South Georgia Film Festival Archives - South Georgia Film Festival

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.

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

2025 SGFF Festival Passes Are NOW Available

January 26, 2025January 26, 2025 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.

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 38^th 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.”

“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.

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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2025 Submission Deadline extended to Dec. 9

November 15, 2024November 14, 2024 Jason Brown

November 15, 2024

VALDOSTA, GA – The regular submission deadline has been extended for the 9^th 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 ).

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

24HighSchool For High School Students

UnderGrad24Students Non-VSU College Students

Student 24Grad For Graduate Students … from anywhere
Email: SouthGeorgiaFilm@Valdosta.edu for information on waivers for other categories

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.

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.

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

Film Professionals Add Educational Element to SGFF ‘24

January 29, 2024 Jason Brown

January 30, 2024

VALDOSTA, GA – Providing an educational element to the 2024 South Georgia Film Festival, numerous film professionals attend and host panels for the community. Educational opportunities this year include author Heather Hale, Marti King Young from ABC’s “Will Trent,” University of Central Florida assistant professor Betsy Kalin, documentary filmmaker Nicole Triche, and Valdosta State University assistant professor Chalise Ludlow. Tickets are on-sale now for the 8^th Annual SGFF on March 1, 2, & 3.

“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. Providing an inside look at the industry from professionals can only help grow film for our young people and those looking to take advantage of the opportunities that currently exist.”

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. Heather Hale, author of “How to Work the Film & TV Markets” and “Story Selling,” will lead a panel on preparing a Pitch Deck for projects raising funds, including working with visiting filmmakers on ways to improve the quality and reach of their presentation document. Participating in the panel will be Georgia filmmakers Chris Flippo, director of “Edge of Town” and “Down and Yonder,” along with Leanna Adams and Kristina Arjona, co-directors of “Christmas with Jerks.”

Marti King Young has been a mulit-hyphenate of a different sort. Along with being a screenwriter and developing her own projects, such as the award winning film “The Adventures of Wonderboy,” she has taken on many other roles to be a part of the film and television industry. Currently the Assistant to the Producer for ABC’s “Will Trent,” Young has served as a PA (“The Circus”), Production Coordinator (“Patsy & Loretta”), Assistant to the Line Producer (“Genius”), and much more. She will be presenting a panel on the unsung role of Assistants in film production careers.

Besty Kalin, Assistant Professor in the Film & Mass Media Department at the University of Central Florida, will be showcasing her work-in-progress “Dreaming in Somali” as part of a presentation on Documentary Ethics. Kalin was nominated for an Emmy for her documentary “Vision 2030” Future of SoCal.”

Documentary filmmaker Nicole Triche will be screening her film “Curtsy” as well as talking about the challenges and opportunities for student filmmakers. Triche, Associate Professor of Cinema and Television Arts at Elon University, has overseen numerous award winning student projects screened at RiverRun, Full Frame, and a student Academy Award winner.

Valdosta State University assistant professor Chalise Ludlow has been recognized nationally for her work in costume design beyond her work with the Peach State Summer Theater. She and Madison Grant will be presenting on the value of quality costuming and props on productions. Ludlow began her work at Brigham Young University, but completed her MFA in Costume Design at the University of Alabama.

Promoting the art and industry of filmmaking, the South Georgia Film Festival has received a record number of submissions from across the globe since April for the 2024 festival. Along with high school, college, and graduate student submissions, the festival showcases professional film submissions in documentary, animation, and narrative. Along with special guest Dan Mirvish, the festival features film professionals from the Southeast and networking events for visiting filmmakers and attendees.

Winners from last year’s festival include OPAL, the animated feature from France; STAY WITH ME, the narrative feature film from University of Memphis professor Marty Lang; and JACK HAS A PLAN, a documentary feature about assisted suicide from director Bradley Berman and producer Chris Metzler.

Discounted tickets are on-sale now before going full price on Feb. 1. Early VIP Passes are $99, while early Festival Passes are $29. Day passes will be available during the festival for $19.99 and include all 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.

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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Documentary Filmmaker Nicole Triche

http://www.nicoletriche.com/

Screenwriter Marti King Young

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3861885/

Author Heather Hale

www.HeatherHale.com

Assistant Professor Betsy Kalin

https://communication.ucf.edu/person/betsy-kalin/

Assistant Professor Chalise Ludlow

www.chaliseludlow.com

Submission Deadline Approaches for 8th Annual SGFF

December 5, 2023December 5, 2023 Jason Brown

December 6, 2022

VALDOSTA, GA – The submission deadline for the 8^th Annual South Georgia Film Festival is December 18. Professional and amateur filmmakers are encouraged to submit their work through FilmFreeway to participate in the Regional film festival, which includes screenings, networking and educational opportunities, and local entertainment. The 2024 festival will take place March 1, 2, & 3 across Valdosta with a growing number of partner organizations.

Promoting the art and industry of filmmaking here in South Georgia, the festival has been accepting submissions from across the globe since April. The festival has already received a record number of films across all categories. Along with high school, college, and graduate student submissions, the festival continues to receive professional film submissions in documentary, animation, and narrative.

“Film is growing across South Georgia and we continue to be proud to be a part of it,” 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.

To encourage submissions from local high school students, students who register for the Feb. 12, Valdosta State University Student Experience will receive a fee waiver. Registration is available on the SouthGeorgiaFilm.com website.

This year’s festival could not happen without the support of our community sponsors, including Georgia Power, Valdosta State University, the Georgia Film Office, the Turner Center for the Arts, Georgia Production Partnership, 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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Looking for 2024 SGFF Screeners

December 5, 2023December 3, 2023 Jason Brown

We have a great joy this year that we have more submissions than ever before – just shy of 600! And our deadline isn’t until Dec. 18.

Oh wait – we need people to help watch all of these films!

We would really appreciate your help going through all of these amazing films to get down to the approximately 100 films that will screen at the South Georgia Film Festival.

What does this mean

As a screener, you’ll watch a bunch of films from professional and student filmmakers. You’ll rate them. From there, we’ll make our decisions on which films will get into the festival. Your opinions help us make the final decision – so if you love something tell us! And if you don’t like something – tell us that, too!

We aren’t expecting you to be the Valdosta version of Roger Ebert. Just tell us what you think.

What do you get

For being a screener, we are happy to reward you for your hard work.

I personally will give you:

My undying gratitude
A Day pass to one day during the festival.

If you watch over 8 hours of films

My undying appreciation
A Festival Pass for the whole weekend

If you watch over 20 hours of films

My Undead Gratitude & Appreciation
Uncomfortable fawning on the social platform of your choosing
A Festival Pass and a t-shirt from a previous year’s festival

If you watch over 40 hours of film

This is your present to me for my 50^th birthday. Bless you!
Uncomfortable fawning on ALL social platforms that SGFF is currently on – even if you couldn’t get a code to that BluSky thing people are talking about
A VIP Passes for you with a t-shirt from this year’s festival

Keeping Track

As a screener, you’ll create a free account on FilmFreeway.com. It makes it easy for you to see the films from home – and keeps track of all the wonderful work you do for us.

If you’ve done this before, you know the drill.

Go to Film Freeway & Log-in
Watch a film (if you see two other people have watched a film, pick another one)
Rate a film
Note if there is sex, drugs, language or violence
Repeat

Our rules ask for ONLY PG-13 type films.

Very Very FAQ

We screen approximately 100 films every year during the South Georgia Film Festival. And while we received a lot of great films, the difference between the top 25 films that everyone is talking about during the festival and that 250^th film that was submitted isn’t as close as you think. We’re not Sundance (which by the way received 10,000 short films this last year – and screened 64).

If you like a film – tell us. In the rating section, there are 10 categories – tell us why you like the film.

And if you don’t know why – you just do …. GREAT! You’ve watched tons of stuff, you know when you like something.

But … and I hate to say this … you’re not going to like them all. Even if you have a heart of gold like my wife, sometimes you’ll know – that’s not what we want.

And don’t worry – if you only kinda like films, the ones folks LOVE will rise to the top. Math is like that.

So, Now what?

If you’re ready to go – sign-up below

https://mailchi.mp/3b06af2ce848/zxzfqvwnk5

Get Your SGFF Halloween T-Shirt

October 9, 2023October 9, 2023 Jason Brown

While the South Georgia Film Festival happens once a year – our students keep it going all year long.

To help support the festival, we will begin posting designs & tchotkes on Etsy.

Our first design is of yours & my favorite fast-food meme mixed with a bit of Halloween flair!

https://southgeorgiafilm.etsy.com/listing/1584701993

(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)