Month: March 2025

VSU Represents During SGFF ‘25

Jason Brown

March 6, 2025

VALDOSTA, GA – The 2025 South Georgia Film Festival features a strong number of faculty and alumni from Valdosta State University. Along with the annual Alumni Panel, featuring three graduates from the Mass Media program returning to celebrate their achievements, this year you’ll see more VSU faculty throughout the weekend’s events. Passes are still available for all weekend events on North Campus across from the South Georgia Medical Center. The public is invited.

With so many visiting filmmakers, Valdosta State University faculty have stepped up to help moderate some amazing conversations. Festival Director Jason Brown gets things started Thursday night at the Turner Arts Center, discussing PINEVALE HIGH: SEPARATE UNEQUAL … UNDETERRED with filmmakers Mark Patrick George and Willie Housel. You’ll see Professor Brown all weekend talking to filmmakers Ebony Blanding, Joey Travolta, and many more.

Friday, Music Professor David Springfield will lead a conversation with visiting film composer Matthew Cravener. Prof. Springfield is the Director of Jazz Studies and leads the Jazz Ensemble. He has published books on jazz and musical composition. Earlier in the day Friday, Professor Christy Yates leads a panel called “Once You See It, You Can’t Unlearn it – an Academic Panel,” featuring techniques incorporating film to benefit teaching and learning. Professor Yates has returned to the classroom full time after spending the last few years as the Deputy CHRO of VSU’s Office of Human Resources. Instructor Rafiah Jenkins will be leading question and answer sessions Friday with visiting filmmakers, including German Lopez Tirado, James Faucett and Karlyn Hoon.

This year’s returning alumni panel will be held Saturday at 5 pm at the Health Science and Business Administration building. It includes Brandi Moore, Class of 2015; Ray Hannah and Ryan Bryant (both Class of 2019). Moore went got her start in TV News at Fox 5 Atlanta, which she says VSU’s Mass Media program prepared her to work in a Top 10 market. She’s currently a Producer on the Portia Show. Hannah grew up around Atlanta, attended school in Valdosta, and has worked in Jacksonville since graduation. He currently is a Videographer/Editor with the Haskell Company, a global Architecture, Engineering, and Construction company. Bryant graduated Hart County High School on the Audio/Video Technology pathway before attending VSU’s Mass Media program. Ryan’s passion for movies and writing sprung from the 2nd Grade and has continued as he has won Young Georgia Authors’ Writing Competitions, film festival acting awards, and produced his own films. Ryan currently resides in Atlanta where he is still pursuing work both in-front and behind the camera.

Saturday’s schedule is jam packed. Moderating question and answer sessions with visiting filmmakers will be VSU Professors Dennis Conway, Joe Culverhouse, and Jonmichael Siebert, along with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s 2025 Instuctor of the Year John Patten, an alum of VSU’s Mass Media program. Greg Brown, faculty advisor with the award-winning VSU Spectator, will be leading a conversation with Georgia State professor Kate Fortmueller about her book “Below the Stars,” about the impact of labor in Hollywood.

Professor Melissa Pihos will be leading a workshop with Joey Travolta on Sunday at 1 pm at Pound Hall to take a behind-the-scenese look at “Lights Camera Friendship … On the Spectrum.” Pihos was involved both in-front and behind the camera of the production that took place here in 2024.

This year’s festival could not happen without the support of our community sponsors, including Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, the Walmart Community Grant, Georgia Power, the Georgia Film Office, Wild Adventures Theme Park, the Miracle League of Valdosta, Lowndes-Valdosta Tourism, the City of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Georgia Production Partnership, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, Downtown Social, Inclusion Films and Film Impact Georgia. Please support our sponsors.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com , SGFF25.Eventive.org , or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu.

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Valdosta State University alumni Brandi Moore, Ray Hannah, and Ryan Bryant.

SGFF ’25 Kicks Off With ‘Pinevale’ Documentary

Jason Brown

March 6, 2025

VALDOSTA, GA – The 2025 South Georgia Film Festival (SGFF) kicks off Thursday night at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts with the local documentary “Pinevale High: Separate, Unequal … Undeterred” with filmmakers Mark George and Willie Housel in attendance. Attendance is free for all to learn about the festival and watch the screening.

The South Georgia Film Festival previews their festival at the Turner Center with trailers for many of the weekend’s films before presenting a locally produced film. This year, that film is the documentary about the struggles of Pinevale High alumni. Dr. Housel with the Pinevale Alumni Association helped organize this documentary along with Dr. George.

Pinevale High School was located on the southside of Valdosta and last graduated students in 1969 when the school was forced to integrate. In the over fifty years since, alumni such as Housel have worked to keep the spirit of Pinevale alive in the community.

“We celebrate both the art and industry of filmmaking,” said Festival Director Jason Brown. “It’s hard work to tell such a powerful story visually. We applaud the hard work of Dr. George and Dr. Housel and want to share this film with the community.”

While the film has been screened previously at the Copeland African American Museum, long time SGFF supporter Sementha Mathews advocated for the film to be included in this year’s film festival to draw greater attention to the work.

“I just think we need to shine a light on the work being done in our community,” said Mathews, the Director of the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts. “We have to support our local artists and filmmaking is art.”

The community is encouraged to come out for the screening and to learn more about the weekend’s events. The festival has moved to Valdosta State’s North Campus across from the South Georgia Medical Center. With screenings and visiting filmmaker panels, there’s a full schedule of activities all weekend long. Saturday night will feature another locally produced film, Lights Camera Friendship … On the Spectrum with visiting filmmaker Joey Travolta. Taking place at the Dosta Playhouse, seating is limited, but free to the public. Festival passholder will be seated first.

Passes are currently on sale for $29.99, giving access to all screenings and panels along with a reception Friday night at the Health Science and Business Administration building and an after-party Saturday night at Downtown Social. VIP Passes for $99 also include a festival t-shirt, access to the filmmaker Green Room during the festival, and special access during both parties.

Students of all ages can get a free pass to all screenings and panels.

Celebrating their ninth year, the festival holding a raffle for a quilt made of t-shirts from pass seasons. Tickets are $5 and the winner will be drawn Sunday at noon during the Awards Ceremony in Pound Hall.

This year’s festival could not happen without the support of our community sponsors, including Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, the Walmart Community Grant, Georgia Power, the Georgia Film Office, Wild Adventures Theme Park, the Miracle League of Valdosta, Lowndes-Valdosta Tourism, the City of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Georgia Production Partnership, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, Lux Lighting, Downtown Social, Inclusion Films and Film Impact Georgia. Please support our sponsors.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com , SGFF25.Eventive.org , or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu.

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SGFF ’25 Hosts Regional Film Professionals

Jason Brown

March 4, 2025

VALDOSTA, GA – Regional film professionals descend on Valdosta State University’s campus this weekend for the 9th annual South Georgia Film Festival. Along with the many screenings, a collection of regional film professionals will be holding court throughout the week with panels and discussions. Speakers include active film professionals, regional film professors, and local filmmakers. To encourage college and high school students, passes are free with student ID for all screenings and panels.

University of Mississippi professor and filmmaker John Rash (left) and University of Georgia professor and filmmaker Marty Lang (right)

“As the film industry grows across Georgia, it is essential that our community take advantage of the resources of those who have already been making a difference,” said Festival Director Jason Brown. “We are honored every year at the number of film professionals that take their time to join us and share how they can help us grow.”

Beginning Thursday evening at the Turner Arts Center, the 2025 South Georgia Film Festival will hold its free preview night will full trailers and screening of a locally produced documentary. This year, Dr. Willie Housel and director Mark George will present their documentary “Pinevale High: Separate, Unequal, … Undeterred” and then talk with Professor Jason Brown before taking questions from the community. The Annette Howell Turner Center sponsors the free event for the community to meet local filmmakers and learn about the weekend’s events.

Saturday presents a full day of panels and screenings. At 11:30 am, Georgia State University professor Kate Fortmueller will discuss her latest book, “Below the Stars,” along with her previous book “Hollywood Shutdown.” Frotmueller’s work researching film and television labor has served to include her in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Atlantic, and more. The

At 12:30 pm, Professors Marty Lang of the University of Georgia’s MFA in Film program and John Rash of the University of Mississippi Center for the Study of Southern Culture will discuss both schools graduate and undergraduate programs incorporating filmmaking. The discussion will be moderated by VSU Assistant Professor Joe Culverhouse.

Ebony Blanding, the Emerging Creative in Residence at Trilith Studios, discusses how she has taken such a role at the state’s largest production facility and the feature film it has helped her to produce. Blanding’s work as a writer and filmmaker has screened across the globe, but she continues to work to represent her community and help support other creatives like herself. Professor Brown will talk with her at 3 pm Saturday.

At 1:30 pm Saturday, Allison Hogue of The Salvation Army’s Southern Territory will discuss her work as videographer, especially during times like this past Fall’s Hurricane Helene, where it was her job to document the tragedy and get help to those in need. The Salvation Army will also have their traveling canteen present to share what they do to bring aid.

The South Georgia Film Festival is proud to have Melissa Simpson, Executive Director of Film Impact Georgia (FIG), back again to discuss the amazing resources available to filmmakers throughout the state of Georgia. FIG’s mission to provide voice to those making independent films in Georgia starts with their annual grants. FIG has awarded $35,000 in grants since 2019 to filmmakers across the state. Along with FIG’s grant, Simpson will discuss the many other resources available for filmmakers to make their voice heard.

On Sunday, March 9, the festival’s last panel will be a more intimate conversation with director Joey Travolta about his transformative work with Inclusion Films, the impact of his film camps, and specifically the production of “Lights Camera Friendship on the Spectrum” here in Valdosta as well as Florida and California. VSU professor Melissa Pihos will lead the discussion.

“We work hard to bring people to Valdosta because most aspiring creators won’t run into these professionals on their way down Ashley Street,” said Jason Brown Festival Director. “Bringing filmmakers from across the country to Valdosta to engage our community has been our driving force for all of these years and we don’t plan to stop now!”

The festival will provide question and answer sessions after each film block for all visiting filmmakers to discuss their work. Festival passholders can also network with these professionals during our Friday evening reception at the VSU Health Science and Business Administration Building and Saturday night at Downtown Social for the After-Party.

This year’s festival could not happen without the support of our community sponsors, including Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, the Walmart Community Grant, Georgia Power, the Georgia Film Office, Wild Adventures Theme Park, the Miracle League of Valdosta, Lowndes-Valdosta Tourism, the City of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Georgia Production Partnership, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, Downtown Social, Inclusion Films and Film Impact Georgia. Please support our sponsors.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com , SGFF25.Eventive.org , or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu.

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Georgia State University professor Kate Fortmueller

University of Mississippi professor and filmmaker John Rash (left) and University of Georgia professor and filmmaker Marty Lang (right)

Trilith Emerging Creative in Residence Ebony Blanding

Allison Hogue, videographer with The Salvation Army’s Southern Territory

Melissa Simpson, Executive Director of Film Impact Georgia

Joey Travolta, director of “Lights Camera Friendship on the Spectrum”


South Georgia Film Festival logos

Cravener Composes for SGFF ’25

Jason Brown

March 3 , 2025

VALDOSTA, GA – Pianist Matthew Cravener will be presenting a panel on Film Composing Friday March 7 during the South Georgia Film Festival. The 30-year-old virtuoso has created the music for numerous films, including a recently Amazon prime mini-series. Cravener will be discussing his work with Valdosta State University professor David Springfield as well as performing during the Friday evening reception for Festival and VIP passholders. Passes are still available for the 2 pm panel and the evening performance.

Cravener began playing music at age 4 and learned to compose by ear. After releasing an album of his own gospel music, he moved to Hollywood to make it big. He was an emerging artist in residency at a label in Culver City, CA for a time. Due in part to the growing film industry in Georgia, Cravener was able to move back and lives outside Tallahassee where he continues to perfect his craft.

“The arts are so important to me,” Cravener said. “I have trouble thinking on my feet, but when I’m doing something that involves music, I am totally distracted from logistics and can be creative.”

Cravener’s scores have been included in audio books, documentaries, feature and short films. His joy for music has him performing at local clubs and assisted living facilities. Music is more than a profession for Cravener.

“Music makes me feel very calm and collected,” Cravener said. “I have Asperger’s and Tourette’s syndrome. For a long time in my adolescent years, it was hard for me to function. Playing piano used to calm the tics down. It relieves a lot of tension and makes my mind go to places.”

Professor Springfield will lead the panel in the VSU Health Science and Business Administration Room 1123. Professor Springfield is the Director of Jazz Studies, where he teaches piano and directs the Jazz Ensemble. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by such artists as Brandford Marsalis, Phil Woods, the Count Basie Orchestra and the Boston Pops.

This year’s South Georgia Film Festival will take place March 6, 7, 8, & 9 on the North Campus of Valdosta State University, with films from across the world with an emphasis on the art and industry growing here in the Southeast. College and high school students can register for free day passes, giving them access to all screenings and panels. Festival and VIP Passes provide access to our Friday and Saturday night receptions, along with other benefits.

“The South Georgia Film Festival is about bringing people to our part of the world to share this industry that is growing right in our backyard,” said Jason Brown Festival Director. “Bringing filmmakers from across the country to Valdosta to engage our community has been our driving force for all of these years and we don’t plan to stop now!”

The festival will also provide question and answer sessions after each film block for visiting filmmakers to discuss their work. Along with the film composing panel, look for other visiting artists such as Georgia State professor Kate Fortmueller, UGA professor Marty Lang, Ole Miss professor John Rash, and Allison Hogue with The Salvation Army’s Southern Territory headquarters.

This year’s festival could not happen without the support of our community sponsors, including Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, the Walmart Community Grant, Georgia Power, the Georgia Film Office, Wild Adventures Theme Park, the Miracle League of Valdosta, Lowndes-Valdosta Tourism, the City of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Georgia Production Partnership, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, Downtown Social, Inclusion Films and Film Impact Georgia. Please support our sponsors.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com , SGFF25.Eventive.org , or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu.

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Pianist and Film Composer Matthew CravenerValdosta State University Professor David Springfield (provided by VSU)