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)

‘Spiegelman’ to Screen at SGFF ’25

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

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.

“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 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.”

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 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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South Georgia Film Festival 2025
South Georgia Film Festival 2025

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

2025 SGFF Festival Passes Are NOW Available

Jason Brown

January 26, 2025

VALDOSTA, GA – The 2025 South Georgia Film Festival (SGFF) passes are now available. This year’s event 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.

While the festival will screen submissions from around the world, two projects were curated for our local community.

“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!”South Georgia Film Festival 2025

This year’s festival will feature a screening of the LIGHTS, CAMERA, FRIENDSHIP episode produced here in Valdosta. Filmmaker Joey Travolta’s docuseries examines friendship, connection and common ground through the perspective of young adults on the autism spectrum spending a week together. The young people create connections by making friends, shopping, learning to dance, and gathering with those like themselves. Along with Valdosta, the series visited other locations across the country including Lodi, California.

On Friday March 7, the film RATIFIED will screen at Pound Hall on the North Campus of Valdosta State. RATIFIED is a feature documentary about the 100-year struggle for constitutional gender equality, particularly an effort to make Virginia the 38th and final state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Co-director Sabaah Folayan will present the film and discuss some of the current events affecting the film.  

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 who is the Head of Marketing and Events with Moonshine Post & Founder of Atl Film Party, 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.

“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 party and show the world what you can do.”

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, the City of Valdosta, the Turner Center for the Arts, Georgia Production Partnership, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, 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.

South Georgia Film Festival 2025
South Georgia Film Festival 2025

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

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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2025 Submission Deadline extended to Dec. 9

Jason Brown

November 15, 2024

VALDOSTA, GA – The regular submission deadline has been extended for the 9th Annual South Georgia Film Festival to December 9. Professional and amateur filmmakers are encouraged to submit their work through FilmFreeway to participate in the Regional film festival, which includes screenings, networking, educational opportunities, and local entertainment. The 2025 festival will take place March 7, 8, & 9 across Valdosta with a growing number of partner organizations.

Promoting the art and industry of filmmaking here in South Georgia, the festival has been forced limit how it’s accepting submissions this year. Along with high school, college, and graduate student submissions, the festival continues to receive professional film submissions in documentary, animation, and narrative. Filmmakers unaware of the current limitations may have missed earlier deadlines.

“For the last decade, we’ve built a strong network of filmmakers across the country and the world, but one misstep can cause real damage,” 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!”

Winners from last year’s festival were very Georgia focused, including GUACAMOLE YESTERDAYS, feature film shot and produced here in Georgia from writer Hudson Phillips and director Jordan Noel; THE ONLY DOCTOR, a documentary about the healthcare challenges in rural Georgia by native filmmakers Matthew Hashiguchi and producer Anjanette Levert; and THE DAY THAT SHOOK GEORGIA, documenting the 1971 industrial explosion in Southeast Georgia, from director Patrick Longstreth.  

Students from all area high schools and college are encouraged to submit at https://filmfreeway.com/SOUTHGEORGIAFILMFESTIVAL. For submission waivers – high school students should use the code ( 24HighSchool ) and college students ( UnderGrad24Students ).

“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 party and show the world what you can do.”

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, the Turner Center for the Arts, the City of Valdosta, Georgia Production Partnership, and Film Impact Georgia.

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. Other sponsorship opportunities still exist.

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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Submission Information:

Visit: https://filmfreeway.com/SOUTHGEORGIAFILMFESTIVAL

Use the waiver codes:
            2024VSUMajors                        For VSU Students

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SGFF Announces 2024 Winners

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


(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)