SGFF Welcomes Atlanta Film Podcast for 2021

Jason Brown


SouthGeorgiaFilm.com

SGFF Welcomes Atlanta Film Podcast for 2021

Feb 19, 2021

VALDOSTA, GA – Along with over 100 films, the fifth annual South Georgia Film Festival will feature a live podcast recording from the nationally recognized AFC Indie Filmmaking Podcast. Interviewing filmmakers visiting for the 2021 festival, the live recording will take place on the Valdosta State University College of the Arts lawn, March 6 at 3 pm.

Formerly Atlanta Film Chat, the AFC Indie Filmmaking Podcast hosted by Chuck Thomas has interviewed industry professionals since 2014. As a member of the Indie Film Hustle Podcast Network, Thomas’ interviews have been heard by thousands of listeners nationwide. Along with Chuck Thomas, AFC features the talents of Joshua Gohlke, Michael Jones, Rob Shimer, and Molly Coffee. Thomas and Coffee are both originally from South Georgia.

While much of the fifth annual South Georgia Film Festival will be virtually available through the Eventive platform on computers and TVs March 5-7, the podcast recording will be a part of the limited open-air events this year taking place behind the VSU Fine Arts Building. Passes and individual tickets for the events will provide preferred seating or space to bring a lawn chair. Feature film screenings will be held each night, with the podcast recording taking place Saturday, March 6 at 3 pm.

During this year’s event, Chuck will be interviewing visiting filmmakers including: Carter Adkins, director of Jenna Bums the Loveseat; Jacobe Love, director of A Dangerous Silence and VSU Alum; Thomas Grant, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College professor and director of Blood, Bone & Stone; and Philip Brubaker, renowned video essayist and director of Stranger/Things. The recorded podcast will be available later online and over WVVS radio 90.9.

This year’s festival could not happen without the support of our community sponsors, including Georgia Power, Valdosta State University, the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, the City of Valdosta, Georgia Production Partnership, Fairway Outdoor, the Georgia Film Office, Georgia Beer Company, and MUBI.

The South Georgia Film Festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses. For more information about tickets, visit SGFF21.Eventive.org. Passes for all open-air and virtual events are $40, $25 for students. You can purchase a ticket for any single screening for $5.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu.

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Photo Provided by Chuck Thomas

AFC Indie Filmmaking Podcast Logo

SGFF Celebrates #FilmFestivalDay, supports Second Harvest

Jason Brown

In collaboration with thirty other film festivals across the country, the South Georgia Film Festival is celebrating #FilmFestivalDay on April 11 with a digital screening event and fundraiser for Second Harvest.

As a member of the Film Festival Alliance, the South Georgia Film Festival is participating in the streaming of the new film Phoenix, Oregon, April 11, along with a question and answer session with the filmmakers. The online event costs $6.50, with the proceeds being split between the filmmakers and whichever festival viewers chose to support.

“As people are home, we believe this is a way for us to reach our local audience and allow them to support our community in a fun way,” said Jason Brown, Festival Director of the South Georgia Film Festival.

The South Georgia Film Festival will be donating all of the proceeds received to Second Harvest to support those locally hardest hit by the COVID-19 closure. Unlike many festivals, the South Georgia Film Festival was one of the last festivals that was able to be held before widespread quarantining took hold. More than 175 film festivals have been hit with cancellations and postponements since COVID-19 began to spread across the country.

Wide-spread social distancing has encouraged many people to stay at home where they are streaming entertainment from such platforms as Netflix, Hulu, and many others. The South Georgia Film Festival has begun by sharing links to previous filmmakers’ work on their social media where audiences can support them directly. Participating with the Film Festival Alliance, this screening allows local viewers to discover a new film and contribute back to their local organizations.

Phoenix, Oregon is the story of two middle-aged friends, one a graphic novelist and the other a chef, who quit their jobs to restore an old bowling alley and serve the “world’s greatest pizza.” Starring James Le Gros (Living in Oblivion, Drugstore Cowboy), Lisa Edelstein (House, Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce), Jesse Borrego (Fame), Diedrich Bader (American Housewife, Beverly Hillbillies, Napoleon Dynamite) and Kevin Corrigan (The Departed, True Romance, Pineapple Express), the film had a planned film festival distribution plan.

“Film festivals and community cinemas are the backbone of the independent film industry. They introduce audiences to stories which nurture, nourish and encourage new perspectives,” said Annie Lundgren, producer of Phoenix, Oregon.

Along with the streaming of the film, viewers will be able to enjoy a Q&A session moderated by Melanie Addington of the Oxford Film Festival and later download the film.

Viewers are encouraged to visit the South Georgia Film Festival website to find the appropriate link to the screening link, where they will be asked which festival to support.
https://shop.jomafilms.com/products/phoenix-oregon-film-festival-day

The festival will soon be asking for submissions for the 2021 festival, which will be the fifth edition. Along with feature films, the festival is looking for shorts, documentaries, college, and high school films. Specifically, the festival is looking for both family friendly films and those produced regionally.

For more information, please contact the festival at southgeorgiafilm@valdosta.edu, use their social media @SouthGeorgiaFilm or call 229-219-1298.

Filmmakers Links

Jason Brown

With everyone online during this social distancing, we reached out to the many filmmakers we have been able screen at @SouthGAFilm Festival to find links to their work you can watch while we’re all inside. Here are some links they’ve shared with us:

Kyle Taubken’s 2020 film Soul Man is on Amazon Prime https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Man-Curtis-C-Jackson/dp/B081S94CVQ

Mariana Gómez’s 2020 film Latino$ + Film + USA at https://vimeo.com/339850322

Also from 2020, Jeff Dolan’s Phase 6 is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z0Vp89nfgM

Check out this year’s absconde eos from Nicole Potgeiter at: https://youtu.be/7nR6mCeDZfE

Catch Joe Nowland’s 2019 film WAKE UP on Amazon Prime
https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Up-Scott-Broughton/dp/B07Z5FP15T/

Check out Connor Rentz/Kyanite Pictures shorts on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1xiFtQSI6bKusR0dPWo-MA

Sruti Lodhi’s HERMAN
https://vimeo.com/276823208

Kyle Marta’s Can I Play Now
http://rootandbranchfilms.com/films/can-i-play-now

Malik Brice’s 2017 SGFF film If We Had Met
https://vimeo.com/268687160

In 2019, Michael Williams screened the film A Son Inherit http://bit.ly/ASonInheritVOD
His other films available are: Oz Land – http://bit.ly/OzLandonAmazon
& The Atoning – https://www.amazon.com/Atoning-Virginia-Newcomb/dp/B0747GZ8CB/

Patrick Peacock’s 2020 film BACK FOCUS isn’t available yet, but catch the trailer and his shorts (including 2019 festival selection Forever) at http://acondofilms.com

The Bontrager Twins have two films in this year’s 2020 fest. You can see a whole host of things of theirs at
https://www.footprint.tv/channel/bontrager-twins-productions-12859

Radheya Jegatheva is still on the festival circuit, but his other films currently available
The Tyger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUqowAVgZxA
Finding Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZNhXcKGA1s

Also, Mary Stanton Knight’s 2019 doc Singing Out at https://vimeo.com/303070177
along with her film Dear Hubert Creekmore at 
https://vimeo.com/336614341

Paul Osborne screened #CruelHearts last year – now catch it online @ ITunes & Amazon His previous movie, FAVOR, can be streamed for free on Tubi: Favor (2014)

My personal favorite OFFICIAL REJECTION, is free on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Official-Rejection-Kevin-Smith/dp/B01BKWULHS/

This year we screened Marty Lang’s film REDRESS. His other film Protesters is online. Check out his Twitter account – and support his current Crowdfunding campaign. https://twitter.com/marty_lang/

From 2019, Jasmine Jewry’s film Daddy’s Girl is up on https://vimeo.com/269527593

Keep up with Chris Filippo’s films – including his 2019 feature Down And Yonder which recently ran free on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=ymAHRwQJZZs

For everyone that made it out for the final day of this year’s festival got to enjoy #FarmingOnTheFlint from Kit Vinsick & @craigmillertv
https://vimeo.com/314585786

The 2019 winner #Peggy from Justin Miller is a part of @Tribeca films “A Short Keeps the Anxiety Away” series. Enjoy it any time of the year!
https://vimeo.com/238233680

You can check out Jude Timothy Harris’ short film Things Left Unsaid from this year’s festival.
https://youtu.be/N1JyqJg7RuE

As filmmakers send us their links, we will try to add them here!


SGFF Announces 2020 Festival Awards

Jason Brown

March 16, 2020

VALDOSTA, GA – Concluding the 2020 South Georgia Film Festival, several local and regional films were rewarded with trophies and recognition. The film Speed of Life, directed by Liz Manshil, won Best of Fest, while Danielle Beverly’s documentary Dusty Groove captured best Feature Film. Festival attendees chose the inaugural Best Poster award for Life Binder, produced by Valdosta State University alum Terrel Sandefur.

Director Douglas Cullen was on-hand to receive the Best Short Film award for his film Portrait of a Woman at Dawn, which was also recognized for Best Production Design. Florida State University students Skylar Theis and William O’Neal won Best College Film for King, Charles. California native Nick Sherman won Best High School film for Earth Defence Force.

Each of the category winners above received a trophy created by Harmons’ Awards in Valdosta. Those present also received a prize package from streaming service MUBI and a blu-ray of the film Matewan, featuring VSU professor Jason Brown’s film Them That Work, donated by Criterion Collection.

The festival judges also wanted recognize other films in the festival including, Imani’s Skin for Best Animation, made by Florida State student Jessica Kirby; Best Featurette to A Rodeo Film by Ryan Binse of the American Film Institute; Best Visual Effects to Journey by Radheya Jegatheva from Australia.

Along with the direct support for this year’s winners, the South Georgia Film Festival includes sponsorships from Georgia Power, Georgia Beer Company, the Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Ashley Street Station, the City of Valdosta, the Williams Hotel Group, MUBI, and the Criterion Channel.

Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses.

The 2021 South Georgia Film Festival will be held March 5, 6, and 7 and will begin accepting submissions soon. Both high school and college submissions are free until July 1, 2020.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu.

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SGFF Gives Preview of Black Barbie documentary

Jason Brown

March 3, 2020

VALDOSTA, GA – The South Georgia Film Festival presents a special work-in-progress screening of the definitive history of black dolls, Black Barbie, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the dolls introduction in 1980. Filmmaker Lagueria Davis’ film about her aunt Beluah Mae Mitchell, who helped introduce the first black version of Mattel’s Barbie, explores the struggle for representation.

“It took a Black woman in the design and leadership position to get a Black Barbie,” Davis said. “That very first doll really is validation that my aunt and Kitty Black Perkins were seen and heard.”

Along with the support of the Valdosta State University African-American Studies Department, this screening of Black Barbie is part of the project’s development process. Having participated in several prestigious work-in-progress retreats and labs over the last year to fully fund the documentary, Davis is continue to rework the project looking for feedback and conversation on the topic.

“Unlike Hollywood blockbusters, independent films need community support,” said Jason Brown, South Georgia Film Festival director. “They need feedback to tell the best story and funding to make the best film.”

Davis has found success with Black Barbie as she continues to grow in her career. Graduaing from the University of Oklahoma, Davis feature screenplay Maid of Honor was a Quarter-Finalist for the highly acclaimed Nicholls Fellowship. After Black Barbie allowed Davis to be chosen as a BAVC Mediamaker fellow, a 2019 Logan Nonfiction Fellow, and to be a finalist for the Screencraft Film Fund, she was hired to write for an upcoming network television program.

Moderated by Alicia Pryor, of the Valdosta State University Mass Media program, the work-in-progress screening will include portions of the film, along with time for feedback from those in attendance. Davis, currently working as a writer on an upcoming cable television program, plans to be Skyping into the presention.

Along with the support of the African-American studies department, the South Georgia Film Festival includes sponsorships from Georgia Power, Georgia Beer Company, the Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Ashley Street Station, the City of Valdosta, the Williams Hotel Group, MUBI, and the Criterion Channel.

Festival screenings will take place at the VSU Student Union Theater at the corner of Baytree and North Oak Street. Over the three days, visitors can park at both the Oak Street Parking Deck and the University Center parking lot. With numerous panels and screenings, attendees will find plenty to do.

Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses. This year’s festival has also includes panelists Richard Baxter to discuss Columbus, GA new tax incentives for film, Brent Simond of Illinois State University to discuss crowdfunding his documentary on country music, the Georgia Production Partnership’s South Regional meeting, and much more.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt and access to the VIP areas costs $100. The Festival Pass which offers access to all screenings, panels and daily events are $40. Day Passes are $15 for all screenings and panels. Both High School and College students can get a free Day Pass with their school id to all screenings and panels.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu.

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SGFF Adds News Sponsors for 2020

Jason Brown

February 28, 2020

VALDOSTA, GA – Hosting the fourth annual South Georgia Film Festival requires plenty of support from sponsors across our community. The festival is proud to announce that the addition of Film In South Georgia, the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority and the Criterion Channel this year to bring filmmakers to our community and support their time here.

 “Our mission is to encourage business development in what we see as a flourishing area for industry,” said Andrea Schruijer, Executive Director of the the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority. “The film industry continues to flourish in Georgia. We want to support bringing filmmakers to our community to better understand why we should be a part of that.”

Film in South Georgia, made up of production companies and professionals lobbying to bring production to the area, also serves as a resource to help equip the surrounding area to benefit from the film industry.

Along with the VLDA, the festival also has the Criterion Channel as a sponsor this year. Criterion has dedicated to publishing important classic and contemporary films from around the world since 1984. The Criterion Channel is a new streaming platform for those films, along with ancillary material such as behind the scenes documentaries and other original programming. This past year, Criterion published its edition of MATEWAN, the 1985 film by John Sayles, and included the documentary THEM THAT WORK, by festival Director Jason Brown. Criterion has donated copies of MATEWAN for the winning filmmakers and their book of postcards representing the posters from many of their collection.

Returning sponsors to the festival include Georgia Power, Georgia Beer Company, the Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, Georgia Production Partnership, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Ashley Street Station, the City of Valdosta, the Williams Hotel Group, and MUBI.

Festival screenings will take place at the VSU Student Union Theater at the corner of Baytree and North Oak Street. Over the three days, visitors can park at both the Oak Street Parking Deck and the University Center parking lot. With numerous panels and screenings, attendees will find plenty to do. The Georgia Production Partnership’s panel on bringing productions to South Georgia will be free for everyone.

Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses. This year’s festival has also includes panelists Richard Baxter to discuss Columbus, GA new tax incentives for film, Brent Simond of Illinois State University to discuss crowdfunding his documentary on country music, and much more.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt and access to the VIP areas costs $100. The Festival Pass which offers access to all screenings, panels and daily events are $40. Day Passes are $15 for all screenings and panels. Both High School and College students can get a free Day Pass with their school ID to all screenings and panels.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu. The festival schedule and ticket information is available at http://sgff2020.eventive.org

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Judges Bring Impressive Experience to 2020 SGFF

Jason Brown

February 27, 2020

VALDOSTA, GA – Along with the films and panels, the South Georgia Film Festival (SGFF) is bringing film professionals to judge this year’s competitive films. With judges from across the state and the nation, the quality of eyes on this year’s films is impressive.

Some of our visiting filmmakers will also be helping judge films. Brent Simond will be screening his documentary about the country music singer Verlon Thompson, “Sweet Dreams Do Come True,” as well as holding a panel about how he raised the money for the films’ music rights. Simond is a professor at Illinois State University and will be that expertise as a judge.

The forces behind Film Impact Georgia, Molly Coffee and Melissa Simpson, return this year as both panelists and judges. Coffee, a native of Brooks County, has been creating works through her Zombie Cat productions, such animations, puppetry, and set design. Simpson, a graduate of North Georgia, has extensive production and festival experience, most recently with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. The two will be talking about Film Impact Georgia’s role in preserving local filmmaking in the state with such projects as their bi-annual film grant during the panel on Saturday, March 7.

Award-winning filmmaker and artist, Jeff Shipman, will be joining the SGFF for the first time. With experience shooting music videos and documentaries, Shipman is a Georgia State University graduate.

Coming down from the Mid-Georgia, Tabitha Walker has been in the film and video production industry for the last two decades, along with currently serving as programmer for the Macon Film Festival. Walkers’ Big Hair Productions has worked on corporate videos, network and cable television, and along film productions of various sizes.

John Bring, Valdosta State University alum and writer for the TV show “Supernatural,” won’t be attending the festival in person, but will be serving as a judge as they complete production on his TV show. Bring has vast experience in movie production from being a director, actor, and production assistant on hit TV Shows and independent horror films.

Other VSU alums participating as judges including Ryan Adams from Tift Regional Hospital, Dynasty Tennison with Black News Channel, Marcus McConico of Channel 17, and Christine Jones.

Festival screenings will take place at the VSU Student Union Theater at the corner of Baytree and North Oak Street. The festival added the use of the Odum Library auditorium this year, located beside the Student Union. Over the three days, visitors can park at both the Oak Street Parking Deck and the University Center parking lot. With numerous panels and screenings across both locations, attendees will find plenty to do.

Returning sponsors to the festival include Georgia Power, Georgia Beer Company, the Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Ashley Street Station, the City of Valdosta, the Williams Hotel Group, and MUBI.

Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses. This year’s festival has also includes panelists Richard Baxter to discuss Columbus, GA new tax incentives for film, Brent Simond of Illinois State University to discuss crowdfunding his documentary on country music, the Georgia Production Partnership’s South Regional meeting, and much more.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt and access to the VIP areas costs $100. The Festival Pass which offers access to all screenings, panels and daily events are $40. Day Passes are $15 for all screenings and panels. Both High School and College students can get a free Day Pass with their school id to all screenings and panels.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu.

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“Sgt Stubby” comes to SGFF for Family Fun

Jason Brown

February 22, 2020

VALDOSTA, GA – Families can enjoy the South Georgia Film Festival as it will conclude with the animated film Sgt Stubby: An Animated Hero, about the real-life story of America’s most decorated dog. The screening will be free for all families Sunday, March 8 at 1:30 pm in the Valdosta State University Student Union Theater.

With voice acting from Logan Lerman, Helena Bonham Carter, and Gerard Depardieu, the animated film about a stray dog from New Haven, Conn., joining a troop of soldiers off for World War I. The adorably animated film presents a historically accurate portrayal of battles in Europe for the point-of-view of young children.

Rated PG, Stubby is one of a few animated films families of all ages will appreciate during the festival, including Imani’s Skin, another animated film about a multi-racial classroom; and William’s Words, and animated film about Williams Shakespeare.

Festival screenings will take place at the VSU Student Union Theater at the corner of Baytree and North Oak Street. Over the three days, visitors can park at both the Oak Street Parking Deck and the University Center parking lot. With numerous panels and screenings, attendees will find plenty to do.

Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses. This year’s festival has also includes panelists Richard Baxter to discuss Columbus, GA new tax incentives for film, Brent Simond of Illinois State University to discuss crowdfunding his documentary on country music, the Georgia Production Partnership’s South Regional meeting, and much more.

The South Georgia Film Festival includes sponsorships from Georgia Power, Georgia Beer Company, the Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Ashley Street Station, the City of Valdosta, the Williams Hotel Group, MUBI, and the Criterion Channel.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt and access to the VIP areas costs $100. The Festival Pass which offers access to all screenings, panels and daily events are $40. Day Passes are $15 for all screenings and panels. Both High School and College students can get a free Day Pass with their school id to all screenings and panels.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu.

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South Georgia Film Festival Reveals 2020 Poster

Jason Brown

February 12, 2020

  • Festival Director Jason Brown points out the new festival poster design at the Lake Park Historical Society meeting beside the Johnston Lakes Library branch manager, Megan Brown (Photo by Barbara Slocum)
  • Festival Director Jason Brown stands with Logan Lott’s new poster design for the South Georgia Film Festival. (Photo by Ashley DeFrank)
  • Georgia Beer Company bottled a special brew of beer for the 2020 South Georgia Film Festival called The McGuffin.
  • PHOTO #4 – Cameron Tudor, Valdosta State University senior mass media student, helps bottle beer at Georgia Beer Company. (Photo by Andrew Black)

VALDOSTA, GA – As the 2020 South Georgia Film Festival approaches, look for the event’s new design to pop-up across Valdosta. Logan Lott, a Junior Valdosta State University Art major, submitted the winning design in the festival’s inaugural poster competition. Lott won a VIP pass to this year’s festival along with $100 cash.

“Logan created a really fun design, with the film reel around the peach, which we are excited to see around Valdosta,” said Jason Brown, Festival Director and Associate Professor of Mass Media at VSU. Billboards for the fourth annual event will begin being seen across the Fairway digital billboards in Valdosta Valentine’s Day weekend.

The film festival kicks off March 6 at Georgia Beer Company where you’ll find the logo in an unexpected place – on the label. The local brewery is partnering again with the festival for its exciting opening night event, which will feature a special brew made only for the film festival. Along with the new logo, the beer named The McGuffin, after the Alfred Hitchcock device, will be given to each passholder as they walk through the door.

This past Monday, the completed poster was revealed at the Lake Park Historical Society’s winter meeting where Brown discussed the growing value of independent film production across our area. Lowndes County has benefited from various productions over the years, from “Zombieland” at Wild Adventures, to “Gator” at Banks Lake, to “Like a Crow on a Junebug” in Lake Park.

Festival screenings will take place at the VSU Student Union Theater at the corner of Baytree and North Oak Street. The festival added the use of the Odum Library auditorium this year, located beside the Student Union. Over the three days, visitors can park at both the Oak Street Parking Deck and the University Center parking lot. With numerous panels and screenings across both locations, attendees will find plenty to do.

This year’s festival continues to connect with partners in the Valdosta community, including Valdosta State University, Georgia Power, Georgia Beer Company, Georgia Council for the Arts, Wild Adventures, the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority, the Turner Center for the Arts,  Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, the City of Valdosta, MUBI and the Criterion Channel.

Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses. This year’s festival has also includes panelists Richard Baxter to discuss Columbus, GA new tax incentives for film, Brent Simond of Illinois State University to discuss crowdfunding his documentary on country music, and many more.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt and access to the VIP areas costs $100. The Festival Pass which offers access to all screenings, panels and daily events are $40. Day Passes are $15 for all screenings and panels. Both High School and College students can get a free Day Pass with their school id to all screenings and panels.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu.

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