film. tv. entertainment.
A.R.E.U. Studios Atlanta’s Revolutionary Entertainment Universe Ozzie Areu, former president of Tyler Perry Studios, and his brother, Will Areu, are building A.R.E.U. Studios - a multi-faceted media campus encompassing music, tech, motion pictures, television and short form content, with a commitment to build upon the content industry in Georgia. Ozzie and Will Areu are first generation Cuban-Americans. They are the first Latinos to run and own a major film and television studio in the United States.
Before it gets here...It starts with us!
CAMPUS INCLUDES: Five purpose built sound stages, ranging from: 7,425 sf - 16,412 sq ft with clear deck height of 32ft. Large makeup, wardrobe and common areas over 40,000 sf backlot with a suburban neighborhood, 11 homes & includes a city street. Executive offices - 40,000 sq ft Production Office & Bull Pen area - 12,000 sq ft Post production Facilities - 5,000 sq ft Theatre - 7,150 sq ft Dressing Area - 18,000 sq ft
Fitness Center. 2,000 sq ft Cafe - 7,150.00 sq ft 5 acre lake On-site parking High security gated property
For inquiries, please email:
4INFO@AREUSTUDIOS.COM
WWW.AREUSTUDIOS.COM
MARCH / APRIL 2019
MAGAZINE
CONTENTS
STAFF Publishers:
Tia Powell (Group Publisher) Gary Powell
Editor-in-Chief: Gary Powell
Managing Editor:
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Nicole Sage
Sales:
Martha Ronske Kris Thimmesch
Creative Director: Michael R. Eilers
Production and Design:
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Michael R. Eilers Madeeha Ahmad Chris Winley Ted Fabella (Oz Logo Design)
Cover Image: R. Land
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www.ozmagazine.com
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Atlanta Film Festival Program
Ozcetera
A compilation of recent news and hot projects, from and about industry leaders.
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Let Me Give You My Card
ATLFF TABLE OF CONTENTS
43rd ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL & CREATIVE CONFERENCE 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 25
Letter from Atlanta Mayor Welcome Staff Leadership Atlanta Film Society Patrons Kickstarter Backers Screenplay Competition Awards Creative Conference Opening Night Presentation
26 28 29 31 32 33 34 37 47 55 67
Special Presentations SOUND+MUSIC Closing Night Presentation Creative Media Music Videos Virtual Reality Episodic Pilots Narrative Features Documentary Features Short Films Sponsors
April 4-14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL March / April 2019
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ATLFF
Honoring great stories that bring us together. Turner is proud to support the 2019 Atlanta Film Festival and its filmmakers worldwide.
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 8
April 4–14, 2019
Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment. 9
LETTER FROM THE MAYOR
CITY OF ATLANTA 55 TRINITY AVE, S.W. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30335-0300 TEL (404) 330-6100 KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS MAYOR
April 4, 2019
Greetings: I am honored to welcome guests and participants to the 2019 Atlanta Film Festival. Recognized as one of the longest-running film festivals in America and as one of the most distinguished events in its class, the 43rd Atlanta Film Festival features hundreds of independent, international, animated, documentary and short films chosen from nearly 8,000 submissions globally. Last fiscal year, Georgia generated more than $9 billion from its creative industries placing the Atlanta Film Festival in a unique position to unite global cinema with our local film community. The City of Atlanta salutes the Atlanta Film Festival’s service and appreciates its commitment to championing for diversity, artistic growth and cultural discovery in film and media arts. While visiting Atlanta, I encourage everyone to explore the world-class attractions our city has to offer, such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change; the World of Coca-Cola; the Atlanta Streetcar, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights; the Georgia Aquarium, and Centennial Olympic Park, among many others. I hope you enjoy our Southern hospitality and the rich, diverse culture of our historic city. On behalf of the people of Atlanta, I offer my best wishes for a meaningful event. Sincerely,
Keisha Lance Bottoms
April 4-14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL March / April 2019
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WELCOME LETTER
WELCOME! Esteemed Festival Guests, Welcome to the 43rd edition of the Atlanta Film Festival! Our event has changed a lot over the last few decades. Since the moment the projector first lit up the bathhouses at Piedmont Park back in the spring of 1977, our growth and evolution has mirrored that of the city we call home. Who would have guessed back then that Atlanta would become the top destination for film and television production less than half a century later? The delightfully ragtag team of independent filmmakers and film lovers that founded our organization probably didn’t see that coming, but it shouldn’t have been too much of a surprise, either. Atlanta is bursting at the seams with history, charm and character. The resources at our fingertips are astounding—geographically, culturally and beyond. What Atlanta is capable of should never surprise anyone. The resurgence from the ashes... the Civil Rights movement... the little Olympic host city that could... the new film mecca. Can you tell we are proud of our city? You know what else we are so proud of? Our film community, both here and afar. We received 8,414 submissions this year. The fact that so many of you trust us with your films and screenplays means the world to us. We wish we could program more of them, but we are thrilled to share nearly 170 of these works with an audience that we know is so eager to experience them. We’re also excited to present 40 Creative Conference sessions that offer unique and valuable insights into the industry—whether you are a total newbie, a seasoned professional, or somewhere in between. May the 11 days of ATLFF ‘19 be truly moving, productive and inspiring and may your time with us be filled with memorable moments, valuable connections and meaningful experiences. We love our city, our industry, our guests, the art that we are privileged to share with our audience. We hope you feel the love! Sincerely,
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 10
Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.
April 4–14, 2019
STAFF
STAFF Alyssa Armand - Programming Director Gregory Bishop - Programmer (Creative Media + Experimental) | Content Manager Linda Burns - Creative Conference Director Chynna Edwards - Volunteer Coordinator Cola Engel - Festival Operations Staff Christopher Escobar - Executive Director Timothy Garcia - Logistics Coordinator Amon Garner-Poston - Festival Operations Staff Erin Hodges - Festival Operations Staff AJ Holder - Print Traffic Coordinator Krupa Kanaiya - Communications Coordinator Kimberly Klabel - Operations Director Ceci Leon - Operations Manager Marguerite Daniel Mancini - Business Director Cameron McAllister - Associate Director Jessica Mendel - Education Program Coordinator
43rd ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL & CREATIVE CONFERENCE
Jordan Moore - Photo/Video Coordinator Erin Murphy - Box Office Manager Jamelah Neal - Festival Operations Staff Krissy Nothstein - Event Coordinator Justice Obiaya - Community Relations Manager Barbara Pita - Festival Operations Staff Kevon Pryce - Marketing Lead | Georgia Film Programmer Zach Pyles - Assistant Technical Director Lauren Rector - Programmer (Features + Shorts) Cidnee Rich - Festival Operations Staff Matt Rowles - Technical Director Oluwatoyin Salami - Event Manager Liz Schad - Development Coordinator Melissa Simpson - Guest Services Manager Anna Vecellio - Programmer (Screenplay + Shorts) Travis Webb - Transportation Coordinator
Border Union Photography: Vanessa Prestage, Eric Reeve Public Relations - Allied Global Marketing: Lindsay Corley, Ayana Fennell, Laura McLeod Sponsorships - Mixit Marketing: Rick Kern Community Relations Associates: Janae de Souza, Nicholas Foster Operations Associate: Ethell NuĂąez-Suazo Festival Associate: Vivien Yang Programming Associates: Noah Britton, Olivia Bynum, Kayla Feng, Ashleigh Haynes, Brooke Sonenreich
April 4-14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL March / April 2019
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LEADERSHIP
CAL BOWDLER Vice Chairman
HEATHER ROWLES Secretary
ERIC BROMLEY Treasurer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
*Ex Officio
Cal Bowdler - Vice Chairman, Events & Hospitality Co-Chair | Atlanta Hawks, Fox Sports Southeast, XFINITY Heather Rowles - Secretary | Multi-Agency Alliance for Children (MAAC) Eric Bromley - Treasurer , Finance Chair | WestRock Company Lindsay Corley - Marketing Chair | Allied Global Marketing M. Cole Jones - Events & Hospitality Chair | Covello, NextGen Venture Partners L. Chrissie Merrill - Industry Chair | Monarch Private Capital Barclay Taylor - Governance Chair | Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Ray Benitez - SAG/AFTRA, MyMidtownMojo Linda Burns* - Plexus Pictures, GPP Tyler Edgarton - Mailing Avenue StageWorks, Raulet Property Partners Christopher Escobar - ATLFS, ESCOBAR PICTURES Will Greenfield - Producer JoAnn Haden-Miller - Atlanta Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (ACVB) Heather Rowles - Multi-Agency Alliance for Children (MAAC) Rebecca Shrager - The People Store
ADVISORY BOARD Walker Anderson | Chairman | Comcast NBCUniversal Ozzie Areu | Tyler Perry Studios Chris Ozmikowski | Former AMC Networks
Frank Patterson | Pinewood Atlanta Studios Dan Rosenfelt | Third Rail Studio Peggy Still Johnson | Macauley Investments, The Recording Academy
AMBASSADOR COUNCIL Kathy Berry - Industry Committee Debra Bunkley - Events & Hospitality Committee Ryan Costigan - Events & Hospitality Committee
Gabriela Rowland - Events & Hospitality Committee Carolyn Sloss - MarCom 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 Gayla Jamison | Founding ATLFS Executive Director, Filmmaker Michael Koepenick | Former ATLFS Board, Guillotine Post Kyle G. Koreyva | Former ATLFS Board, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 12
Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.
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
April 4–14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM SOCIETY Elsie Fisher and Bo Burnham at ATLFF ‘18
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: TO CONNECT, EDUCATE, AND ENGAGE AUDIENCES WITH THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY BY SUPPORTING ARTISTS AND PROVIDING A PLATFORM FOR THEIR WORK. WE CHAMPION CULTURAL DISCOVERY, FOSTER ARTISTIC GROWTH, AND ADVOCATE FOR DIVERSE VOICES IN FILM AND MEDIA ARTS, BOTH LOCALLY AND WORLDWIDE.
Now celebrating a 43-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 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, Debra Granik, Ray McKinnon, Bo Burnham, Lynne Ramsay, Jason Reitman, Craig Brewer, Mario Van Peebles, Morgan Spurlock, Aaron Katz, Lynn Shelton, James Ponsoldt, James Moll, Robert Rodriguez, Tina Mabry, Carlos Cuarón, Marc Webb, Bill Plympton, Sam Pollard, David Gordon Green, and Frances Bodomo. THE ATLANTA FILM SOCIETY IS A MEMBERSHIP-BASED 501(C)(3) ARTS NON-PROFIT.
April 4-14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL March / April 2019
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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.
$2,500+ PATRONS • ●Craig and Parker Beck • ●PJ Younglove Hovey • ●Caryl Paller • ●Rebecca Shrager $1,000+ PATRONS • ●Karen Armand • ●Ray Benitez • ●Carrie Sagel Burns • ●Julie and Jerry Chautin • ●Tyler Edgarton • ●JoAnn Haden-Miller • ●M. Cole Jones
BECOME A PATRON TODAY AT ATLANTAFILMSOCIETY.ORG/PATRON
April 4-14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL March / April 2019
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KICKSTARTER BACKERS THANK YOU! WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE 113 BACKERS WHO HELPED US MEET AND EXCEED THE GOAL IN OUR 6TH ANNUAL CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN! WITH THE $26,965 RAISED, WE ARE ABLE TO BRING MORE FILMMAKERS WITH THEIR FILMS TO ATLFF. THE FOLLOWING BACKERS GAVE AT LEAST $20 IN THIS YEAR’S KICKSTARTER.
Abbey Moore Alan Galumbeck Analia Gismondi analiag18 Angela Edmond Aurora Easlick Barbara Griffin Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters Blake Easter Cal Bowdler Cameron McAllister Carol Cahill Carrie Sagel Burns Charlene Fisk Chell Stephen Chris Lentz Christopher Escobar Crafty Apes / Chris LeDoux Craig and Parker Beck Debbie Jacobson Elizabeth Fran Burst Gabriela McNicoll Gary E. Parker Gayla Jamison Germaine Rigg gopi69b Gregory Fitzgerald Gregory Henley
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 16
Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.
Heather Rowles Heidi Blackwell Helen Simrill Hillary Hahm J.j. Levai Jacquee Minor James Jacobson Jane Jared Callahan Jeffrey Charles Morgan Jeremiah Castleman Jo Ann Haden-Miller John Dooley Cradock Jon Watts Jonathan Kissel Jorge Barboza Julia & Ren Doughty Julie Chautin Justin Miller Karen Armand Kate Dawson Kaundinya Gopinath Kay Beck Kenny Zaleski Kristi Jeans Linda Burns Lisa Hasko M Cole Jones Marcus Rosentrater Martin Kelley Maurice Hicks
April 4–14, 2019
Melissa Simpson Michael McKinney Moonshine Post-Production / Drew Sawyer Nancy Prager Noah A Bryant Olivia Webb On Set Headseats Peggy Still Johnson Ray Benitez Rebecca Shrager Rick Kern Rosa C Escobar-Silvius Samantha Worthen Scott Woelfel Sedrick Lakpa Shawl Lobree Suehyla El-Attar Terrell Sandefur Tom Budlong trulytruly28 Tyler Edgarton Vicky Song Victoria Ly Walker Anderson Wayne and Susan Moss Simmons William VanDerKloot Yolanda Asher
SCREENPLAY COMPETITION 2019 Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition & Winners THE ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION WAS REVIVED IN 2008, BUT THE SCREENPLAY DEPARTMENT REALLY BEGAN BACK IN 1985 AS A SMALL BLOCK OF SEMINARS. IT HAS SINCE GROWN INTO A UNIQUE PROGRAM THAT RECEIVES OVER 1,200 FEATURE, PILOT, AND SHORT FILM SUBMISSIONS ANNUALLY FROM OVER 30 COUNTRIES. What makes us different from other competitions is
of filmmaker discovery and innovation. We look for new
our focus on mentorship. Our goal is to connect our winners
stories from writers of all backgrounds that will bring fresh
with industry professionals who will help foster their writing,
perspectives to the film world.
expand their network, and spur the creation of works that can one day play the big screen at ATLFF.
Our three winning feature film writers will take part in a three day retreat with mentors who can provide insight
Previous mentors include: Diana Ossana (writer,
on how to improve and move forward with their respective
“Brokeback Mountain”), Kathryn Dean (producer, “Winter’s
projects. Our short film and pilot winners will each receive
Bone,” “Hell or High Water”), Michael Lucker (writer, “Vampire
a one-on-one dinner meeting with an professional in their
in Brooklyn,” “Mulan 2”), Robin M. Henry (writer, “Meet the
medium to talk about the next steps for their screenplays.
Browns,” “East Los High”), and James Ponsoldt (director, “The Spectacular Now,” “The Circle”).
In addition to the winners, you can find the finalists in each category listed below. Further lists of the semifinalists
The Screenplay Competition continues to evolve and
and quarterfinalists can be found on our website.
always looks to support and expand upon ATLFF’s tradition
Finalists
Feature Film
FEATURE:
“Modern Love” by Francesca Mirabella - In the era of chill, where the goal
“Adulteress” by Allison Radomski “Ba Ge (Myna Bird)” by Yongle Wang “Forget-Me-Nots” by John Dummer “Oath” by Paul Frank “On Time” by Xavier Burgin “The Memory Bank” by Daniel Cooper, Adam Cooper
PILOTS: “FanGirl” by Will Ropp, Ellie Monahan, Jacqueline Toboni “Florida Woman Saves the Day” by Julie O’Hora, Leanna Adams “King Street” by Justin Kohlas “Lifers Anonymous” by Sean Collins-Smith “Mother Nature” by E. Napoletano “Rust” by Justin Moran “The Secret Life of Inbred Mutants” by Sean Collins-Smith (Story by Michael Leonberger, Sean Collins-Smith) “n (living)” by K. Alixandra Levitt
is to “live your best life” for your followers, two young lovers are torn apart. Twenty year-olds Zoe and Oscar fight for love, sex, and connection in the age of Instagram.
“Sundogs” by Elizabeth Chatelain - When Alex’s family farm slips into debilitating debt, she takes her 12-year-old daughter Jenny west to work on the North Dakota oil fields. But after the oil industry’s decline begins, and Alex loses her job, she must choose: the farm or her fragile relationship with her daughter.
“The Immigration Game” by Asad Farooqui - Majeed, a chef with a family back in Pakistan, is desperately trying to get his restaurant off the ground. But after Majeed’s visa renewal fails and he’s threatened with deportation, his Imam suggests entering a paper-marriage with a Muslim American citizen seeking a pious husband.
Pilots “Heirloom” by Antonia Grilikhes-Lasky - A prickly matriarch’s impending death sends her love-starved family on a search for the truth behind her mysterious past. But as the truth proves elusive, each increasingly obsessed family member must grapple with how the past, real or imagined, colors the present.
SHORT FILMS “Circles” by Renee Marie Petropoulos “I Know Your Number By Heart” by Alexis Barzin “iDL” by Jayson Morgan, Mari Walker “Just Me” by Darcy Lueking Bahensky
Short Film “Esther in Wonderland” by Stephanie Bollag and Lily Lyor Askenazi - A rebellious, married, young Hasidic redhead named Esther secretly joins a crew of female breakdancers and gets romantically involved with the crew-captain’s younger brother, Sawyer. March / April 2019
17
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 •
Narrative Feature - $1,000
•
Documentary Feature - $1,000
•
Narrative Short - $500
•
Documentary Short - $500
•
Animated Short - $500
•
Georgia Film - $1,000
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 18
Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.
April 4–14, 2019
CREATIVE CONFERENCE PANELS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO AVAILABILITY. PLEASE CHECK THE ON-LINE GUIDE FOR CHANGES AND UPDATES, AS WELL AS PANELISTS IN ATTENDANCE.
MONDAY APRIL 8
DIRECTING FOR TELEVISION
SAGINDIE: CASTING YOUR INDIE
GA-based directors discuss their career paths and how they broke into the lucrative business of directing television while living outside of Hollywood.
Casting Directors and Talent Agents discuss best practices for getting great talent in your next film, and SAGIndie assists you with contracts and questions.
DIRECTING DOCUMENTARIES
S IS FOR SESAME STREET
Filmmakers discuss what they learned about best practices when making their short and feature length docs, and what they would do differently in hindsight.
Sesame Street commissions filmmakers to craft one minute short form programming. See examples of past work, learn what it takes to submit, and hear about the process from last years’ local pitch winner Chris Nik.
TUESDAY APRIL 9
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — Hilan Theatre
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - CPH Lower
CASE STUDY: LEGAL AFFAIRS 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
Through real world, practical examples, an indie production and clearance lawyer, and business and legal affairs execs at major networks (AMC, Showtime, etc.) illustrate common legal mistakes to avoid as content creators looking for acquisitions and distribution.
CASE STUDY: THE WORKING ACTOR 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — CPH Lower
Local actors working on network television and studio features share what it took to break through, how they got an agent/ manager, and tips to keep working.
TELLING SHORT STORIES 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
Filmmakers share the joys and challenges of telling a solid story, and tips to help your next short be the best it can.
SESAME STREET PITCH SESSION 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM — CPH Lower
Watch filmmakers pitch their one minute short to Sesame Street, in the hope of being chosen to go into production for broadcast.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM — CPH Lower
CASE STUDY: PODCASTING WITH BRET WOOD 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — Hilan Theatre
Can’t get the funding for your next feature? Have you considered making it a podcast? Writer, Producer, Director, Editor Bret Wood talks about his choice to make his film The Control Group a serialized fictional podcast.
FILM IMPACT GEORGIA
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — CPH Lower
Promote growth where our roots are planted is their mission. Get a preview of this new non-profit benefiting Georgia-based filmmakers before their kick off event in May, and share what YOU think filmmakers in Georgia need to be successful.
SEED&SPARK: CROWDFUNDING TO BUILD INDEPENDENCE 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
Learn the essentials for engaging your audience at every stage of your project, how to leverage that for distribution, and increase your crowdfunding success rate with these Seed&Spark tips.
LOW BUDGET FILMMAKING TIPS & TRICKS 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — CPH Lower
Crew members share the challenges and freedom of low budget filmmaking, and tips and tricks to help you succeed.
MEDIA SERVICES: BUILDING YOUR INDIE BUDGET 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
We’ll create an independent film budget and show you how to track costs throughout your production with Showbiz Budgeting software.
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 20
Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.
April 4-14, 2019
CREATIVE CONFERENCE BLOCK, LIGHT, REHEARSE, SHOOT
POST PRODUCTION FOR INDIES 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — CPH Lower
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM — CPH Lower
From media managing, dailies and deliverables to audio, VFX and editing, this panel breaks down workflow and best practices to help you save time and money on your next indie film.
SEED&SPARK: DISTRIBUTION
CINEMATOGRAPHY ON A MICRO BUDGET
From shot lists to scheduling, how the DP, Director, Production Manager, Production Designer, and 1st AD should plan and collaborate to ensure a production runs smoothly.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
Seed&Spark helps demystify the process and provides tried and true tips for getting distributors interested in your project.
DPs share how to do great work with limited funds, from your choice of cameras and lenses, to the relationships you should start building now to get what you need on your next no to low budget project.
STARTING YOUR FILM CAREER 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM — CPH Lower
Crew members discuss how they got started, what they wish they’d known, tips for success, and best practices for networking to keep getting gigs.
CREATE ME - DIRECTING ACTORS 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM — CPH Lower
A table of wardrobe and props, a 1-2 page script, three actors, and numerous directors. Watch how different choices create different characters from the same material.
WED APRIL 10 ANIMATION EMERGENCY! 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — Hilan Theatre
What in animation could be scarier than falling anvils and exploding cigars? Revisions! Join Primal Screen, Atlanta’s longest standing independent animation studio, and their friends to find out how the pros develop bulletproof shortcuts for last-minute changes.
PRODUCTION DESIGN ON AN INDIE BUDGET
THE ART OF DIRECTING NO / LOW BUDGET INDIES
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — CPH Lower
Production Designers, Art Directors, and Prop Shops discuss how they work together to create magic for indie filmmakers on a budget.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
Directors explore tips and tricks for getting the best bang for no bucks, how to trade favors, and how to write with your resources in mind.
A CONVERSATION WITH PRODUCER TOM LUSE 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
SPEED NETWORKING
With credits ranging from The Walking Dead and Drumline to Remember the Titans and Jeeper Creepers, Tom Luse has seen and done it all. Join us for a fascinating conversation on producing for television, the state of the industry, and how successful shows open doors.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM — CPH Lower
Industry professionals network for 15 minutes each with groups of audience members to answer questions about their craft, then head over to happy hour to continue the conversations.
April 4-14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL March / April 2019
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CREATIVE CONFERENCE THURSDAY APRIL 11
MUSIC LICENSING & SOUNDTRACKS
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
BUILDING TRUST: THE ACTOR / DIRECTOR RELATIONSHIP 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — Hilan Theatre
Actors and directors explore how to find a common language to best communicate intention, build trust, and create a great working relationship.
The ins and outs of music licensing, festival rights as an affordable option, and where to find and obtain original music.
CASE STUDY: BUILDING COMMUNITY TO MAKE YOUR FILM 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM — CPH Lower
DEMYSTIFYING THE SALES AGENT 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — CPH Lower
What does a sales agent do? How do you approach one, what are they looking for, and how can you help them sell your next project?
THE D-GIRL PROJECT: THE WRITER’S ROOM 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
D-Girl Project members discuss being a part of the only writer’s room in Atlanta - how it started five years ago, what they’ve learned, where the group is headed, and where you might fit in.
DIRECTING SHORT FILMS 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — CPH Lower
Georgia-based filmmakers discuss their ATLFF projects, their inspiration, their struggles, and the indie community in Atlanta that supports them.
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 22
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Sweet Auburn Blues shows an historic black community fighting for survival. Clarkston showcases an immigrant population fighting to establish community. Filmmakers from both share how they harnessed the power of these communities to get their stories told.
KITSPLIT: IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO RAISE A FILM 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
Atlanta filmmakers renting out their gear on KitSplit share how you can join the community of renters, and get the best gear for your budget, with the most affordable insurance anywhere while supporting other filmmakers via the KitSplit community.
CASE STUDY: DEVELOPMENT DEALS & OPTIONING SCREENPLAYS 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM — CPH Lower
Join us for a discussion with Creative Producer Jeff Keating who, while working full-time outside of the film industry, has managed to secure development financing from investors, and optioned screenplays like Fight Night to big Hollywood players, including Producer Will Packer at Universal.
April 4-14, 2019
CREATIVE CONFERENCE
FRIDAY APRIL 12
ACQUISITIONS, DISTRIBUTION, AND PROGRAMMING 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
DON’T BLOW YOUR PITCH MEETING
Digital distributors, streaming platforms, and network and network providers discuss their business models, their audiences demographics, their popular genres, and what they look for from content providers.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — Hilan Theatre
What to expect in a pitch meeting and how to impress buyers. We’ll breakdown what NOT to do in pitch and follow-up meetings, and give you proven tips and tricks to make sure your pitch is successful.
RECKONING WITH LANE AND RUCKUS SKYE
CHARACTERS AS STORY ENGINES 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM — CPH Lower
In a preview to her upcoming ATLFS workshop this June, KatieDid Langrock discusses how to create dynamic and diverse characters that drive your story and take on a life of their own, ultimately making them more engaging, relatable, and sellable.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — CPH Lower
Husband and wife team Lane and Ruckus Skye write and direct character driven films that spark conversation and demand attention. Join us for a conversation about their southern voice, where they find inspiration, and their newest projects.
SUPERHEROS, ANTIHEROS, AND SUPER SUITS!
DEMO BY ADOBE: ADOBE AUDITION
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
Writing a superhero into your screenplay? Super Suit Supervisor Miracole Burns and her team of costume experts talk all things super suit. How to design, build, and clean them, get actors in and out properly, and keep them safe while playing in a super suit.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
Meet the industry’s best audio cleanup, restoration, and precision editing tool for video, podcasting, and sound effect design.
GRANT WRITING
CASE STUDY: INDIE FUNDRAISING & DISTRIBUTION
Applying for grants but not feeling the love? Grants are just as much art as science. Local orgs that write grants and receive grant applications discuss best practices, and the do’s and don’ts of grant writing.
Indie Film Producers Gabrielle Pickle and Ryan Dennett-Smith discuss the films they’ve produced, the fundraising techniques they’ve employed, and how they’ve gotten distribution for their projects.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — CPH Lower
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM — CPH Lower
April 4-14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL March / April 2019
23
Rent for Your Next Special Event
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 24
Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.
April 4-14, 2019
OPENING NIGHT
OPENING NIGHT PRESENTATION THE FAREWELL
DIRECTED BY LULU WANG USA/China, 2019, English/Mandarin, 98 minutes April 5th, 2019, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre After learning their beloved matriarch has terminal lung cancer, a family opts not to tell her about the diagnosis, instead scheduling an impromptu wedding-reunion back in China. Headstrong and emotional writer Billi rebels against her parents’ directive to stay in New York and joins the family as they awkwardly attempt to rekindle old bonds, throw together a wedding that only grandma is actually looking forward to, and surreptitiously say their goodbyes. A heartfelt celebration of both the way we perform family and the way we live it, THE FAREWELL masterfully interweaves a gently humorous depiction of the good lie in action with a thoughtful exploration of how our cultural heritage does and does not travel with us when we leave our homes. Writer/director Lulu Wang imbues THE FAREWELL with warmth and knowing wit, while the uniformly excellent ensemble cast (anchored by a breakout performance by Awkwafina) invites us to share this extended clan’s joy and sorrow—and to feel, for the length of this remarkable film, like a part of their family.
DIrector Lulu Wang scheduled to attend.
OPENING NIGHT FILM & PARTY SPONSORED BY
April 4-14, 2019
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SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS ATLFF SCREENPLAY COMPETITION: SCRIPT READ
Friday, April 5, 2019, 4:00 PM — Hilan Theatre FREE with RSVP
Join us for a script read of selections from each of the three 2019 Atlanta Film Festival Feature Screenplay Competition winners, featuring local SAG-AFTRA actors
ACVB PRESENTS: “MUSIC VOYAGER” Monday, April 8, 2019, 6:00 PM — Plaza Theatre FREE with RSVP
Join us and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau for the world premieres of “Music Voyager” episodes 5 & 6 that feature yours truly—the Atlanta Film Festival—as well as the Plaza Theatre, Dad’s Garage, Paris on Ponce, Karen Anderson & Tiny Doors, Atlanta United and more!
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 26
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April 4-14, 2019
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
Friday, April 5 & 12, 2019, 12:00 AM — Plaza Theatre $15 It’s a Plaza Theatre institution! Lips Down On Dixie performs the interactive version of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Midnight each Friday.
FOOD ON FILM - THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM Sunday, April 7, 2019, 12:00 PM — Plaza Theatre (Film only: $15 at door/$13 in advance, Film & Party: $25 at door/$23 in advance)
To celebrate “The Biggest Little Farm,” we are having a delightful farm-to-table after-party at the Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge following the film.
THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS PRESENTS: SELECTED KEYLIGHT FILMS Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 6:00 PM — Plaza Theatre FREE with RSVP
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.
PRESENTATION OF HBO’S “GAME OF THRONES” SEASON 8 PREMIERE Sunday, April 14, 2019, 9:00 PM — Plaza Theatre
FREE with RSVP HBO is partnering with ATLFF to give guests a chance to see the final season premiere on the big screen at The Plaza!
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SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
SOUND + VISION
Thursday, April 11, 2019, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Eastside Trail / Atlanta BeltLine & Historic Fourth Ward Park
FREE and Open to the Public After a year hiatus, SOUND+VISION— ATLFF’s signature mid-week event—returns! Join us on the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine and Historic Fourth Ward Park for a night of live music, daring virtual reality films, unforgettable art installations, rockin’ music videos and Atlanta’s best food trucks! Previously held at Atlanta landmarks like The Goat Farm and Ponce City Market, this event is a true festival highlight! Previous performers include Big Freedia, Tank and the Bangas, HelloOcho, Kodie Shane, Lonnie Holley, Gringo Star, Biters, Jungol.
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 28
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April 4-14, 2019
CLOSING NIGHT
CLOSING NIGHT PRESENTATION THEM THAT FOLLOW
DIRECTED BY BRITT POULTON & DAN MADISON SAVAGE USA, 2019, English, 98 minutes Saturday, April 21, 2018, 7:30 PM — Plaza Theatre
In the rugged wilderness of Appalachia, the members of an isolated community of Pentecostal snake handlers led by Pastor Lemuel (Walton Goggins) risk their lives to attest themselves before God. Lemuel’s daughter Mara (Alice Englert) prepares for her upcoming wedding to the young believer her father has singled out for her under the watchful eye of Hope (Olivia Colman), while scrambling to hide a secret that has the potential to drive her father’s church to ruin. For their feature debut, writer-directors Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage have crafted a thrilling, poignant look at a misunderstood community. An all-star cast brings this distinctive story to life, catapulting audiences into a world where morality and belief are not always aligned, and where the consequences can be devastating when faith is stretched to a breaking point.
Co-director Dan Madison Savage scheduled to attend. CLOSING NIGHT FILM & PARTY SPONSORED BY
April 4-14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL March / April 2019
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9
CREATIVE MEDIA
The Tumbling Wheels - Sleepwalking
MUSIC VIDEOS WE ASSEMBLED OUR BIGGEST PLAYLIST FOR OUR BIGGEST PARTY OF THE YEAR! ENJOY A BROAD SELECTION OF MUSICAL WORKS ON LOOP AT SOUND+VISION
ASHANTI, TAKEIRA, JESSY’KA “KNOW YOUR WORTH” Directed by Paras Chaudhari USA, 2018, English, 5:22
BUNNIES - “THE PROBLEM WITH LINK THINK” Directed by Opertura (Aya Yamasaki & Jason Brown) USA, 2018, 2:04
COEDS - “TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL” Directed by Andrea Garcia USA, 2018, English. 3:24
DARON MALAKIAN AND SCARS ON BROADWAY - “LIVES” Directed by Hayk Matevosyan USA, 2018, English, 4:06
DAVE KEUNING - “RESTLESS LEGS” Directed by Russell Sheaffer USA, 2018, English, 3:06
DILLON & DIAMOND D - “FEMME FATALE” Directed by Janice Chun USA, 2018, English, 4:36
FLAMINGO SHADOW - “TAXI”
Directed by David Matysiak USA, 2018, English, 4:12
GOLDEN VESSEL - “BIGBRIGHT”
Directed by Harry Deadman Australia, 2018, English, 4:17
HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF/ ALYNDA MARIPOSA SEGARRA “PA’LANTE” Directed by Kristian Mercado
Puerto Rico/USA, 2018, English/Spanish, 8:34
INA WROLDSEN - “SEA” Directed by Thor Brenne Norway, 2018, English, 4:55
LOCAL H - “INNOCENTS” Directed by Felix Piñeiro USA, 2018, English, 6:14
OFF BLOOM - “NOT SORRY” Directed João de Botelho Denmark, 2019, English, 3:36
PIG DESTROYER - “MT. SKULL”
Directed by Joe Stakun USA, 2018, English. 2:13
EMEL MATHLOUTHI - “HOW MANY (KADDESH)” Directed by Marion Petegnief, Sami Battikh France, 2018, Arabic, 4:35
TECH N9NE X NAVÉ MONJO “LEVITATION”
Directed by Morgan Cooper USA, 2018, English, 6:22
FATHER FT. KWABS - “VELVET”
Directed by Iggy LDN
United Kingdom, 2018, English, 4:01
THE TUMBLING WHEELS “SLEEPWALKING”
Directed by Sasha Solodukhina, Emily MacKenzie USA, 2018, English, 4:48 32
Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.
CREATIVE MEDIA TISPUR - “DEWHORN”
YOUNG FATHERS - “LORD”
USA, 2018, English, 6:38
Scotland/United Kingdom, 2017, English, 3:41
Directed by Brandon Kapelow
Directed by Rianne White
WE THE LION - “GO GO GO”
Directed by Daniel Higashionna, Mikael Stornfelt Peru, 2018, English, 2:12
YOUNG WON HAN BOK (영원한복)
Directed by Crystal Jin Kim
WHOAA - “CANDY LOVE”
USA, 2019, 4:00
Directed by Mike IAMEYEPHOTOS, WHOAA USA, 2018, English, 4:26
VIRTUAL REALITY
BLUE BIRD
Directed by Parnaz Rad
SPONSORED BY
USA, 2018, English, 2:37 A lone bluebird tries to escape from the caverns of a withered heart. The scars of the heart tell a lifetime of stories.
OUR ROAMING SELECTION OF IMMERSIVE WORKS WILL DELIGHT, AMAZE AND THRUST YOU INTO NEW DIMENSIONS. Available at SOUND+VISION (Open to the Public), with 360 galleries at Opening and Closing Night Parties (Badge and Ticketholders Only).
Directed by Gabriela Arp
MY AFRICA
Kenya/USA/United Kingdom, 2018, English, 9:17 Narrated by Academy Award-winning and Kenyanraised actress Lupita Nyong’o, “My Africa,” transports viewers to the untamed rangelands of northern Kenya, where a community is reknitting the bonds that have long enabled people and wildlife to coexist.
Directed by Ryan Hartsell
USA/Ireland/England, 2018, English, 8:55 Two parts humor, one part emotion, this salty-sweet VR piece starring Chris O’Dowd raises awareness about testicular cancer through laughter and inspiration. Meeting a Monster
USA/Venezuela, 2018, Spanish/English, 2:50 You are the bullet fired by a GNB policeman into the middle of a protesting crowd in Caracas, Venezuela. Inspired by true events.
Directed by Feng Wei-Jung
USA, 2018, English, 9:57 Angela King relives the memories and motivations of the eight years she spent inside the white power movement, and the path she took to get out.
THE EVOLUTION OF TESTICLES
Directed by Giulia Jiménez Tani
TOWER OF BABEL BY THE SEA (海邊的巴別塔)
MEETING A MONSTER
Directed by David Allen
PLOMO: JOURNEY OF A BULLET
Taiwan, 2018, English, 14:14 Enticed by the devil, a man tries to build his Tower of Babel to reach to the realm of the gods, yet in the process, he loses his health and his life. As pollution spreads like a pandemic, man is cursed, and nature is caught in a spiral of death. Inspired by Goethe’s Faust.
FLIGHT OF THE UNWANTED
Directed by Thomas Nybo
Bangladesh, 2018, English, 5:40 Enter the chaotic world of Rohingya refugees being forced from their homes in Myanmar into crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh.
HOME WITH AMÉRICA
Directed by Alvaro Morales
Peru/USA, 2019, English, 12:00 Gladys, an undocumented immigrant living in L.A., left her native Peru 22 years ago. Gladys explores her connection to a place that she cannot return to without risking the life she’s built in the US. (Only available at SOUND+VISION) Due to the limited availability of this experience, we encourage that you plan ahead and arrive early. Admission will be first come first serve, with minimum one film at a time. The viewing sessions can last between 3-14 minutes, depending on the film.
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CREATIVE MEDIA Who You Are
EPISODIC SHOWCASE
$15 AT DOOR/$12 IN ADVANCE
EXPERIENCE SMALL BEGINNINGS ON THE BIG SCREEN WITH OUR SHOWCASE OF INDEPENDENT EPISODIC SHOWS.
Saturday, April 6, 2019, 7:00 PM — 7 Stages Blackbox
BEAST
DELIVERY GIRL
Directed by Ben Strang
Directed by Kate Krieger
USA, 2018, English, 17:18
After his father mysteriously disappears at sea, Daniel has a hunch about what happened.
Not the narrative of one woman’s journey, but of many. We follow Trish Donahue’s struggle with her identity in a fiercely Catholic household as she leads a double life.
A GUIDE TO THE APOCALYPSE
WHO YOU ARE
Switzerland, 2018, English, 4:32
USA, 2019, English, 11:34
Directed by Adrian Graf
An audiovisual guide for the survival of five man-made apocalyptic scenarios.
THE COCOA FONDUE SHOW
Directed by Joel Jay Blacker The accidental invention of an asshole AI spells trouble for a tech startup in the late 80’s.
BAGDAD, FLORIDA
Directed by Andrew Wyatt Arnold
Directed by Matthew Fifer
Hollywood starlet Cocoa Fondue’s new variety show is her shoo-in to fame, but the ghosts of her past are about to crash her party.
The story of three friends who shotgun South and meet the “real America.” Set the kitchen table, a red meat vegan dinner for two.
USA, 2019, English, 23:00
USA, 2018, English, 15:37
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 34
USA, 2019, English, 20:26
Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.
April 4-14, 2019
WE MOVE THE PEOPLECREATIVE WHO MEDIA
MOVE THE WORLD. Delta Air Lines is proud to be the exclusive airline sponsor of the Atlanta Film Festival.
CREATIVE MEDIA
DELTA AD
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) ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL April 4-14,874-5756 2019 36 36
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NARRATIVE FEATURES
NARRATIVE FEATURES AFTERLIFE (HIERNAMAALS)
DIRECTED BY WILLEM BOSCH
Netherlands, 2019, Dutch, 93 minutes Saturday, April 13, 2019, 2:45 PM — Plaza Theatre
After losing her beloved mother Vera in a tragic accident, 14-yearold Sam has taken on the responsibility of looking after her father and two little brothers. One morning as she rushes to school, a speeding truck causes Sam to meet a similar untimely end. With the help of her oddball guardian angel Martin, Sam is soon reunited with her mother in the afterlife. Though Vera is overjoyed to see her daughter again, she has no intention of allowing their reunion to be permanent. Vera is adamant that her daughter must return to the world of the living; Sam is determined to bring her mother back with her.
THE COTTON WOOL WAR (GUERRA DE ALGODÃO)
DIRECTED BY MARÍLIA HUGHES, CLÁUDIO MARQUES
Brazil, 2018, Portuguese/German, 82 minutes Sunday, April 14, 2019, 3:00 PM — 7 Stages Black Box
Dora, raised by her mother in Germany, is visiting her enigmatic Brazilian grandmother for the first time. Soon she will come to learn that this is not a vacation, but a relocation. She will not be returning to Germany, not even to say goodbye to her friends. While desperately trying to find a way home, Dora discovers the beauty of Brazil and the incredible history behind the women of her family.
CRYSTAL SWAN (ХРУСТАЛЬ) DIRECTED BY DARYA ZHUK
Belarus/USA/Russia, 2018, Russian, 93 minutes Saturday, April 13, 2019, 5:15 PM — Hilan Theatre
Evelina dreams of leaving behind her life in post-Soviet Minsk to become a DJ in the USA. But it is not so easy to leave Belarus in 1996; Evelina must prove that she has a permanent job in order to obtain a visa. Desperate, she purchases a fake employment letter. But when Evelina accidentally lists the wrong phone number on this letter, she must travel to a backwater village to convince the number’s owner, a family in the midst of planning a wedding, to lie on her behalf. The more time she spends with these strangers, the more she realizes their values are precisely what she is trying to escape from.
THE DEATH OF DICK LONG DIRECTED BY DANIEL SCHEINERT
USA, 2019, English, 100 minutes Monday, April 8, 2019, 10:15 PM — Plaza Theatre
Holy crap. Dick is dead. Died last night after band practice, and his bandmates, Zeke and Earl, don’t want anybody finding out how. That’s too bad though, ’cause news travels fast in small-town Alabama, and these guys suck at covering their tracks. The authorities haven’t ID’d the body just yet, but Zeke’s wife and his daughter are getting more and more suspicious.
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 38
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April 4-14, 2019
NARRATIVE FEATURES EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL, AND VILE
DIRECTED BY JOE BERLINGER
USA, 2019, English, 108 minutes Sunday, April 7, 2019, 9:15 PM — Plaza Theatre 1969. Ted (Zac Efron) is crazy-handsome, smart, charismatic, affectionate. And cautious single mother Liz Kloepfer (Lily Collins) ultimately cannot resist his charms. A picture of domestic bliss, the happy couple seems to have it all figured out … until, out of nowhere, their perfect life is shattered. Ted is arrested and charged with a series of increasingly grisly murders. Concern soon turns to paranoia—and, as evidence piles up, Liz is forced to consider that the man with whom she shares her life could actually be a psychopath.
FLY BY NIGHT
DIRECTED BY ZAHIR OMAR
Malaysia, 2018, Chinese/Bahasa/English, 101 minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 9:15 PM — Plaza Theatre Tailo is a cab driver who runs a small and mildly profitable extortion ring. When Sailo, his wild card younger brother, decides to branch out on his own he inadvertently unleashes a trail of destruction. Suddenly Tailo’s livelihood is under threat by both cops and crime lords and he must pull out all the stops to clean up Sailo’s mess and protect those who matter most to him.
GREENER GRASS
DIRECTED BY JOCELYN DEBOER, DAWN LUEBBE USA, 2019, English, 101 minutes Friday, April 12, 2019, 9:30 PM — Plaza Theatre
A deliciously twisted comedy set in a demented, timeless suburbia where every adult wears braces on their straight teeth, couples coordinate meticulously pressed outfits, and coveted family members are swapped in more ways than one in this competition for acceptance.
HERE AND NOW (AQUÍ Y AHORA)
DIRECTED BY PAZ LEON
Costa Rica/Chile, 2019, Spanish, 78 minutes, Saturday, April 6, 2019, 2:15 PM — 7 Stages Black Box
Lara is a modern dancer who lives for her craft but is insecure about her talent. When she is offered a scholarship to join a prestigious foreign dance company, she finds herself at an unexpected crossroads. The opportunity is everything she has ever wanted, but a budding romance and a health scare in her family give her pause. Lara comes to realize that in order to pursue her dream she must not only leave the only home she has ever known but the people who give her home meaning.
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NARRATIVE FEATURES IN FABRIC
DIRECTED BY PETER STRICKLAND
United Kingdom, 2018, English, 119 minutes Thursday, April 11, 2019, 9:30 PM — Plaza Theatre A lonely woman (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), recently separated from her husband, visits a bewitching London department store in search of a dress that will transform her life. She’s fitted with a perfectly flattering, artery-red gown—which, in time, will come to unleash a malevolent curse and unstoppable evil, threatening everyone who comes into its path.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS
DIRECTED BY AMBER MCGINNIS
USA, 2019, English, 93 minutes Sunday, April 14, 2019, 6:30 PM — Plaza Theatre Dee is stuck in a boring job and a broken marriage in International Falls, a snowbound border town at the end of the road. Harboring a secret dream of a stand up career, Dee encounters Tim: a burned out touring comedian who feels trapped by the very life Dee desires. As these two lost souls form an unlikely friendship, they’ll be forced to face the harsh but funny truths of their lives.
JULIA AND THE FOX (JULIA Y EL ZORRO)
DIRECTED BY INÉS MARÍA BARRIONUEVO
Argentina, 2018, Spanish, 104 minutes Saturday, April 13, 2019, 2:45 PM — 7 Stages Black Box Still reeling from the death of her husband, Julia travels to Argentina with her daughter Emma in tow to fix up and sell her husband’s family home. Julia and Emma’s grief has created a rift in their relationship as they process their loss in conflicting ways. Emma is desperate to hold onto the memory of her father, while Julia is eager to move on. When Julia runs into Gaspar, a friend from their former life, the trio attempt to overcome their loss by forming a new type of family.
LITTLE WOODS
DIRECTED BY NIA DACOSTA
USA, 2018, English, 105 minutes Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 8:00 PM — Plaza Theatre Little Woods, North Dakota, a fracking boomtown well beyond its prime. Ollie (Tessa Thompson) is trying to survive the last few days of her probation after getting caught illegally running prescription pills over the Canadian border. But when her mother dies, she is thrust back into the life of her estranged sister Deb (Lily James), who is facing her own crisis with an unplanned pregnancy and a deadbeat ex. The two find they have one week to settle the mortgage on their mother’s house or face foreclosure.
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 40
Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.
April 4-14, 2019
NARRATIVE FEATURES MONOS
DIRECTED BY ALEJANDRO LANDES
Colombia/Argentina/Netherlands/Germany/Sweden/ Uruguay, 2019, Spanish/English, 102 minutes Friday, April 12, 2019, 10:00 PM — Hilan Theatre Belonging to a rebel group called “the Organization,” a ragtag band of child soldiers, brandishing guns and war names like Rambo, Wolf, Lady, and Bigfoot, occupies a derelict ruin atop a remote mountain where they train themselves, watch over a “conscripted” milk cow, and hold hostage a kidnapped American engineer, Doctora (Julianne Nicholson). But after an attack forces them to abandon their base, playtime is over for the motley young crew.
PAGEANT MATERIAL
DIRECTED BY JONOTHON MITCHELL
USA, 2019, English, 74 minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 9:15 PM — Dad’s Garage Theatre
Recovering from the death of his mother, 17-year-old Rodney dreams of escaping his small southern hometown to follow in her footsteps as an award-winning pageant queen. Despite an onslaught of bullying and abuse from his family and peers, Rodney calls upon a unique cast of southern characters to help him take the crown in a teen drag pageant in Atlanta.
PAUSE (PAFSI)
DIRECTED BY TONIA MISHIALI
Cyprus/Greece, 2018, Greek, 96 minutes Sunday, April 7, 2019, 2:30 PM — 7 Stages Black Box
Elpida has spent her life enduring an opressive marriage. When a doctor’s visit reveals that menopause is fast approaching, Elpida finds herself forced to confront the reality of her situation. Can she break free from the only life she has ever known in order to pursue her deep desire for love and affection? Feeling both trapped and desperate to explore an untapped side of herself, Elpida begins to seek refuge in a fantasy world of vindictive violence. Soon, reality and fantasy start to blur.
RECKONING
DIRECTED BY RUCKUS SKYE & LANE SKYE
USA, 2019, English, 87 minutes, April 7, Sunday, April 7, 2019, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre
Miles from the nearest power grid, Lemon Cassidy scratches out a humble living in an isolated Appalachian farming community. Her life is tossed into chaos when two men from the oldest family on the mountain hold her son hostage until she can settle a debt her missing husband owes to their cold-hearted matriarch.
April 4-14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL March / April 2019
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NARRATIVE FEATURES SIMPLE WEDDING
DIRECTED BY SARA ZANDIEH
USA, 2019, English, 88 minutesSunday, Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 7:00 PM — Dad’s Garage Theatre Nousha continues to sabotage her relationships, much to the frustration of her parents. She is, after all, their only hope for a real Persian wedding. Under this pressure, Nousha meets Alex Talbot—a bisexual artist, activist and DJ living in an old warehouse. Their relationship progresses quickly, ultimately coming to the moment when Nousha’s parents discover that she and Alex are living together before marriage. Chaos unfolds, leading to a wedding that is anything but simple.
SOUNDLESS DANCE
DIRECTED BY PRADEEPAN RAVEENDRAN
France/India/Sri Lanka, 2019, Tamil/French, 89 minutes Sunday, April 7, 2019, 7:30 PM — 7 Stages Black Box In the spring of 2009, Sri Lanka’s decades long civil war is entering its most violent phase. Siva, a young Sri Lankan refugee living illegally in France, has lost contact with the family he was forced to leave behind. Haunted by the trauma of the war that devastated his childhood and obsessed by the flow of images on the Internet, Siva sinks into a waking dream that propels him into the heart of the battlefield.
SPEED OF LIFE
DIRECTED BY LIZ MANASHIL
USA, 2019, English, 75 minutes Saturday, April 6, 2019, 4:30 PM — Plaza Theatre In 2016, David Bowie’s death creates a rift in time and space. June and Edward are in the midst of an argument when Edward suddenly falls into the wormhole created by Bowie's death, vanishing without a trace. In 2040, June continues to mourn the loss of Edward while facing the dark reality of her approaching 60th birthday, when she will be locked away along with the rest of her society’s senior citizens. Unwilling to disappear, June begins to plan her escape when Edward suddenly reappears in her life. June has spent 24 years without Edward, but for Edward it has been mere moments.
SUMMER NIGHT
DIRECTED BY JOSEPH CROSS
USA, 2019, English, 98 minutes Saturday, April 6, 2019, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre In a small town, a young, tight-knit group of friends fall in and out of love over the course of one intoxicating, music-filled summer night. Starring Justin Chatwin, Analeigh Tipton, Victoria Justice, Lana Condor, Ellar Coltrane and Ian Nelson.
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NARRATIVE FEATURES TEEN SPIRIT
DIRECTED BY MAX MINGHELLA
United Kingdom/USA, 2018, English, 92 minutes Friday, April 12, 2019, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre
Violet (Elle Fanning) is a shy teenager who dreams of escaping her small town and pursuing her passion to sing. With the help of an unlikely mentor, she enters a local singing competition that will test her integrity, talent and ambition. Driven by a pop-fueled soundtrack, TEEN SPIRIT is a visceral and stylish spin on the Cinderella story.
TEHRAN: CITY OF LOVE DIRECTED BY ALI JABERANSARI
Iran/Netherlands/United Kingdom, 2018, Farsi, 102 minutes
Friday, April 12, 2019, 7:30 PM — Hilan Theatre A bodybuilding champion turned personal trainer finds secret excitement in his life when he takes on a new, young client. A beauty clinic secretary who lacks confidence in her physical appearance creates a digital persona to seduce men she feels she could never have. A dispirited religious singer tries his luck performing at weddings to increase the chances of finding the love of his life. This is a bittersweet tale of three disenchanted characters yearning for love in a city that does not embrace them.
THE TOMORROW MAN
DIRECTED BY NOBLE LINCOLN JONES
USA, 2019, English, 94 minutes Monday, April 8, 2019, 7:45 PM — Plaza Theatre
Ed Hemsler (John Lithgow) spends his life preparing for a disaster that may never come. Ronnie Meisner (Blythe Danner) spends her life shopping for things she may never use. In a small town somewhere in America, these two people will try to find love while trying not to get lost in each other’s stuff.
April 4-14, 2019
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NARRATIVE FEATURES THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT
DIRECTED BY JOHN CERRITO
USA, 2019, English, 85 minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 7:00 PM — Dad’s Garage Theatre Peter, typically unlucky in love, is overjoyed when he manages to find the girl of his dreams, Ellie, on a dating app. But when their seemingly perfect date ends with Peter waking up the next morning alone, he begrudgingly turns to a new dating site that guarantees it will find his perfect match. After a series of unsuccessful dates, Peter begins to notice eerie similarities between the women from the website and Ellie (who is still very much on his mind). When Peter learns the truth behind Ellie’s rejection, he’ll discover that dating life in the digital era is much more complicated that he could have imagined in this unique love story with a fantasy twist.
WORLD BEYOND MY MIND DIRECTED BY EIBE MALEEN KREBS
Germany, 2018, German, 95 minutes Sunday, April 7, 2019, 5:00 PM — 7 Stages Black Box Looking to fulfill a voluntary year of social service, Christoph accepts a position as personal nurse to the terminally-ill Sven. Desperate to avoid any kind of emotional connection in the face of death, Sven initially rejects Christoph’s offer of friendship and support. As Sven’s health begins to worsen, he begins to let Christoph in, eventually trusting him enough to share his last wishes. Christoph must overcome his own uncertainty in order to help Sven shape his fate.
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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
April 4-14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 47
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES ALWAYS IN SEASON
DIRECTED BY JACQUELINE OLIVE
USA, 2019, English, 90 minutes Sunday, April 7, 2019, 4:30 PM — Plaza Theatre When 17-year-old Lennon Lacy is found hanging from a swing set in rural North Carolina, the trauma of the past bleeds into the present. Despite inconsistencies in the case, local officials quickly rule Lennon’s death a suicide, but his mother, Claudia, believes Lennon was lynched and begins a painstaking fight for justice for her son. A few hundred miles away in Monroe, Georgia, a group of reenactors, including the daughter of a former Ku Klux Klan leader, annually dramatize a 1946 lynching to memorialize the victims and to encourage the community to come forward with information that might bring the perpetrators to justice. Woven together, the stories explore the lingering impact of more than a century of lynching African Americans and connects this form of historic racial terrorism to racial violence today.
AMINA
DIRECTED BY KIVILCIM AKAY
Turkey, 2019, French/Wolof/Turkish, 70 minutes Saturday, April 13, 2019, 1:00 PM — Hilan Theatre Seven years ago, Amina left her daughter behind in Senegal in search of a better life for them both. Now, working as a dress model for a textile company in Istanbul, Amina dreams of being a real model one day and of returning to her child. But as an African woman, she must overcome the daily challenges of an immigrant’s life in Turkey while she attempts to reconcile the disparate world between her reality and her dreams.
THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM
DIRECTED BY JOHN CHESTER
USA, 2018, English, 91 minutes Sunday, April 7, 2019, 12:00 PM — Plaza Theatre When the barking of their beloved dog Todd leads to an eviction notice from their tiny LA apartment, John and Molly Chester make a choice that takes them out of the city and onto 200 acres in the foothills of Ventura County, naively endeavoring to build one of the most diverse farms of its kind in complete coexistence with nature. The land they’ve chosen, however, is utterly depleted of nutrients and suffering from a brutal drought. The film chronicles eight years of daunting work and outsize idealism as they attempt to create the utopia they seek, planting 10,000 orchard trees and over 200 different crops, and bringing in animals of every kind—including an unforgettable pig named Emma and her best friend, Greasy the rooster.
A DAY FOR SUSANA (UM DIA PARA SUSANA) DIRECTED BY GIOVANNA GIOVANINI, RODRIGO BOECKER Brazil/Germany/Scotland, 2018, Portuguese/English, 85 minutes Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 7:00 PM — Hilan Theatre Diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy, a fatal brain disease, Susana is a professional Brazilian swimmer and mother of three training for a spot in the Paralympic Games. Faced with the conflicting demands of rigorous training and a complicated family life, Susana must grapple with her solitary condition and choose between her athletic aspirations and familial duties in a race for fulfillment before her time runs out.
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April 4-14, 2019
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES EVELYN
DIRECTED BY ORLANDO VON EINSIEDEL
United Kingdom, 2018, English, 96 minutes Friday, April 12, 2019, 7:00 PM — 7 Stages Black Box
Fourteen years after the suicide of their son and brother, Evelyn, his family decides to walk the length of the UK and try to talk about him - something they had failed to do in over a decade. In this poignant portrait or grief, Academy Award® winning director Orlando von Einsiedel turns the cameras on himself, as he and his parents and siblings embark on a journey in remembrance of Evelyn. Part quest film, part road-trip, part memoir, EVELYN seeks to address the past, in order to find some peace in the present, and look to the future.
THE FOURTH KINGDOM (EL CUARTO REINO)
DIRECTED BY ADÁN ALIAGA, ALEX LORA
Spain/USA, 2019, Spanish/English, 83 minutes Sunday, April 14, 2019, 4:45 PM — 7 Stages Black Box
The Fourth Kingdom is the kingdom of plastics, a redemption center in NY where undocumented immigrants and underdogs struggle to claim their share of the American Dream. Reckoning with this distant promise, denizens Ana, Walter, Eugene, Pierre, and René find comfort in each other’s company and otherworldy entertainment in the plastic that abounds. Dreams don’t die if the journey continues, regardless of origins and destinations.
GIMME A FAITH (門徒) DIRECTED BY ZHANG HAO
USA/China, 2018, English/Chinese, 83 minutes Saturday, April 6, 2019, 4:30 PM — 7 Stages Black Box
Each August, Steve Wong welcomes new students from China as they begin their studies at North Carolina State University. He offers them a ride home and a home-cooked Chinese meal, in return they take part in a bible study. Surprised by this unexpected aspect of studying abroad, a Chinese film student turns his lens toward the Chinese Christian community that has sprung up around his new school. Weaving through the complex relationships forged between Wong, his fellow converts and their more hesitant counterparts, this film follows various new students as they balance the pressures of religion, community, and belonging.
GRIT
DIRECTED BY CYNTHIA WADE, SASHA FRIEDLANDER Indonesia/USA, 2018, Indonesian, 81 minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 7:15 PM — Hilan Theatre In 2006, international drilling company Lapindo carelessly unleashed an unstoppable toxic mudflow into East Java—burying dozens of nearby villages and displacing tens of thousands of Indonesians in the process. Galvanized by tragedy, 16-year-old survivor Dian transforms into a politically active teenager and voice for her community, organizing her neighbors as they fight for justice in the wake of one of the world’s largest man-made environment disasters. From Academy Award® winning director Cynthia Wade and Sasha Friedlander, this gripping documentary examines the perseverance of the human spirit amidst social and environmental strife.
April 4-14, 2019
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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES HAIL SATAN?
DIRECTED BY PENNY LANE
USA, 2019, English, 95 minutes Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 9:15 PM — Dad’s Garage Chronicling the extraordinary rise of one of the most colorful and controversial religious movements in American history, “Hail Satan?” is an inspiring and entertaining new feature documentary from acclaimed director Penny Lane. When media-savvy members of the Satanic Temple organize a series of public actions designed to advocate for religious freedom and challenge corrupt authority, they prove that with little more than a clever idea, a mischievous sense of humor, and a few rebellious friends, you can speak truth to power in some truly profound ways.
JONATHAN AGASSI SAVED MY LIFE
DIRECTED BY TOMER HEYMANN
Israel/Germany, 2018, Hebrew/English, 106 minutes Thursday, April 11, 2019, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre Meet Jonathan Agassi, a gay Israeli porn star with a worldwide following. Diving into his fantastical life, this intimate documentary explores the highest highs and lowest lows of one of the world’s most famous adult entertainers. Behind the veil of fame, Agassi shares a loving yet complicated bond with his mother and an estrangement from his father that boils beneath the surface. The freedom of sex, the allure of drugs, and the confines of family ultimately force Jonathan to confront the harsh realities of his extreme lifestyle.
LIFE WITHOUT BASKETBALL
DIRECTED BY TIM O’DONNELL, JON MERCER
USA/Switzerland/United Arab Emirates, 2018, English, 89 minutes Sunday, April 7, 2019, 2:15 PM — Plaza Theatre Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir broke records and barriers on her way to become the first Division I athlete to play basketball while wearing hijab. When a controversial ruling ends her chances at playing professionally, she re-examines her faith and identity as a Muslim American.
MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL DIRECTED BY STANLEY NELSON
USA/United Kingdom, 2019, English/French, 115 minutes Saturday, April 6, 2019, 9:15PM — Plaza Theatre The definition of ‘cool’ can be summed up by the name Miles Davis. The quintessential Renaissance Man known for his restless artistic aesthetic, Davis is widely regarded as one of the most innovative, influential and highly respected figures in music. Having changed the course of music five or six times, Davis remains a fashion and cultural icon, and his globally recognized artwork continues to resonate with multiple generations. In MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL, award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson delves deep into the world of a beloved musical giant.
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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES A NEW DAWN (EEN NIEUWE MORGEN)
DIRECTED BY KIM BRAND
Netherlands, 2017, Dutch, 55 minutes Saturday, April 6, 2019, 3:00 PM — Hilan Theatre
When a nursing home has to deal with budget cuts and empty rooms, management comes up with a novel solution: lease the empty apartments to young people looking for a place to live. Some elderly residents don’t like this solution at all and would prefer to be left alone, but others, longing for change, welcome their new neighbors’ youthful energy. Whether they’re for or against the change, things are about to liven up in this humorous and heartfelt look at the power of bringing together the young and the old.
THE SWING (AL MARJOUHA) DIRECTED BY CYRIL ARIS
Lebanon/USA, 2018, Arabic/French/Italian, 74 minutes Sunday, April 14, 2019, 12:30 PM — 7 Stages Black Box
An ailing old man’s fragile heart must be protected at all costs, so his family decides not to tell him that his beloved daughter has suddenly died abroad. His wife, aware of the family’s deceit, is left to grieve their daughter’s death for them both. What follows is a heavy, lyrical portrait that is brightened by the warming rays of loved ones’ smiles.
A THOUSAND GIRLS LIKE ME DIRECTED BY SAHRA MANI
Afghanistan/France, 2018, Farsi, 90 minutes Saturday, April 6, 2019, 7:30 PM — Hilan Theatre When Khatera, a 23-year-old Afghan woman, opposes the will of her family and the traditions of her country to seek justice for years of sexual abuse from her father, she sheds light on the faulty Afghan judicial system and the women it rarely protects. One woman’s obstinate battle to make her voice heard demonstrates the power of action over fear in this harrowing feature documented by a young Afghan director..
WHEN LAMBS BECOME LIONS DIRECTED BY JON KASBE
Kenya/USA, 2018, Swahili, 76 minutes Monday, April 8, 2019, 7:30 PM — Hilan Theatre
In the Kenyan bush, a small-time elephant poacher fights to stay on top while forces mobilize to destroy the ivory trade. When he turns to his younger cousin, a conflicted wildlife ranger who hasn’t been paid in months, they both see a possible lifeline. Filmed over three years, this rare and visually arresting film places the viewer at the epicenter of the conservation divide.
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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES YELLOW IS FORBIDDEN
DIRECTED BY PIETRA BRETTKELLY
China/France/New Zealand, 2019, Chinese/French/English, 97 minutes
Saturday, April 13, 2019, 5:00 PM — Plaza Theatre
The world of fashion is incredibly exclusive, but no tier is more elite than that of haute couture. It’s a restrictive group that can only be joined with the express permission of an official French fashion organization. If they don’t approve you, you can’t use their label. Chanel, Givenchy, Dior - the designers who have traditionally been recognized by the group are predominantly male and mostly white Europeans. Enter Guo Pei, a female independent designer from China. Once unheard of, Guo rocketed to stardom when Rihanna wore her infamous yellow ball gown to the 2015 Met Gala. Now Guo has been invited to present a collection in Paris and could rise the ranks to secure the coveted haute couture label her ethereal work demands. At the intersection of new visions and old ideals, one radical, but traditionally overlooked, designer is determined to forge a path on hallowed ground. If you don’t know her name yet, you will soon.
YOU ARE HERE: A COME FROM AWAY STORY DIRECTED BY MOZE MOSSANEN
USA/Canada, 2019, English, 84 minutes Saturday, April 6, 2019, 12:45 PM — Hilan Theatre Shortly after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, nearly 40 airliners carrying over 6,500 passengers were forced to land at a tiny airport in Gander, Newfoundland. With thousands stranded and nowhere to go, the small but mighty Canadian community of Gander came together to house, feed, and care for the passengers or “come from aways” who soon became more like family than strangers. Through firsthand accounts and real life footage, You Are Here documents the immense kindness, clever resourcefulness, and heartfelt humor Gander showed their unexpected guests. Witness the remarkable true story that inspired the hit Broadway musical Come From Away.
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SHORT FILMS
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SHORT FILMS
April 4-14, 2019
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 55
SHORT FILMS
The Real Thing
When Pride Came to Town
CHANGING SAME
Memoirs of past burdens and future hopes collide in the present.
EPHEMERAL WONDERS
Astounding and unconventional avant-garde works.
Documentary Shorts, 102 minutes Thursday, April 11, 2019 7:30pm — Hilan Theatre
Experimental Shorts, 68 minutes Saturday, April 6, 2019, 9:15pm — 7 Stages Black Box
VALLEY OF THE RULERS (DOLINA VLADARA) DIRECTED BY EFIM GRABOY — Serbia/Israel, 25:38
DIRECTED BY HAANSOL RIM — USA, 3:00
Reconciling suffering and acceptance, residents go about their daily routine in a distant nursing home on top of a mountain in Serbia – the closest place to heaven.
SAILLI – “THE LIGHT”
The portrait of the existentialist struggle of seeking individuality (the Light) in a homogeneous world, only to be confined again in a never ending nightmare.
PROTECT
DIRECTED BY HUGUES HARICHE — USA, 17:25 An exploration of communities along the Georgia and South Carolina coast, where societal and environmental breakdowns are instigating valiant acts of human resistance.
WHEN PRIDE CAME TO TOWN (BYGDEHOMO)
DIRECTED BY JULIA DAHR & JULIE LUNDE LILLESÆTER
— Norway, 17:49 After leaving his rural hometown to escape homophobia, Bjørn-Tore returns decades later to participate in its first Pride parade.
THE REAL THING
DIRECTED BY JULIANNA VILLAROSA — USA, 2:45 Using physical media (16mm, VHS) destroyed by Coca-Cola, this film contrasts the famous “I’d Like To Buy The World A Coke” ad with The Coca-Cola Company’s most recent scandal: unconscionable water privatization in Chiapas, Mexico.
WINNERS BITCH
DIRECTED BY SAM GURRY — USA, 6:57 It takes a lot to be a woman of distinction; Virginia Hampton was an all breed American Kennel Club judge from 1963-2002. She was a doting mother, breeder of Collies, and proponent of the Akita. Two of those things are lies.
EDGECOMBE DIRECTED BY CRYSTAL KAYIZA — USA, 14:36
DIRECTED BY CALLAHAN BRACKEN — CANADA, 1:05
MY DEAR KYRGYZSTAN
TWO PARTS BLACK
DIRECTED BY NOAM ARGOV & ALEX PRITZ — USA, 13:00 A Kyrgyz man takes it upon himself to transform his abandoned Soviet mining village into an international tourism destination.
Travelling through fast paced Tokyo together, young student Raquel’s explosive love for life reminds older Motomiya that joy can be found in even the smallest of tasks.
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.
Repurposed archival footage that explores the lasting impacts of a heteronormativity society on young queer people.
DIRECTED BY CLEON ARREY — USA, 5:42 An attempt to depict the two worlds I navigate; the world my family has created for me and the world that exists beyond my mother’s door.
COSMOS OBSCURA
MOTOMIYA
DIRECTED BY ALEXANDRA DEBRICON — USA/FRANCE/JAPAN 13:06
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BOYS BEWARE
Revealing the deeply personal truths of three local residents, their collective stories examine the ways trauma repeats and reinvents itself in rural Black communities.
DIRECTED BY KATE BALSLEY & IRINA ESCALANTE-CHERNOVA —
USA, 4:00 The universe is at once known and unknowable. New patterns, rhythms and metaphors are born from old ones, and familiar celestial bodies are refracted into strange and unusual forms. (Contains flashing images.)
April 4-14, 2019
SHORT FILMS ORCHID MANTIS – “TIRED IN THE MORNING”
DIRECTED BY JOSEPH SKILLAS — USA, 3:03
A digital and analog collaborative collision with avant-garde artist Orchid Mantis.
TRACES WITH ELIKEM
DIRECTED BY ARIANA GERSTEIN — USA, 6:58
Races performed and captured by scanner and monitor surfaces. Light reflects and passes through, layers slide past and sometimes meet, punctuated by sounds vibrating and percussive.
WE WERE HARDLY MORE THAN CHILDREN
DIRECTED BY CECELIA CONDIT — USA, 8:54
An epic tale of an illegal abortion as lived by two women on a perilous journey through a world that cared little for their survival.
THE PIG ON THE HILL
DIRECTED BY JAMY WHELESS & JOHN HELMS — USA/SERBIA, 5:55 When Pig’s free-spirited, rambunctious new neighbor, Duck, plunges himself into Pig’s quiet, orderly life, Pig learns that having friends is what he has been missing all along.
LIMBO DIRECTED BY JENNIFER STACHOVIC — USA, 5:21 A lonely ghost girl, longing to cross over, befriends a mysterious phantom limb..
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE PUPPY
DIRECTED BY LOUISA LAWLER — USA, 3:35 In this homage to spaghetti westerns, a young woman sets out to find her dog who ran away from home to play poker.
“BUSY” DIRECTED BY DAWOON KIM — USA, 2:02
FUCKED LIKE A STAR
A girl tries to do her homework but her sister keeps interrupting her.
Inter-splicing macro footage, we bring the viewer into the perspective of a lovelorn soldier ant, a pause in her day: the mythical dreamlife of an ant.
DIRECTED BY ASTRID GOLDSMITH — UK, 12:56
DIRECTED BY STEFANI SAINTONGE — USA, 7:52
TEARDOWN
DIRECTED BY KATE E. HINSHAW — USA, 4:06
Through lush colors and phantasmagoric imagery, this piece depicts a story of divorce, gentrification, and the fraught familial relationships that surfaced from the destruction a home.
SOJOURN
DIRECTED BY JONATHAN LEWIS — USA, 13:10
While on a self- enlightening journey home, a young black man struggles with confronting deep mental and emotional hurdles surrounding race. One Small Step
QUARANTINE A troupe of Morris-dancing badgers are forced to confront the animal quarantine compound which has been built above their burrow.
ONE SMALL STEP
DIRECTED BY ANDREW CHESWORTH & BOBBY PONTILLAS — USA/CHINA, 7:40 An ambitious young girl aspires to become an astronaut with the support of her humble father.
HENRIETTA BULKOWSKI
DIRECTED BY RACHEL JOHNSON — USA, 16:16
A determined young woman, crippled by a severe hunchback, will stop at nothing to see the world. I Snuck Off the Slave Ship
HONEY I SHRUNK THE KID FILMS
Kid-sized shorts for the young and young at heart.
Kid Shorts, 54 minutes Sunday, April 14, 2019, 12:00 PM - Plaza Theatre
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Local Shorts - A medley of Georgia makers and minds, 85 minutes / Thursday, April 4, 2019, 7:30 PM Plaza Theatre
March / April 2019
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SHORT FILMS The Toll Road
GWILLIAM’S TIPS FOR TURNING TRICKS INTO TREATS
DIRECTED BY BRIAN LONANO — USA, 3:33
This is what you wanted! Gwilliam is back and offers some tips for getting special treats this Halloween.
MEAT EATER
DIRECTED BY JARED CALLAHAN — USA, 2:15 A woman in the woods makes her escape.
NOBODY’S DARLING
DIRECTED BY ROBYN HICKS — USA, 13:59
A film about a young woman who, in order to make her way to California after the suicide of her father, turns to prostitution. Along the way, she meets an older widower and, together, they find common ground.
LAUGH TRACK
Comedies with a touch of calamity.
Comedy Shorts, 106 minutes Monday, April 8, 2019, 7:00pm - Dad’s Garage
POSSESSIONS
DIRECTED BY ZEKE FARROW — USA, 17:43
CRACKS
DIRECTED BY MOLLY COFFEE — USA, 4:54
The Girl is a whiskey drinking punk-rock welder who works hard and plays hard, but after a sudden violent sexual incident, she struggles with who she thinks she is.
BEING WITH ELEPHANTS
Zeke decides to sell everything he owns and finds out that some possessions are easier to get rid of than others.
CAREER DAY (TAKSVÄRKKIPÄIVÄ)
DIRECTED BY MIKA TERVONEN — FINLAND, 8:07
Father daughter squabbles take on a whole new magnitude when a hitman brings his daughter to work for career day.
DIRECTED BY JAMES MARTIN — USA/KENYA 11:59 Throughout the Siana region of the Maasai Mara, local rangers must monitor and react to the shrinking elephant corridors in order to prevent future collisions of man and beast.
GATITO
DIRECTED BY KRISTINA ARJONA ADLER — USA, 8:19
A quiet story of a little Hispanic boy who decides to be a cat for a day, and his traditional father who attempts to support him.
SHEEP
DIRECTED BY JONATHON PAWLOWSKI — USA, 20:44 Sandy has a difficult time finding acceptance in the one group where everyone is welcome: a suicide cult.
HONK FOR JESUS. SAVE YOUR SOUL
DIRECTED BY ADAMMA EBO — USA, 15:21
The aftermath of a huge scandal leaves the leaders of a southern baptist mega church out on the side of the road-- literally.
GRYPHON ANIMO
THE TOLL ROAD
DIRECTED BY MT MALONEY — SPAIN/USA, 10:32
To save his ailing sister, an unlikely hero must journey afar to pluck a feather from the mighty Gryphon in this parody of the classic fairy tale.
DIRECTED BY TOM RILEY — USA, 17:44
On the eve of their ninth anniversary, a sweet but naive young couple face a boorish adversary who threatens to ruin their big day.
EGG DAY
DEAR, DREAMER
DIRECTED BY KRISTIAN MELOM — USA, 10:31
This is a story about the power of telling stories, especially when young people are listening. A portrait of the life and work of rising literary star Jason Reynolds
I SNUCK OFF THE SLAVE SHIP
DIRECTED BY LONNIE HOLLEY & CYRUS MOUSSAVI —
DIRECTED BY GRASIE MERCEDES — USA, 10:05 A dark comedy short about the egg retrieval process during a couple’s IVF.
THE ORGY
DIRECTED BY SAM BARON — UK,14:41
A romantic comedy about a heartbroken man who throws caution to the wind and goes to his first orgy.
USA, 19:45
Lonnie Holley, a "self-taught African American artist" and dimensional traveler, attempts to sneak off the slave ship America.
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April 4-14, 2019
SHORT FILMS Sometimes, I Think About Dying
Feathers
LONELY HEARTS CLUB
Solitary meditations pressing at the barriers of isolation.
Narrative Shorts, 75 minutes Saturday, April 13, 2019, 12:30pm - Plaza Theatre
MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE Unsteady foundations and uprooted lives.
Narrative Shorts, 89 minutes Saturday, April 13, 2019, 5:15pm - 7 Stages Black Box
SPOON
DIRECTED BY BRANTLY JACKSON WATTS — USA, 10:17
Rachel hires a stranger to help her reconnect with a past lover in a seedy motel room. Shot on Super 16mm using one long take, SPOON explores intimacy between two outsiders seeking companionship without judgement.
TENDER
LIBERTY
DIRECTED BY FAREN HUMES — USA, 16:39
Alex and Milagros deal with great life upheaval as they prepare to dance at their community’s redevelopment groundbreaking ceremony.
DIRECTED BY ANTHONY J LUCIDO — USA, 15:18
GOD NEVER DIES (DIOS NUNCA MUERE)
What are you? A boy. What do you eat? My mom makes most the food. How big’s your mom? Pretty big. Not as big as me though.
SOMETIMES, I THINK ABOUT DYING
DIRECTED BY STEFANIE ABEL HOROWITZ — USA, 12:20
Fran is thinking about dying, but a man in the office might want to date her.
KOREATOWN
DIRECTED BY GRANT HYUN — USA, 12:03
Kyeong, a male escort working at a karaoke bar in LA, uses his youthful charm to create the illusion of love and intimacy for the women who hire him. A new client will cause him to re-examine his understanding of sexuality and objectification.
DIRECTED BY BARBARA CIGARROA — USA/
IRELAND, 14:31
A Mexican farmworker struggles to raise her two children in home full of migrant workers. When a new caravan arrives on the cramped lot they live on, Paula allows herself, and her children, to imagine the home is theirs.
GREEN DIRECTED BY SUZANNE ANDREWS CORREA —
USA, 12:27 Green, an undocumented Turkish pedicab driver unwittingly draws police attention, endangering his brother, his community, and himself.
FEATHERS DIRECTED BY A.V. ROCKWELL — , USA, 19:44
THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THE BATHROOM
Elizier, an emotionally-dejected new enrollee at The Edward R. Mill School for Lost Boys, must overcome memories of a tragic past and the present hazing by his peers in order to tackle larger issues dominating his young life.
In the intimate sanctuary of the bathroom, a lonely young queer yearns for love and learns how to survive heartbreak.
THE SERVANTS (LES SERVITEURS)
DIRECTED BY EDWARD HANCOX — USA, 13:00
DIRECTED BY MARWAN KHNEISSER —
EVELYN X EVELYN
DIRECTED BY ERIC PUMPHREY — USA, 13:10
After the loss of their child, an African American couple descends into despair.
FRANCE / LEBANON, 25:59 A group of carefree revelers reunite in an ancient and remote seaside villa. The villa’s caretaker and his family struggle to keep their dignity despite being subjected to humiliations by their hedonistic guests. Their encounter will rekindle memories of a bitter and violent past.
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SHORT FILMS The Slows
Under Covers
MIDNIGHT STATE OF MIND An outlandishly fun collection curated for those who prefer to stay up late. Narrative and Animated Shorts, 95 minutes Saturday, April 6, 2019, 11:30pm — Plaza Theatre
FATHER FIGURINE
MOMENTS IN THE MULTIVERSE
Otherworldly tales from alternate dimensions. of isolation. Sci-Fi and Fantasy Shorts, 103 minutes Saturday, April 6, 2019, 2:00pm - Plaza Theatre
DIRECTED BY MATT KAZMAN — USA, 18:16 When the wealthy patriarch of a family dies, they discover a rather unusual request in his will…
YOUR LAST DAY ON EARTH (TU ÚLTIMO DÍA EN LA TIERRA) DIRECTED BY MARC MARTÍNEZ JORDÁN — SPAIN, 12:40 A Fox-dressed man breaks the spacetime limits with only one goal: to spend some time with his wife. But bellow this recreational act there’s a far more complex and ambitious plan.
THE SLOWS
DIRECTED BY NICOLE PERLMAN — USA, 22:05
In an enlightened future where humans no longer need to procreate, one woman risks her life to investigate the mystery of motherhood.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE WATER AND THE MOON (水 母 ) DIRECTED BY JIAN LUO — USA, 16:28
During an attempted abortion, a girl gives birth to a live jellyfish.
UNDER COVERS
DOMINANT SPECIES
DIRECTED BY MICHAELA OLSEN — USA, 7:22 On the night of a lunar eclipse, we uncover the sweet, salacious, and spooky secrets of a small town. From a pigtailed psychopath to naughty nuns and everything in between, this stop motion animated film conjures a comforting thought: that weird is relative.
DIRECTED BY JOSEPH SACKETT — USA, 19:14 10 aliens in human host bodies learn how to be men.
IN FULL BLOOM
DIRECTED BY MAEGAN HOUANG — USA, 10:39
HEDGE DIRECTED BY AMANDA BONAIUTO — USA, 6:03 A singularly comical/surreal vision of a family visiting a funeral home.
SUICIDE BY SUNLIGHT DIRECTED BY NIKYATU JUSU — USA, 17:06 Valentina, a day-walking black vampire protected from the sun by her melanin, is forced to restrain her bloodlust to regain custody of her estranged daughters.
Cecile, an older Vietnamese hoarder, has her life upended when a mysterious black hole opens up in the floor of her house and threatens to take away all her precious possessions.
THE MASSEUSE
DIRECTED BY TAN CE DING — MALAYSIA, 20:00
In a world where cutting edge robots are coveted, a fledgling human technician is torn between pursuing his feelings towards an outdated android and placating his abusive, android-aversive father.
HOLY MOSES
DIRECTED BY ELI POWERS — USA, 15:00
DEAD BIRDS DIRECTED BY JOHNNY KENTON — UK, 33:00
A peculiar miracle binds together a pregnant nun in 1960s Ireland and a Texas gas station attendant 25 years later.
A failing teenage badminton player is visited by a mysterious Saint who offers her unlimited talent if she’ll complete three easy, little tasks for him.
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SHORT FILMS Homesick
Masculine/Masculine
REBELS IN THE RYE
Bold works and bolder heroines reckon with the world around them.. New Mavericks Shorts, 81 minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 7:00pm - Plaza Theatre
RENDERING A REVERIE
Wondrous animated illusions exploring the vast expanses of self.
IN DEFENSE OF WONDER
Animated Shorts, 63 minutes Sunday, April 14, 2019 , 1:45pm — Plaza Theatre
A woman in her early 30’s retreats to the countryside to try and escape her anxiety and depression. But a casual encounter with a much younger man leaves her in even more distress.
SIMBIOSIS CARNAL
BOY (GARÇON)
A poetic journey through the history of desire and sexuality where the female pleasure, long ignored and repressed, takes pride of place.
DIRECTED BY FRANCESCA MIRABELLA — USA, 14:27
DIRECTED BY ROCÍO ÁLVAREZ — BELGIUM, 10:08
DIRECTED BY ISABELLE SCHAPIRA — BELGIUM, 16:13
Today, Tatiana, 17, is not going to school. She has a far more important event planned with her friends : saying goodbye to the boy she’s not ready to leave yet.
MERCURY
DIRECTED BY KYLA SIMON BRUCE — UK, 14:02
Bambi drives pregnant best-friend Al on a pivotal journey to hospital to have her baby.
UNTRAVEL DIRECTED BY ANA NEDELJKOVIC & NIKOLA MAJDAK JR.
— SERBIA/SLOVAKIA, 9:29
The girl lives in a gray, isolated country, enclosed by a huge wall. She has never travelled anywhere, but has always dreamt of leaving forever for a perfect world called “Abroad”.
TOO TAME! (ZU ZAHM!)
HOT DOG
DIRECTED BY REBECCA BLOECHER —
GERMANY, 6:41
DIRECTED BY ALMA BUDDECKE & MARLEEN VALIN —
GERMANY, 07:41
Hannah, in a love-hate relationship with her vagina, chronicles how her sexuality has changed over time. Like that one moment when she discovered the vibration function of her PlayStation controller.
Seven protagonists, stuck inside a music box, attempt to escape their cliché daily routine.
CARLOTTA’S FACE
MASCULINE/MASCULINE
DIRECTED BY VALENTIN RIEDL & FRÉDÉRIC SCHULD —
Two best friends, desperate to prove their womanhood, spend their day in search of men to sexually conquer.
Watching herself in the mirror, Carlotta each day views the face of a different woman.
THE BOOGEYWOMAN
THE LOST SOUND (失われた音)
In the fever of her first period, a curious teenager is drawn to her small town’s local legend, only to find that she and the “Boogeywoman” share a strange connecton.
Inspired by the poem ‘On Ç’ by Hiromi Itō, a woman looks at the matrilineal inheritance of linguistic tones in her family, mourning the parts of languages that become extinct through semantic evolution.
GERMANY, 5:00
DIRECTED BY SAM BAILEY — USA, 11:01
DIRECTED BY ERICA SCOGGINS — USA, 17:58
DIRECTED BY STEFFIE YEE — AUSTRALIA, 1:48
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SHORT FILMS THE DAY I GOT INTO MY HEAD
DIRECTED BY FLORIANE MONTCRIO — FRANCE/BELGIUM, 14:00
Weary of her work and motherhood, nearly depressed Sarah discovers a mysterious door in a far-off corner of the hospital and embarks on a bewildering journey.
HOMESICK
DIRECTED BY HILA EINY, YOAV ALUF, NOY BAR — ISRAEL, 7:31 A crisis in a young woman’s life forces her to return to her parents’ home. Her reappearance shakes the delicate balance in the family nest.
SISTER (妹妹)
TSAR BOMBA
DIRECTED BY OSKAR ROSETTI —
SWITZERLAND/FRANCE, 13:46 Irina, a hard-working single mom, is torn between motherhood and duty when she begins to suspect her son may have been involved in an assault.
MANILA IS FULL OF MEN NAMED BOY
DIRECTED BY ANDREW STEPHEN LEE — PHILIPPINES/USA, 21:05 An estranged son buys a child to impress his father. However, when the patriarch embraces the new child as his favorite, the son begins to question who is more deserving of attention.
BLACKWOOD
DIRECTED BY SIQI SONG — CHINA/USA, 8:02 A man thinks back to his childhood memories of growing up with an annoying little sister in China in the 1990s. What would his life have been like if things had gone differently?
DIRECTED BY KALU OJI — AUSTRALIA, 12:26
A comedy-drama exploring an African Australian experience in a small town through the perspective of mother and son.
SIRENE
Manilla is Full of Man Named Boy
DIRECTED BY ZARA DWINGER — NETHERLANDS, 26:20 15-year old Kay lives a boy’s life in between roaring motocross bikes. When Melody sails into town, their flourishing friendship lures Kay towards a dormant feeling. A film about confusion, friendship and becoming who you are. Share
SELF, ASSURED
Identity and insecurity amongst the outliers.
Narrative Shorts, 94 minutes Saturday, April 6, 2019, 5:00pm — Hilan Theatre
THE TIGER (TIIKERI)
Fleeting portraits of the young and intrepid.
DIRECTED BY MIKKO MYLLYLAHT — FINLAND, 10:23 On a winter evening Tiger has to take the first steps towards independence.
THIN ICE (GLAD IJS)
DIRECTED BY JOOSJE DUK — NETHERLANDS, 10:30 The lost-and-found booth attendant of a local ice skating rink grows increasingly nervous upon noticing a man with a suspicious backpack on the other side of the rink.
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TRANSIENT YOUTH
Documentary Shorts, 91 minutes Saturday, April 13, 2019, 3:00pm — Hilan Theatre
LISTEN (LUISTER)
DIRECTED BY ASTRID BUSSINK — NETHERLANDS, 15:07
Sometimes all you need is a listening ear. The Child Helpline has one for you, but what burdens do children have to share with a complete stranger?
April 4-14, 2019
SHORT FILMS NURSERY RHYMES
KAMALI
DIRECTED BY TOM NOAKES — AUSTRALIA, 5:05
DIRECTED BY SASHA RAINBOW — UK, 23:43
A single mother fights for her daughter’s empowerment in India through skateboarding.
Why is a Metalhead singing Old MacDonald on the side of a rural highway?
SHARE
DIRECTED BY BARNA SZÁSZ & ELLIE WEN — USA, 12:42
BROTHERHOOD
An 18-year-old Instagram influencer attempts to reconcile his identity online with his identity in real life.
IVRY
DIRECTED BY JAKE OLESON — USA, 9:26
A young boxer guides his protégé through his past growing up in the South Side of Chicago.
DIRECTED BY MERYAM JOOBEUR —
TUNISIA/CANADA, 25:03
Deeply shaken by his oldest son’s return from Syria with a mysterious new wife, a hardened Tunisian shepherd grapples with rising tension that threatens to tear his family apart.
PRISONER OF SOCIETY
DIRECTED BY RATI TSITELADZE — GEORGIA, 15:59
Intimate journey into the world and mind of a young transgender woman, who has been locked away from the outside world for the past decade.
THE ORPHAN (O ÓRFÃO)
DIRECTED BY CAROLINA MARKOWICZ —
BRAZIL, 15:24
Jonathas has been adopted, but it doesn’t take long until he is returned because he is “different” from the other kids.
605 ADULTS 304 CHILDREN
THE FISHERWOMAN (LA PESCADORA
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL MAHAFFIE — USA/GUYANA, 13:43
An immersive and intimate documentary filmed entirely by The Peoples Temple in Jonestown. They built a utopia that no one wanted to leave. 605 Adults and 304 Children never did.
Nursery Rhymes
DIRECTED BY LORENA DURÁN —
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC/USA, 10:55
After realizing their project was not welcomed by the resident fishermen in town, a group of female villagers in the Dominican Republic must defend their newly built fish-farm.
MILLER & SON
DIRECTED BY ASHER JELINSKY — USA, 21:28
A transwoman mechanic lives between running her family’s auto shop during the day and expressing her femininity at night, until an unforeseen event threatens the balance of her compartmentalized life.
SKIN
TURBULENT STOCK
Volatile predicaments, uncertain futures, and tenuous connections..
DIRECTED BY GUY NATTIV — USA, 20:53
In a small supermarket in a blue collar town, a black man smiles at a 10 year old white boy across the checkout aisle. This innocuous moment sends two gangs into a ruthless war that ends with a shocking backlash.
Narrative Shorts, 117 minutes Sunday, April 14, 2019, 4:00pm - Plaza Theatre
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SHORT FILMS SHORTS SCREENING BEFORE FEATURES The Coin
The Minors
THE COIN DIRECTED BY SIQI SONG — USA, 6:40
THE MINORS
Screens with YELLOW IS FORBIDDEN
Sunday, April 7, 2019 — 12:00 PM — Plaza Theatre
DIRECTED BY ROBERT MACHOIAN — USA, 10:00
In the Chinese New Year, finding the hidden coin inside of dumplings means having a blessed year ahead. When a young woman loses her years worth of coins on a train, her life in a new country begins with a search to find them.
Sunday, April 14. 2019 — 3:00 PM — 7 Stages Black Box
Screens with THE COTTON WOOL WAR (GUERRA DE ALGODÃO)
A slice of life film about a Grandpa and his Grandsons, the future and the past.
ANNIVERSARY
2000 ATTORNEYS | 38 LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE� | WWW.GTLAW.COM
Congratulations to true Visionaries Greenberg Traurig is proud to support the 2019 Atlanta Film Festival Congratulations to all of this year’s filmmakers!
Amsterdam +31 (0) 20 301 7300
| Atlanta 678.553.2100 | Berlin ¬+49 (0) 30 700 171 100
| Las Vegas 702.792.3773 | London* +44 (0) 203 349 8700
Los Angeles 310.586.7700 | Miami 305.579.0500 | New York 212.801.9200 | San Francisco 415.655.1300 | Silicon Valley 650.328.8500 | Washington, D.C. 202.331.3100 Greenberg Traurig is a service mark and trade name of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. ©2017 Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Contact: Andrew J. Velcoff in Atlanta at 678.553.2100. °These numbers are subject to fluctuation. ¬Greenberg Traurig’s Berlin office is operated by Greenberg Traurig Germany, an affiliate of Greenberg Traurig, P.A. and Greenberg Traurig, LLP.*Operates as a separate UK registered legal entity. 28747
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April 4-14, 2019
SHORT FILMS
This program is supported in part by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
The Atlanta Film Society was awarded a Georgia Council for the Arts Partner Grant.
April 4-14, 2019
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This program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
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ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL
PRESENTING
DIAMOND
P L AT I N U M GOLD
S I LV E R
BRONZE
SUPPORTING
Major funding is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. FU LTON COUN TY
OZCETERA John Malkovich delivers a riveting opening tease for the Super Bowl
Definition 6 Delivers on Super Bowl Sunday
T
he opening teaser segment for this year’s Super Bowl featured Peyton Manning and John Malkovich in a spot called A Peyton Manning Production. It was wildly positively received and Atlanta-based digital marketing company Definition 6 (D6) was a major player in concepting, directing and producing the piece.
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The 4.5-minute open kicked off CBS’s Super Bowl show and featured Manning and Malkovich working to create a riveting opening tease. It was a sequel to last year’s highly successful AFC Championship Game segment “Teasing John Malkovich.” The D6 team was involved in the concepting and provided assistant directing, editing and sound design,
including managing shoots in Denver, Colorado and Rome, Italy. It’s been viewed almost 300,000 times just on its initial Tweet, 130,000 times on YouTube, and 50,000 times on Facebook. That’s just on CBS Sports’ social channels, not to mention all the sharing and re-tweeting, and of course the almost 100 million fans who watched the game.
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OZCETERA ARRI Atlanta
ARRI Grows Atlanta Team
A
RRI Rental, a leading global provider of camera, grip and lighting equipment, is pleased to announce two additions to the team at its Atlanta facility: Peter Fodero, who has joined as operations manager, will oversee day-today management of the rental operation, while new client contact Kyle Baggett will focus on excellence in customer service.
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Fodero began his career as a production freelancer before joining another equipment rental house in 2011 where he held many roles, most recently as general manager. He studied film and video at Georgia State University and is a member of IATSE 479 and IATSE 600. Baggett has previous experience in the industry as a rental agent and rental supervisor.
Regional marketing executive Kelli Bingham will continue to focus on managing the company’s relationships with production and crew in Atlanta, as well as seeking new business opportunities. Working alongside her, senior field support technician Mike Sippel is part of the location support team and responsible for all camera-related products, including the ALEXA 65.
OZCETERA
Kimberlin Bolton Takes Reigns at re:Imagine/ATL
A
fter almost five years of reimagining the future with young storytellers, founder and executive director, Susanna Spiccia, stepped down at the end of 2018, and current re:Imagine/ATL operations director, Kimberlin Bolton, has become the new executive director. Since founding the organization in 2014, Spiccia has worked hard to identify the needs of the Atlanta community, listening to stakeholders across neighborhoods, industries, and organizations. re:Imagine/ATL has evolved from a one-off summer camp music video program into a year-round workforce development initiative focused on equipping a new generation of highly skilled storytellers’ representative of metro Atlanta. “I am so proud to be an Atlantan, surrounded by many incredible people who have changed my life and helped guide me as I created this organization. Since hiring Kimberlin Bolton in 2017, our organization has grown in structure and strength. I always knew I would not be running re:Imagine/ATL forever, and I can’t imagine anyone more qualified to lead us into the future” said Spiccia. “I am so grateful for all the accomplishments of this community so far, and excited for all that’s yet to come.” Moving into the future with a clear vision and renewed focus, Bolton is stepping into the executive director role with a deep internal knowledge of the organization and extensive experience in creative management. Bolton brings her unique background as businesswoman and artist into her new role with over ten years of experience in the arts and entertainment industry. Prior to joining re:Imagine/ATL, while operations manager for The Muddy Water Group, Bolton founded the Muddy Water Rep Program in 2008, creating a network for students interested in working in the entertainment industry. She has performed with the Franco-American Vocal Academy Theater and worked closely with Grammy and Oscar-nominated artist Janelle Monáe. “I am excited to continue working towards a more sustainable future for our young storytellers,” ,” said Bolton. “We are building an infrastructure that will elevate and amplify stories that are typically overlooked, in order to ensure legitimate representation. If Atlanta truly wants to be a leader in global change making, we have to make sure that we are creating opportunities for our next generation to thrive.”
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For more information regarding holiday events, please call 404-614-2363 or visit
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OZCETERA DP Arthur Thompson with wildland firefighter Patricia Stockett
KPKinteractive Wins With People of Forestry
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tlanta-based video production and marketing firm, KPKinteractive, has won three awards for its creation and distribution of the first video marketing campaign for the Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) called People of Forestry. The firm created the 14-video series after winning a bid distributed regionally to six southern video production companies. KPKinteractive’s recent recognitions include two Bronze Telly Awards in the Branded Content and Motivational Video categories as well as a Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Bronze Anvil Achievement Award for the social media distribution of the series. Bronze Anvils are PRSA’s salute to the tactics that support PR and marketing initiatives, including press releases, videos, and social media campaigns. According to PRSA, only 82 organizations out of 525 entries were selected by the Bronze Anvil Judges as winners, signifying the high standards applied by the judges in their evaluation process. Wendy Burnett, public relations director for the Georgia Forestry Commission and
SGSF video campaign production liaison, said, "SGSF continues to garner huge accolades for this project and is extremely proud of it – we appreciate KPKinteractive for taking our little idea and turning it into a really nice production! They worked very independently and well to take us from concept to production to hitting our targets with an award-winning social media campaign." The SGSF production team consisted of five Atlantans: project manager Charles Salter, director/co-producer Karin Pendley Koser, director of photography Arthur Thompson, PA and video editor Rob Bellury, and logistics and social media coordinator Solyee Kim. “Our crew logged many thousands of road and air miles from Texas to Virginia and six states in between, spending long days to capture sunrises, sunsets and interviews in some glorious places none of us had ever been,” said Pendley Koser. “To a person, every forester we met was unique and wonderful in their own way. It was eye opening to see what goes into conserving, maintaining and protecting the forests of the
South, which are extremely important to our region and world. We’re honored to win the awards we did, but mostly to spotlight the terrific foresters we met, along with their hard work.” KPKinteractive’s approach for the 14 videos made for SGSF, funded by a grant from the USDA, was to combine a series of stunning aerial and on-the-ground scenics of southern forests with documentary style footage of the daily lives of nine hard-working forestry professionals. "Our southern region has many passionate, committed foresters, firefighters and landowners. Through this People of Forestry video project, we are proud to continue to showcase some of the industry's top working professionals,” said Joe Fox, SGSF chair and Arkansas state forester. “The project spotlights the many economic, environmental, ecological, health and social benefits of our abundant forests and why greater awareness is needed to sustain them far into the future."
Storyboard Studio Moves to Atlanta
S
toryboard artist Mark Simon has moved his studio, Storyboards and Animatics, Inc., to the Atlanta area to support the growing Georgia entertainment industry. Founded in 1996 in Florida, Simon’s storyboard studio grew to work on thousands of film and TV productions all around the world. “We provide storyboards for both liveaction and animation, local and abroad,” states
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Simon. “We have now provided storyboards, concept art and animation on nearly 5,000 productions, including 45 feature films.” Simon has been at the forefront of new technology in storyboarding since the 1990’s. Not only is he the author of the industry bible, Storyboards: Motion in Art, 3rd Edition, but he also helped develop the main software in the industry, Storyboard Pro, winner of a 2012 Prime
Time Engineering Emmy. He continues to train storyboard artists with his course on LinkedIn Learning and in lectures around Atlanta. Recent productions have included The Walking Dead, TBS’ Miracle Workers, Dynasty, Woody Woodpecker, and many more. Storyboards and Animatics, Inc. is now a Georgia corporation to help productions qualify for the Georgia production tax incentive.
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OZCETERA
Herc’s Daily Dose of Iron
H
erc Entertainment Services hosted its 4th annual Entertainment Services Golf Tournament. The tournament was held at White Water Creek Country Club in Fayetteville, GA and consisted of 144 players. In addition to the industry professionals, there were over 30 vendors on site whose main business is supporting the film industry. At the dinner following the tournament there were over 200 people in attendance. The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the players and sponsors raised over $11,000 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The tournament started as an East Coast version of a similar tournament hosted by Herc Entertainment for the past 26 years in Burbank, CA. The camaraderie and loyalty of film professionals is what makes the industry quite unique. Players on the winning teams, raffle winners, and vendors walked away with over $16,000 in prizes.
Crogan Filmworks Client Nominated for Canadian Screen Award
C
rogan Filmworks, LLC, a Georgia-based international film sales and distribution company and member of Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA), is representing the independent feature film Crown and Anchor. The Canadianbased feature film was nominated for the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards in the following categories: Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Michael Rowe and Achievement in Make-Up: Lauryn Ford. The Canadian Screen Awards is the Canadian version of the Oscars. Crogan Filmworks, represents the film to international buyers and handled the limited theatrical release of the film in 2018. The film is set for a summer 2019 release in United States and Canada. CF president Stanislav Shkilnyi states, “We would like to congratulate Crown and Anchor and the entire team behind the project. Crown and Anchor is an amazing independent film project, and its one of those projects that reminds you of an indie crime drama you would see back in the 90s during the glory days of the independent film industry. It’s been an absolute pleasure and honor to be part of this project as their sales agents. We look forward to announcing the USA/ Canada release dates and other international territories.”
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OZCETERA The Bloody Wolves of Venice
Adolescence Features Bloody Wolves of Venice
T
he Bloody Wolves of Venice is a band created for and featured in the upcoming film Adolescence. In the film, the band plays original music created and sung by John Driskell Hopkins (founding member of the Zac Brown Band). The Bloody Wolves of Venice comprises Hopkins along with bassist Greg Lee (Yacht Rock Revue), drummer Mike Rizzi
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(John Driskell Hopkins Band/Sweet Tea Project/ Tony Lewis), guitarist Mark Dannells (Yacht Rock Revue) and guitarist Mick Murphy (My Ruin/Teenage Time Killers/Chevy Metal). While not featured on the recording, actor Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy) stars in the film as a member of The Bloody Wolves of Venice. Directed by Ashley Avis, Adolescence is
about a teenager from an abusive household (Mickey River) who falls in love with a freespirited runaway (India Eisley) that leads him into the fast-lane lifestyle of drugs and addiction which threatens to destroy him. The film also stars Elisabeth Rรถhm and Jere Burns. The feature film will be released worldwide in 2019.
OZCETERA
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OZCETERA Photo credit: GPB
Tube Shoots Jars
A
GPB Broadcast Returns
G
PB’s The Credits podcast launched its second season with a discussion of diversity in Georgia’s multi-billion-dollar film industry. The Credits introduces listeners to the people behind the scenes of the industry and is hosted by Kalena Boller, an Atlanta-based location manager on major film and television projects. Boller joined forces with GPB in November 2018 to launch the podcast and calls
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it her love letter to the hardworking people in the industry. Boller was joined by guests Cardellia Hunter with the Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment, City of Atlanta; Damita Jane, stuntwoman; Suzan Satterfield, producer; Taraja Ramsess, art department, stunts, camera, and electrical department; and Mike Smith, production police coordinator.
tlanta based post-production studio, Tube recently wrapped up a series of shoots for LiDestri Food and Drink at their plants in Rochester and Fairport, NY, as well as Pennsauken, NJ. LiDestri commissioned Tube to produce videos that showcase their vast array of production capabilities – sauces, dips, oils, vinegars, juices and alcoholic beverages are all produced in their facilities. The video also showcases the sustainable and innovative practices at work in LiDestri’s facilities, which produces 80 million cases of products annually, including their Francesco Rinaldi™ recently released line of USDA Certified Organic pasta sauces. Featured prominently in the video are their processing lines, a bevy of packaging options and rail access across all of their facilities.
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OZCETERA Kendall Minter
Georgia Music Partners Welcomes Minter
K
endall Minter recently joined Taylor English law firm. He has more than 40 years of experience as an internationally renowned entertainment attorney. Throughout his career, Minter has represented many high-profile clients in the music industry including Jermaine Dupri, The Backstreet Boys, the Ying Yang Twins, Lena Horne, Kirk Franklin, Peter Tosh, and Ashanti. Minter is also the newest board member for Georgia Music Partners. GMP is a nonprofit organization that supports Georgia’s music industry through its commitment to promoting music within the state’s communities, schools and economy. The organization played a large role in the passage of the Georgia Music Investment Act, which created a tax incentive for music production in the state of Georgia. In addition to working at Taylor English and serving as a board member for GMP, Minter serves as an adjunct professor at Georgia State University teaching copyright and music publishing.
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Wins NEA Grant
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he Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) won a $20,000 Art Works grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. This competitive grant program is designed to support local economies and preserve American heritage while embracing new forms of creative expression. This year-long grant will support AJFF’s 2019 and 2020 film festivals. Art Works, the National Endowment of the Arts’ principal grant making program awarded more than $27 million to arts organizations throughout the nation. These grants support public access to a variety of different forms of art, as well as art education at all stages of life and the integration of arts into every community. With the expansion of year-round program offerings, AJFF continues to increase its impact, fostering dialogue and understanding among diverse audiences, and an appreciation for the cinematic arts. By harnessing the power of international film to explore global issues and universal themes, AJFF brings together people from all walks of life through storytelling. “From a pool of 1,605 eligible applications, we are thrilled to have been selected for this year’s grant from the National Endowment for the Arts,” says Kenny Blank, executive director of AJFF. “The livelihood of Atlanta’s artistic community is of utmost importance for us and we are proud to host the city’s largest film festival. For 19 years, we have brought together diverse audiences for an experience that challenges and inspires.”
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OZCETERA Chef Kash & Who’s Got Soul Mobile Gourmet is ready for food on the set
Chef Kash is Who’s Got Soul
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hef Keith Kash is a multi-award winning chef who has appeared on several television networks including Bravo, CBS, UPN, Destination America and Fox. He opened and founded his first restaurant, Who’s Got Soul Southern Cafe, at age 27. After 18 years, he owns and operates three locations. He also is the president of Henlil Food Service Group, Inc., which
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operates Cafe 55 inside City Hall Atlanta. His new inspiration: the ever growing film market in the Atlanta area. Chef Kash has partnered on Who’s Got Soul Mobile Gourmet. Their mobile catering unit specializes in catering to film, television and corporate industry clients, and equipped to service guests from 100 to 1500+. Chef Kash and his team have created delicious menus
from several food genres creating flexible offerings that best fit client production need and vision. Through this investment in their state-of-the-art mobile kitchen and refrigeration, combined with their existing business infrastructure, Chef Kash and Mobile Gourmet partner Manson Jones have answered the call of the entertainment industry for great catering.
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OZCETERA Chad Darnell
Atlanta Casting Director Makes Switch with Angry Inch
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he Georgia native Chad Darnell is making a transition. After 20 years of working as a casting director on feature films and television shows all over the country, Darnell made his return to the Atlanta stage in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Pinch ‘N Ouch Theatre. "With the projects that I worked on, I got to shadow JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Sam Raimi, and John Wells. I sat in on production meetings for television, and I learned so much about the story and producing." Darnell explains. "I wanted to be an actor from the time I was six years old playing a camel in the church Christmas musical. I went to college to study film. My focus was screenwriting. I wasn't interested in doing the filmmaking track. I moved to Los Angeles to be a writer and find my way back into acting but got sucked back in casting. For the last few months, I have been trying to transition out of casting and get back to my passion for acting and writing. Performing in Hedwig, I feel like God and the universe just got my messages." Grant McGowen directed Darnell in the role of "Hedwig," an East German gender-queer “internationally ignored song stylist.” Darnell has prepared for years to immerse himself in this role that actors Neil Patrick Harris and Darren Criss regard as one of the hardest roles to perform on stage. "There are so many challenges in Hedwig: the accents, the punk vocals while dancing in heels! You can rehearse for a hundred years by yourself, but the biggest component of the show is the audience. You are interacting with the audience the entire time. " Darnell states. Darnell has cast over 92 films that include Selma, Magic Mike XXL, the upcoming thriller, Killerman starring Liam Hemsworth, and over 100 episodes of TV's Crossing Jordan. Darnell recently produced and directed Stephen Moyer, Amy Acker and Bruce Greenwood in a stage performance of The Laramie Project as a benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. In addition to casting, Darnell is an independent filmmaker; his films have won awards all over the country; and his screenplay, Darlene, will begin filming in early 2019 with Mary Lambert directing.
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Oz Welcomes Managing Editor Nicole Sage
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O
z Magazine welcomes Nicole Sage as our new managing editor. Sage has a 25+ year professional career in entertainment, public relations, non-profits, and other creative endeavors. Somewhat of an Atlanta native (by way of Connecticut), she proudly attended Atlanta public schools, and she is a film school graduate from Georgia State University. Sage is a collaborator and effective communicator known for developing strong relationships with the community and engaging across all levels in the entertainment industry, top-tier politicians, and high-profile performers. Sage learned the art of negotiating in the entertainment industry working with talent in Los Angeles as a feature film casting associate. Los Angeles casting director, Deb Aquilla mentored her. She assisted with casting many films such as Hart’s War (Bruce Willis & Colin Farrell), The Last Castle (Robert Redford and James Gandolfini), and Frank Darabont's The Majestic (Jim Carrey) to name a few. In LA, Sage liaised with movie studios DreamWorks, Warner Brothers/Sony, Paramount, and talent agencies such as Creative Artist Agency (CAA), International Creative Management (ICM), William Morris/Endeavor (WME), Innovative, Gersh, and United Talent Agency (UTA). In Atlanta, Sage was hired as a film and TV agent, then segued to a film and TV manager working with Atlanta actors. She served as a point of contact, facilitated, and coordinated business with HBO, MTV, 20th Century Fox, TBS, and Paramount. She organized, guided, and prioritized the marketing direction of the management company, and generated press for her clients in the AJC, Rolling Out, The Atlantan, and more. She also wrote a satire column for Atlanta City Mag on dating, called “Sage in the City”, to satisfy her inner identity crisis with Carrie Bradshaw. Sage has passionately volunteered for the AIDS Walk in Atlanta, New York City, and Los Angeles. She served on the Youth Leadership Committee for the Jewish Federation of Atlanta, is an alumnus of the Black-Jewish Coalition of Atlanta, volunteered for the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and was a featured panelist for the Atlanta Film Festival. One of her proudest accomplishments was booking the Grammy Award-winning Georgia band, Arrested Development, to give a live performance for a Hosea Feed the Hungry dinner which was attended by over 15,000 people in need. “As the new managing editor of Oz Magazine, I am eager to contribute my experience in the entertainment industry and raise brand awareness. I believe we can build a wider Oz audience with a focus on content strategy. My goal is to provide quality assurance and generate more prestige for an icon in the production industry since 1990, Oz Magazine.” Sage lives in Atlanta with her husband John, their daughter Georgia, and her furry cutie Lucy Honeychurch. Contact nicole by emailing her at: nicole@ozonline.tv.
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OZCETERA Student film festival winners from DeKalb School of the Arts: (L-R) Grace Dawkins, Kriss Nash, and Maya Owens.
Student film festival winners from Lakeside High School: Braden Webb, Tanajah Middlebrooks, and Lucas Uyeda
DeKalb School of the Arts Sweeps Inaugural Student Film Festival
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young student is shown at home alone at night. Her smart device begins malfunctioning. Her front door begins to quake from the outside, as loud knocks are heard. The student’s device suddenly relays a message. “Let me in.” The tension continues to rise, as a dark figure can be seen skulking in the background. This isn’t a Friday night horror movie, but it’s an award-winning film made by a DeKalb County School District (DCSD) student. DCSD hosted its inaugural Student Film Festival. The festival is the byproduct of a partnership between DCSD’s Career, Technical & Agricultural Education (CTAE) department, DeKalb Entertainment Commission, re:Imagine
ATL, and the Southeast Emmy Awards. The festival featured more than 30 short films from 13 DCSD high schools and Tucker Middle School. Films were classified under beginner, intermediate, and advanced categories. Each category named an overall winner decided by a panel of judges from the Georgia Film Academy, the Screen Actors Guild, and other prestigious industry leaders. “Audience’s Choice” winner, was decided in real time. DeKalb School of the Arts three films, Invisible (Beginner), Blind Spot (Intermediate), and Locked Out (Advanced) proved to be the festival’s standout submissions and received the Overall Award and the Audience’s Choice Award.
Locked Out, by students Kriss Nash, Stephanie Henderson, Aidan Gates Shields, and Celisse Pompey, claimed the Overall Award, the Audience’s Choice Award, and the Best in Show Award. Lakeside High School’s submissions Joust (Beginner), and Sciophobia (Intermediate), each took home an Audience’s Choice Award for their respective categories. In addition to claiming Oscar style trophies, winners from each category received invitations to the Student Production Awards hosted by the Southeast Emmy Awards in June 2019. All attending students were advised to enter their films into the organization’s film festival for opportunities that include scholarships and job opportunities.
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