Wild Adventures Archives - South Georgia Film Festival

SGFF Gives Preview of Black Barbie documentary

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 40^th 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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Publicity

SGFF Adds News Sponsors for 2020

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.

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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Publicity

“Sgt Stubby” comes to SGFF for Family Fun

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.

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.

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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Presenters, Publicity

South Georgia Film Festival Announces Judges for 2019 Competition

February 25, 2018

VALDOSTA, GA – Filled with local and regional media professionals, the South Georgia Film Festival announces the judges for this year’s 2019 expanded competition – including feature films and best in fest awards. This year’s judges include filmmakers Tara Ansley, Luke Pilgrim and Brad Kennedy of Sozo Bear Films, Brandi Nicole Payne of Seed & Spark, and many more.

This year’s South Georgia Film Festival judges will be looking at films in the categories of – Feature (movies over 45 minutes in length), High School (films made by filmmakers attending secondary schools or under the age of 18), College (films made by students attending a college or university), and Shorts (movies under 15 minutes made by professionals). Due to the influences of previous judges, this year a trophy will be awarded for Best in Fest, to the best film regardless of category.

Winners in each category will receive a trophy created by Harmon Awards in Valdosta, along with a day pass to Wild Adventures theme park and a Chromecast provided by streaming service MUBI. Winners in the High School and College categories will also be eligible for scholarships to Valdosta State University thanks to the University Admissions office.

Partially due to the increase in the number of films screened and attention to the festival, this year there will be thirteen judges. Along with the trophies, every year the judges have the freedom to recognize films with other awards, such as best actress, best production design, or best editing.

“We bring together a strong collection of professionals to survey our festival’s films,” Jason Brown, South Georgia Film Festival director said. “They find what’s exciting and worthy of recognition and we want to support that.”

This year’s judges run the gamut of professional experiences. Filmmakers Brad Kennedy and Luke Pilgrim of Sozo Bear Films in Dahlonega, GA return to the South Georgia Film Festival for a second year to talk about how they use storytelling in their production work for business clients. Actress and filmmaker Brandi Nicole Payne will be serving as a judge this year. Payne works with the streaming platform Seed & Spark and will be giving a presentation on Crowdfunding, Saturday March 2. Tris Sicignano returns for a second year to the South Georgia Film Festival and will be on the Women in Media panel Friday, March 1. Tris’s work as the co-founder of SurgeTV has brought her in touch with thousands of media makers across the Southeast.

VSU’s own Terrell Sandefur returns after a year where he has expanded his presence in Georgia Film. As the Managing Director of FilmGeorgia.com, Terrell hosted the tremendously successful Georgie Film Industry party at the Sundance Film Festival for a second year in a row. Another returning Georgia filmmaker, Brantly Jackson continues to work as the Program and Outreach Manager for Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta and will be taking her latest film “Spoon” to festivals this Spring.

New to the South Georgia Film Festival is Melissa Simpson, the Executive Director of Film Impact Georgia, a non-profit designed to promote native filmmakers here in Georgia. Simpson is a graduate of the University of North Georgia and works with both the Atlanta Film Festival and Rome Film Festivals.

This year’s other judges include Professor Jeff Marker of the University of North Georgia, Prof. Chris Medjesky of University of Findlay, Event Coordinator and Film Programmer Charles Judson, along with local media personality Marcus McConico of Channel 17 and Jessica Ganas formerly of Red Door Records. The majority of judges will be attending the festival screening films or participating on panels.

Along with the judges able to attend the festival, numerous volunteer screeners helped choose which films appeared at this year’s event. This year’s screeners included TV Producer/Editor Robert Huntley, VSU’s Director of New Media Center Kyle Culpepper, local filmmaker Zane Ally, Alan Hancock College Associate Professor Chris Hite, PA Indie Shorts Film Festival Director Samantha Kolesnik, and filmmaker Justin Litton. Along with these professionals, the VSU student film festival organization run by Jennifer Rainer made their recommendations in the high school and short categories as well.

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 Mass Media Screening room, on the corner of Patterson and Brookwood. Over the three days, visitors can park at both the Oak Street Parking Deck and the University Center parking lot. With over a dozen panels and workshops 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, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, WAITR, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, the City of Valdosta, Miss Kate’s Tours and Coca-Cola. 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 Brandi Nicole Payne of Seed & Spark to discuss Crowdfunding, producer Tara Ansley, actor Ian Anderson, along with many others.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt, access to the VIP areas, and a ticket to Thursday’s Georgia Production Partnership event 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. 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.

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Luke Pilgrim (left) and Brad Kennedy (right) of Sozo Bear Films

Brandi Nicole Payne, filmmaker/Seed & Spark

Terrell Sandefur, FilmGeorgia.com

Brantly Jackson Watts, Filmmaker

Marcus McConico, host of City Focus on Channel 17

Event, Publicity, Sponsors

SGFF Announces Opening Night KICK-OFF at Georgia Beer Company

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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