. Both father and son set out on their own paths to find a new normal as unexpected circumstances and potential new love interests threaten to thwart all plans.

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NARRATIVE FEATURES

EVERYTHING BUT A MAN DIRECTED BY NNEGEST LIKKÉ USA, 2016, English, 110 minutes Sunday, March 26, 2017, 2:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs She’s sexy, smart, successful… and still single. A self-made career woman struggles to find love despite seemingly having it all.

THE HERO DIRECTED BY BRETT HALEY USA, 2017, English 96 minutes Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Lee Hayden (Sam Elliott) is an aging Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. He spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his former-co-star-turned-dealer, Jeremy (Nick Offerman), until a surprise cancer diagnosis brings his priorities into sharp focus. He soon strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with stand-up comic Charlotte (Laura Prepon), and he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Lucy (Krysten Ritter), all while searching for one final role to cement his legacy.

HOLDEN ON DIRECTED BY TAMLIN HALL USA, 2017, English, 102 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 11:45 AM — Plaza Theatre, Main No longer your average boy-next-door, Holden Layfield weaves audiences through his harrowing tale in this film set in the early 1990s. After succumbing to a secret battle with mental illness, Holden evolves from a beloved, small town Georgia football player to a lost, self-medicating prophet. —Jamie Traner

IN THE RADIANT CITY DIRECTED BY RACHEL LAMBERT USA, 2016, English, 95 minutes Saturday, April 1, 2017, 12:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main After 20 years away, Andrew Yurley returns to his hometown in Kentucky to play key-witness in his brother’s resentencing. Having lived with the remorse of his statement—which put his brother away for life—Andrew must now face an angry sister, a doped-up mother, and countless degrading town folk, thanks to his niece, Beth. In the midst of dealing with lawyers and the case, Andrew must now answer the question—can what is broken ever be put back together again? —Jamie Traner

LA SOLEDAD DIRECTED BY JORGE THIELEN ARMAND Venezuela/Italy/Canada, 2016, Spanish, 89 minutes Saturday, April 1, 2017, 2:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Capturing the life of real people amidst the Venezuelan crisis, “La Soledad” is the story of José, a young father who discovers that the dilapidated mansion he inhabits will soon be demolished. Desperate to save his family, José begins a search for a cursed treasure that is said to be buried in the house.

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NARRATIVE FEATURES

THE LOST CITY OF Z DIRECTED BY JAMES GRAY USA, 2016, English, 140 minutes Thursday, March 30, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Based on author David Grann’s nonfiction bestseller, “The Lost City of Z” tells the incredible true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam), who journeys into the Amazon at the dawn of the 20th century and discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization that may have once inhabited the region. Despite being ridiculed by the scientific establishment who regard indigenous populations as ‘savages,’ the determined Fawcett — supported by his devoted wife (Sienna Miller), son (Tom Holland) and aide-de-camp (Robert Pattinson) — returns time and again to his beloved jungle in an attempt to prove his case, culminating in his mysterious disappearance in 1925.

NO LIGHT AND NO LAND ANYWHERE DIRECTED BY AMBER SEALEY USA, 2016, English, 75 minutes Sunday, March 26, 2017, 4:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Grieving her mother’s death and her own failing marriage, Lexi boards a plane from London to Los Angeles in search of the estranged father. Based out of a seedy Hollywood motel, she follows a tenuous trail of breadcrumbs, beginning with his aging former in-laws, collecting numbers and addresses in the hopes that one will lead to her father. Along the way, she establishes other unexpected connections: her father’s ailing former second wife, her bitter halfsister Tanya and her caregiver girlfriend, and two local barflies.

NORMAN: THE MODERATE RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF A NEW YORK FIXER DIRECTED BY JOSEPH CEDAR USA/Israel, 2016, English, 117 minutes Sunday, April 2, 2017, 2:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere) only wants to matter. Living a lonely life in the shadow of power and money, he uses any angle or connection to put himself in a position of significance. He is an opportunist, just not a very good one. Until he finally bets on the right horse by buying a pair of expensive shoes for Micha Eshel (Lior Ashkenazi), a lowly Israeli politician. When Micha becomes Prime Minister, Norman finds himself in the center of a geopolitical drama beyond anything he could have imagined.

THE PROMISE DIRECTED BY TERRY GEORGE Spain/Portugal/Malta/USA, 2016, English/German/French, 134 minutes Sunday, April 2, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Michael Boghosian (Oscar Isaac) arrives in 1914 Constantinople as a medical student determined to bring modern medicine back to his ancestral village in Southern Turkey. Photo-journalist Chris Myers (Christian Bale) has come here only partly to cover geo-politics. He is mesmerized by his love for Ana (Charlotte le Bon), an Armenian artist he has accompanied from Paris after the sudden death of her father. When Michael meets Ana, their shared Armenian heritage sparks an attraction that explodes into a romantic rivalry between the two men.

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NARRATIVE FEATURES

SAN FU TIAN (DOG DAYS) DIRECTED BY JORDAN SCHIELE China, 2016, Mandarin Chinese (Changsha dialect), 95 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 4:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Struggling to support her family as a dancer, Lulu comes home one night to an empty apartment. Desperate to find her missing husband and child, Lulu tracks down drag queen, Sunny, to aid her on her quest. After a night of high-running tensions, Sunny only agrees to help on the journey around China if Lulu promises not to turn her husband, Bailong, over to the police. Despite the agreement, Lulu decides to take matters into her own hands and some secrets come to light. —Jamie Traner

THE SCENT OF RAIN & LIGHTNING DIRECTED BY BLAKE ROBBINS USA, 2017, English, 103 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main After learning her parents’ killer has been released from prison, Jody Linder must revisit old wounds, face suppressed memories, expose family secrets, and learn what happens in a life of hate. —Jamie Traner

SYLVIO DIRECTED BY ALBERT BIRNEY & KENTUCKER AUDLEY USA, 2017, English, 80 minutes Monday, March 27, 2017, 8:00 PM — Dad’s Garage It’s the story of a small town gorilla, Sylvio, who is stuck in his job at a debt collection agency. Deep down he just wants to express himself with his hand puppet, Herbert Herpels, and his experimental puppet show that highlights the quiet moments of life.

TEENAGE LOVE BOMB DIRECTED BY MADS ERICHSEN Denmark, 2016, Danish, 84 minutes Sunday, March 26, 2017, 5:30p - Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Thomas is working his way through the seventh grade, lives in Denmark with his mom and brother, and occasionally maintains a relationship with his cop father. A unique set of skills allows him to team up with his crush, school bad-girl Vikki, and her band of misfit friends (and Vikki’s boyfriend) to blow up their teacher’s bike. All’s fair in love and war. —Jamie Traner

THE 12 LIVES OF SISSY CARLYLE DIRECTED BY FRAN BURST-TERRANELLA USA, 2017, English, 87 minutes Monday, March 27, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Sissy writes in her journals about the life she wants as she finds her reality less than interesting. With the help of her brother and some newly-found friends, Sissy starts creating a life worth living. —Chasity Wingard

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NARRATIVE FEATURES

WEXFORD PLAZA DIRECTED BY JOYCE WONG Canada, 2017, English, 82 minutes Friday, March 31, 2017, 7:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs The daily occurrences within Wexford Plaza uncover what it means for 20-year-old Betty to explore love whilst maintaining her job as a security guard. A cohabiter of the Wexford Plaza, Danny, weaves his way into Betty’s life, and both parties need to decide where their priorities lie and at what cost they come. —Jamie Traner

A WOMAN, A PART DIRECTED BY ELISABETH SURBIN USA, 2016, English, 98 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 7:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main At the peak of her acting career, Anna decides she no longer wants to continue the profession despite facing a potential lawsuit. She impulsively flies to New York to revisit the past life she left behind. Upon reconnecting with former friends, she learns that they have used her as the inspiration for a character in a stage play. —Kevon Pryce

WONDER VALLEY DIRECTED BY HEIDI HARTWIG USA, 2017, English, 72 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 9:45 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main When Karian plans a weekend getaway with her new best friend Cloudy, she is upset to find out that Cloudy has invited her childhood friend, Sasha, a has-been actress, to join them. Tensions escalate quickly after the girls decide to take daturas, a dangerous psychotropic drug that blurs the line between real and imaginary. When Karian makes a chilling discovery during a hike, no one believes her, leading to a final show down between her and Sasha.

YOUR RIDE IS HERE DIRECTED BY FRASER JONES USA, 2017, English, 58 minutes Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 8:00 PM — Dad’s Garage An Uber veteran and a talkative rookie take on a night of driving each other mad through the streets of Nashville. Throughout the night, passengers find solace within the confines of the vehicle, and break down walls only approached in late hours amongst the comfort of strangers. —Jamie Traner

THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE DIRECTED BY NIKI CARO UK/USA/Czech Republic/New Zealand, 2017, English, 126 minutes Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main In 1939 Poland, Antonina Zabinska (Jessica Chastain) and her husband, Dr. Jan Zabinski (Johan Heldenbergh), have the Warsaw Zoo flourishing under his stewardship and her care. When their country is invaded by the Germans, Jan and Antonina are stunned and forced to report to the Reich’s newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck (Daniel Brühl). To fight back on their own terms, the Zabinskis covertly begin working with the Resistance and put into action plans to save lives out of what has become the Warsaw Ghetto, with Antonina putting herself and even her children at great risk.

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PRODUCTION TRAINING EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT

YOUR RESOURCE FOR FILM, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT IN ATLANTA.

FURIOUS 8

THE SUMMER OF GEORGE

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HIDDEN FIGURES

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BEING MARY JANE

THE QUAD

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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

(FEMALE LEAD & DIRECTOR)

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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

ATLAN DIRECTED BY MOEIN KARIMODDINI Iran, 2015, Farsi, 62 minutes Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 9:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs A Turkman horse trainer, Ali, plans to spend his life-long prize winnings on his wedding. When some life events head south, Ali must take the reigns and participate in this revered Iranian sport through the northern Sahara in order to guarantee a successful marriage. —Jamie Traner

CITY OF JOY DIRECTED BY MADELEINE GAVIN Democratic Republic of Congo, 2016, Swahili/French/English, 76 minutes Sunday, March 26, 2017, 2:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main A tale of hope and restoration unfolds in “City of Joy,” a film that follows students at a leadership center in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite the horrific abuse they have endured, this first class of women comes together as a community of leaders to positively revolutionize a place long deemed by many as hopeless. —Jamie Traner

DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS DIRECTED BY JUAN MEJIA BOTERO & JAKE KHEEL USA/Dominican Republic, 2016, Spanish/Haitian Kreyòl, 73 minutes Monday, March 27, 2017, 9:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main Showcasing the tension between Haitians and Dominicans over charcoal, “Death by a Thousand Cuts” focuses on the investigation into the death of a Dominican Park Ranger, Melaneo. Melaneo was found brutally murdered by a machete in the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, after he was investigating the illegal charcoal production. The film sheds light on the deforestation in the Dominican Republic, and the relationship between the murder weapon and Dominican trees being chopped. —Chasity Wingard

DWA SWIATY (TWO WORLDS) DIRECTED BY MACIEJ ADAMEK Poland, 2016, Polish, 51 minutes Sunday, March 26, 2017, 12:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs As the only member of her family with the ability to hear, 12-year-old Laura guides viewers in this inspiring family portrait. The challenges she faces are surprising and unusual. As their story unfolds, the strength of their love in light of the challenges they face allows the viewers to confront a reality otherwise unknown to them. —Meghan Faulkner

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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

FAREWELL FERRIS WHEEL DIRECTED BY JAMIE SISLEY & MIGUEL “M.I.G.” MARTINEZ USA/Mexico, 2016, English/ Spanish, 71 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 2:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs In the United States, tens of thousands of migrant workers are displaced from their once-reliable sources of income due to adjusted labor laws and as a result of H-2B labor abuse. “Farewell Ferris Wheel” spends six years uncovering the experiences of various legal Mexican migrant workers from one small town that predominantly works with carnivals. The adjustment of these laws could mean the end of carnival festivities nation-wide, despite the 200-year history in America. —Jamie Traner

THE HOUSE ON COCO ROAD DIRECTED BY DAMANI BAKER USA/Grenada, 2016, English, 79 minutes Sunday, April 2, 2017, 12:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs “The House on Coco Road” depicts the times and trials of Fannie Haughton, an activist and teacher who moves her children from Oakland, California to participate in the Grenada Revolution, unknowingly amidst a US military invasion. Her son’s search for truth to confirm Fannie’s place in American history is this beautifully painted homage to family, nationalism, freedom, and the dream of a better world. —Jamie Traner

JACKSON DIRECTED BY MAISIE CROW USA, 2016, English, 92 minutes Friday, March 31, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Forty-five percent of all pregnancies in the USA are unplanned, and one in three women will have an abortion in her lifetime. And yet, the battle for women’s access to reproductive healthcare is far from over. Inside the last remaining abortion clinic in Mississippi, “Jackson” is an intimate, first-of-its-kind look at the issues, through the voices of women in the Deep South who stand on both sides of the debate.

LA SELVA NEGRA (THE MODERN JUNGLE) DIRECTED BY CHARLES FAIRBANKS & SAUL KAK Mexico/USA, 2016, Spanish/Zoque, 72 minutes Saturday, April 1, 2017, 12:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs An intimate portrait of Zoque culture is painted through the fever dream of a Mexican shaman. The film highlights their challenges in the midst of increasing globalization and fetishization of commodities, while addressing the predicament of documentary. The shaman’s financial hardship and hopes of a better future emotionally engage viewers as the film unapologetically explores its subject. —Meghan Faulkner

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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

LEAGUE OF EXOTIQUE DANCERS DIRECTED BY RAMA RAU Canada, 2016, English, 91 minutes Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 9:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main With a blast of brassy jazz and a spin through the glitz of modern Las Vegas, League of Exotique Dancers sets the stage for a provocative and eye-opening backstage tour of the golden age of Burlesque through the colourful lives of unforgettable women who made it glitter.

MELE MURALS DIRECTED BY TADASHI NAKAMURA USA, 2016, English, 66 minutes Sunday, March 26, 2017, 5:45 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main “Mele Murals” follows the stories of two renowned street artists, Estria Miyashiro (AKA Estria) and John Hina (AKA Prime), as they attempt to express their knowledge of the last 20 years in Hawaii and discover cultural identities through street art. This documentary emphasizes the artists’ desires to unite their communities and educate the public on modern mural-making and traditional Hawaiian culture. —Jamie Traner

MILWAUKEE 53206 DIRECTED BY KEITH MCQUIRTER USA, 2016, English, 55 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 12:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Milwaukee 53206: America’s most incarcerated ZIP code. Three powerful characters relate their experiences of incarceration and how prison shaped their lives, families, and community. This film exposes the challenges a community faces when fighting to move forward despite a history of poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunity, and how these factors sustain the crisis of mass incarceration in this region and across the nation. —Jamie Traner

MR. CHIBBS DIRECTED BY JILL CAMPBELL USA, 2017, English, 90 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 4:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main A retired professional athlete faces unexpected challenges in his post-athletic world. As life continues, Kenny Anderson discovers basketball did not prepare him for all facets of reality. The former New York City high-school prodigy and NBA All-Star confronts loss in its many forms and subsequently finds himself lost. Facing his personal demons head-on, the charismatic Anderson must come to terms with his past in order to find a way forward. —Meghan Faulkner

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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

NÃO DEIXE A PETECA CAIR (BAD’ & THE BIRDIEMAN) DIRECTED BY LILI FIALHO & KÁTIA LUND Brazil/USA, 2016, Portuguese, 50 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 12:00 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main Sebastião’s goal is to use badminton as a tool of escape for the kids in his community of Chacrinha, Rio de Janeiro. The kids enjoy playing the sport but lose at every competition, despite Sebastião’s vision for the kids to become champions. With love, hard work and dedication, the badminton team became qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games. —Chasity Wingard

THE NINE DIRECTED BY KATY GRANNAN USA, 2016, English, 98 minutes Saturday, April 1, 2017, 2:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main The Nine is a no-man’s land where rules of polite society do not apply; a resting place for those who have relinquished the American dream. This emotional documentary unearths the stories of those living along the Nine in Modesto, an area in California’s Central Valley devastated by the Great Depression. In a city with no hope, Kiki, exploited by personal trauma, is a rare bright light whose magnetic optimism is a means of self-preservation. Her childlike enthusiasm belies the stark reality of her Darwinian existence, emphasizing the beauty of those who fall by the wayside. —Meghan Faulkner

PRESO DIRECTED BY ANA TIPA Uruguay, 2016, Spanish/Portuguese, 92 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 7:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Miguel, a hard working family man, must come to terms with his double life. He frequently crosses the border of Uruguay and Brazil to ensure both of his families are taken care of. As his internal struggle thrives, he must find enough courage to tell them the truth. —Kevon Pryce

RAISING BERTIE DIRECTED BY MARGARET BYRNE USA, 2016, English, 102 minutes Saturday, April 1, 2017, 5:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs “Raising Bertie” follows three young African American boys over the course of six years as they grow into adulthood in Bertie County, a rural African American-led community in Eastern North Carolina. Through the intimate portrayal of these boys, this powerful vérité film offers a rare in-depth look at the issues facing America’s rural youth and the complex relationships between generational poverty, educational equity, and race. The evocative result is an experience that encourages us to recognize the value and complexity in lives all too often ignored.

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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

RAT FILM DIRECTED BY THEO ANTHONY USA, 2016, English, 82 minutes Thursday, March 30, 2017, 7:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Across walls, fences, and alleys, rats not only expose our boundaries of separation but make homes in them. “Rat Film” uses the rats—as well as the humans that love them, live with them, and kill them—to explore the history of Baltimore. ‘There’s never been a rat problem in Baltimore, it’s always been a people problem.’

TRENCHES OF ROCK DIRECTED BY PAUL MICHAEL BLOODGOOD USA, 2017, English, 87 minutes Saturday, March 25, 2017, 2:30 PM — Towne Cinema Trenches of Rock chronicles the 30-year history of the “Christian Metal” band Bloodgood, which was targeted not only by a mainstream music industry that found their blatant use of faith-based lyrics unfitting with heavy metal, but also by religious conservatives who believed their music was the work of the devil.

WAITING FOR B. DIRECTED BY PAULO CESAR TOLEDO & ABIGAIL SPINDEL Brazil, 2016, Portuguese, 72 minutes Friday, March 31, 2017, 9:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Documented in Brazil, “Waiting for B.” exposes the journey young Beyoncé super-fans undergo in an attempt to be closer to the front of the stage. Lacking the money to buy their way to the front, they camp out in the streets for two months waiting for a chance to be closer to their idol. As their lives intertwine, commonality is found between victims of hype, a community of hope forms, and the contradictions of humility and vanity at the heart of diva worship are explored. —Meghan Faulkner

WHOSE STREETS? DIRECTED BY SABAAH FOLAYAN & DAMON DAVIS USA, 2017, English, 103 minutes Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 9:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main Told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe this movement for justice, “Whose Streets?” is an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising. When unarmed teenager Michael Brown is killed by police and left lying in the street for hours, it marks a breaking point for the residents of St. Louis, Missouri. Grief, long-standing racial tensions and renewed anger bring residents together to hold vigil and protest this latest tragedy. Empowered parents, artists, and teachers from around the country come together as freedom fighters. As the national guard descends on Ferguson with military grade weaponry, these young community members become the torchbearers of a new resistance.

WOMAN ON FIRE DIRECTED BY JULIE SOKOLOW USA, 2016, English, 84 minutes Sunday, March 26, 2017, 8:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs Truly one of New York’s bravest, Brooke Guinan breaks barriers when she becomes the city’s first and only transgender firefighter. Guinan reveals her experience of facing adversity while remaining steadfast in her goals. The documentary waxes inspirational as she reflects upon her upbringing, 9/11, and her experiences as a transgender firefighter. —Meghan Faulkner

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SHORT FILMS

SHORT FILMS

(FEMALE LEAD & DIRECTOR)

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SHORT FILMS

Nadia DIGITAL EDITION | Directed by James Kicklighter, USA, 26:02 In the midst of a print revolution, The Atlanta JournalConstitution experiments with new storytelling tools in the digital era. NADIA | Directed by Erin S Murray, USA, 3:04 A ballerina discusses her relationship with ‘perfection’ and how she finds individuality within the rigorous standards of ballet. 7 DAYS | Directed by Rashel Stephenson, USA, 25:12 “7 Days” goes behind the scenes with three organ transplantation surgeons as they turn death into life and desperation into hope.

AH, MY HOMETOWN Deeply homegrown documents of Georgia. DOCUMENTARY, 77 MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017, 7:00 PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOMESPUN

WE THE CREATORS: DANIEL LAMB | Directed by Babacar Ndiaye, USA, 2:08 “We The Creators” is a documentary series that examines the inner thoughts and processes of a select group of artists. AMERICAN MODERATE | Directed by Jared Callahan, USA, 16:34 A first-time voter from the South struggles to find herself, and a candidate that best represents her, in the 2016 presidential primaries.

Babysitter MOTHER | Directed by Simón Mesa Soto, Colombia/ Sweden, 14:00 16-year-old Andrea comes down from her poor neighborhood in the hills of Medellín to attend a downtown casting call for a porno film. BABYSITTER | Directed by Aurit Zamir, Israel, 26:17 One night at Eilat’s babysitting job, during which motherhood and childhood manifest themselves in confusing ways.

APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR Unexpected predicaments and the choices that follow. NARRATIVE, 98 MINUTES SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017, 2:00 PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN

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RETALIATION | Directed by Ange-Régis Hounkpatin, Benin/France, 25:39 Awa, 18-years-old, goes to class in the military high school of Natitingou. One day, she learns that her father has just been murdered. She has just joined her family in Cotonou when a popular prosecution is put together in order to avenge the memory of the deceased. Facing the helplessness of the police, Awa decides to take part in it. YOUR DAY | Directed by Ginger Gonzaga, USA, 31:49 A young couple, Jack and Jane, spend the day at a hotel, seemingly to celebrate Jane’s birthday, until we realize they are there for a VERY different reason.


SHORT FILMS

A CHAPTER IN HER LIFE

Submarine

A collection of vignettes by and about women. NARRATIVE, 91 MINUTES SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017, 12:15 PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN FRACT | Directed by Georgina Bloomfield, New Zealand, 13:49 A teenage outcast discovers her cast is a friend magnet. BIRTHDAY CAKE | Directed by Brantly Jackson Watts, USA, 17:16 A woman who fled a violent relationship must choose between love and survival on the first anniversary of leaving her abuser. SOLATIUM | Directed by Christina Tynkevych, Ukraine/United Kingdom, 10:43 Anna, an ambulance doctor, arrives at a night call which brings back her painful past and challenges her moral compass. ONE UP | Directed by Eimi Imanishi, USA, 14:41 Hadley jumps into an uncomfortable sexual encounter after she’s brutally rejected by her teammate crush Christine.

HOW FAR SHE WENT | Directed by Ugla Hauksdottir, USA/Iceland, 13:06 An unflinching look at family, personal sacrifice, and the lengths we’ll go for those we love. SUBMARINE | Directed by Mounia Akl, Lebanon, 20:51 Under the imminent threat of Lebanon’s garbage crisis, Hala, a wild child inside of a woman is the only one to refuse evacuation.

Wald Der Echos (Forest of Echoes)

AN EARTHY PARADISE FOR THE EYES Sublime imagery creates transcendent experiences. NARRATIVE & DOCUMENTARY, 99 MINUTES SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017, 4:45 PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN LIMBO | Directed by Konstantina Kotzamani, France/Greece, 29:50 The leopard shall lie down with the goat. The wolves shall live with the lambs. And the young boy will lead them. 12+1 kids and the carcass of a whale washed ashore… THE OFFERING | Directed by Billy Silva & Guille Isa, Peru, 6:42 Two musicians and a dancer make an ancient and sacred offering to the earth.

THE SLEEPING SAINT | Directed by Laura Samani, Italy, 19:40 In order to grow up, Giacomina has to learn the art of letting go.

WALD DER ECHOS (FOREST OF ECHOES) | Directed by Luz Olivares Capelle, Austria, 30:00 TO BE FREE | Directed by Adepero Oduye, A teenager, Christina, loses her friends in the forest. Looking for USA, 12:18 them she finds the bodies of three drowned kids on the shore In a tiny after-hours club, Nina Simone finds a way, for one of a lagoon. moment, to be free.

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SHORT FILMS

Raised by Krump

GUT HACK | Directed by Kate McLean & Mario Furloni, USA, 14:00 A former NASA scientist turned bio-hacker attempts an experiment that makes him confront the multitudes inside. POWDER FRESH | Directed by Lyntoria Newton, USA, 7:37 “Powder Fresh” is an experimental look into the racial and gender implications of hygienic practices through targeted advertising. THE SANDMAN | Directed by Lauren Knapp, USA, 18:56 A doctor walks the line of his own morality as he participates in executions, while personally opposing capital punishment. DISTRIBUTION | Directed by Sam Ellison, Nicaragua/USA, 11:10 The pirate movie industry of Nicaragua, seen in kaleidoscopic detail.

FISH TANK

RAISED BY KRUMP | Directed by Maceo Frost, USA/ Germany/Sweden, 22:00 “Raised by Krump” explores the LA-born dance movement ‘krumping,’ and the lives of some of the area’s most influential and prolific dancers.

Fleeting glimpses through the glass. DOCUMENTARY, 92 MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017, 7:00 PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN MORE IS MORE | Directed by Alexis Boling, USA, 6:24 Unearthly creatures from another dimension climb out of the mind of a transformational artist and onto the streets of NYC.

MATTHEW’S GIFT | Directed by Jon Watts, USA, 11:54 We follow photographer Oana Hogrefe as she dedicates her one day a year taking remembrance photos of a child nearing the end of life.

Waste THE LAST JOURNEY OF THE ENIGMATIC PAUL WR | Directed by Romain Quirot, France, 17:07 The red moon threatens our existence on earth. Our only hope is the enigmatic Paul WR, the most talented astronaut of his generation. However, few hours before the start of the mission, Paul disappears. CRESWICK | Directed by Natalie Erika James, Australia, 9:30 While a young woman helps her father pack up his house, they are both increasingly aware of the presence that they always knew was there.

IN THE REALMS OF THE UNREAL Otherworldly tales. NARRATIVE (SCI-FI/HORROR), 97 MINUTES SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017, 2:00 PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN WASTE | Directed by Justine Raczkiewicz, USA, 15:50 Roger gets to know his roommate Olive over a series of meals, which become increasingly strange and push the limits of his curiousity.

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THE PURPLE PLAIN | Directed by Kim Albright, United Kingdom, 12:41 The true story of the Mercury 13, the first American women who tested for space flight. HOME EDUCATION | Directed by Andrea Niada, United Kingdom, 24:50 A girl is convinced by her mother that her dead dad will be resurrected if they show how much they miss him. That is, until he begins to rot... THEY CHARGE FOR THE SUN | Directed by Terence Nance, USA, 16:52 In a future where people live nocturnally, a young black girl unravels the lie that has kept her and her sister in the dark.


SHORT FILMS

LOL (Laughing Out Loud)

Perfect Roast Potatoes

Amusing moments and familiar faces. NARRATIVE (COMEDY), 114 MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017, 8:00 PM DAD’S GARAGE THE ACCOMPLICE | Directed by Jon Hoeg & John F. Beach, USA, 7:56 Jerry arrives home to a full answering machine and realizes he might be in trouble. HIT | Directed by Katie Trew Cheline, USA, 15:51 “Hit” follows Brandon, who thinks he’s met the girl of his dreams in the mysterious Izzy… until they go on the first date of his nightmares. SEEKING: JACK TRIPPER | Directed by Quinlan Orear, USA, 14:30 A married gay couple try to have a threesome in an attempt to reignite the spark in their relationship. CHICKEN / EGG | Directed by James D’Arcy, United Kingdom, 15:00 Mark’s a good guy. Kenneth not so much. Mark’s gonna help Kenneth out. Maybe. THE SESSION | Directed by Morgane Becceril, France/ USA, 13:08 A novice dominatrix fights to free a tortured client.

THE NEW LOVE AND THE OLD

PREGNANT | Directed by Joseph Sackett, USA, 9:30 A pregnant man communicates psychically with his unborn fetus. PERFECT ROAST POTATOES | Directed by Nick Frew, USA, 18:00 A bittersweet comedy about cooking and grief. Dysfunctional British siblings have an awkward Christmas with the corpse of their dead mum. LIGHTNINGFACE | Directed by Brian Petsos, USA, 19:57 After an inexplicable incident, Basil Stitt sequesters himself inside his apartment and begins a profound transformation.

Modern Love

The malleability of modern romance. NARRATIVE & DOCUMENTARY, 95 MINUTES SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017, 5:15 PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN MODERN LOVE | Directed by Francesca Mirabella, USA, 10:03 Romance in the era of Snapchat. VICTOR & ISOLINA | Directed by William D. Caballero, USA, 5:45 Victor and Isolina (now in their 80s) answer questions about their life-long, complex and arduous relationship. GEMA | Directed by Kenrick Prince, USA, 13:24 When Gema gets roped into meeting her fiancé’s parents for the first time, she grapples with facing the truth he’s been keeping from them.

CALL YOUR FATHER | Directed by Jordan Firstman, USA, 19:04 On Josh and Greg’s first date, they quickly realize that the generational divide between them is the least of their worries.

ALL GOOD THINGS | Directed by Chloe Domont, USA, 26:00 In a portrait of a modern marriage, a filmmaker follows her mother’s relationship with two men, each whom satisfy her different needs

IN THE HILLS | Directed by Hamid Reza Ahmadi Rahmatabadi, United Kingdom, 21:00 In the idyllic English Cotswolds, Sharam, a young immigrant man, takes a rather radical approach towards integrating with British society.

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SHORT FILMS

Wishful Whiskers

EGÉR (LITTLE MOUSE) | Directed by Ervin B. Nagy, Hungary, 7:12 1986, Budapest. The later olympic champion swimmer Krisztina Egerszegi is only 12. Her opponents are stronger and bigger. WISHFUL WHISKERS | Directed by Pulkit Datta, USA, 9:55 Stuck in her dad’s boring lunch meeting, little Ella suddenly discovers the curious case of all the mustaches. NOBODY | Directed by Elham Toroghi, Iran, 10:16 The story is about a white cat who lives in a city of black dwellers.

PLANET OF THE CHILDREN Kids shows and shorts. (Recommended ages 8+) ANIMATION, NARRATIVE & PILOT, 69 MINUTES SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017, 12:15 PM TOWNE CINEMA THE DISCOVERY OF DIT DODSON | Directed by Kelley Kali, USA, 10:35 In the Bayous of Louisiana, 14-year-old Dit discovers that she inherited magical healing powers, but they get her into a world of trouble.

of hand.

RUM | Directed by Russell Haigh, UK, 4:26 A quarrel between two pirates gets completely out

THE WISHING JAR | Directed by Denver Jackson, Canada, 13:48 A girl, a flying goldfish, and a wishing star. FROLIC ‘N MAE | Directed by Danny Madden, USA, 12:40 Frustrated, Mae creates Frolic, and Frolic creates mayhem.

The Wrong End of the Stick CONFESSIONS OF A BREASTIMATOR | Directed by Jisu Kim, USA, 3:24 The story of a breast aficionado who reflects back on her life as an animator, confessing her longtime passion for cartoons and animating double Ds. THANK YOU FOR VISITING | Directed by Dinesh Ram, India, 10:54 The story of habitat loss told through the life of a bear in a regular city zoo...

REASSEMBLAGE Rendering illusions of motion and change. ANIMATION, 84 MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017, 7:15 PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ASIFA-SOUTH CECI N’EST PAS UNE ANIMATION | Directed by Federico Kempke, Canada/Mexico. 5:14 A group of pretentious animators are followed through the process of creating the ‘ultimate animated film.’ But do they really have the skills to back up their claims? RELATED | Directed by Ida Andreasen, Denmark, 15:00 Related is a drama about love and genetics. A daughter and her father strive to learn to live with their uncontrollable tempers. ONCE A HERO | Directed by Xia Li, USA, 8:13 Wanting to be a superhero, a boy befriends with a girl who is bullied by all her classmates. One day, he is forced to make a choice, betray the girl or not.

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THE LAUGHING SPIDER | Directed by Keiichi Tanaami, Japan, 7:24 A psychedelic phantasmagoria from Japan’s greatest veteran animator, based on childhood memories of air-raids. “THE TALK” TRUE STORIES ABOUT THE BIRDS & THE BEES | Directed by Alain Delannoy, Canada, 8:50 There are things in life you never forget. One of them, like it or not, is ‘the talk.’ SUMMER’S PUKE IS WINTER’S DELIGHT | Directed by Sawako Kabuki, Japan, 2:59 Painful events become memories over time. Still, we vomit and eat again. Life is Eco. FOX AND THE WHALE | Directed by Robin Joseph, Canada, 12:03 The story of a curious fox who goes in search of an elusive whale. A journey of longing and discovery. THE WRONG END OF THE STICK | Directed by Terri Matthews, United Kingdom, 9:40 Malcolm Fetcher faces an all-consuming identity crisis. His marriage disintegrates and he is forced to express a deep, hidden desire.


SEASON OF STRANGERS Skin in the Game

EXPERIMENTAL, 74 MINUTES SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017, 7:30 PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN AUTO | Directed by Conner Griffith, USA, 6:19 A choreographed dance of pedestrians and automobiles, presented on their routinized stages. FAULT LINES | Directed by Mandy Bea, USA, 3:12 I only see in neon. A HARD WORLD FOR LITTLE THINGS | Directed by Sonja Bertucci, USA, 2:00 “A Hard World for Little Things” is a film about toys insofar as they channel the violence of the adult world into the space of childhood.

SKIN IN THE GAME | Directed by Ariana Gerstein, USA, 5:02 From many pieces, marked by light, by pressure, sliced.

FORGED FROM THE LOVE OF LIBERTY | Directed by Vashti Harrison, Trinidad and Tobago/USA, 4:45 A visual poem about a family’s curse, and two superstitions surrounding it.

MORE DANGEROUS THAN A THOUSAND RIOTERS | Directed by Kelly Gallagher, USA, 6:19 An experimental animated documentary exploring the powerful and inspiring life of revolutionary Lucy Parsons.

CLANDESTINE | Directed by Atoosa Pour Hosseini, Ireland/ Estonia, 14:23 “Clandestine” Layers both space and time, superimposing imagery and creating entrancing patterns of repetition and startling interruption.

UNDERBELLY UP | Directed by Josh Yates, USA, 3:57 A disembodied entity meditates on the trauma caused by a devastating flood that occurred during October, their favorite month.

BACK TRACK | Directed by Virgil Widrich, Austria, 7:00 A 3D remix of flat feature films.

SHORT FILMS

Avant-garde selections that redefine form and function.

COLOMBI | Directed by Luca Ferri, Italy, 20:46 A reflection on the last century and two people’s precise unwillingness to accept the changes imposed by society. The Ebbing Tree

SOUTHERN COMFORT Films (and makers) crafted in the Peach State. NARRATIVE, 85 MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017, 9:15 PM PLAZA THEATRE, MAIN THE EBBING TREE | Directed by DaManuel Richardson, USA, 12:58 A young teen gains the courage to leave his home for the mainland after a chance encounter with an old friend. LEAVING CHARLIE | Directed by Amanda Brooke Avery & Diane Calhoun, USA, 15:38 A young, queer, stripper is forced to reevaluate her boundaries when a customer gets too close. NORTHFIELD | Directed by Cameron Schwartz, USA, 18:40 After kidnapping his son’s murderer, a distraught father takes up a dangerous journey and faces a harrowing dilemma. MY INDIAN RHAPSODY | Directed by Abijeet Achar, India/France/USA, 15:31 A once famous author works on a new book about a life with a brother he never knew, but is distracted by dreams of a lover he left behind.

IT’S JUST SKIN | Directed by Haley Wetherington, USA, 7:02 After a misconstrued moment between Stella and her neighbor Matt, Stella is left to contend with the blame she puts on herself. CUL-DE-SAC | Directed by Damon Russell, USA, 14:30 Two parents, living in a quiet cul-de-sac, discover a wiretap hidden inside their son’s teddy bear.

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SHORT FILMS

Se Shin Sa

NOTES FROM BUENA VISTA | Directed by Elizabeth Lo, USA, 9:38 A working-class mobile home park in Silicon Valley faces imminent closure. Notes From Buena Vista glimpses into the lives of low-income families in one of the wealthiest places in the world. THE MOVE | Directed by Maija Hirvonen, Finland, 18:51 “The Move” is a short documentary of a poet Mirkka Rekola who reflects on her life that is soon coming to an end. EL HARA | Directed by Margaux Fitoussi & Mo Scarpelli, Tunisia/France, 16:00 “El Hara” poetically explores how the places we grow up in haunt who we become, forever. SE SHIN SA | Directed by Eunhye Hong Kim, USA, 10:52 “Se Shin Sa” is a hybrid of fiction and documentary portraying an undocumented woman living and working as a masseuse in Koreatown, Los Angeles.

STORIES WE TELL Memoirs of uprooted lives.

REFUGEE | Directed by Joyce Chen & Emily Moore, USA/Senegal, 27:14 “Refugee” tells the story of a West African woman who left her five children in 2003 to come to the USA and provide them with a better future.

DOCUMENTARY, 83 MINUTES SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017, 2:45 PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN

Let the Past Go By BENNY GOT SHOT | Directed by Malcolm Washington, USA, 20:01 Naomi, an autopsy assistant, realizes her brother is missing the night of a police shooting and fears that his body may be in her morgue. LET THE PAST GO BY | Directed by Maryam Naraghi, Iran, 21:00 Unlike her father, Bahar hasn’t yet overcome the tragedy of her younger brother’s death. When his killer is released from jail, she tries to make him suffer emotionally. Her endeavors result in a change in her perspective. DEATH IN A DAY | Directed by Lin Wang, USA/China, 14:05 After visiting his comatose father, a young Chinese boy must come to grips with the impending death falling upon his family.

TIES THAT BIND Family matters of life and death. NARRATIVE, 103 MINUTES FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017, 7:00 PM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN

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FOX | Directed by Jacqueline Lentzou, Greece, 28:02 Stephanos, a reactive teenager and the oldest of a family with no father, has a fight with his mother. Left home-alone with his siblings and sick dog, Lucy, he has no idea that this would be the last, most carefree day of his life. VÌRÉ | Directed by Hugo Rousselin, France/ Guadeloupe, 19:50 A young Guadeloupean named Isaac has troubles to mourn over the death of his brother Legba.


UNSTRUNG HEROES

The Pits

Invisible hands awaken the inanimate.

ROPES IN LIFE | Directed by Gerardo González, Mexico, 13:00 Caro is a thoughtful puppet who wanders through streets, meeting other puppets will make him conscious of the impositions he lives. LOREN THE ROBOT BUTLER: TEACH ME HOW TO DOUGIE! | Directed by Paul McGinnis, USA, 3:18 Decommissioned and stored in the basement, Loren the Robot Butler begrudgingly teaches the kids of the household how to dance the Dougie.

B-BOT | Directed by Bryan McAdams, USA, 5:55 After the tragic loss of his best friend, a robot must find happiness in a world destroyed by a catastrophe. RAIN | directed by Matt Glass, USA, 14:27 One town, sixty years without sunlight or rain, a tyrant who controls the people and a mysterious wanderer offering a bright side to it all.

BELLE AND BAMBER | Directed by Alex Forbes, United Kingdom, 15:00 Belle and Bamber is a dark comedy about a child afraid of growing up and the dangers of psychotic imaginary friends.

THE OWL AND THE LEMMING | Directed by Roselynn Akulukjuk, Canada, 3:33 In this fable in which a young owl catches a lemming to eat, children learn the value of being humble, and why pride is to be avoided.

HOT AIR BALLOON ANIMALS | Directed by Ben Johnson, Serene Bacigalupi & Jacques Duffourc, USA, 7:51 A lovable monster becomes inspired to embark on a hot air adventure filled with flying unicorns and cloud animals.

GUTE NACHT (GOOD NIGHT) | Directed by Henning Backhaus, Austria, 6:37 Music clip for the first song from Franz Schubert’s song cycle “Winter Journey.”

LUCKY CHICKEN | Directed by Gulliver Moore, United Kingdom, 12:15 A quirky silent romantic comedy about a butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker... and a magic chicken.

THE PITS | Directed by Mike Hayhurst, USA, 3:11 In a world full of pears, what can you find to fill your pit? A story about longing, love, and finding your other half.

SHORT FILMS

PUPPETRY, 85 MINUTES SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017, 11:30 AM 7 STAGES THEATRE, MAIN

Il Silenzio (The Silence)

SHORTS SCREENING BEFORE FEATURES NARRATIVE & DOCUMENTARY BETTER KNOWN AS PEACHES CHRIST | directed by Jeff Dragomanovich & Nate Visconti, USA, 3:40 Drag icon Peaches Christ offers a rare glimpse into her transformation process, and describes the path from stifled teen to brazen cult hero. Screens with CHERRY POP (Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 9:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main) GAME | Directed by Jeannie Donohoe, USA, 15:54 A new kid shows up for the varsity boys’ basketball tryouts and instantly makes an impression. Screens with MR. CHIBBS (Saturday, March 25, 2017, 4:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main) GET THE LIFE | Directed by Ozzy Villazòn, USA, 11:55 A transgender teenager faces an unwanted pregnancy and risks losing everything he loves in order to live courageously. Screens with JACKSON (Friday, March 31, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main) MEGAN’S SHIFT | Directed by Zeke Farrow, USA, 10:52 It’s never too late to give up. Screens with YOUR RIDE IS HERE (Wednesday, Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 8:00 PM — Dad’s Garage)

SEARCH PARTY | directed by Tesia Walker, USA, 8:48 Donna Greene is a mother living in a NYC housing project, who is throwing a party for her son, when a surprise visitor shows up her door. Screens with MILWAUKEE 53206 (Saturday, March 25, 2017, 12:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs) SHAUNA IS A LIAR | Directed by Chell Stephen, Canada/USA, 10:53 An isolated perfectionist exacts ill-conceived revenge on all liars of the world via one nearby target: a classmate sharing her name. Screens with WEXFORD PLAZA (Friday, March 31, 2017, 7:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs) IL SILENZIO (THE SILENCE) | Directed by Ali Asgari & Farnoosh Samadi, Italy/France, 14:35 Fatma and her mother are Kurdish refugees in Italy. On their visit to the doctor, Fatma has to translate what the doctor tells to her mother but she keeps silent. Screens with TWO WORLDS (Sunday, March 26, 2017, 12:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs)

March / April 2017

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WE ARE OVERFLOWING WITH GRATITUDE FOR THE 159 BACKERS WHO HELPED US MEET AND EXCEED OUR 4TH ANNUAL KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN GOAL! WITH THE $31,639 RAISED IN OUR #30KIN30DAYS CAMPAIGN, WE ARE ABLE TO BRING MORE ARTISTS TO ATLANTA TO CELEBRATE WITH US.

Aaron West Adam Abbott Adam Forrester Adnaan Chhatriwalla Alex Watson Alexander Bennett Alix Rice Alyssa Armand Amanda Nelis Angela Escobar Angelle Cooper Ann Rowles Anthony Coppola Asheem Khondker Barbara Griffin Blake Cauthen Brad Wyly Brantly Jackson Watts Brendon Murphy Bret Wood Cal Bowdler Cameron McAllister Candace Bazemore Carol Cahill Caroline Osborne Charles Pillsbury Chase Pashkowich Chell Stephen Chris Lentz Chrissie Spivey Merrill Christina Nicole Christina Tynkevych Christopher Escobar Christopher Holland CJ Bazemore Craig Murphy Dan Schoenbrun Davion Ziere Colbert Debi Rose Deborah Childs Dedra Eichstedt Deirdre Walsh Derrick Sanders Doug Gravino Drew Sawyer / Moonshine Post-Production DW Emilio Ramal Emmy Harrington/Emily Birnbaum Eric Bromley Eric Bromley Eric Kocher Esther Kolko

Fran Burst Francis Matia Styons Gabriela McNicoll Gaile T. Brown Gayla Jamison Gia Compton Greg Henley Gregory Bishop Gwyn Watson H.M. Ward Heather Mason Heather Spears Heidi Blackwell Hillary Hahm / Anna Vecellio Ian Pope J. Glover J. Lane Media James Triplett Jared Callahan Jeanette Gregory (Ms.JPG) Jeremy Riegel Jill Mills Jo Ann Haden-Miller Joe Alterman John Fletcher Jon Watts Jordan Dawson Josh Henry Karel Bata Karen Armand Karen Brent Kate Balsley Kate McKenzie Kovach Kate Taylor Kelly Gilmore Kenny Zaleski Kory Gabriel Kristina Adler Lane Wyly Laura Anderson Lauren Vogelbaum Layla Bozek Lee Morin Leslie and Jeff Sokolow Leslie Hochsztein Linda Burns Linda Posner-Downing Linda Valleroy Lisa and Frank Hardymon Lisa Larson Lisa Reisman Lynn Mathis M Cole Jones Marc Lawson

Marcus Rosentrater Marguerite Daniel Mancini Martin Kelley Matt Rowles Matthew Mammola Michael McKinney Michael Robinson Total Momentum Productions Michael T. Koepenick Mike Madigan MinJung Han Molly Coffee Nancy VisionaryFilms Howard Nathalie Dortonne O Leonard Paula Mueller Phil Phoebe Brown PJ Younglove Hovey Plaza Theatre Foundation Pola Changnon Ray Benitez Rebecca Shrager Richard Dodder Rick Kern Rixey & David Canfield Rosa C Escobar-Silvius Rosamond Dewart Russell Sheaffer Sam Juergens Samantha Worthen Sarah Mitchell Shanalyna Palmer Sheila Murphy Smith Curry Stephanie Keown Stephen Dean Sterling Entertainment Group Susan Moss Thalia Trejo Tom Budlong Tony Reames Travis Wright Troy Halverson Vicky Song Victoria Ly Walker Anderson Warren Brace Will Greenfield William Feagins William VanDerKloot Wm Broders Zak Norton

March / April 2017

KICKSTARTER BACKERS

THANK YOU!

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The Atlanta Film Society is proud to present the Airport SHORTS program in the new Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as part of the Airport Art Program. Unveiled in spring of 2012, the program showcases two hours of short films on nearly 30 screens throughout the terminal to 14 million travelers annually 365 days per year.

Atlanta Film Society Airport Shorts Program 4.0 The Power in Her Hands by Phoebe Brown

Odyssey Redux by Alessandro Imperato

Levitate, Levitate, Levitate by HOUSE OF JUNE

Il Gambo by Colin Wheeler

Passing 66 by Molly Coffee

Next Stop by Christina Maloney

Sympathetic Resonance by Deon Kay

I <3 ATL by Katherine Balsley

Varanasi by Alex Zhuravlov

Fragment(s) by Max Siciliano

“We’re delighted to showcase Atlanta’s filmmaking talent in a venue where their work will be seen by hundreds of thousands of people during the year—a rich opportunity for us and for the artists.” -Katherine Dirga & David Vogt, Airport Art Program 69


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Congratulations to all the AFS Filmmakers in Residence Letterbox Legal is proud to support Georgia’s thriving film and television industry. Partnering with the Atlanta Film Festival and others, LeLe provides effective legal services that protect the important work of creatives throughout the State of Georgia.

inspired. affordable. effective.

www.letterboxlegal.com info@letterboxlegal.com -

LetterboxLegal

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This program is supported in part by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. 72


Major funding is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. 73


This program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Atlanta Film Society was awarded a Georgia Council for the Arts Partner Grant. 74


PRESENTING

DIAMOND

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OZCETERA Blackhall’s Ryan Millsap (executive chairman of the board) and James Schulz (president)

Blackhall Studios Steps to the Stage

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lackhall Studios has completed nine purpose-built sound stages and state of the art production facilities totaling over 400,000 square feet. “We are delighted our aggressive building efforts were achieved, including the nine stages ranging in size from 20,000 to 40,000 square feet,” says Ryan Millsap, Blackhall’s executive chairman. Millsap would neither confirm nor deny any films signed to create at Blackhall, following an age-old industry tradition. “All I can say is we have been toured extensively in recent months by producers of vastly different projects, and their remarks are consistent in that they love the fresh, modern

film making spaces and the proximity to Atlanta and its pool of creative talent.” Blackhall Studios is the second name for the enterprise: the studio originally went under the name Valhalla until it was challenged with a lawsuit by another organization, Valhalla Motion Pictures, Inc., which holds exclusive rights to the name. “We have settled that suit amicably by essentially changing our enterprise’s name to Blackhall Studios,” says Millsap. “It was not our intention to create any difficulties. It works out that Blackhall actually really represents what we have here: huge, dark soundproof boxes that are purpose-built to be exactly what the movie

production industry needs for sound and staging.” Blackhall is named after a street adjacent to Keble College at Oxford University where Millsap was a rower. Through 2017, Blackhall Studios will be undertaking the renovation of an old school building, which will offer 40,000 square feet of office and production space. Additionally, the team is currently developing a 25-acre backlot for exterior filmmaking and will construct an additional 200,000 square feet of soundstages on adjoining land.

L to R: Annie Stilwell Burch, Annette Stilwell, Erin Stilwell Buda

Glidecam Unveils Ultra-Shot

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lidecam has released its new Ultra-Shot convertible camera rig. Designed by Lee Snijders and manufactured by Glidecam Industries, Inc., the Glidecam Ultra-Shot allows the user to quickly convert between monopod mode and shoulder mode and even a ground-level shooting mode. Designed for cameras up to 20 pounds, the Ultra-Shot comes with a swivel monopod head, a telescoping post, and a weighted ground base for static shots.

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Stilwell Snags Big Honor

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nnette Stilwell of Stilwell Casting received the Talent Managers Association Heller Award for Regional Casting Director for 2016. She received her award at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. “Y’all, this is awesome,” Stilwell said to start her acceptance, drawing laughter from the West Coast crowd. Stilwell attended the ceremony with her two daughters, Annie Stilwell Burch and Erin Stilwell Buda, who are also her partners in Smith & Stilwell, Inc. and Stilwell Casting.

Stilwell’s acceptance thanked TMA for recognizing Georgia, her wonderful staff, and especially her daughters for being the perfect partners. “I’m very proud and humbled to be given this honor that is representative of our Southern Region,” said Stilwell. “This was a much-appreciated recognition for working in the industry over 35 years.”


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“Hollywood's most elegant talent trailers and motorhomes� -Los Angeles Times

Quixote.com

March / April 2017

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OZCETERA

Photo courtesy of NBC Universal/Getty Images

Members of Atlanta accept their Golden Globe award, led by Donald Glover

Atlanta Grabs the Globes By Zachary Vaudo

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X's Georgia-made, Georgia-featured television show Atlanta took home two Golden Globes at the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards, scoring Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy and Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy, earned by show creator and star Donald Glover. “I really want to say thank you to my son and the mother of my son for making me believe in people again and things being possible,” Glover said at the Beverly Hilton hotel. “So, thank you.”

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Glover also spoke about his father in his acceptance speech: “I grew up in a house where magic wasn't allowed. So everybody in here is like magical to me. Every time I saw a movie or Disney movie or heard your voices or saw you, I was like, ‘Oh, magic is from people. We're the ones who kind of in a weird way tell a story or a lie to children so they do stuff that we never thought was possible.’ My dad used to tell me every day, 'You can do anything you want.' And I remember thinking as a kid in first grade, 'You're

lying to me.' [And now I do] stuff and he's like, ‘I didn't think that was possible.’” In the wake of the awards, Glover’s production schedule has pushed season 2 of Atlanta back to 2018, while he works on the upcoming Han Solo Star Wars film and a new overall deal signed with FX. Other Atlanta productions nominated include Stranger Things, Hidden Figures, and Confirmation.


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Moffett Moves Up

S

avannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) recently tapped actor D.W. Moffett as chair of the university’s film and television department. Moffett joined SCAD’s faculty in the fall and assumed his new role with the commencement of SCAD’s winter academic quarter. “There is no better time to join this distinguished department,” said Moffett. “SCAD is blazing a trail as the preeminent source of knowledge in film and television, and the premier destination for those students who want to be prepared for professional careers in the entertainment universe. I am honored to participate in this bold and exciting new direction.” SCAD president and founder, Paula Wallace, says of the appointment, “SCAD film and television students are immensely fortunate that D.W. Moffett stands at the helm of their beloved department. D.W. represents a genuine triple threat, with his epic accomplishments in film, theater, and television. Look at his countless credits! He has gained renown as actor, writer, director, and producer.” Moffett has amassed more than 300 credits in film, television, and stage productions. Previously, Moffett served as a professional mentor to SCAD performing arts students, led directing workshops at the 2015 and 2016 Savannah Film Festival, and taught at SCAD as an honorary professor.

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March / April 2017

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OZCETERA Behind-the-scenes still from The New Big Plane Trip, Bill VanDerKloot (show creator) directing

Ten Years of Brownieland

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rownieland Pictures celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. “Ten years ago, we took a leap of faith to follow our true passion — to partner with nonprofits creating emotionally compelling videos that make a difference,” says the Brownieland team. “We were inspired by those we met over the years who were tirelessly serving their community by spreading hope and facilitating change in everyday lives. We not only wanted to partner with these change-makers, we wanted to take it a step further – reformulate our company with a new mission dedicated to giving them a voice.” To celebrate, Brownieland launched its “10 in 10” film campaign, working with a different nonprofit every month for ten months to create video content. They will round out the end of 2017 by producing a one-minute video for free for one lucky nonprofit. “We look forward to giving the real heroes of our communities a voice and sharing more of your stories for the greater good!”

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Now Boarding: The New Big Plane Trip

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he New Big Plane Trip, the nineteenth episode of the award-winning BIG Adventure Series, has wrapped principle photography in Atlanta and London. The live-action video adventure is the latest program in Little Mammoth Media’s award-winning series, taking young audiences on an exciting journey from Atlanta to London in a Delta Air Lines jet. Filmed in part at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport locations (including the Technical

Operations Center, the flight simulators, the underground baggage system and much more), The New Big Plane Trip will introduce the many people who work behind-the-scenes to make an international flight possible. Little Mammoth crews filmed Delta pilots, flight attendants, maintenance crews, and the many dedicated people who make it all happen. Like the rest of the series, it will be told from a child’s perspective, with young narrators to guide the trip.


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OZCETERA L to R: Josh Lind (SCAD CLC director), Jason DeMarco (Adult Swim Senior VP), Chris Hartley (Adult Swim VP of on-air production)

SCAD Collaborates with Adult Swim

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ow in its second installment, this year's Adult Swim SCAD Collaborative Learning Center (CLC) partnership brought together 17 hand-selected animation, illustration, and motion media students for a 10-week project to create six unique and compelling network IDs, mentored by Adult Swim on-air executives. The network IDs premiered at this year’s aTVfest. Short form animations that run throughout programming, Adult Swim IDs are different from other networks’ IDs in that they don’t rely on

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show content for reinforcing the brand and promoting various programs. Artists are given free rein to make their Adult Swim IDs true works of art, and that’s exactly what SCAD students did. At the start of their CLC journey, the students were asked to answer one question: “How does one market in a surprising way to today's audience, who are over-saturated with marketing?” The students learned from the inside how Adult Swim maintains and grows their avid audience.

At the aTVfest presentation, Chris Hartley (Adult Swim VP of on-air production) and Jason DeMarco (SCAD alumnus and Adult Swim VP/ creative director on-air) joined four talented SCAD CLC students on stage to discuss how Adult Swim has stayed at the forefront by constantly innovating and capitalizing on numerous non-traditional ways of viewing programming. The students' network IDs are now viewable on Adult Swim's YouTube channel and will soon air on national television.


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AND THE AWARD GOES TO … • Named “America’s Friendliest Cities” by Rand McNally • Named “Best Place in Georgia” by the Georgia Planning Association for its downtown area • The Georgia Municipal Association recognized Valdosta in Summer 2015 as one of 12 communities in Georgia that have effectively utilized public art and culture as a tool for community and economic development. • Named “Top 200 Great Locations” in the South for Aviation and Aerospace • Named ESPN’s “Titletown” for our football heritage Our Economic Development team is ready and willing to welcome you to our community, and to help make your next project a success.

Contact Tim Riddle at the Valdosta-Lowndes Tourism Authority at 229-219-4403 March / April 2017 www.visitvaldosta.org

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OZCETERA Ric Flair puts the Figure Four Leglock on an unsuspecting customer

Nine Mile Circle Tag Teams with Ric Flair

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tlanta creative boutique Nine Mile Circle brought in wrestling legend Ric Flair in a new campaign for Georgia-based USAuto Sales. Nine Mile produced and finished three spots for the campaign in which the 67-year-old strongman plays the flimflamming proprietor of Papa Flair’s Used Cars, body-slamming customers while wheeling and dealing. The campaign was conceived by USAuto sales marketing director Khalil Thompson and directed by Nine Mile’s Les Umberger. The antics that gave Flair the reputation as “the dirtiest player in the game” are hilariously transported to a rundown, 1970s vintage car dealership. Flair struts, grins, and offers his trademark shout, “WOOOOO!” while his young, female cohort tries to maintain her composure and million-dollar smile. “Ric’s a very high energy, funny guy and a natural performer,” says Umberger. “Pairing him with the girl brought out the best in him…he took it over the top.” In addition to producing the shoot, Nine Mile provided editorial, color correction, visual effects, music, sound, and finishing services. Umberger said that for Flair’s segments, the aim was to mimic the look of low budget ads for local car dealers. “We experimented with lo-fi looks going back to the VHS era,” he recalls. “The finished spots have a crazy palette of blues and blacks with orange highlights that brought out the wood paneling and odd environment of the dealership…the overall vibe is ‘get me out of here!’ By contrast, the scenes set at a USAuto Sales facility are clean, vibrant and modern.”

GPB Now Launches

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eorgia Public Broadcasting launched its GPB Now app through Roku last quarter, offering viewers the chance to see popular GPB programming, GPB Radio podcasts, and digital exclusive content not available in normal broadcast. GPB Now marks the second app the company has developed for both Roku and Apple TVs, following GPB Kids Now, which features trusted PBS Kids favorites that help prepare young children for success in school by teaching reading, math and social skills. Other GPB apps include GPB Education, GPB Sports: Football, GPB Atlanta, GPB Macon, GPB Savannah and GPB Georgia.

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OZCETERA Daniel Tinkham and Felix Rudert of WorldViz

Atlanta Film Society's Christopher Escobar experiences the Microsoft HoloLens

VRDayATL By Zachary Vaudo

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irtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mobile solutions group Nektr teamed up with Georgia State University in January to present VRDayATL: Atlanta’s Mixed Reality Conference at the Rialto. Full of demos and discussions, VRDayATL brought together some of the best minds in the fields of VR, AR, 360 video, branding, and entertainment, displaying their talents and projecting the future of the medium. Highlights included a showcase of products, such as Fake Love’s AR experience for the

film Hidden Figures, the CNN VR app for Google’s Daydream platform, Microsoft’s innovative HoloLens, and the first 360 video coverage of a presidential speech. Filmmakers spoke on the accessibility of VR, how VR film crews are the same as typical film crews in process ( just with different tech, as Tabitha Mason-Elliott of BarkBark demonstrated), and the inherent assumptions that this new technology will somehow change the world as we know it. Presenters provided differing perspectives on VR: while Jerry

Hudson of Moxie/FutureX claims that “Virtual reality gives you superpowers,” Cameron Kunzelman urges everyone to remember that “VR is a tool, not a revolution.” Additionally, a panel of Atlanta-based VR gurus discussed Atlanta’s VR Community. Christopher Hicks of the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment also stopped by for a surprise appearance, applauding Atlanta for being on the cusp of VR/AR innovation and encouraging the city’s developers to “think disruptively.”

Panelists Page Anderson (GSU), Tony Lemieux (GSI) and Grace Ahn (UGA) discuss VR Research, moderated by David Chesier

Peter Scott, Turner Studios VP of Emerging Media

Ed Thomas, Head of VR at CNN Glenn Zweig explores the VCAD experience

A guest dives in to the VRCade by VRStudios

Moxie/FutureX's John Rich and Jerry Hudson

Christopher Hicks, Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment Jason Drakeford, Drakeford Films and cocreator of Interrupture 88

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Choose: Georgia

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onarch Private Capital, along with Autumn Bailey Productions, Liquid Soul Media, Paste Magazine, and Atlanta Film Society hosted a reception and panel discussion during this year’s Sundance Film Festival. CHOOSE: Georgia — Filmmaking in the South, was moderated by Chrissie Merrill, director of film finance for Monarch Private Capital and featured a diverse panel of industry insiders with ties to Georgia’s film industry, including Eion Egan (Pinewood’s SVP International), Steve Mensch (president, Tyler Perry Studios), Jeffrey Stepakoff (executive director, Georgia Film Academy), Jason Berman (executive producer, The Birth of A Nation), D’Angela Proctor (TVOne SVP of original programming),

and Angi Bones (executive vice president, BobbCat Films). “Pinewood Atlanta is open for business to the indie film community. Our aim at Sundance is to tell producers that we can help them package a low-budget film using our production services, studio resources and crew from the Georgia Film Academy,” noted Egan. “This panel helped spread the word and we are looking forward to making more independent films at Pinewood Atlanta.” Pinewood Atlanta is currently undergoing a major expansion that will make it the largest purpose-built studio complex in the U.S. outside of Hollywood, California. “With it being the first year we’ve held this event, we had an exceptional turnout,” said Mer-

rill. “I was pleased with the panelists, as well as the audience participation. I feel that the audience left with increased awareness and interest in filming in Georgia!” The Sundance Festival this year also included the panel Secrets to Filming…On Location, presented by the Utah Film Commission and the Location Managers Guild International. Representing Georgia on the panel was Nancy Haecker, film scout and head of the Sleepy Hollow team. Her locations for Sleepy Hollow were even nominated for the "Outstanding Locations in a Period Piece" award at the Location Managers Awards.

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Renderings of the planned Three Ring Studios

Three Ring Studios in Development

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hree Ring Studios, the brainchild of Atlanta entrepreneur Rahim Charania, is a planned 160-acre sound stage development with three campuses, a green screen, a backlot and Georgia’s first game development campus. It is expected to open by the end of 2018. “Computer games are a lot of programming,” Charania said. “And they use sound stag-

es to do their movement. Imagine a guy on a green screen doing skateboarding jumps and then incorporating them into the game.” Another planned feature is “The Commons,” a backlot with replicas of city streets. Instead of simply building façades, the backlot buildings will be functional. “On the outside these buildings are going to look like you’re in downtown

New York, and the other side will be downtown Paris,” Charania said. “They can do filming on the outside, but the other side will have office buildings, restaurants and shops.” Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston said Charania is a “proven commodity” and the city has been working with him to plan the studio for two years.

25 Years of c21

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arketing and PR firm communications 21 celebrates 25 years of business this year. “After 25 years, we’re still thrilled to work with so many new and diverse clients,” said Sharon Goldmacher, president and CEO. “Our silver anniversary is already gearing up to be one of our very best years!” c21 kicks off its 25th year by announcing three new clients: Envistacom, the Georgia Society of the American College of Surgeons, and The Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Maynard Jackson-founded festival which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

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Makeup Artists, UNITE!

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he Makeup Artists of Atlanta held its quarterly social recently under the new leadership of Kimberly Crocker. Crocker accepted the presidency of the networking group in Fall 2016. The group consists of over 300 members including makeup artists, estheticians, cosmetologists, and beauty advisors based in Atlanta. “We have been on a little break only doing small meetups over the past three years,” says Crocker. “After much persuasion I finally convinced Kat to get the socials back up and run-

Kimberly Crocker (back center) with the Makeup Artists of Atlanta.

ning again. Never in my mind did I expect that she would ask me to run the networking group!” The social in January featured guest speaker Kat Pfender, founder of Atlanta Makeup Academy, and named Deidra Hamilton, who is the National Counter Manager of the Year for Chanel representing Nordstrom Perimeter, its featured artist. The social included door prizes, including a copy of the 2016-2017 Georgia Film & Television Production SourceBook.


Roy Wooley

Todd Debreceni

Go Goo

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he Engineer Guy will host Goo-Con 2017 in May, the fifth in the series. Goo-Con features panels, workshops, and activities in makeup, costuming, prosthetic mold-making, and more. Guests include special effects makeup artist Roy Wooley (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2, Superstition) and makeup artist Todd Debreceni (Ink, Carnival of Crime). “We’ve always strived to keep you guys convinced through our content that coming to Goo-Con is a must-do, and this year is no different,” says Nelson Burke, owner and founder of The Engineer Guy. “You can expect the best instruction available in a wide variety of subjects ranging from prop-making, costuming, makeup, mold making, and everything else we can throw at you.”

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OZCETERA Still from Sony’s Legacy: Ben Lowy’s Promises to his Children directed by Lowy + Lacar

Director Dan Brown

Wendy’s Spot UNHEARD/OF

Pictures at Pogo

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ogo Pictures has had a busy few months with a string of commercials and brand films. Managing partner Steve Colby helmed spots for Georgia Power, Contractor Connection, and BC Power; Bob Rice tackled Farm Rich; and the team of Benjamin Lowy and Marvi Lacar brought spots to life for Brookwood Health and Sony.

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Still from the Wendy’s “Cold Storage” spot

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ew production company UNHEARD/OF has launched hot on the heels of its “Cold Storage” Super Bowl spot for Wendy’s, directed by Daniel Brown. Formed in partnership with Alan Nay and his renowned post production outfit, World Famous, UNHEARD/OF launches with a focus on live action. The Wendy’s spot, created by agency VML and scored to Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice,” marks UNHEARD/OF’s debut, and was Wendy’s first-ever Super Bowl spot.

“Wendy’s always has facts or information they want to convey in rapid fire succession,” says Brown. “The goal is always to make sure the way that information is delivered feels engaging and fun.” Brown has directed spots and films for Nike, Microsoft, CitiBank, HTC, Beats by Dre, AT&T and T-Mobile.


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OZCETERA Howard Heeg

The Newest Rifleman By Zachary Vaudo

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he Rifleman has a new general manager: Howard Heeg. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Heeg brings his lengthy military and entertainment industry experience to the new position. “I’ve wanted Howard for 15 years,” says Rifleman owner Mark Mann, “but he was entrenched with other companies. When he was finally available, we negotiated to get him on and give us a shot. We’ve been close friends and worked together on many projects. It was a perfect fit for us.”

Heeg comes to Rifleman with a strong military background. A certified armorer operator instructor “on virtually everything in the U.S. military small arms inventory,” Heeg spent many years training Special Forces groups in all US military branches on foreign guns and training foreign special forces on US guns. Additionally, Heeg worked in sound recording for multiple video games and gaming companies, such as Activision, Sony, and more. Heeg also worked on the Discovery Channel’s Weaponizers.

“I’m looking forward to doing a lot of work with the entertainment industry here,” says Heeg, “providing whatever’s necessary to whoever’s filming here to make their shows a success. “We’re going to be able to do a lot of exciting things,” adds Mann. “Howard’s going to be a tremendous asset to the entertainment and theatric part of our business.”

The panel L to R: Todd James, Richard Winnie, Cynthia Kanner, Chris Parker, Celia Hamel, Brennan Dicker

Fix It in Post

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his year’s aTVfest at SCAD featured a post production panel on episodic television, featuring members of Atlanta’s SIM Digital and Bling Digital alongside television VPs and creatives. Moderated by Bling Digital GM Brennan Dicker, the panel consisted of Chris Parker (chief

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business development officer, The SIM Group), Cynthia Kanner (VP of postproduction, HBO West Coast Production), Celia Hamel (post production executive, BET Television), Richard Winnie (Sr. VP of production, Universal Television), and Todd E. James (director of post production, Sesame Workshop). The panel discussed post

production from its beginning (film) to its current state (digital), and what can be expected in the future (HDR, 4K, 8K, etc.), as well as the differences and similarities in post workflows with feature films as opposed to episodic television.


OZCETERA

Stills from the Samurai Jack trailer

Jack is Back

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dult Swim has resurrected a final season for the animated series Samurai Jack, premiering in the action-oriented Toonami programming block on March 11. Samurai Jack follows the story of the warrior Jack, cast forward through time by the evil demon-god Aku, continuing his endless fight with Aku in a dystopian future. Per the final season’s synopsis, “It’s been 50 years since we saw Samurai Jack and time has not been kind to him.

Aku has destroyed every time portal and Jack has stopped aging, a side effect of time travel. It seems he is cursed to just roam the land for all eternity.” "I feel good," says show creator Genndy Tartakovsky, "but I'm waiting to see how people react. It makes you more nervous when you really believe in it. When we watch it and get big reactions, we want people to love it or hate it, but the ‘it's fine’ in the middle is terrible. I want

the story to be interesting enough and I worry about what mistake I'll make as a storyteller. TV goes fast and that creates a nervousness because there's not a lot of checks and balances. It went from being easy to make this show to very difficult." Samurai Jack originally aired on Cartoon Network from 2001 to 2004, comprising four seasons.

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OZCETERA

Photos by Avery Wright

Daniel Sabio

Poetry in Virtual Motion

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echSquare Labs presented Singularity: A Future Reality Sound Experience, Atlanta’s first live virtual reality concert, earlier this year in partnership with Volta Laboratory Social Club. The artists took a conceptual approach focused on the concept of technological singularity: the point in which artificial intelligence rapidly outpaces human intelligence. The Singularity performance was split into three sections, each representing different relationships with the singularity concept: the Self, Society, and Nature. An opening foreword was provided by Dr. Lisa Yaszek, former president of the Science Fiction Research Association. “Rehearsing in VR is not like in the real world,” says Daniel Sabo of TechSquare Labs. “You are limited by the amount that your body can handle, starting with parts you don’t normally consider, like balance and concentration skills. After a few hours in the HTC Vive (which I don’t recommend for most) rehearsing tran-

sitions and compositional improvisations I can come out feeling tired and almost hungover. It is quite the phenomenon, and it makes practice more methodical and pre-planned, almost entirely ruling out procrastination without punishment.” The movements of the concert utilized a wide array of technology, from the HTC Vive to analog cassette players and FM radios to synthesizers. Blended with poetry and music, the result is a complex soundscape that blankets the listener in manifold details and ever-shifting nuance. “All of the movements were specifically composed for this performance,” says Sabo. “We were all working with a tight timeline of about three weeks to deliver something we all felt a deep connection to, and I believe we all share a notion of perfectionism. Watching the modular synthesis during the rehearsal of Receiver [part of the second movement] and the

use of old cassette players, and then viewing the tight edits and looping elements in the audiovisuals for Singularity in Nature [part of the third movement], this became apparent to me that we were all pouring our souls into this oneoff event. The strange thing was, it wasn’t about money. It was about doing something that’s never been done and taking it to another level of storytelling, and that is what drives us as artists.” TechSquare has plans for a continuation of the Singularity storyline, branching off from the third movement to further the story. Sabo’s aims to convince the rest of Atlanta “that we can be the epicenter for this kind of intersection of art and tech on a global level. That’s why I created the Art in Tech Atlanta Meetup Group: we have all the ingredients and fertile ground for this to occur, from our strong tech scene to the film and gaming industries that are starting to rival Hollywood. It’s inspiring to be a creator right now in this city.”

Letterbox Legal Directs Filmmakers

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etterbox Legal (LeLe, presented by D Gonzalez Law Group, LLC) kicked off its first industry association sponsorship with the Atlanta Film Festival, offering its firm’s legal guidance to the Filmmakers-in-Residence (FIR) Program. Atlanta Film Society’s executive director Christopher Escobar and LeLe’s executive director Deborah Gonzalez, Esq. signed the sponsorship agreement last quarter, and FIRs have been meeting with the LeLe attorneys since then. “We believe in letting people know about our commitment to the industry by actually doing it,” says Gonzalez, “and we are enjoying the interaction with these talented filmmakers.”

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Through its innovative program, LeLe will provide legal guidance, advice and services to the filmmakers about their various projects ranging from shorts and films to documentaries and television series. In other news, LeLe has started a monthly series at its office, looking at First Amendment rights for creatives including freedom of speech, press, and the right to peacefully protest.


OZCETERA

Atlanta Technical College Design & Media Production Presents

Atlanta Technical College

Student Film Festival 2017 Free and Open to the Public

Thursday, May 25, 2017 Doors Open @ 6:30pm

Atlanta Technical College 1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW • Atlanta, Georgia 30310 For more information call: 404.225.4439

Short Film Showcase Hits Atlanta

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he Honest Abe Production Group brought its Short Film Showcase Nationwide Tour to Atlanta in January, giving independent filmmakers the opportunity to screen their films and receive written feedback from both film professionals and the attending public. Guests enjoyed an afternoon of networking followed by the entertainment of a wide genre of films. Atlanta filmmakers present included Gwen Waymon, David White, Roderick Pollock and Bruce Williams. White, a SCAD graduate, presented his action-filled drama, Alpha. Other notable films included Arianna Penzo’s, Heart of Gold, Gautum Rana’s Verse, Andy Touchton’s Incredi-Ball, and Waymon’s music video “#Nappy.” “We enjoy bringing together the community of film professionals and providing support and feedback to lift each other up,” said Sharon Maggelet, CEO of Honest Abe Production Group, LLC.

Georgia Film Fights Hunger

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eorgia film professionals banded together for the Hunger Walk/Run in March under the team Georgia Film Fights Hunger. Co-captained by Sheryl Myers (State Line Films) and Mark Wofford (PC&E), Georgia Film Fights Hunger reached out to crew members, production companies, professional organizations, unions, creatives, and students to raise money for the cause.

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OZCETERA

Helicopter Express Fights Chilean Fires

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elicopter Express joined international responders converging on Santiago to assist the people of Chile in fighting wildfires. “The country of Chile is experiencing an unprecedented fire season, very similar to this past fall in the southeastern United States,” says Gary Dalton, VP of marketing at Helicopter Express. “Just as in the Smokey Mountains, Helicopter Express has been contracted to dispatch aircraft and crews to help battle the fires. The big difference this time is the aircraft have to move a continent away.” After ten days of prep, an Antonov AN-124 arrived in Santiago and unloaded three Bell 205 helicopters, one K-MAX 1200, and a flatbed truck with an attached goose-neck trailer. Ten crew members from Helicopter Express flew down with the Antonov, so everyone was ready to go as soon as they hit the ground within five hours. “There are wildfires all over the world, so we’re glad to help,” says Dalton. “We’re also looking at fighting fires in Brazil. We’re special-

ists at what we do, and when you’re a specialist, you become very efficient. We can help mentor the locals and help them get things going on their own." In addition to its film and television operations, Helicopter Express has just completed its twentieth year of firefighting operations for various US government agencies such as the US Forest Service and the National Park Service.

An Antonov AN-124 after it arrived in Santiago, Chile carrying four helicopters. Photo by Tom Parsons of Global Supertanker

Hunger Games Theme Park a No-Show

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Concept art for the Avatron Smart Park

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vatron USA Development has placed the Avatron Smart Park, originally slated to open in Emerson, Georgia “on hold indefinitely.” The proposed $750 million theme park in Bartow County was to be developed in partnership with Lions Gate Entertainment Corp on over 700 acres. The property was to include a 200-acre theme park, two hotels, a 300,000-square-foot retail center, and a 10,000-square-foot amphitheater. The park was set to include attractions from productions such as the Hunger Games franchise.

The groundbreaking was supposed to have been held in early 2016, but Avatron said that financing was still not finalized at that time. Officials stated that “with the anticipation of being just a few days away from a final finance completion announcement, one of [the] key partners had to suspend its participation. He felt that “no more time [could] be given or pushed back. Therefore, the Avatron project is being placed on hold indefinitely.”


OZCETERA Creative Xpo guest playing with Microsoft products

The First Annual Creative Xpo

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he Creative Xpo held its first gathering in January at The Fernbank Museum of Natural History, assembling like-minded individuals in digital media, arts, and entertainment. The Xpo featured live demos in virtual reality from GamesThatWork and Microsoft, as well as innovative exhibitors and panel discussions from industry professionals that influence Atlanta's creative industry.

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OZCETERA

Photo courtesy of Shadow and Act

Former Mayor Shirley Franklin with Producer and Director Sam Pollard

Sam Pollard to Direct Maynard By Nicola Breslauer

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am Pollard directed Maynard, a film about Atlanta's first African-American mayor, Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr. While few details are public, Maynard is produced through Auburn Avenue Films, Inc., and is reportedly now in post production according to Shadow and Act. Pollard and Auburn Avenue aim to feature the film at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. As a three-term mayor, Jackson lead multiple projects that would impact Atlanta forever, such as building the international airport addition that now bears his name. He was known for motivating an emerging group of politicians and being a great role model and support for African-Americans everywhere. The film features

multiple interviews from people close to Jackson, such as his widow Valerie Jackson, former Mayor Shirley Franklin, and former President Bill Clinton. Other special interviews include former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell and Dr. Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund. “My father fought the good fight for equal opportunity and economic equality especially for African-Americans,” said Brooke Jackson Edmond, daughter of Mayor Jackson. “All Atlantans have benefited from his work as have countless others far beyond Atlanta. There is a thriving African-American business class largely because of Maynard Jackson.”

Pollard is renowned for his work, having multiple Emmy wins and nominations from the Academy Awards. A long-time editor for Spike Lee, he also has great experience creating documentary film about great individuals, and has made material in the past for PBS' American Masters. Pollard has had a hand in helping share the stories of many African-American heroes throughout the last few decades. In addition to Pollard, the Emmy-nominated Henry Abdebonojo (I Am Not Your Negro) has stepped up as the director of photography for Maynard.

Sam Pollard with Emmy Award

L to R: Maynard Jackson III (executive producer) and Sam Pollard (producer/director) Photo courtesy of Indiewire

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OZCETERA Construction of the new Fernbank screen

Theater in progress

Fernbank Goes Giant

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ernbank Museum of Natural History unveiled the Rankin M. Smith, Sr. Giant Screen Theater in February, kicking off the Museum’s 25th year in Atlanta. The new screen replaces the original 15/70mm film projection system with 4K resolution, digital laser projection, and 3D capabilities. D3D Cinemas installed the new screen. “Fernbank has always sought to immerse viewers in the natural world through films, but the new top-of-the-line digital laser technology and 3D capabilities of the Giant Screen Theater will greatly enhance the experience. We hope moviegoers will continue to discover a deep connection to science, nature and human culture through the stunning image and sound quality of this highly advanced digital system,” said Jennifer Grant-Warner, Fernbank executive vice president and chief programming officer. Kicking off the new theater’s run was The Search for Life in Space, presented in 2D, and National Geographic’s Extreme Weather 3D, a dramatic journey with storm-chaser and filmmaker Sean Casey to destinations with extreme weather conditions, including wildfires in the Western United States and deadly tornadoes in the plains.

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OZCETERA

Photo courtesy of Kevin Winter/Getty Images

L to R: Janelle Monae, Yvonne Cagle, Katherine Johnson, Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer

Atlanta and the Oscars By Zachary Vaudo

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tlanta production stood its ground at the 89th Academy Awards: Hidden Figures grabbed three nominations for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer), and Best Adapted Screenplay, while the Clint Eastwood film Sully earned a nomination for Best Sound Editing; the Jennifer Lawrence/Chris Pratt sci-fi romance Passengers snagged nominations for Best Production Design and Best Original Score. Hidden Figures already received two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Ac-

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tress (Spencer) and Best Original Score. It won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Though the film is set in Hampton, VA., Hidden Figures was filmed around metro Atlanta, including locations such as downtown Canton, Monroe, East Point, and the Morehouse College campus. Passengers was filmed at EUE/Screen Gems and Pinewood Studios, while Sully was filmed partially in Atlanta and Alpharetta. While Hidden Figures didn’t take the awards, Katherine Johnson (the NASA physicist

and mathematician portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in the film) was honored at the Awards with a standing ovation. Introduced and praised by Henson, Janelle Monae, and Octavia Spencer, Johnson was escorted to the stage by NASA astronaut Yvonne Cagle, where she gave a simple yet gracious “Thank you” to the audience. La La Land claimed the most awards with six. Moonlight took three awards including Best Picture, and Manchester by the Sea took home two.


OZCETERA The cast and crew of The Forever Woods

Into the Forever Woods

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ohn Jamilkowski, former director of programming for the Serenbe Film Festival, has released his debut film The Forever Woods to the film festival circuit. Written and directed by Jamilkowski and starring a cast of Atlanta talent, The Forever Woods explores the life of a young girl in a post-apocalyptic world as she bonds with her uncle in the chaos. “It’s a very character driven study,” says Jamilkowski. “I like taking B movie genres and giving them an A list treatment, concentrating not on effects, which I love but on character development.” The short film was shot at various locations in Palmetto, Georgia, including Cherry Hollow Farm, and has been screened in the United States, Europe, and South America. Jamilkowski aims to expand The Forever Woods into a feature as part of a three-movie franchise. Nelson Bonilla and Kate Jamilkowski in The Forever Woods

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OZCETERA Joe's Violin

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

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he Atlanta Jewish Film Festival returned to Atlanta from January 24 through February 15 for its 17th year, closing with a record 202 screenings this year and over 37,500 attendees. The AJFF Inaugural Jury Prizes went to best Narrative Feature (Fanny’s Journey), Documentary Feature (Aida’s Secrets), and Short (The Last Blintz). New categories included Emerging Filmmaker (Eran Kolorin, Beyond the Mountains and Hills), awarded to a rising creative talent whose film shows exceptional skill and artistry; Building Bridges (The 90 Minute War) for the film that most exemplifies the mission of AJFF: to foster understanding among communities of diverse religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds; and Human Rights (The Freedom to Marry), awarded to the film that most powerful-

ly captures the perseverance and strength of those guided by a sense of justice in the face of bigotry, inequality, or persecution. In addition, the festival revealed its annual Audience Award winners, which receive encore screenings in March: Fanny’s Journey for Narrative Feature, The Freedom to Marry for Documentary Feature, and the Academy Award-nominated Joe’s Violin for Shorts. The Freedom to Marry

Fanny's Journey

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OZCETERA Quasar Science light tubes from John Sharaf Photography

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Over 250,000 Square Feet of High Quality Inventory. New, Pre-Owned , and Remanufactured Furniture for Administrative, Production Office, and for On Set Props! Film Friendly

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ohn Sharaf Photography has launched its newest lighting and grip rental venture, Bastard Amber Lighting. Including a threeton grip truck and a Legacy-class lighting kit, Bastard Amber Lighting aims to serve the episodic and feature market with a more compact lighting and grip service. “This might not be what everybody wants,” says Sharaf, “but for the large, underserved midsize productions, we provide a very viable lighting strategy.”

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Safety First

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he inaugural Producers Guild of America safety seminar was held at Eagle Rock Studios in Atlanta in February. Four production safety experts led producers through recommended practices of developing a safety plan as well as the producer’s role as part of the safety team, and highlighted support resources available locally. Speakers included Kent Jorgensen (chair of the IATSE safety committee), Matt Antonucci (vice president, production affairs and safety, contract services; co-chair, labor-management safety committee), Margaret Burke (regional director of production safety, 20th Century Fox), and Mark Shelton (independent producer and OSHA-authorized safety instructor). Additional representatives included Jenny Houlroyd of the Georgia Tech Research Institute and Trish Taylor from the Georgia Production Partnership. All attendees received a copy of the 2016-2017 Georgia Film & Television Production SourceBook.

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Farewell to Showcase: An Interview with Bob Khoury By Zachary Vaudo

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fter 40 years, Showcase Inc. Photo & Video, along with the Showcase School, closed its doors at the end of February. While the Showcase School will be reopening under the name Atlanta School of Photography, the company as a whole ceased operation following a long run as a staple of Atlanta photography and filmmaking. Showcase founder Bob Khoury sat down with Oz for a retrospective on Showcase and to address the core issues facing similar Atlanta businesses. Start back at the beginning: what kicked off Showcase in Atlanta? 40 years ago, we started in a flea market where the Lindbergh Marta station is right now. It was an Arlan’s Department Store, and they went out of business, so the guy [who owned the flea market] bought the building, put in 300 booths, and that’s where we started. There were at the time two chains in town: Wolf and Alan’s, and they were both starting out. Because they had the consumer [film] business locked up, we decided to go after the professional business, and that’s how we started. Can you recall a point where you really had to pull up from the ground? We were on an upward trend all the way until 2008 when the recession hit. We had to tighten our belt and cut overhead, but we didn’t let anyone go at the time. Salaries were cut across the board, top to bottom, and we struggled through that and made it through 2009. Things started to come back around 2010, but that was the hardest time we had until recently. We’ve

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Bob Khoury

seen a decline in business over the past three years, simply because—and this is what I consider to be the crux of this interview—we have an unsustainable business model at this time. Why is your business model unsustainable? Brick-and-mortar just can’t make a go of it anymore. They can if you can keep overhead low—ours is not, we have a lot of employees that make a very decent living here who are knowledgeable and can educate the consumer. The consumer isn’t willing to pay for that, though, and unfortunately business has been dwindling.

The way we try to do business isn’t viable anymore. Most people would just as soon buy everything over their phones and assume they know everything about everything, and therefore the knowledge we have to impart isn’t that important. The rise of ready information and undercutting price is viewed as more important? Exactly, and they don’t value personal relationships, which we try to establish with our customers. It just doesn’t work anymore. We see a lot of show-rooming now: people come in with their phones, look at a product, and


OZCETERA Bob Khoury and Warren Steinberg in their first store in 1976

find the cheapest price. Not to say we can’t compete on price: we can, and we can convince customers that in some cases if the price is higher that they’re getting value for their money. What we cannot compete with is the fact that we have to charge sales tax, while our competitors out of New York don’t have to. Right now, that gives them an 8% advantage, soon to be 8.9% when the taxes go up in this city. This is my soapbox issue: something has to be done about this. There was an article written in the AJC about a state representative addressing this issue and wanting to do something, but it cannot be done on a state level. It has to be done on a federal level. At this time, there’s a bill that has been passed by the Senate called the Marketplace Fairness Act; the House came up with their own bill when it got kicked over to them, it got sent to committee and now it can’t get out. Because it’s been viewed as instituting a new tax by Congress, when it’s not new at all: it’s an existing tax that’s not being collected.

One of the things I want to do after we close the business is find a lobbying group I can latch onto and make a presence known in DC to get something done about this. You want to make sure that what’s happening here doesn’t happen to other businesses? That’s correct.

They couldn’t see how internet sales would grow in this country? They had no idea, and now it’s the 800lb gorilla in the room that has to be addressed. Hopefully I can be instrumental in that.

Do you have a specific plan in place? I’m going to try to latch on with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, but I have to first determine what their stance is on this issue. They represent a lot of different factions: they’re representing people who are benefitting from this sales tax issue, too. And the reason it exists, by the way, is because in 1992 the Supreme Court issued a ruling stating that interstate commerce was exempt from taxation. They thought at the time when the Internet was in its infancy that it’d be too onerous for sellers to collect tax for all 50

Over the past 40 years, do you have any favorite memories that stick out? My customers. Back in the late 70s/early 80s the professional photo community in this town was very tight-knit. It was a great time to be in business with these people, and they’re my favorite memories. To me it’s funny, but some of the demands made upon us have been hilarious [without giving specific examples]. Strange expectations where I just have to laugh. Some of my customers have been the most amusing people that I have ever witnessed.

Outside shot of 1977 location

states and then remit that sales tax. At the time it would have been. Today, it’s just a push of a button.

Warren Steinberg in the flea market 1975

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VOICES

I

f any film in all of American cinema is connected with the great state of Georgia, it's Gone with the Wind (1939). There's just no getting around it. What's most surprising about this legendary picture, beyond the grand sweep of its cinematography (and the film’s egregiously revisionist history), is that not a single frame was shot in Georgia. The great fire of Atlanta? Hollywood. The barbecue at Twelve Oaks? Pasadena. Tara's cotton fields? Chico, California. But those days, I am happy to say, are as gone as fictional Tara. In 1982, when SCAD created a degree program in film (called "video" at the time), some looked at us sideways. CNN was but two years old and about the only show filming in Georgia in those days was The Dukes of Hazzard. Back then, our students believed a move to L.A.

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Paula Wallace, SCAD President

was their only pathway into the industry, and throughout the 80s and 90s, onethird of SCAD graduates ended up in the entertainment business on the West Coast. We helped them get there, but our goal was always to bring Hollywood here, even when the doubters laughed. By the time we created the Savannah Film Festival in 1999, there was far less laughter and quite a few nods of approval (Forrest Gump and a few other films had turned skepticism into tourism). And four years ago, when we launched SCAD

aTVfest in Atlanta, what we heard was the roar of applause. The year before, 2012, the film and TV industry in Georgia generated an economic impact of $1 billion. Hollywood had arrived, and showrunners were here to stay. Today, that economic impact stands at a staggering $7 billion— generated by no fewer than 245 feature film and TV productions in a single year. It's no surprise, that Georgia now occupies the number three spot for worldwide film production, behind California and the U.K. A big part of that success is owing to Atlanta's older sister, Savannah, still full of its notorious quirk and historic beauty and now boasting an international reputation in film and TV. Savannah was recently named number one on the list of best small cities and towns to work as a movie maker. The readers of Oz know that this exponential growth and top-tier


Georgia now occupies the number three spot for worldwide film production recognition doesn’t merely happen. Dorothy can click her heels all day long, but it's not wishing that brings film and TV to Georgia. That coveted prominence in the entertainment arts must be cultivated and pursued, through infrastructure, innovative services that provide a competitive advantage, and educational depth and breadth that guarantee the best-prepared film and TV graduates for the industry. I recall, just a few years ago, one movie producer praising Georgia as a place but worrying a little about the need to import great talent from elsewhere. There’s not much to worry about now, with Georgia schools and universities offering degree programs in film, TV, and related disciplines and thousands of students graduating this year alone to enter those professions. Many graduates from Georgia schools are already working on Georgia-based productions, and these are not small productions. After all, three

Georgia films were nominated for Oscars this year: Hidden Figures (Best Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Adapted Screenplay), Passengers (Best Production Design and Best Original Score), and Sully (Best Sound Editing). We are way beyond the Duke boys. The ground is fertile for film in Georgia, and we're not just growing film—we're shaping the future of it. For example, at the most recent Savannah Film Festival, SCAD debuted the world’s very first virtual reality musical, the product of collaboration among SCAD students from 17 different academic programs. VR is the future of film and TV, and so is long-form storytelling, which began with the Sopranos and has only grown more sophisticated in its production techniques—Amazon Prime and Netflix have seen to that. Just as visual effects have become supremely important in tentpole franchises, so has writing become more central than ever. Viewers are savvy. Dramatic writing programs must stay ahead of the curve. Indeed, writers create the curve by always finding new ways to keep viewers attuned. While we're talking trends in film and TV production, one of the big demands right now is the need for content mobility across screens. What does a great binge-worthy series look like on a tablet? A phone? A watch? Bathroom mirrors have TV screens built into them; how will content presentation affect the viewing experience? Georgia is addressing these questions in the classroom, right now. From Savannah to Atlanta, Georgia is no longer a good place to make movies

Georgia means business. — Governor Deal and TV—it's the place. Georgia is the burgeoning frontier for storytelling on big and small screens. The personalization of the viewing experience—whether in binge or snippet—requires consideration of time, place, and individual preference. It’s all about user experience (UX). Festivals now offer credentials to working film and TV professionals in dozens of specializations that include cinematography, development, editing, pre-vis, scoring, and special effects. On top of that the number of Avid Certified editors in Atlanta has doubled in a single year. That's why Georgia is one of the world capitals of film and TV. As Governor Deal says, “Georgia means business.” I think we can all agree: Georgia also means show-business. At aTVfest, audiences saw the Spotlight Award won by the cast and creative team behind WGN’s hit Underground: a series set in Georgia, shot in Georgia, and which screened its second season premiere in Georgia with us. That's about as farm-totable as it gets, in the TV industry. Several other spectacular shows—Amazon's Z: The Beginning of Everything (starring Christina Ricci), Fox's Star (created by Lee Daniels), 24: Legacy (a spinoff of the beloved Jack Bauer saga), and CBS’s MacGyver (a reimagining of the classic series)—were all filmed right here in Georgia as well. Tara is gone with the wind, but the Golden Age of Georgia Television is just beginning.

March / April 2017

109


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1

MAPS & VENUES

THE ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL (ATLFF) is one of the longest-running film festivals in the country. Welcoming over 27,000 film lovers and makers to a ten-day showcase of independent films selected from over 6,000 international submissions, the Academy Award®–qualifying festival is recognized as one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.” Presented by the Atlanta Film Society, which hosts screenings, discussions, workshops and panels year-round, ATLFF celebrates its 41st festival in 2017 from March 24-April 2 with help from The Plaza Theatre, 7 Stages, Dad’s Garage, and more.

PLAZA THEATRE 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30306 7 STAGES 1105 Euclid Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30307 DAD’S GARAGE 569 Ezzard St. SE Atlanta, GA 30312 TOWNE CINEMA 106 N Avondale Rd Avondale Estates, GA 30002 THE WORKSHOP 320 North Highland Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30307 THE SUN DIAL 210 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

GALLERY L1 828 Ralph McGill Blvd NE Atlanta, GA 30306 787 WINDSOR 787 Windsor St SW Atlanta, GA 30315 CALLANWOLDE FINE ARTS CENTER 980 Briarcliff Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30306 PARIS ON PONCE 716 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30306 HIGHLAND INN BALLROOM 644 North Highland Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30306 OLD 4TH & SWIFT 621 North Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30308

PARKING Plaza Theatre: FREE, front & rear lots $5-10 deck at 675 North Highland Druid Hills Presbyterian Church: Limited parking, FREE on weekdays 7 Stages Theatre: $2-7 lots in back

Dad’s Garage FREE lot & street parking Towne Cinema FREE lots surrounding street parking * Shuttles will be rotating between venues. Neighborhood and street parking available.

O


2

MAPS & VENUES

VIRGINA HIGHLAND

OLD FOURTH WARD LITTLE FIVE POINTS

EDGEWOOD

CABBAGETOWN FACEBOOK: Atlanta Film Festival TWITTER: @atlantafilmfest INSTAGRAM: @atlantafilmfestival


3 BADGE PICK-UP & PURCHASE

TICKETING & GENERAL INFORMATION

Badges are available for purchase and pick-up at Festival Headquarters only, located in the ballroom of the Highland Inn. Individual box offices do not sell, or distribute, festival credentials. * Purchase online at atlantafilmfestival.com

BOX OFFICE & THEATRE POLICIES Arrival & Seating: Our priority pass-holder line is admitted 20 minutes to showtime (subject to change); to enjoy the benefit of priority seating, please arrive no later than 15 minutes to showtime. Any seats left unclaimed at this time are subject to release. Please note that while we guarantee badge-holders priority admittance, seating is not guaranteed. Arrive early to avoid sell-out crowds. BUDDY PASSES: Screenings and events are first come, first served. Badge holders may bring a friend with a Buddy Pass to accompany them in line A. Independent Buddy Pass holders must stand in line C.

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION Official box offices for the 2017 Atlanta Film Festival will be located at both the Plaza Theatre & 7 Stages. These offices will open one (1) hour prior to the first scheduled event and will close 30 minutes after the last scheduled event begins, each day. Refer to the schedule of each theatre for corresponding hours. Cancellation & Refund Policy: All festival sales made online, or at the box office, are final upon purchase. In the event of a cancellation, refunds may be considered. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact our box office staff using the information provided below. Our box office team loves texts – for the quickest response to your inquiry, send us one! Text/Call: 470-296-0170 Email: boxoffice@atlantafilmfestival.com

LINES A, B & C - HOW THEY WORK LINE A: This line is reserved for the following badge types: * Filmmaker * All-Access * Press * Industry * Film & Conference * Weekend 1 or 2 * Producer * Film * Board Badge-holders must be in Line A at least 15 minutes prior to show-time to take advantage of the priority seating their pass affords them; Line B will be admitted at this time. LINE B: This line is reserved for individual ticket-buyers, with printed ticket or ticket visible (with barcode) via mobile device. Admitted after Line A, at 15 minutes to showtime (subject to change). LINE C: This line is reserved for MovieHopper and Buddy Passes. Individuals in Line C will only be admitted into the theatre if seats still remain after both Line A & B have been seated; admittance will not begin until 5 minutes to showtime. Individual Buddy Pass holders may accompany a badge holder in line A.


4

2017 BADGE OPTIONS Every badge comes with year-round Atlanta Film Society membership, through December 31st, 2017. For more information: atlantafilmsociety.org/member OPENING & CLOSING WEEKEND: $150 Both the Opening & Closing Weekend badges act as all-access passes for their designated weekend: opening (March 2426), closing (March 31-April 2). Both come with (4) buddy passes*

MOVIEHOPPER: $75 Admission to all films via Line C. Seating is stand-by only and is subject to availability once pass-holders and ticket-buyers have been seated; 90% of festival screenings FILM: $150 Admission for (1) to all films. Seated via Line admit from stand-by A. Includes (2) buddy passes* FILM + CONFERENCE: $250 Admission for (1) to all films, panels, and filmmaker lounge. Seated via Line A. Includes (4) buddy passes*

In addition, the Atlanta Film Society offers patronage at a higher donation level. If you are interested in becoming one of our heroes, please visit: atlantafilmsociety.org/patron *Buddy Passes: One buddy pass allows you to bring (1) friend with you to any screening, panel, or party. Limited to (1) per event.

BADGES & MEMBERSHIP

ALL-ACCESS: $350 Admission for (1) to all films, parties, special events, panels, and happy hours; complimentary drinks, catering, and shuttle rides, included. Seated via Line A; includes (8) buddy passes*


5

SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, MARCH 23RD, 2017

PLAZA DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE

– Narrative Feature

– Creative Conference

– Documentary Feature

– Creative Media

– Short Film Block

– Events/Specials

FRIDAY, MARCH 24TH, 2017

PLAZA DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE

PLAZA UPSTAIRS THEATRE

EVENT

10 11 12:00pm

12 1

Filmmaker Lounge @ Highland Ballroom

2

(Open to Filmmakers, Film+Conference & All-Access Badge-Holders)

3 4:00pm - p. 26

4

ATLFF Screenplay Competition: Table Read

5

(Open to All)

6 7 8

7:00pm - p. 24 7:30pm - p. 26 WonderRoot’s Local Film Night 90 min

OPENING NIGHT Dave Made a Maze 81 min

7:00pm - p. 26

7:00pm - p. 24 re:Imagine ATL Presents: No Comment

9

AIGA Poster Show @Highland Ballroom

9:00pm Opening Night Party @ Paris on Ponce

10 11 12

5:00pm Happy Hour @Highland Ballroom

12:00am - p. 26 Rocky Horror Picture Show

(Open to Ticket-Holders and Filmmaker & All-Access Badge-Holders)


PINK PEACH (LGBTQ)

FAMILY FRIENDLY

NEW MAVERICKS (FEMALE LEAD & DIRECTOR)

CINEMĂ S

(LATIN AMERICAN)

6

TALENT ANTICIPATED

SATURDAY, MARCH 25TH, 2017

PLAZA UPSTAIRS THEATRE

7 STAGES

TOWNE CINEMA

EVENT

10 11 11:45pm - p. 42

12

Holden On 102 min

1 2 3 4 5

12:15pm - p. 52 12:15pm - p. 39 Milwaukee 53206 (w/ Search Party)

8

Bad & the Birdieman 50 min

71 min

The Boss Baby

2:30pm - p. 51 Farewell Ferris Wheel 71 min

4:30pm - p. 52 Mr. Chibbs 102 min

4:45pm - p. 44 Dog Days 95 min

In the Realms of the Unreal (Sci-Fi & Horror) 97 min

Planet of the Children (Kids Shorts) 69 min

2:30pm - p. 54

12:00pm

Filmmaker Lounge @ Highland Ballroom

Trenches of Rock 87 min

(Open to Filmmakers, Film+Conference & All-Access Badge-Holders)

5:30pm - p. 27

Happy Hour

4:45pm - p. 59 An Earthy Paradise for the Eyes (Narratives & Documentaries) 99 min

5:00pm

Silver Scream Spook Show: Zombie Spring Break Massacre

@Highland Ballroom (Open to All)

7:00pm - p. 44 The Scent of Rain & Lightning 103 min

7:30pm - p. 53

7:30pm - p. 45

Preso

A Woman, A Part

92 min

98 min

9 9:45pm - p. 41

10

10:15pm - p. 27

11

Fear Haus

12

12:15pm - p. 62

2:00pm - p. 60 2:15pm - p. 40

6 7

12:00pm - p. 53

9:45pm - p. 45 Wonder Valley

Dean 97 min

72 min

8:30pm - p. 27 Silver Scream Spook Show: Zombie Spring Break Massacre

9:00pm After Party

@ The Sun Dial (Open to Filmmaker & All-Access Badge-Holders)

SCHEDULE

PLAZA DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE


7

– Narrative Feature

– Creative Conference

– Documentary Feature

– Creative Media

– Short Film Block

– Events/Specials

SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, MARCH 26TH, 2017

PLAZA DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE

PLAZA UPSTAIRS THEATRE

7 STAGES

DAD’S GARAGE

CALLANWOLDE

EVENT

9 10 11 12 1 2 3

11:30am - p. 65 12:00pm - p. 27

FOOD ON FILM: 25th Anniversary My Cousin Vinny

12:30pm - p. 50

Two Worlds (w/ Il Silenzio (The Silence))

119 min

2:15pm - p. 42 2:30pm - p. 50

City of Joy 76 min

Everything But A Man

No Light and No Land Anywhere

6

3:00pm - p. 32

PILOTS: Gusbandry

(Open to Filmmakers, Film+Conference & All-Access Badge-Holders)

PILOTS: UnScripted 5:30pm - p. 44

Teenage Love Bomb

5:00pm - p. 32

37 min

5:45pm - p. 52

Mele Murals

5:00pm Happy Hour

PILOTS: Minutes 87 min

@Highland Ballroom (Open to All)

66 min

7:00pm - p. 40

Chee and T

8

11

98 min

FOOD ON FILM After Party (Open to Ticket-holders and Filmmaker & All-Access Badge-Holders)

4:30pm - p. 32

84 min

80 min

10

Appropriate Behavior (Narratives)

Filmmaker Lounge @ Highland Ballroom

77 min

75 min

9

2:00pm

2:00pm - p. 58

112 min

4:45pm - p. 43

7

85 min

65 min

4 5

12:00pm

Unstrung Heroes (Puppetry)

8:00pm - p. 54

Woman on Fire 84 min

7:30pm - p. 63

7:30pm - p. 32

Season of Strangers (Experimental)

PILOTS: Hart of America

74 min

55 min

9:00pm

9:30pm - p. 28

Puppet Slam

Hangout @Church Bar


FAMILY FRIENDLY

NEW MAVERICKS (FEMALE LEAD & DIRECTOR)

PINK PEACH (LGBTQ)

CINEMÁS

(LATIN AMERICAN)

8

TALENT ANTICIPATED

MONDAY, MARCH 27TH, 2017

PLAZA UPSTAIRS THEATRE

9 10 11 12 1

3 4

7 STAGES BLACKBOX

9:30am - p. 20

9:30am - p. 20

Location, Location, Location

Reputation is Everything

11:30am - p. 20

11:30am - p. 20

Trust Me

Create Me

1:30pm - p. 20

1:30pm - p. 20

Breaking In

2

7 STAGES

DAD’S GARAGE

12:00pm

Filmmaker Lounge @ Highland Ballroom

Make it Work

3:30pm - p. 20

3:30pm - p. 20

SAGIndie: Get Great Talent

I’ll Be In My Trailer

(Open to Filmmakers, Film+Conference & All-Access Badge-Holders)

5:00pm

5

Happy Hour

8 9 10 11

@Highland Ballroom (Open to All)

6:00pm - p. 31

6 7

EVENT

7:00pm - p. 44

The 12 Lives of Sissy Carlyle 87 min

7:15pm - p. 41

7:15pm - p. 62

Children of the Mountain 101 min

Reassemblage (Animation) 84 min

84 min

Open House (Powered by Samsung)

8:00pm - p. 44

Sylvio 80 min

9:15pm - p. 63

Southern Comfort (Local Narratives)

Virtual Reality Films

9:45pm - p. 41

Cold Breath 83 min

9:30pm - p. 50

Death by a Thousand Cuts 73 min

9:00pm

Hangout @Sweet Auburn BBQ 10:30pm

Late Night: Karaoke @The Local

SCHEDULE

PLAZA DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE


9

– Narrative Feature

– Creative Conference

– Documentary Feature

– Creative Media

– Short Film Block

– Events/Specials

SCHEDULE

TUESDAY, MARCH 28TH, 2017

PLAZA DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE

9 10

PLAZA UPSTAIRS THEATRE

7 STAGES

7 STAGES BLACKBOX

DAD’S GARAGE

EVENT

9:00am - p. 21

Fincannon & Associates: Casting Master Class

11 12 1 2 3 4

9:30am - p. 21

Based on a True Story

11:30am - p. 21

11:30am - p. 21

A Fist Full Of Dollars

Back to One

1:30pm - p. 21

1:30pm - p. 21

Working in a Virtual World

Note to Self

3:30pm - p. 21

3:30pm - p. 21

The Business of The Biz

Block, Light, Rehearse, Shoot

12:00pm

Filmmaker Lounge @ Highland Ballroom (Open to Filmmakers, Film+Conference & All-Access Badge-Holders)

5:00pm

5

Happy Hour @Highland Ballroom (Open to All)

6:00pm - p. 31

6 6:45pm - p. 28

7

7:00pm - p. 60

7:00pm - p. 42

The Hero 96 min

FSU Showcase 65 min

8 9 10 11

Fish Tank (Documentaries) 92 min

Virtual Reality Films Open House (Powered by Samsung)

9:15pm - p. 50

Atlan 62 min

9:30pm - p. 52

League of Exotique Dancers 90 min

8:00pm - p. 45

Your Ride is Here 69 min 9:30pm

Hangout @Hand in Hand


NEW MAVERICKS (FEMALE LEAD & DIRECTOR)

FAMILY FRIENDLY

PINK PEACH (LGBTQ)

CINEMÁS

(LATIN AMERICAN)

10

TALENT ANTICIPATED

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29TH, 2017

PLAZA UPSTAIRS THEATRE

7 STAGES

9

9:30am - p. 22

9:30am - p. 22

10

The Fine Print

Grip Truck Show and Tell @ 7 Stages Back Parking Lot

11

11:30am - p. 22

Stop and Care: Set Safety

12 1 2 3 4

THE WORKSHOP

DAD’S GARAGE

11:15am - p. 22

Light and Shoot Your Indie

1:30pm - p. 22

1:30pm - p. 22

Show Me The Money

Sound is Half the Picture

3:30pm - p. 22

3:30pm - p. 22

Pop-Up Panel

Cinematography

11:30m - p. 22

12:00pm

Animate It

Filmmaker Lounge @ Highland Ballroom (Open to Filmmakers, Film+Conference & All-Access Badge-Holders)

ShareGrid:

5:00pm

5

Happy Hour @Highland Ballroom (Open to All)

6 7 8 9 10 11

EVENT

7:00pm - p. 58

7:00pm - p. 45 7:20pm - p. 32

The Zookeeper’s Wife 124 min

9:30pm - p. 54

Whose Streets? 90 min

Scripted Pilots 92 min

Ah, My Hometown (Documentaries) 77 min

Music Videos 80 min

8:00pm FSU Film Forum @Highland Ballroom

9:15pm - p. 41 9:45pm - p. 30

8:00pm - p. 61

Cherry Pop (w/ Better Known as Peaches Christ) 81 min

LOL (Laughing Out Loud) (Comedies) 114 min

9:00pm

Hangout @Dad’s Garage

SCHEDULE

PLAZA DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE


11

– Narrative Feature

– Creative Conference

– Documentary Feature

– Creative Media

– Short Film Block

– Events/Specials

SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, MARCH 30TH, 2017

PLAZA DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE

9 10

PLAZA UPSTAIRS THEATRE

7 STAGES

9:30am - p. 22

9:30am - p. 22

I Recognize That Voice

Disrupting Hollywood

12:00pm

11 12 1 2 3 4

11:30am - p. 22

11:30am - p. 22

Unions & Guilds

Good, Fast, Cheap: Pick Two

1:30pm - p. 23

1:30pm - p. 23

Truth or Consequences

It’s a Small World After All

3:30pm - p. 23

3:30pm - p. 23

#ShePersisted

Not Your Parents’ Cartoons

9 10 11

(Open to Filmmakers, Film+Conference & All-Access Badge-Holders)

5:00pm Happy Hour @Highland Ballroom

5:30pm - p. 28

6

8

Filmmaker Lounge @ Highland Ballroom

(Open to All)

5

7

EVENT

7:00pm - p. 43

The Lost City of Z 141 min

The Art Institute of Atlanta Senior Film Screening

7:00pm - p. 35

7:15pm - p. 54 Rat Film 82 min

SOUND+VISION @787 Windsor ($20 General Admission, FREE to Filmmakers & All-Access Badge-Holders)


NEW MAVERICKS (FEMALE LEAD & DIRECTOR)

FAMILY FRIENDLY

PINK PEACH (LGBTQ)

CINEMĂ S

(LATIN AMERICAN)

12

TALENT ANTICIPATED

FRIDAY, MARCH 31ST, 2017

PLAZA UPSTAIRS THEATRE

7 STAGES

11:30am - p. 23

11:30am - p. 23

Playing Games

Managing Media

1:30pm - p. 23

1:30pm - p. 23

Airport Shorts: Puppetry and Stop Motion Animation

Georgia On My Mind

3:30pm - p. 23

3:30pm - p. 23

Case Study: VFX in GIFs

Case Study: A Scene for Sound Design

EVENT

10 11 12 1 2 3 4

9 10

(Open to All)

7:00pm - p. 51 Jackson (w/ Get the Life) 104 min

7:15pm - p. 45 Wexford Plaza (w/ Shauna is a Liar) 93 min

7:00pm - p. 64 Ties That Bind (Narratives) 103 min 9:00pm

9:30pm - p. 54 Waiting For B. 72 min

11 12

(Open to Filmmakers, Film+Conference & All-Access Badge-Holders)

Happy Hour @Highland Ballroom

6

8

Filmmaker Lounge @ Highland Ballroom

5:00pm

5

7

12:00pm

12:00am - p. 26 Rocky Horror Picture Show

9:45pm - p. 40 Ann 78 min

9:30pm - p. 40 Born River Bye 84 min

After Party @GalleryL1 (Open to Filmmaker & All-Access Badge-Holders)

SCHEDULE

PLAZA DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE


13

– Narrative Feature

– Creative Conference

– Documentary Feature

– Creative Media

– Short Film Block

– Events/Specials

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST, 2017

PLAZA DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE

PLAZA UPSTAIRS THEATRE

7 STAGES

EVENT

10 11 12

12:15pm - p. 42

1

In The Radiant City 95 min

2 2:45pm - p. 53

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The Nine 98 min

5:15pm - p. 41 Cortez 99 min

12:30pm - p. 51 The Modern Jungle 72 min

2:30pm - p. 42 La Soledad 89 min

5:00pm - p. 53 Raising Bertie 102 min

12:15pm - p. 59 A Chapter in Her Life (Narratives) 91 min

2:45pm - p. 64 Stories We Tell (Documentaries) 83 min

5:15pm - p. 61 The New Love and the Old (Narratives & Documentaries) 95 min

12:00pm

Filmmaker Lounge @ Highland Ballroom (Open to Filmmakers, Film+Conference & All-Access Badge-Holders)

5:00pm Happy Hour @Highland Ballroom (Open to All)

7:30pm - p. 25 CLOSING NIGHT Menashe 82 min 9:00pm

Closing Night Party @Old 4th & Swift (621 North Ave)


NEW MAVERICKS (FEMALE LEAD & DIRECTOR)

FAMILY FRIENDLY

PINK PEACH (LGBTQ)

CINEMÁS

(LATIN AMERICAN)

14

TALENT ANTICIPATED

SUNDAY, APRIL 2ND, 2017

PLAZA UPSTAIRS THEATRE

7 STAGES

EVENT

10 11 12 1

12:00pm 12:30pm Encore Screening TBA

12:45pm - p. 51

12:15pm

The House on Coco Road 79 min

Encore Screening TBA

2:45pm - p. 43

2:45pm

2 3 4 5

4:00pm Encore Screening TBA

8 9

5:00pm Encore Screening TBA

6 7

Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer 117 min

Encore Screening TBA

5:00pm Encore Screening TBA

Filmmaker Lounge @ Highland Ballroom (Open to Filmmakers, Film+Conference & All-Access Badge-Holders)

5:00pm Happy Hour @Highland Ballroom (Open to All)

7:00pm - p. 43 The Promise 134 min

7:45pm Encore Screening TBA

7:30pm Encore Screening TBA 9:00pm

10 11 12

Wrap Party @Establishment

SCHEDULE

PLAZA DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE


PRESENTING

DIAMOND

P L AT I N U M GOLD

allied integrated marketing

S I LV E R

BRONZE

0

0

SUPPORTING


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