VALDOSTA, GA – Filmmakers can begin submitting for the 2024 South Georgia Film Festival April 17. In preparation for the 8th Annual event, the festival will begin accepting submission via FilmFreeway for feature films, short films from professionals and students.
“Our festival depends on the amazing films and filmmakers sharing their work,” said Jason Brown, South Georgia Film Festival Director. “As the industry continues to grow here in Georgia, we are working to nurture those native and independent voices along with shining a light on how those in our community can be involved.”
To encourage more early submissions, feature films (anything over 50 minutes) are only $5 until August 4, and all shorts (professional, student, narrative, documentary) are free for the same period. Submission costs go up as the festival approaches, with the Early Deadline being September 30 and Regular Deadline Dec. 18, 2023. The submission page is https://filmfreeway.com/SOUTHGEORGIAFILMFESTIVAL
The festival has eight defined categories: Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Animated Short, Narrative Short, Documentary Short, Graduate Student, Undergraduate Student, and High School Aged Student. Along with awards in all of these categories, the South Georgia Film Festival also distributes other awards to recognize filmmakers’ hard work.
The 2023 festival concluded this past March with Costa Karalis’s film CHIPPED winning the award for Best in Fest. Karalis was part of a large contingent of filmmakers who graduated from Florida State University but now live in the Atlanta area. Filmmakers from as far as Nashville, TN and as near as Bemiss participated in the festival. Attendees discussed enjoying the variety of films, as well as the educational opportunities of the panels and the many networking opportunities.
After the festival, public voting determined the winner of the Best Poster competition, which went to Trinity Ansah and her film OVERCOME. Winners from around the world were recognized at the end of the festival. The festival maintains a presence on IMDB where the public can view a list past and present winners. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0026797/2023/1/?ref_=evov_eh
The 2024 South Georgia Film Festival will be held March 1, 2, & 3 in Valdosta, GA. Details will be released regarding participating panelists and filmmakers at www.SouthGeorgiaFilm.com.
The South Georgia Film Festival is proudly sponsored by Georgia Power, Valdosta State University, South Georgia Studios, the Georgia Film Office, the Valdosta Mall, Wild Adventures Theme Park, Workhorse Cinema, VLPRA, VisitValdosta.org, the City of Valdosta, and Film Impact Georgia.
South Georgia Studios Brings Pitchfest to 2023 SGFF
February 15, 2023
VALDOSTA, GA – South Georgia Studios is looking for your best movie pitches. Saturday March 4, during this year’s South Georgia Film Festival, participants will be able to spend 3 minutes pitching their film and television ideas to producers who can help turn their films into reality as part of the 2023 SGFF Pitchfest.
“As we grow the film industry in South Georgia, we are thrilled to be able to support local filmmakers in telling their own unique and inspiring stories,” Honnie Korngold of South Georgia Studios said. “This is only the beginning and we want South Georgians interested in working in film to know just what is possible for them here in their own backyard.”
The Pitchfest will be limited to 20 participants who will buy their spot for $25. A winner will receive a $250 cash prize and a one-hour consulting session with the panel of judges with advice on strategy to move their project forward. Participants will be contacted by Feb. 25 to give them enough time to put together their three-minute pitch. Festival passholders will be able to sit-in on the pitches. At the beginning of the two-and-a-half hour event, producers will give the audience some quick pointers on how to present their ideas. After each pitch the producers will be giving participants feedback.
Along with Korngold, Alexander Kane of Workhorse Cinema and Tamara Bell of the distribution company Koan will be evaluating the participants’ ideas for the best project within narrative film, television, and documentary.
Korngold and South Georgia Studios are in the process of building a film production campus with soundstages and an educational program in partnership with PhilanthroFilms in Quitman, GA. She’s currently producing NORTHERN LIGHTS, the story of how Valdosta’s Cathy Parker was instrumental in transforming a small Alaskan town with football. The movie is proposed to film in South Georgia in 2023.
Along with working as an actor, Kane has produced $61 million dollars worth of films in South Georgia during the last four years.
“At Workhorse Cinema, we have a big slate of films planned for 2023 that continues to prove to the film industry is not only viable but thriving here in South Georgia. Our company and team is largely built on a foundation of local talent from the area and our door is always open as we constantly survey the community to find passionate and talented locals that want to join the film industry, pursue their dreams, goals, or just find a more fulfilling career.”
Koan has 30 years experience in entertainment distribution, reaching every corner of the world. Founded in 1990, it continues to be one of the longest running worldwide sales, film finance and production companies. Their diverse catalog of award winning projects have broad appeal to worldwide audiences.
The festival kicks off March 3 on the campus of Valdosta State University with screenings and panels on documentary photography and with casting director Chase Paris of Fieldstein | Paris Casting before concluding at the Valdosta Mall plaza watching The Holiday Dating Guide for a touch of the holidays. The event is free to the public. Produced by Workhorse Cinema, the film starring Maria Menounos premiered on Lifetime television in December 2022. The free Mall screening will also include the films: The Buick Special, from PhilanthroFilms and director Levi Johnson; the animated film A King I Once Knew from Joshua Myers and Grayson Durham of Thomasville; and The Curse directed by Jae Yoo from Ringling College. Festival and VIP passholders will also be able to participate in the evening’s party at the mall.
Saturday, attendees can spend the entire day attending panels, watching films, meeting filmmakers and attending the Pitchfest. Saturday March 4 will be bursting at the seams with feature films, shorts, student films, and animated films, along with amazing panels from visiting filmmakers. Two Georgia made feature films, The Lost Cause and The Long Way Up will screen, along with panels with visiting filmmakers, VSU alums, and Melissa Simpson of Film Impact Georgia with grant recipients Jeremy Thao and Shandrea Evans.
After starting their day at the Mayor & Chairman’s Paddle, attendees can end the evening with The Wintering Grounds, about the world class kayakers who spend their time in Columbus, GA when it’s too cold to be anywhere else. Because the freestyle kayak world championships will be taking place this spring in Columbus, we hope to have some of these professionals visiting us as well. After screening the feature documentary Jack Has a Plan, festival and VIP passholders can join us at the Rainwater Conference Center for our Saturday night party.
Sunday March 5 will wrap up with our awards ceremony followed by a few remaining blocks and a re-cap of the winners from the weekend. Our family friendly block on Sunday showcases the feature film RINGO, along with a group of animal friendly documentaries.
Don’t miss our two other out-of-competition screenings – The Sim Racer from VSU’s Brock Drury and The Middle Child: The Story of Tevin King by Wiregrass’s Demiven Knighton. Both are local graduates telling very different but uniquely local stories.
You don’t want to miss this!
Celebrating the art and industry of film, the South Georgia Film Festival is celebrating its seventh annual event March 3, 4 & 5, 2023. Hosted on the campus of Valdosta State University, the festival has received thousands of entries and brought hundreds of filmmakers and filmgoers to town over the last decade.
“We are putting on a party for the community,” Brown said. “Showcasing films from across the country and the world, we want to introduce Valdosta to great films, some great filmmakers to Valdosta, and let everyone have a good time.”
The three day South Georgia Film Festival includes screenings of 95 films from around the world, the country and the region. Along with categories for high school, college and graduate students, the festival features shorts and feature length films. Films are screened in the VSU Student Union, at the corner of Oak St and Baytree, an outdoor screening at the Valdosta Mall, along with being available online through the Eventive platform. The festival presents filmgoers with the opportunities to see documentaries, animation and much more that they would not be able to see anywhere else.
Visit http://SGFF23.Eventive.Org to purchase your Pitchfest ticket, your festival pass and see the full film guide.
Pitchfest tickets are $25 and guarantee a three-minute opportunity in front of professional movie producers and distributors. Passes for the festival are $40, which includes access to all the virtual films, the in-person screenings, and the parties. If you’re not able to attend all weekend, you will be able to purchase a Daily Pass for $15, which gives you access to all the in-person screenings and panels for that day. The Eventive platform allows you to rent any individual film for only $5. All college and high school students can get in to the screenings and panels for free by providing their school ID.
VALDOSTA, GA – The South Georgia Film Festival announces the films selected for the 2023 event – with 95 totally films, with three locally produced films, including The Holiday Dating Guide, which will be screened free to the public at the Valdosta Mall.
Don’t miss THE SIM RACER by Brock Drury, THE HOLIDAY DATING GUIDE w/ Maria Menounos, or THE WINTERING GROUNDS about world class kayakers from Columbus, GA.
“These are some of the best films we’ve ever had in the South Georgia Film Festival,” said Festival Director Jason Brown. “We can’t wait for people to see them.
The festival kicks off March 3 on the campus of Valdosta State University with panels and screening before ending the day at the Valdosta Mall plaza watching The Holiday Dating Guide for a touch of the holidays. The event is free to the public. Produced by Workhorse Cinema, the film starring Maria Menounos premiered on Lifetime television in December 2022. Alexander Kane of Workhorse Cinema expects to be producing films regularly across our Region, from Fitzgerald to Valdosta to Tifton and the border. The free Mall screening will also include the films: The Buick Special, from South Georgia Studios and director Levi Johnson; the animated film A King I Once Knew from Joshua Myers and Grayson Durham of Thomasville; and The Curse directed by Jae Yoo from Ringling College. Festival and VIP passholders will also be able to participate in the evenings party at the mall.
Attendees can spend the entire day attending panels, watching films, and meeting filmmakers. Saturday March 4 will be bursting at the seams with feature films, shorts, student films, and animated films, along with amazing panels from visiting filmmakers. Two Georgia made feature films, The Lost Cause and The Long Way Up will screen, along with panels from Chris Paris of Fieldstein | Paris Casting and Melissa Simpson of Film Impact Georgia.
After starting their day at the Mayor & Chairman’s Paddle, attendees can end the evening with The Wintering Grounds, about the world class kayakers who spend their time in Columbus, GA when it’s too cold to be anywhere else. Because the freestyle kayake world championships will be taking place this spring in Columbus, we hope to have some of these professionals visiting us as well. After screening the feature documentary Jack Has a Plan, festival and VIP passholders can join us at the Rainwater Conference Center for our Saturday night party.
Sunday March 5 will wrap up with our awards ceremony followed by a few remaining blocks and a re-cap of the winners from the weekend. Don’t miss our two other out-of-competition screenings – The Sim Racer from VSU’s Brock Drury and The Middle Child: The Story of Tevin King by Wiregrass’s Demiven Knighton. Both are local graduates telling very different but uniquely local stories.
You don’t want to miss this!
Celebrating the art and industry of film, the South Georgia Film Festival is celebrating its seventh annual event March 3, 4 & 5, 2023. Hosted on the campus of Valdosta State University, the festival has received thousands of entries and brought hundreds of filmmakers and filmgoers to town over the last decade.
“We are putting on a party for the community,” Brown said. “Showcasing films from across the country and the world, we want to introduce Valdosta to great films, some great filmmakers to Valdosta, and let everyone have a good time.”
The three day South Georgia Film Festival includes screenings of 95 films from around the world, the country and the region. Along with categories for high school, college and graduate students, the festival features shorts and feature length films. Films are screened in the VSU Student Union, at the corner of Oak St and Baytree, an outdoor screening at the Valdosta Mall, along with being available online through the Eventive platform. The festival presents filmgoers with the opportunities to see documentaries, animation and much more that they would not be able to see anywhere else.
Passes for the festival are $40, which includes access to all the virtual films, the in-person screenings, and the parties. If you’re not able to attend all weekend, you will be able to purchase a Daily Pass for $15, which gives you access to all the in-person screenings and panels for that day. The Eventive platform allows you to rent any individual film for only $5. All college and high school students can get in to the screenings and panels for free by providing their school ID.
VALDOSTA, GA – Back again, the Sixth Annual South Georgia Film Festival returns in-person, online, and outside! Featuring some amazing guests and attending filmmakers, the area’s top event for the film industry is back March 4, 5, & 6 to celebrate the art and industry in South Georgia.
After last year’s hybrid festival, this year expects to incorporate what people liked and bring back what people loved. Films and filmmaker interviews will return on the Eventive platform so that people can enjoy the festival from anywhere. Returning are the in-person screenings on the campus of Valdosta State University, along with panels by top professionals from across the region. We will again be recognizing the best in competition in various award categories.
“We are putting on a party for the community,” Jason Brown, Festival Director said. “Showcasing films from across the country and the world, we want to introduce Valdosta to great films, some great filmmakers to Valdosta, and let everyone have a good time.”
Thursday night will kickoff with our introductory event for passholders and the community at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, introducing a community project from Steven Heddon and Angela Ward. Friday will conclude with our annual kickoff party at Georgia Beer Company. Saturday night will feature an outdoor screening on the lawn behind the VSU College of the Arts. Films will be screened in the Valdosta State University Student Union Friday through Sunday, while the virtual platform will be available March 1 through March 10.
Passes for the festival are $40, which includes access to all the virtual films, the in-person screenings, and the parties. If you’re not able to attend all weekend, you can purchase a Daily Pass for $15, which gives you access to all the in-person screenings and panels for that day. The Eventive platform allows you to rent any individual film for only $5. All college and high school students can get in to the screenings and panels for free by providing their school ID.
This year’s festival could not happen without the support of our community sponsors, including Georgia Power, Valdosta State University, the City of Valdosta, the Georgia Film Office, Georgia Beer Company, the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Georgia Production Partnership, Fairway Outdoor, and MUBI.
The South Georgia Film Festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the art and industrial impact of film for local businesses. Panelists and guest speakers will be announced soon. For more information about tickets, visit SGFF22.Eventive.org.
VALDOSTA, GA – The fifth Annual South Georgia Film Festival will features judges from across the country this year, including previous winners, feature filmmakers, comedians, Oscar nominees, and much more. With 109 films in this year’s festival, awards will be given for each of the following categories: Feature Film, Short, College, High School, Family Friendly, Poster, and Best in Fest.
“Celebrating the hard work of filmmakers is important to us,” Jason Brown, Festival Director said. “Along with showcasing films from across the country and the world, we strive to work with recognizable film professionals to judge our work.”
Previous South Georgia Film Festival winners top the list of judges for this year’s festival. Liz Manshil’s SPEED OF LIFE won Best in Fest at the 2020 South Georgia Film Festival. The feature film starring Ann Dowd and Allison Tolman about a woman being ripped through time when dealing with the death of David Bowie currently is available on Showtime.
Along with winning the College award in 2018 for FIRST MONTH, Laura Holliday has had her film GIRLFRIEND play the 2019 festival. Holliday’s work has appeared at many festivals and on Funny or Die. Along with being a director and actress, Holliday has been working recently as a musician. This will be her first year as a judge at the festival.
Professor Dave Brock joins the South Georgia Film Festival for the first time this year. His short film THE ROAD VIRUS HEADS NORTH, adapted from a Stephen King short story, was nominated for a Student Academy Award. Brock currently teaches at WV State University, where he made THE WOMAN IN THE ROOM, another King adaptation.
Another Student Academy Award nominee is cinematographer Justin Litton. Litton, COO of Mountain Craft Productions, proudly creates content all over Appalachia. His work on BORDER PATROL was nominated in 2013 for a Student Academy Award. Mountain Craft continues to produce quality industrials, shorts, and PSAs for business and civic groups.
Stand-up comedian and podcaster Michael Shea joins as a judge this year. Hailing from Dayton, OH, Shea has performed as a stand-up for over 15 years. His podcast, The Ultimate Schmoedown Aftershow can be heard nationwide through The Outlaw Nation podcasting network.
J.T. Arbogast is a Los Angeles-based writer/producer and actor. Prior to arriving in Los Angeles, J.T. spent four years as the Associate Director of the critically acclaimed National Comedy Theatre in New York. He produced the films Angel’s Perch and Auld Lang Syne while successfully crowdfunding both of them. He might be best known as an actor in the film WHEN IN ROME or the TV show 30 ROCK. He holds a B.A. from Penn State University and an M.F.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.
AFC Indie Filmmaking podcast Chuck Thomas will participate as a judge for this year’s festival along recording his podcast on Saturday March 6. Returning as festival judges this year include Community Board President and Channel 17 host Marcus McConico, Turner Center for the Art’s Jessica Ganas, University of Findlay professor Chris Medjesky, and former SGFF Student Director, Jennifer Rainer. Due to COVID all of our judges will participate virtually to view the films and discuss the eventual winners.
Along with our nightly open-air screenings, over 100 films will be available virtually through our partnership with Eventive. Like hundreds of other festival around the country, the South Georgia Film Festival will be available through your computer and over your smart TV. Passes for $40 includes all the virtual films, virtual panels and preferred seating to the in-person events. Students of all ages can get a discounted pass for $25. You can get a ticket to any screening (in-person or virtual) for only $5.
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.
– 20 –
Director Liz ManshilFilmmaker/Actress/Musician Laura HollidayWriter/Producer J.T. ArbogastCinematographer Justin LittonPodcaster Chuck ThomasComedian/Podcaster Mike Shea
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
