Tag: Georgia Power

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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SGFF Announces Opening Night KICK-OFF at Georgia Beer Company

Jason Brown

SOUTH GEORGIA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES OPENING NIGHT KICK-OFF AT GEORGIA BEER COMPANY

VALDOSTA – Kicking off the third annual South Georgia Film Festival, Georgia Beer Company is sponsoring an opening night event on March 1, 2019. Taking place along South Brigg Street behind the revitalized 100 year-old brewery, the Opening Night Kick-off will include fun, food and drinks for the entire community.

Along with Georgia Beer Company, Miss Kate’s Tours and Valdosta Main Street are working to make the most of this event by reaching out to local restaurants and vendors to showcase food and fun available locally. Filling the space behind the 100 year-old brick building on South Briggs Street, the event will showcase for visiting filmmakers what’s exciting in Valdosta.

“Like filmmaking, Georgia Beer Company is both art and industry,” said Jason Brown, Festival Director and Associate Professor of Mass Media at Valdosta State University. “We want to partner with the best of what’s happening, and to us, that means great people like Chris Jones and Jack Martin at Georgia Beer, Valdosta State alumni who have made something and brought it back to our community.”

“This will be the first large event at the brewery upon opening,” Chris Jones of Georgia Beer Company said. “Thanks to Valdosta State University, Jason Brown and the South Georgia Film Festival for putting together this awesome event.”

Having recently started their first large batch, Georgia Beer Company is a start-up brewery producing craft beer here in Valdosta. The brewery expects to be open to the public in the first quarter of 2019. They plan on distributing kegs and cans through grocery stores, package stores, bars, restaurants and other licensed retailers. Patrons will be able to purchase pints on-site in the tap room.

“As part of this event, folks will purchase a collectors’ glass when they enter for either a beer or soft drink,” Jones said. “The festival will have a special VIP section inside the brewery to see how the magic happens.”

Starting at 6 pm, admission to the event will be $10, which includes a glass and their first drink. South Georgia Film Festival pass holders have their admission covered, with VIP Pass holders receiving special access during the event, along with the many other perks during the festival, including a ticket to the Georgia Production Partnership South Region meeting on Feb. 28. Festival passes are available now at SouthGeorgiaFilm.com.

Entering its third year, the South Georgia Film Festival continues to connect with partners in the Valdosta community, including Valdosta State University, Georgia Power, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Miss Kate’s Tours, Talk 92.1, and Fusion Marketing. 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 already secured panelists Brandi Nicole Payne of Seed & Spark to discuss Crowdfunding, producer Tara Ansley, actor Ian Anderson, along with many others not yet announced.

The South Georgia Film Festival received over 450 submissions worldwide in 2018. This year’s festival will include feature and short films over three days at two campus locations. Along with screenings from national and international filmmakers, the festival again will be having high school and college filmmakers competing for scholarships to Valdosta State University, thanks to the support of the University Admissions Office.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt and access to the upcoming Georgia Production Partnership event costs $100. The Festival Pass which offers access to all screenings, panels and daily events are $40. Tickets are available through the SouthGeorgiaFilm.com website.

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. For more information on Georgia Beer Company, visit GeorgiaBeerCompany.com.

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Georgia Power announced as Sponsor for the 2018 South Georgia Film Festival

Jason Brown

Georgia Power Announced as Sponsor for the 2018 South Georgia Film Festival

VALDOSTA, GA – Demonstrating its support for the creative and industrious in the community, Georgia Power has come on as a Sponsor for the 2018 South Georgia Film Festival.

“We are excited to connect with pillars of the community like Georgia Power,” said Jason Brown, Festival Director and Assistant Professor of Mass Media at Valdosta State University. “As film continues to grow as an industry in our state, we want to showcase the opportunities for our South Georgia communities to take part. I think Georgia Power is the kind of partner that agrees with that kind of community support.”

Pictured from left to right – Sementha Mathews of the City of Valdosta, Jason Brown of Valdosta State University, Audrey King Georgia Power Area Manager, Ike Harbuck Region External Affairs Manager and Steven Heddon of Fusion Creative Marketing.

Georgia Power joins Valdosta State University and the Georgia Councils for the Arts as sponsors of this year’s festival. The festival will take place March 2, 3, and 4.

The festival has also partnered with the Valdosta Daily Times, WCTV, 92.1 FM, the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, the City of Valdosta, the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, Fairway Billboards, American Youth Film Festival, Fusion Creative Marketing, and Tipsy Transit.

For more information and tickets, visit – http://SouthGeorgiaFilm.com/