Tag: Valdosta Main Street

The South Georgia Film Festival Returns For Year 6

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.

“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.”

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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SGFF Announces 2020 Festival Awards

Jason Brown

March 16, 2020

VALDOSTA, GA – Concluding the 2020 South Georgia Film Festival, several local and regional films were rewarded with trophies and recognition. The film Speed of Life, directed by Liz Manshil, won Best of Fest, while Danielle Beverly’s documentary Dusty Groove captured best Feature Film. Festival attendees chose the inaugural Best Poster award for Life Binder, produced by Valdosta State University alum Terrel Sandefur.

Director Douglas Cullen was on-hand to receive the Best Short Film award for his film Portrait of a Woman at Dawn, which was also recognized for Best Production Design. Florida State University students Skylar Theis and William O’Neal won Best College Film for King, Charles. California native Nick Sherman won Best High School film for Earth Defence Force.

Each of the category winners above received a trophy created by Harmons’ Awards in Valdosta. Those present also received a prize package from streaming service MUBI and a blu-ray of the film Matewan, featuring VSU professor Jason Brown’s film Them That Work, donated by Criterion Collection.

The festival judges also wanted recognize other films in the festival including, Imani’s Skin for Best Animation, made by Florida State student Jessica Kirby; Best Featurette to A Rodeo Film by Ryan Binse of the American Film Institute; Best Visual Effects to Journey by Radheya Jegatheva from Australia.

Along with the direct support for this year’s winners, the South Georgia Film Festival includes sponsorships from Georgia Power, Georgia Beer Company, the Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Ashley Street Station, the City of Valdosta, the Williams Hotel Group, MUBI, and the Criterion Channel.

Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses.

The 2021 South Georgia Film Festival will be held March 5, 6, and 7 and will begin accepting submissions soon. Both high school and college submissions are free until July 1, 2020.

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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SGFF Gives Preview of Black Barbie documentary

Jason Brown

March 3, 2020

VALDOSTA, GA – The South Georgia Film Festival presents a special work-in-progress screening of the definitive history of black dolls, Black Barbie, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the dolls introduction in 1980. Filmmaker Lagueria Davis’ film about her aunt Beluah Mae Mitchell, who helped introduce the first black version of Mattel’s Barbie, explores the struggle for representation.

“It took a Black woman in the design and leadership position to get a Black Barbie,” Davis said. “That very first doll really is validation that my aunt and Kitty Black Perkins were seen and heard.”

Along with the support of the Valdosta State University African-American Studies Department, this screening of Black Barbie is part of the project’s development process. Having participated in several prestigious work-in-progress retreats and labs over the last year to fully fund the documentary, Davis is continue to rework the project looking for feedback and conversation on the topic.

“Unlike Hollywood blockbusters, independent films need community support,” said Jason Brown, South Georgia Film Festival director. “They need feedback to tell the best story and funding to make the best film.”

Davis has found success with Black Barbie as she continues to grow in her career. Graduaing from the University of Oklahoma, Davis feature screenplay Maid of Honor was a Quarter-Finalist for the highly acclaimed Nicholls Fellowship. After Black Barbie allowed Davis to be chosen as a BAVC Mediamaker fellow, a 2019 Logan Nonfiction Fellow, and to be a finalist for the Screencraft Film Fund, she was hired to write for an upcoming network television program.

Moderated by Alicia Pryor, of the Valdosta State University Mass Media program, the work-in-progress screening will include portions of the film, along with time for feedback from those in attendance. Davis, currently working as a writer on an upcoming cable television program, plans to be Skyping into the presention.

Along with the support of the African-American studies department, the South Georgia Film Festival includes sponsorships from Georgia Power, Georgia Beer Company, the Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Ashley Street Station, the City of Valdosta, the Williams Hotel Group, MUBI, and the Criterion Channel.

Festival screenings will take place at the VSU Student Union Theater at the corner of Baytree and North Oak Street. Over the three days, visitors can park at both the Oak Street Parking Deck and the University Center parking lot. With numerous panels and screenings, attendees will find plenty to do.

Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses. This year’s festival has also includes panelists Richard Baxter to discuss Columbus, GA new tax incentives for film, Brent Simond of Illinois State University to discuss crowdfunding his documentary on country music, the Georgia Production Partnership’s South Regional meeting, and much more.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt and access to the VIP areas costs $100. The Festival Pass which offers access to all screenings, panels and daily events are $40. Day Passes are $15 for all screenings and panels. Both High School and College students can get a free Day Pass with their school id to all screenings and panels.

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

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SGFF Adds News Sponsors for 2020

Jason Brown

February 28, 2020

VALDOSTA, GA – Hosting the fourth annual South Georgia Film Festival requires plenty of support from sponsors across our community. The festival is proud to announce that the addition of Film In South Georgia, the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority and the Criterion Channel this year to bring filmmakers to our community and support their time here.

 “Our mission is to encourage business development in what we see as a flourishing area for industry,” said Andrea Schruijer, Executive Director of the the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority. “The film industry continues to flourish in Georgia. We want to support bringing filmmakers to our community to better understand why we should be a part of that.”

Film in South Georgia, made up of production companies and professionals lobbying to bring production to the area, also serves as a resource to help equip the surrounding area to benefit from the film industry.

Along with the VLDA, the festival also has the Criterion Channel as a sponsor this year. Criterion has dedicated to publishing important classic and contemporary films from around the world since 1984. The Criterion Channel is a new streaming platform for those films, along with ancillary material such as behind the scenes documentaries and other original programming. This past year, Criterion published its edition of MATEWAN, the 1985 film by John Sayles, and included the documentary THEM THAT WORK, by festival Director Jason Brown. Criterion has donated copies of MATEWAN for the winning filmmakers and their book of postcards representing the posters from many of their collection.

Returning sponsors to the festival include Georgia Power, Georgia Beer Company, the Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, Georgia Production Partnership, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Ashley Street Station, the City of Valdosta, the Williams Hotel Group, and MUBI.

Festival screenings will take place at the VSU Student Union Theater at the corner of Baytree and North Oak Street. Over the three days, visitors can park at both the Oak Street Parking Deck and the University Center parking lot. With numerous panels and screenings, attendees will find plenty to do. The Georgia Production Partnership’s panel on bringing productions to South Georgia will be free for everyone.

Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses. This year’s festival has also includes panelists Richard Baxter to discuss Columbus, GA new tax incentives for film, Brent Simond of Illinois State University to discuss crowdfunding his documentary on country music, and much more.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt and access to the VIP areas costs $100. The Festival Pass which offers access to all screenings, panels and daily events are $40. Day Passes are $15 for all screenings and panels. Both High School and College students can get a free Day Pass with their school ID to all screenings and panels.

For more information on the South Georgia Film Festival, visit SouthGeorgiaFilm.com or contact Prof. Jason Brown at 229-219-1298 or jasonebrown@valdosta.edu. The festival schedule and ticket information is available at http://sgff2020.eventive.org

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Judges Bring Impressive Experience to 2020 SGFF

Jason Brown

February 27, 2020

VALDOSTA, GA – Along with the films and panels, the South Georgia Film Festival (SGFF) is bringing film professionals to judge this year’s competitive films. With judges from across the state and the nation, the quality of eyes on this year’s films is impressive.

Some of our visiting filmmakers will also be helping judge films. Brent Simond will be screening his documentary about the country music singer Verlon Thompson, “Sweet Dreams Do Come True,” as well as holding a panel about how he raised the money for the films’ music rights. Simond is a professor at Illinois State University and will be that expertise as a judge.

The forces behind Film Impact Georgia, Molly Coffee and Melissa Simpson, return this year as both panelists and judges. Coffee, a native of Brooks County, has been creating works through her Zombie Cat productions, such animations, puppetry, and set design. Simpson, a graduate of North Georgia, has extensive production and festival experience, most recently with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. The two will be talking about Film Impact Georgia’s role in preserving local filmmaking in the state with such projects as their bi-annual film grant during the panel on Saturday, March 7.

Award-winning filmmaker and artist, Jeff Shipman, will be joining the SGFF for the first time. With experience shooting music videos and documentaries, Shipman is a Georgia State University graduate.

Coming down from the Mid-Georgia, Tabitha Walker has been in the film and video production industry for the last two decades, along with currently serving as programmer for the Macon Film Festival. Walkers’ Big Hair Productions has worked on corporate videos, network and cable television, and along film productions of various sizes.

John Bring, Valdosta State University alum and writer for the TV show “Supernatural,” won’t be attending the festival in person, but will be serving as a judge as they complete production on his TV show. Bring has vast experience in movie production from being a director, actor, and production assistant on hit TV Shows and independent horror films.

Other VSU alums participating as judges including Ryan Adams from Tift Regional Hospital, Dynasty Tennison with Black News Channel, Marcus McConico of Channel 17, and Christine Jones.

Festival screenings will take place at the VSU Student Union Theater at the corner of Baytree and North Oak Street. The festival added the use of the Odum Library auditorium this year, located beside the Student Union. Over the three days, visitors can park at both the Oak Street Parking Deck and the University Center parking lot. With numerous panels and screenings across both locations, attendees will find plenty to do.

Returning sponsors to the festival include Georgia Power, Georgia Beer Company, the Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Ashley Street Station, the City of Valdosta, the Williams Hotel Group, and MUBI.

Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses. This year’s festival has also includes panelists Richard Baxter to discuss Columbus, GA new tax incentives for film, Brent Simond of Illinois State University to discuss crowdfunding his documentary on country music, the Georgia Production Partnership’s South Regional meeting, and much more.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt and access to the VIP areas costs $100. The Festival Pass which offers access to all screenings, panels and daily events are $40. Day Passes are $15 for all screenings and panels. Both High School and College students can get a free Day Pass with their school id to all screenings and panels.

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

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“Sgt Stubby” comes to SGFF for Family Fun

Jason Brown

February 22, 2020

VALDOSTA, GA – Families can enjoy the South Georgia Film Festival as it will conclude with the animated film Sgt Stubby: An Animated Hero, about the real-life story of America’s most decorated dog. The screening will be free for all families Sunday, March 8 at 1:30 pm in the Valdosta State University Student Union Theater.

With voice acting from Logan Lerman, Helena Bonham Carter, and Gerard Depardieu, the animated film about a stray dog from New Haven, Conn., joining a troop of soldiers off for World War I. The adorably animated film presents a historically accurate portrayal of battles in Europe for the point-of-view of young children.

Rated PG, Stubby is one of a few animated films families of all ages will appreciate during the festival, including Imani’s Skin, another animated film about a multi-racial classroom; and William’s Words, and animated film about Williams Shakespeare.

Festival screenings will take place at the VSU Student Union Theater at the corner of Baytree and North Oak Street. Over the three days, visitors can park at both the Oak Street Parking Deck and the University Center parking lot. With numerous panels and screenings, attendees will find plenty to do.

Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses. This year’s festival has also includes panelists Richard Baxter to discuss Columbus, GA new tax incentives for film, Brent Simond of Illinois State University to discuss crowdfunding his documentary on country music, the Georgia Production Partnership’s South Regional meeting, and much more.

The South Georgia Film Festival includes sponsorships from Georgia Power, Georgia Beer Company, the Georgia Council for the Arts, Valdosta State University, the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, Ashley Street Station, the City of Valdosta, the Williams Hotel Group, MUBI, and the Criterion Channel.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt and access to the VIP areas costs $100. The Festival Pass which offers access to all screenings, panels and daily events are $40. Day Passes are $15 for all screenings and panels. Both High School and College students can get a free Day Pass with their school id to all screenings and panels.

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

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