Event Archives - South Georgia Film Festival

SGFF ’25 Kicks Off With ‘Pinevale’ Documentary

March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 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

March 4, 2025March 1, 2025 Jason Brown

March 4, 2025

VALDOSTA, GA – Regional film professionals descend on Valdosta State University’s campus this weekend for the 9^th 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

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

‘Spiegelman’ to Screen at SGFF ’25

February 26, 2025February 26, 2025 Jason Brown

‘Spiegelman’ to Screen at SGFF ‘25

February 27, 2025

VALDOSTA, GA – The new documentary about author Art Spiegelman will screen March 7 and 9 as part of the 2025 South Georgia Film Festival. Spiegelman, a renowned artist with the New Yorker, TOPPS, and many 1960’s underground comics, is the only graphic novelist to receive the Pulitzer Prize. His work, MAUS: A SUVIVOR’S TALE, retells his father’s time as a Jewish prisoner during the Holocaust with the characters depicted as animals, particularly mice, cats and dogs.

Author Art Spiegelman (provided by Cargo Films)

“We are so lucky to be able to show this timely film during this year’s South Georgia Film Festival,” said Festival Director, Jason Brown. “The power of MAUS is not only in its story of survival but by using the comics medium it helped millions of people connect with a story better than through words alone.”

Spiegelman has returned to notoriety due outcries of book censorship when libraries in Tennessee banned his books due to the coarse language and not being “age-appropriate.” Spiegelman’s early work with MAD Magazine as well as experimental and transgressive comics of the late 1960’s and 70’s appears to some as contrast to his work with TOPPS bubble gum cards, but Spiegelman also famously created the parody series “Garbage Pail Kids.” Parental discretion is advised.

The Spiegelman documentary will be paired with the short film “Watching Walter,” about the true story of Wladyslaw “Walter” Wojnas, who became a master watchmaker during World War II’s Nazi occupied Poland. Both screenings will be at Pound Hall. See schedule for times.

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.

“For the last decade, we’ve built a strong network of filmmakers across the country and the world,” 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!”

Along with the many films to be screened at this year’s festival, panels and networking opportunities will be held to help our community learn more about the film industry and ways to participate. This year’s panels include Allison Hogue with the SALVATION ARMY of Georgia, who will talk about her work specifically during Hurricane Helene to use video to get resources to those in need; Melissa Simpson of FILM IMPACT GEORGIA (FIG), who will discuss FIG’s bi-annual grant for native Georgia Filmmakers along with many resources available across the state for those interested in filmmaking; Marty Lang of the University of Georgia and John Rash of University of Mississippi, who will discuss their respective MFA programs in filmmaking in the South; Kate Fortmueller of Georgia State University, who will take about her recent book BELOW THE STARS; Brooke Sonenreich with Moonshine Post, and director Ebony Blanding, who will discuss her time as the 2024 Emerging Creative in Residence at Trilith Studios and the production of her film “A Mess of Memories.”

The festival will also provide question and answer sessions after each film block for visiting filmmakers to discuss their work, along with a panel with alumni from the Valdosta State University Mass Media program and contributions from Valdosta State University faculty including Melissa Pihos and Christy Yates.

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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Joey Travolta Returns to Valdosta for SGFF 25

February 5, 2025February 5, 2025 Jason Brown

February 7, 2025

VALDOSTA, GA –Joey Travolta returns to Valdosta to screen LIGHTS, CAMERA, FRIENDSHIP as part of the 2025 South Georgia Film Festival. Travolta, along with several of the film’s participants, will screen the film at the ‘Dosta Playhouse Saturday, March 8 at 7 pm. Sponsored by Lowndes County, the City of Valdosta, Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center and Tourism Authority, and the Miracle League of Valdosta, the limited seating event will be free to the public the day of the event.

“We want to support projects like this,” said Councilman Andy Gibbs, Director of the Miracle League of Valdosta. “Bringing productions like this to town year after year.”

LIGHTS, CAMERA, FRIENDSHIP is a series produced by Travolta and Inclusion Films examining friendship and connection between young adults on the autism spectrum. The Inclusion Film Workshops take people with development challenges through the process of making a film. In 2024, Robert Varnedoe Executive Producer brought a crew of 20 and cast of 13 to Valdosta for a week to participate in the filming! These young people created connections by making friends, shopping, learning to dance, and gathering with those like themselves. Along with Valdosta, the episode shot in Lodi, California has screened at the San Diego International Film Festival.

“This is subject means a great deal to me,” Travolta said. “We enjoyed our time in Valdosta and can’t wait to share our work with the community.”

Sunday, March 9, Travolta and Valdosta State University professor Melissa Pihos will host a workshop discussing the process of making the Valdosta episode along with some of the activities the young people participated in during their week. The film will also screen after the workshop.

South Georgia Film Festival (SGFF) passholders will have access to first-come reserved seating with the remaining seats free to the public. SGFF passes are now available, with festival and VIP passes giving access to screenings all weekend along with after parties and networking events. College and high school students can register for free passes to all screenings and panels.

This year’s film festival will take place March 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.

Along with the many films to be screened at this year’s festival, panels and workshops will be held to help our community learn more about the film industry and ways to participate. This year’s panels include Emily Best of SEED & SPARK, who will discuss crowdfunding and how we can build an film industry independent of Hollywood; Allison Hogue with the SALVATION ARMY of Georgia, who will talk about her work specifically during Hurricane Helene to use video to get resources to those in need; Melissa Simpson of FILM IMPACT GEORGIA (FIG), who will discuss FIG’s bi-annual grant for native Georgia Filmmakers along with many resources available across the state for those interested in filmmaking; Marty Lang of the University of Georgia and John Rash of University of Mississippi, who will discuss their respective MFA programs in filmmaking in the South; Kate Fortmueller of Georgia State University, who will take about her recent book BELOW THE STARS; Brooke Sonenreich with Moonshine Post, and director Ebony Blanding, who will discuss her time as the 2024 Emerging Creative in Residence at Trilith Studios and the production of her film “A Mess of Memories.”

This year’s festival could not happen without the support of our community sponsors, including Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, the Georgia Film Office, the Walmart Community Grant, Wild Adventures Theme Park, the City of Valdosta, Georgia Production Partnership, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, the Turner Center for the Arts, and Film Impact Georgia.

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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Joey Travolta, Director of LIGHTS CAMERA FRIENDSHIP. Photo from Inclusion Films website.

Marty Lang to Discuss Georgia’s MFA Film Program at VSU Jan 22

January 16, 2025January 16, 2025 Jason Brown

Sign up for news about the 2025 South Georgia Film Festival

https://mailchi.mp/49f1b92c5682/ei14lg1ach

VALDOSTA, GA – Professor Marty Lang will be talking to the Valdosta State students about the University of Georgia’s MFA in Film program this coming Wednesday, January 22, at noon in Mass Media Rm 1001. Everyone is invited to attend.

As the Director of the Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television & Digital Media program at the University of Georgia, Lang will be talking about the difference between the MFA and other graduate degrees and UGA’s program in particular.

Since Lang took over the program, UGA’s MFA program was recently listed among the top 50 film programs in the country. The MFA students are able to take classes at working soundstages in Athens and Trilith, GA.

Lang is an award-winning teacher, filmmaker and writer. His book, The Self-Stustaining Filmmaker, was published in 2024. He has written and directed two feature films, including STAY WITH ME, named best feature film at the 2023 South Georgia Film Festival. Prof. Lang is scheduled to be a visiting judge at this year’s SGFF, March 7-9.

https://www.drama.uga.edu/directory/people/marty-lang

For more information, contact Prof. Jason Brown by emailing jasonebrown@valdosta.edu

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SGFF Announces 2024 Winners

March 5, 2024August 28, 2024 Jason Brown

SouthGeorgiaFilm.com

March 5, 2024

VALDOSTA, GA – The South Georgia Film Festival announced its 2024 winners and additional screenings. Georgia filmmakers had a big night, with Best of Fest winner going to Hudson Phillips’ GUACAMOLE YESTERDAYS and Best of Georgia going to THE DAY THAT SHOOK GEORGIA by Patrick Longstreth. The South Georgia Film Festival has partnered with Wiregrass Technical College for two screenings Wednesday, March 6 at 2 pm and 6 pm of the winning films.

Along with the two top awards, recognition was given to films across the categories. GUACAMOLE YESTERDAYS also won for Best Feature Film. Matthew Hashiguchi’s THE ONLY DOCTOR captured the award for Best Feature Documentary. Georgia based Vanishing Angle captured Best Narrative Short with SHADOW BROTHER SUNDAY directed by Alden Ehrenreich. Sunflower County Film Academy, along with Florida State professor Brian Graves and Pablo Correa, captured the Documentary Short category with the film AN ARMY RISING UP. Recognized in the Best Animation category, Ryotaro Sawada and Agatha Tiara Christa of Savannah College of Art & Design won for GORO GORO. Florida State student Raven Carter won for Best Graduate Narrative with the film WHITEWASHED. Georgia native and current University of Southern California student Shannon Morrall won for Best Graduate Documentary for SPEAR.SPATULA.SUBMARINE. Keith Cohen’s documentary about service animals, HEALING PAWS, recognized for Undergraduate Student Fillm. DEAN’S LIST by Kennedy Reid of Savannah recognized for High School Student Film. Due to the number of International films, JUST… from Kazikstan by Amir Kaken recognized for International Short Film. Danielle Beverly’s film QATAR STARS was recognized for International Feature Film. The judges also recognized William H. Capps for his Set Design for the film IN THE PINES, and Safiya Songhai for Social Impact with her film INTERCEPTION – JAYNE KENNEDY AMERICAN SPORTSCASTER.

“We are lucky to be able to partner with Wiregrass Technical College and have them screen a collection of these winning films on their campus,” said Jason Brown, Festival Director of the South Georgia Film Festival. “With two screenings, Wednesday March 6, folks that were unable to attend the weekend will have another opportunity to see the films.

This year’s winners were determined by a wide variety of judges – both nationally recognized professionals and local community members. Along with screening their films and participating in panels, this year’s judges included director Dan Mirvish, Nic LaRue of Film Snobbery, Betsy Kaplin of University of Central Florida, author Heather Hale, Georgia Film Academy instructor Nicole Kemper, screenwriter Marti King Young, set designer Segrio Sanchez Selva, and previous SGFF winners Kyle Taubken and Costas Karalis.

Local judges include Kendrick King of Lowndes High School, Tim Drexler and John Patten of Wiregrass Technical College, and Jessica Ganas of the Lowndes County Courthouse.

This year’s festival included over forty visiting filmmakers from as far as California and as near as a student from Cook County. The festival added to the local economy with hotel stays, gasoline purchases, and food.

“The growth of the film industry in South Georgia is about how it can help feed the other parts of our economy as well,” Brown said.

Promoting the art and industry of filmmaking, the South Georgia Film Festival will begin accepting submissions starting in April 2024. Next year’s festival will take place March 7, 8, & 9, 2025.

This year’s festival could not happen without the support of our community sponsors, including Georgia Power, Valdosta State University, the Wal-Mart Community Grant, the Georgia Film Office, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Georgia Production Partnership, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Association, Creative Vein Studios, Downtown Social, Lowndes County, and Film Impact Georgia.

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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Photos from the 2024 South Georgia Film Festival

SGFF Announces 2024 Schedule & Official Selections

February 12, 2024February 12, 2024 Jason Brown

SouthGeorgiaFilm.com
https://southgeorgiafilm.com/?p=1200

Feb. 13, 2024

VALDOSTA, GA – The South Georgia Film Festival announced its 2024 Schedule and official selections. Taking place March 1, 2, & 3, the 8^th Annual South Georgia Film Festival will screen 77 films, including “18 ½” with special guest Dan Mirvish. With 24 Georgia made films, the festival will screen some prominent films including The Only Doctor, The Day That Shook Georgia, Wokman and Interception – Jayne Kennedy American Sportscaster. The festival includes full length feature films and shorts, from professionals and students from around the world.

“This year has been one of the most competitive yet,” Festival Director Jason Brown said. “With more submissions than ever from more places than ever, we are so excited to share this schedule with our community.”

Along with panels from industry professionals and networking events across town, this year’s screenings will take place at the Valdosta State University Student Union, beginning March 1. Link to the schedule and how to buy tickets are on the website SouthGeorgiaFilm.com

“The Only Doctor” tells the story of Clay County, GA Dr. Karen Kinsell struggle to maintain her medical clinic in the poor, rural community along the Georgia-Alabama border. The feature film will screen March 2 at 11:30 am with director Matthew Hashiguchi in attendance.

“The Day That Shook Georgia” recounts one of the worst industrial tragedies in US History that took place in Southeast Georgia in 1971. The film has already won the 2023 Better Angels Lavine Fellowship as part of the Ken Burns Prize for Film. The short will screen in a block Friday, March 1 at 3:30 pm with director Patrick Longstreth and survivors in attendance.

During last year’s Film Impact Georgia presentation, Jeremy Thao discussed his upcoming film “Wokman” which won a FIG filmmaker grant. This year, he is back to screen the film about one Chinese family’s pursuit of the American Dream.

Featured in the NFL Films documentary “You Are Looking Live,” which aired prior to the 2024 Super Bowl, Jayne Kennedy’s place as an NFL sportscaster has not received the recognition she deserves, according to Brent Musburger. In “Interception: Jayne Kennedy – American Sportscaster,” learn more about the groundbreaking reporter at the screening Friday, March 1 at 3:30 pm with director Safiya Songhai in attendance.

Nearly half of all the films are expected to have someone from the production present during the festival to talk with attendees.

“Film professionals continue to connect at the South Georgia Film Festival,” said Jason Brown SGFF Festival Director. “Bringing filmmakers from across the country to Valdosta to engage our community has been our driving force for all of these years.”

Along with the film screenings and networking opportunities, the South Georgia Film Festival also provides opportunities to learn about the fastest growing industry in Georgia. Every year showcases different elements. This year’s panels showcase different ways to be a part of the film industry. This year’s presenters include author and consultant Heather Hale, Marti King Young from ABC’s “Will Trent,” Betsy Kalin of the University of Central Florida, Elon University’s Nicole Triche, and VSU’s Chalise Ludlow and Madison Grant.

Promoting the art and industry of filmmaking, the South Georgia Film Festival has received a record number of submissions from across the globe for the 2024 festival. Along with high school, college, and graduate student submissions, the festival showcases professional film submissions in documentary, animation, and narrative. This year’s judges will include many of the visiting professionals as well as important members of the Valdosta community.

“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. Be a part of the party and show the world what you can do.”

Passes are available now at SouthGeorgiaFilm.com. Festival passes ($45) give access to all of the films and panels, along with admission to the Friday opening night kickoff at the renovated Lowndes County Courthouse and the Saturday night celebration at Downtown Social. Our VIP Passes ($125) also includes daily access backstage into the Festival Green room for snacks and where you can meet visiting filmmakers, a festival t-shirt, and special access at each night’s party. Limited Day Passes will be available the week of the festival, for access to screenings and panels. All college and high school students can attend screenings and panels for free, and receive a discounted Festival pass for inclusion to the night parties.

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. For more information about tickets and the upcoming schedule, visit 24SGFF.Eventive.org

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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Posters for the featured films

The South Georgia Film Festival Returns For Year 6

January 20, 2022February 12, 2022 Jason Brown

January 21, 2022

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.

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.

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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Vote Best Poster for the 2021 South Georgia Film Festival

March 9, 2021March 9, 2021 Jason Brown

This year, we’re asking YOU to choose the winner of the best poster from the 2021 South Georgia Film Festival.

Check out the survey below and vote for your favorite poster from over 100 films in the 2021 South Georgia Film Festival.
If your favorite didn’t load – please be sure to add it at the bottom!

Some of the posters from the 2021 South Georgia Film Festival

https://forms.gle/dVW4zFkfU3NRyZfp8

Voting / Virtual Screenings end Friday March 12.

The winning film’s poster will receive a trophy created by Harmon Awards in Valdosta.

“Dolphin Island” highlights Family Friendly 2021 SGFF

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021 Jason Brown

Feb 22, 2021

VALDOSTA, GA – As part of the Family Friendly block, the 5^th Annual South Georgia Film Festival will be screening DOLPHIN ISLAND, March 7 to wrap up the 2021 festival. Running March 5 – 7, this year’s South Georgia Film Festival will incorporate open-air screenings like DOLPHIN ISLAND on the campus of Valdosta State University as well as virtual screenings of over 100 films.

Starting at 7:30 pm, the Family Friendly Block screening will include two short films as well. Director Mike Disa’s feature film DOLPHIN ISLAND is about fourteen-year-old Annabel strives to live with her grandfather on a Caribbean Island after her parents pass away. Next up is CALF ROPE, about a rodeo champion grandfather teaching his suburban grandson some new tricks, and then HANGRY, about a reverend fighting for adequate food at the nursing home.

Due to COVID, this year’s South Georgia Film Festival will look a bit different. DOLPHIN ISLAND is one of only four feature films we’ll be screening in the open-air, on the campus of Valdosta State University. Beginning March 5, we will screen a feature film each night of the festival along with relevant short films beginning at 7:30 pm.

Friday night, we will feature BLEEDING AUDIO, a rock documentary about the band THE MATCHES. Saturday night, director Carter Adkins will be showing his film JENNA BUMS THE LOVESEAT, along with the feature film ADRIFT UNDER LIGHT and some short films by Valdosta State University alums, Abbey Spacil’s SONYA SLIDEZ and Lucas Hicks’ YOUR NAME. During the day Saturday March 6, Chuck Thomas of the Atlanta Film Chat podcast will be recording interviews with visiting filmmakers to be broadcast on WVVS radio Valdosta.

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.

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Here is a trailer for DOLPHIN ISLAND – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeEn1kfFz-4

Here is a link to our program guide for 2021 – https://sgff21.eventive.org/films

Here is a collection of our updated press releases – http://southgeorgiafilm.com/news/

Actress Taylor Jade with Mitzy the Dolphin. Provided by Dolphin Island.TV

(l to r) Filmmakers T.L Westgate, Daniel Woods, Keri Maletto, Danielle Beverly, Drew Youngblood, and Allegra Novikov (Photo by Jason Brown)
(l to r) Jessica Ganas of the Lowndes County Courthouse and coach Tony Pierce representing the film INTERCEPTION (photo submitted)	(l to r) Hank Bagwell, director of OPERATION SONG, and Herb Harbaugh
(l to r) Student Festival Director Genesis Greenlee, GUACAMOLE YESTERDAYS’ Director of Photography Trisha Solyn and Producer Michelle Moreland, and Festival Director Jason Brown (Photo by Caleb Davis)