LRFF Named one of 25 Film Festivals worth Entry Fee by MovieMaker Magazine
Jennifer M. Wood at MovieMaker Magazine, writes in the Spring 2010 issue of which festivals give filmmakers the most bang for their buck and The Little Rock Film Festival was among the top 25! Wood writes “While every moviemaker’s priorities vary, what follows is a list of festivals that offer something a little out of the ordinary. Sometimes it’s money, sometimes it’s a distribution opportunity and sometimes it’s the chance to be a part of an event regardless of whether your submission is even accepted.”
LRFF is listed alongside heavyweights like the Newport Beach Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Brooklyn International Film Festival and the Los Angeles Film Festival and so many other great festivals across the country. Click here to read the full list but be sure to pick up your copy of the Spring 2010 edition of MovieMaker Magazine or subscribe for only $9.95 for an entire year.
Little Rock Film Festival roundup by Paste Magazine
If anyone attended the festival this year you might have had a chat with Tim Basham from Paste Magazine who has attended the Little Rock Film Festival nearly every year since its inception. Basham gives a bona-fide overview of the fourth annual festival this year, replete with recaps of the Award Winning films and those nominated and The Little Rock Film Festival’s first World Premiere. It will be tough to find anyone who knows the film festival any better. You can find Tim Basham’s articles below:
Little Rock Film Festival 2010: Down to the Bone “If standards used in measuring a film festival’s success are solely based on the fruition of its films, the Little Rock Film Festival continues to surpass those measurements.”
Little Rock Film Festival 2010: Lost on Another Island “The film that intrigued and fascinated me more than any other at this year’s festival isArcadia Lost, directed by the acclaimed cinematographer Phedon Papamichael (Sideways,Walk the Line, 3:10 To Yuma, The Pursuit of Happyness).”
Little Rock Film Festival 2010: War is Still Hell “Beebe’s support has led to more favorable tax incentives for filmmakers wanting to work in Arkansas. And he’s right about their abilities to penetrate the soul–evident in this year’s documentaries.”
For more press on the 4th Annual Little Rock Film Festival click here.
LRFF 2010 Award Winners
The Little Rock Film Festival announced its Fourth Annual LRFF award winners on Sunday June 6 during the Closing Night Gala and Awards Ceremony presented by the Arkansas Times at the Clinton Library. The winning films are as follows:
Golden Rock for Best Narrative Feature Film:
Winter’s Bone (Dir. Debra Granik)
Golden Rock for Best Documentary Feature Film:
Restrepo (Dirs. Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington)
The Oxford American Best Southern Film Award w/ $10,000 cash prize:
American: The Bill Hicks Story (Dirs. Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas)
Charles B. Pierce Award for Best Film “Made in Arkansas”:
Antiquities (Dir. Daniel Campbell)
Best Short Film Award:
The Greims (dir. Peter Bolte)
Arkansas Best Music Video Award:
Angelene and the Alpha Ray (Dir. David Fowlkes)
Arkansas Times Audience Award Winner:
Looking for Lurch (Dir. Tim Jackson)
LRFF Youth! Award Winner:
Outside the Lines- Fayetteville High School
LRFF Youth! Spirit Award Winner:
Will Sondheim
Saturday Night Par-tays
Friday Night Party: Filmmaker Riverboat Cruise on the Arkansas Queen/ Twitter Party
Don’t miss Friday night’s Filmmaker Riverboat Party on the Arkansas Queen. Cruising up and down the Arkansas River, party goers will rock the night away with Arkansas Bands: Stella Fancy, Chase Pagan, Bear Colony, and DJ Cameron Holifield.
Don’t be late to this incredible party. The Queen boards at 10:30pm and sets sail at 11:00pm. Filmmakers, Sponsors, and VIP pass-holders will enjoy complimentary beverages. LRFF Party pass-holders entry for free, all others= $20 at the door.
Stay Tuned via Facebook and Twitter for updates on tonight’s “Secret Twitter” party…
LRFF 2010 Official Selection: Restrepo
Restrepo?
What does that title even mean? The feature-length documentary looks at a platoon of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley during 2007 in an outpost named after their medic Restrepo who was KIA. “Considered one of the most dangerous postings in the U.S. Military” Restrepo the audience is thrown headfirst into some of the most wicked and intense battle scenes caught on camera.
Restrepo took home the Grand Jury Prize for Documentaries at the 2010 Sundance film festival and is presented by National Geographic Entertainment so you can count on the quality and integrity of this war-documentary. This film shatters any preconceptions you might have about the documentaries about the war in afghanistan and takes a non-political approach to its storytelling.
The film is harrowing and honest, frightening and confusing but easily one of the best documentaries about modern warfare and the toll it takes on its soldiers.
The film plays at 3:45 PM on Friday Jun 4 and 3:00 PM on Sunday Jun 6 during the festival at Riverdale Cinemas #2. You can view the trailer below and see more info on the film here.
Ozark Mountain Drama Winter’s Bone to Open 4th Annual Little Rock Film Festival
Winter’s Bone by director Debra Granik is set to open the 2010 film festival on Opening Night June 2. The backwoods drama set in the Ozarks along the Missouri-Arkansas border is a great example of the deep, diversity of stories that can be found in places in America some would consider “flyover states.” The compelling story is about Ree Dolly, a seventeen year old girl (Jennifer Lawrence) who must fend for her young brother and sister after her meth-addict father puts their house up for a bail bond and disappears. Ree goes looking for answers entering a world of deceit and threats from, not strangers, but her very own kin. With stellar performances from actors (Arkansas native Lauren Sweester, John Hawkes, Kevin Breznahan, Dale Dickey, Garret Dillahunt, Sheryl Lee, Tate Taylor) you will recognize and many you won’t, exceptional photography (Michael McDonough), and an unforgettable story (Anne Rosellini/Granik) rooted in Southern Gothic you don’t want to miss the Sundance Grand Jury Award Winner Winter’s Bone.
If you had any doubts watch the trailer below:
4th Annual Little Rock Film Festival Program
Film Lineup taken from Announcement at Clinton School of Public Service on May 11, 2010
Opening Night Film
Winter’s Bone (Dir. Debra Granik) 100 min
NARRATIVE FEATURES
Narrative Spotlights
Get Him to the Greek (Dir. Nicholas Stoller) 108 min
Happythankyoumoreplease (Dir. Josh Radnor) 100 min
Harry Brown (Dir. Daniel Barber) 103 min
Movies in the Park at Dickey-Stephens Park
O Brother, Where Art Thou (Dir. Joel Coen) 106 min
Golden Rock Narrative Features (Competing for the Golden Rock award for Best Narrative Feature Film)
Alamar (Dir. Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio) 73 min
Arcadia Lost (Dir. Phedon Papamichael) 95 min
Black, White, and Blues (Dir. Mario Van Peebles) 91 min
Etienne (Dir. Jeff Mizushima) 87 mins
Five Star Day (Dir. Danny Buday) 97 min
Homewrecker (Dir. Brad Barnes and Todd Barnes) 88 min
Legacy (Dir. Thomas Ikimi) 95 min
Obselidia (Dir. Diane Bell) 96 min
Passenger Pigeons (Dir. Martha Stephens) 107 min
The Colonel’s Bride (Dir. Brent Stewart) 74 min
Tiny Furniture (Dir. Lena Dunham) 98 min
Winter’s Bone (Dir. Debra Granik) 100 min
____________
The Oxford American Best Southern Film Award Competition with $10,000 cash prize.
Narrative Features-
Black, White, and Blues (Dir. Mario Van Peebles) 91 min
Winter’s Bone (Dir. Debra Granik) 100 min
Passenger Pigeons (Dir. Martha Stephens) 107 min
The Colonel’s Bride (Dir. Brent Stewart) 74 min
Documentary Features-
Racing Dreams (Dir. Marshall Curry) 96 min
The Secret to a Happy Ending: A Documentary about the
Drive by Truckers (Dir. Barr Weissman) 101 min
Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio
(Dir. Sam Wainwright Douglas) 57 min
**Arkansas Films are included in the Competition.
CLINTON SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE
Clinton School of Public Service Showcase
ReGeneration (Dir. Philip Montgomery) 81 min
The Last Survivor (Dir. Michael Kleiman and Michael Pertnoy) 92 min
My Run (Dir. Tim VandeSteeg) 85 min
Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio
(Dir. Sam Wainwright Douglas) 57 min
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMS
Documentary Spotlights
Waking Sleeping Beauty (Dir. Don Hahn) 86 min
Racing Dreams (Dir. Marshall Curry) 96 min
I am Comic (Dir. Jordan Brady) 87 min
Clinton School of Public Service Showcase
ReGeneration (Dir. Philip Montgomery) 81 min
The Last Survivor (Dir. Michael Kleiman and Michael Pertnoy) 92 min
My Run (Dir. Tim VandeSteeg) 85 min
Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio
(Dir. Sam Wainwright Douglas) 57 min
Golden Rock Documentary Features (Competing for the Golden Rock award for Best Documentary Feature Film)
American the Bill Hicks Story (Dir. Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas) 107 min
Beijing Taxi (Dir. Miao Wang) 78 min
Big River Man (Dir John Maringouin) 100 min
Camp Victory Afghanistan (Dir. Carol Dysinger) 88 min
Contact (Dir. Bentley Dean and Martin Butler) 78 min
How to Fold the Flag (Dir. Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker) 85 min
Speaking in Tongues (Marcia Jarmel and Ken Schneider) 60 min
Wo Ai Ni, Mommy (Dir.Stephanie Wang-Breal) 77 min
Louder Than a Bomb (Dir. Greg Jacobs and John Siskel) 99 min
The Secret to a Happy Ending: A Documentary about the
Drive by Truckers (Dir. Barr Weissman) 101 min
“Made in Arkansas” Program
Competing for the Charles B. Pierce Best Film “Made in Arkansas” presented by iShares 529 Plan
Arkansas Narratives
Table at Luigi’s (Dir. Joe Dull) 88 mins
Irene (Dir. David Bogard) 37 Mins
Silent Night (Dir. Warren McCullough) 35 mins
Lost Dogs (Dir. Hudson Dunlap) 88 mins
Arkansas Documentaries
Looking for Lurch (Dir. Tim Jackson) 78 minutes
Jerry Van Dyke’s Arkansas (Dir. Shirley Van Dyke) 38 min 31 sec
Arkansas Narrative shorts 1: 61 minutes
The Mount Nebo Chicken Fry (Dir: Frances Titsworth) 13 min 30 sec
Sleepwalker (Dir. Jordan Faulknor) 13 min
The Bloodstone Diaries: Sleeper (Dir. Gerry Bruno) 12 min 18 sec
Sleeping with Charlie Kaufman (Dir. J Roland Kelly) 2 min 2 sec
Ouachita Rising (Dir. Brent Williamson) 20 min
Arkansas Narrative shorts 2: 75 minutes
Six Feet of Separation (Dir. Kurt Armstrong) 16 min 41 sec
Rumby in the Jungy (Dir’s. Terrell Case, Matthew Corey Gattin,
and Timothy Lucas Wistrand) 20 min
The Inner Path (Dir. Michael Sutterfield) 13 min
Spanola Pepper Sauce Company (Dir. Ray McKinnon and Graham Gordy) 6 min
Antiquities (Dir. Daniel Campbell) 19 min 36 sec
Arkansas Short Docs: 75 min
In Queso Fever: A movie About Cheese Dip (Dir. Nick Rogers) 19 min
Knocked Out? (Dir. Jesse Abdenour) 23 min 15 sec
Crater People (Dir. John Sims) 32 min 48 sec
______________
SHORT FILMS
Competing for the Best Short Film Award
Shorts Program #1: The Things We Do For Love (runtime 76 minutes)
Mixtape (United Kingdom, 2m, Luke Snellin)
Little Ripper (Australia, 18m, Jarrod Boord)
She’s a Fox (USA, 17m, Cameron Sawyer)
Maneki Neko (Spain, 13m, German Talavera)
Context (USA, 7m, Kimberly Rice)
Shadows In the Wind (Spain, 19m, Julia Guillen-Creagh)
Shorts Program #2: Less Than Certain (runtime 80 minutes)
The Greims (USA, 14m, Peter Bolte)
Edge of the Desert (Canada, 17m, Lea Nakonechny)
Amateur (USA, 15m, Daniel Trevino)
Smog (United Kingdom, 11m, Clara Kraft Isono)
The Visitors (USA, 6m, Samina Akbari)
Down In Number 5 (USA, 18m, Kim Spurlock)
Shorts Program #3: Some Call it Art (runtime 68 minutes)
Fancy (USA, 2m, Chris Olsen)
Goin’ Nowhere Fast (USA, 13m, Shawn Adams)
The Architect (Canada, 15m, Joshua Demers)
Dacil (Spain, 15m, Adrian Silvestre)
A Pattern of Prophecies: an Adaptation of Macbeth (USA, 6m, Laurel Petty)
History of Made Up Things (USA, 17m, Ashley Eberbach)
Shorts Program #4: The Bitter End (runtime 73 minutes)
Pini Banini’s Razor (United Kingdom, 5m, Dan Chapman)
Mr Lewis (United Kingdom, 10m, Louisa Fielden)
Junko’s Shamisen (Canada, 10m, Solomon Friedman)
Red Light (United Kingdom, 9m, Shaune Harrison)
Skylight (Canada, 5m, David Baas)
Sapsucker (USA, 12m, Christopher Holmes)
Reign of Death (United Kingdom, 5m, Matthew Savage)
Road to Moloch (USA, 17m, Robert Glickert)
Shorts Program #5: The Mostly Documentary Program (runtime 75 minutes)
Oro Verde (Argentina, 14m, Estela Roberta Sanchez)
Bout That Bout (USA, 26m, Nico Sabenorio)
Pillars of Hope (South Africa, USA, Zimbabwe, 35m, Imraan Ismail)
Little Rock Film Festival to Announce Lineup Today at Clinton School/Tickets go on Sale
Today, May 11 at 5:30 p.m. Central Time Executive Director Jack Lofton will announce Little Rock Film Festival’s 2010 Schedule of Films and Panels at the Clinton School of Public Service.
If you would like to reserve a seat email publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu or call (501) 683-5239.
Tickets and Passes for the Festival go on sale today. You can purchase General Festival Passes, Opening Night, and VIP Passes here.
Little Rock Film Festival Announces $10,000 “The Oxford American Best Southern Film Award”
The Little Rock Film Festival is adding this year the largest cash prize ever to be offered in a festival in Arkansas. This June, in addition to the Golden Rock Awards for Best Narrative and Documentary Feature, the festival will unveil “The Oxford American Best Southern Film Award” with a $10,000 cash prize attached. The award will go to the film that best embodies Southern culture and conveys a genuine depiction of the South. The festival runs June 2nd – 6th, 2010.
Competition for “The Oxford American Best Southern Film Award” is open to narrative features, documentary features, and short films and will include an acclaimed Southern filmmaker on the judging panel. The LRFF also awards the Golden Rocks for Best Narrative and Documentary Feature Film, and awards for Best Short Film, Arkansas Times’ Audience Award, and Best Arkansas Music Video. Local filmmakers compete for the Charles B. Pierce “Made in Arkansas” award for the best film made in-state, and are automatically considered for every other applicable award.
The LRFF seeks to be the premiere Southern film festival, to promote filmmaking in the South, and to provide an unequaled experience in the spirit of Southern hospitality. Accepted filmmakers from all over the world will receive travel stipends, complimentary accommodations at the finest hotels in Little Rock, luxury transportation around the city, all-access VIP festival badges, and Southern-themed excursions. Panels, workshops, and after-parties will take place at spotlight venues, with the annual LRFF Gala and awards ceremony to be held at the Clinton Library.
In that spirit, The Oxford American will sponsor the festival’s opening night party at Little Rock’s historic Terry House. “We’re proud to have The Oxford American involved,” says festival executive director Jack Lofton. “They are the foremost magazine for Southern literature and Southern culture and an award from them would be highly coveted by itself, but their generous cash prize gives it an added weight.” Additionally, The Oxford American will premiere the 2010 edition of its annual Best of the South issue at the festival.
The Little Rock Film Festival continues to partner with the Clinton School of Public Service, which has been a key to the success of the LRFF since year one, and will be a screening venue for the fourth annual festival. Other Premiere sponsors of the LRFF include Parker Cadillac/Audi/Lexus, iShares, Argenta Community Theater, Little Rock Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the Arkansas Times.
Last year, the LRFF had over 20,000 attendees. Organizers anticipate larger numbers this year, with multiple screenings of over 100 films across the five day festival. The LRFF will announce the film and event line-up and begin selling passes at www.LittleRockFilmFestival.org on May 4, 2010.
Festival Film and Event Line-up will be announced and Festival Passes On Sale May 4, 2010.
Golden Rock winning film That Evening Sun to play in Little Rock
If you didn’t get a chance to see the Southern Gothic powerhouse film That Evening Sun last year at the festival you have another chance to see the award-winning and much buzzed about film. The film starring Little Rock’s own Ray McKinnon will screen April 8 at the United Artists Breckenridge theater in Little Rock. After the screening an audience talk back with the filmmakers including McKinnon is planned as well as an after party at the Oyster Bar. Tickets for the event are $20 and must be reserved before April 6.
The event is sponsored by the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce’s Little Rock Film Commission, Arkansas Film Commission, and the Little Rock Film Festival as well as Create Little Rock. You can read more information about the event on Create Little Rock’s website. You can also contact Gary Newton at 501.377.6007.
Rest in Peace: Charles B. Pierce (1938-2010)
Arkansas film pioneer Charles Pierce passed away yesterday.
For over three decades, Pierce pursued his artistic dreams with determination, confidence and humility, from his debut, breakout success “The Legend of Boggy Creek” in 1972, to ambitious projects including westerns, thrillers, and writing the story for Clint Eastwood’s “Sudden Impact.”
He was a friend and inspiration to many, and he will always be among this state’s most gifted and successful filmmakers. We will continue to honor Pierce each year at the Little Rock Film Festival through the Charles B. Pierce award for the Best Film “Made in Arkansas.”
Here’s more about Pierce and his contributions to film in Arkansas from the Texarkana Gazette article written by Aaron Brand:
Arkansas filmmaker Charles B. Pierce, who directed such successful cult films as “The Legend of Boggy Creek” and “The Town That Dreaded Sundown,” died Friday at the age of 71.
A former Texarkana resident and advertising man here, Pierce is credited with groundbreaking success in independent cinema, particularly for the Arkansas film industry. “He really did change the face of filmmaking,” said Arkansas Film Commissioner Christopher Crane. “With his model, many filmmakers became successful with the drive-in creature feature, so to speak. I wish nothing but positive energy to his family, and hopes and prayers.”
Pierce’s additional directing credits include “Bootleggers,” “Winterhawk,” “The Winds of Autumn,” “Grayeagle,” “The Norseman,” “The Evictors” and “Sacred Ground.” He also filmed “The Barbaric Beast of Boggy Creek.”
He was also a writer for the film “Sudden Impact,” the 1983 Clint Eastwood film. “The Legend of Boggy Creek,” Pierce’s first film, was released in 1972.
His work laid the foundation for future Arkansas filmmakers, Crane said.
Director and producer Harry Thomason, whose credits include “Designing Women,” grew up next door to Pierce in Hampton, Ark.
“Charlie was one of the greatest storytellers in the world. He had remarkable success when you think of it,” Thomason said.
At the time Pierce found success in the early 1970s, Thomason said, major studios controlled the industry, but Pierce found success making “The Legend of Boggy Creek” independently.
“It’s such a remarkable feat,” Thomason said. He also praised “Bootleggers,” Pierce’s follow-up film. “It was a very intelligent script with great acting.
“He was one of the first truly independent filmmakers,” Thomason recalled. He remembers attending the premiere for “The Legend of Boggy Creek” at what is now the Perot Theatre here in Texarkana.
At the time, the lines to see it stretched around the block, he said.
He also recalled Pierce’s sense of humor. “He was quite a colorful character,” Thomason said, noting that Charles, a couple of years older, flashed those great storytelling gifts when they were kids.
One of Pierce’s daughters, Amanda “Amy” Squitiero, said her father’s autobiographical notes indicate “Legend of Boggy Creek” was made for $160,000 but ultimately, according to her dad, made $25 million.
“He was a maverick. He called himself that from time to time,” she said, noting he also had charisma and natural ability as an artist. “He definitely loved Arkansas. He was a huge Hogs fan.”
Squitiero said her father was also a prolific filmmaker. Poring through his biographical sketch about his many film projects, she said, “He barely finished one film before he already had the next film in his head … He was continually working. He loved what he did.”
She said Pierce was born in Hammond, Ind., but moved to Arkansas with his family when he was just a few months old. After he moved to Texarkana, Pierce started his own advertising agency on State Line Avenue, she said, and he ultimately raised and borrowed the money to finance that first movie.
“He could sit there and weave a story for you,” Squitiero said about her dad’s gift for storytelling. He also had confidence and a good sense of humor.
Pierce’s daughter Pam Pierce recalls that her father started out entertaining here in Texarkana on a TV program, Pierce playing a character called Mayor Chuckles. This was before he started in film, she said.
But then he was inspired to pursue filmmaking, and she remembers him coming home and talking with her mother about a creature in Fouke, Ark., which would become the basis for “The Legend of Boggy Creek.”
Pam Pierce remembers her dad assembling a movie camera on the floor in the family apartment.
“He had all the pieces around him with instructions, putting it together,” she said.
He recruited family and friends to clean up the theater where that first movie premiered, she recalled.
“He made something out of nothing just by sheer will,” she said, noting both his determination and dynamic personality. He was an extraordinarily special person that doesn’t come around too often.”
Texarkana’s Jimmy Clem and John Stroud Jr. both played small roles in Pierce’s films.
“I think anyone that knew him would’ve liked him,” said Clem, noting Pierce was all business on the set and, in particular, excelled in his work with the camera.
“He was just a great guy. He was an excellent director … it seemed to me he got a lot out of his actors, and many of his actors were not professional actors,” said Stroud, who played a doctor in “The Town That Dreaded Sundown.”
Joe Glass, a former film commissioner for Arkansas, said Pierce is considered to be one of the last auteur filmmakers and a movie director who made his actors look good and sound authentic. “They didn’t sound like they were reading lines,” he said.
“His films always had a sense of reality to them. He worked well with real people,” Glass recalled, noting Pierce’s dialogue had humanity and texture to it.
“He gave a lot of people chances to excel in the film business,” Glass added.
And of the film “The Legend of Boggy Creek,” he said, “‘(The Legend of) Boggy Creek’ will be one of a kind forever, just like ‘Blair Witch.’ In its day it was the scariest thing ever.”
Pierce was honored by the Arkansas Arts Council this past fall with the Judges Special Recognition Award.
Pierce, who died of natural causes, will be buried in Dover, Tenn., where he moved a couple of years ago.
Golden Rock winning That Evening Sun to screen in Little Rock
The Golden Rock Award winning feature film That Evening Sun directed by Scott Teems and Little Rock native Ray McKinnon is finally coming back to the big screens in Little Rock at Breckenridge Village Theater beginning Friday April 9. The film has won numerous awards across the country including the Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA) award. Film critic Philip Martin explains “Named after the late SEFCA member and long-time film critic for the Nashville Tennessen, Gene Wyatt, the prize seeks to honor one film each year that best embodies the essence of the South.”
Support local and southern filmmakers by seeing this great Southern Gothic tale of an elderly man struggling to hold onto his farm and his dignity.
AETN Silent Storyteller’s Showcase to debut March 11
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 24, 2010
‘Silent Storytellers’ to premiere on AETN March 11
Documentary explores history, culture, importance
of preserving Arkansas’s cemeteries
CONWAY, Ark. (AETN) — “Silent Storytellers,” an original documentary
produced by the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN), will
premiere on AETN Thursday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m.
“Like many others, I used to drive by cemeteries and not give them a
second thought, but by becoming aware of some the people who are
passionate about preserving cemeteries and listening to their stories, I
have had a true awakening,” Hop Litzwire, who co-produced, directed,
edited and filmed the documentary, said. “I now realize that without an
appreciation of our cemeteries, we disconnect ourselves, historically and
culturally, from our communities and ultimately from our society as a
whole.”
Filmed over two years and co-produced by AETN’s Casey Sanders, “Silent
Storytellers” explores the cultural, artistic and personal stories
cemeteries provide to the surrounding communities. Guided by author and
cemetery researcher Abby Burnett, “Silent Storytellers” visits cemeteries
in Boone, Crawford, Franklin, Hempstead, Johnson, Lawrence, Newton,
Pulaski, Searcy and Sevier counties and features tombstones with tales of
murder, family heirlooms and folk-art inspired carvings.
“The number one thing that interests me in cemeteries is the sense that
you’re walking into an area filled with stories if you can just extract
them,” Burnett said.
“Silent Storytellers” also features information about the best techniques
for preserving, repairing and maintaining tombstones, presented by
Elizabeth Norton of Norton Fine Arts Conservation.
“I think people would be surprised at what can be done,” Norton said.
“We’ve had stones that may be in a dozen pieces.
“You have to do a lot of pinning and a lot of fill, but when you put it
back together it’s a really beautiful thing to see the monument that was
made for this person become whole again.”
Also featured in the documentary are interviews with: Mica Balcom, Stone
Preservation Specialist, Norton Fine Arts Conservation; Dr. Juliet Morrow,
Arkansas State University Jonesboro, and Dr. Jamie C. Brandon, Southern
Arkansas University, Station Archeologists, Arkansas Archeological Survey;
Dr. Jami Lockhart, University of Arkansas, Archeogeophysical Research,
Arkansas Archeological Survey; Fayth Hill Washington, Scott Cemetery
Preservationist; Norman Johnson and Phyllis Rogers, Paraloma Cemetery
Association Volunteer; Randy Smith, liaison for Fairview Cemetery; and
Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis and Carla Coleman, Preservation of African American
Cemeteries.
“In my 20 years as executive producer at AETN, I have no hesitation in
saying that ‘Silent Storytellers’ is one of the most unique, creative and
beautiful films we’ve ever produced,” AETN Director of Production Carole
Adornetto said.
Visit www.aetn.org/silentstorytellers for behind-the-scenes clips,
additional interviews and downloadable information about tombstone
cleaning.
“Silent Storytellers” will repeat on AETN Saturday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m.
and Sunday, March 14, at noon, and on AETN-2 Sunday, March 21, at 6:30 a.m.
Funding for “Silent Storytellers” is provided by the Arkansas Historic
Preservation Program, a division of the Arkansas Department of Heritage.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (www.aetn.org) provides
lifelong learning opportunities, improves and enhances Arkansans’ lives
and celebrates the unique culture of Arkansas through its programming and
services. AETN’s transmitters and numerous cable system connections give
it statewide reach.
Withoutabox Spotlight on Little Rock Film Festival
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 LITTLE ROCKFILM FESTIVALLittle Rock, Arkansas – USA June 2 to 6, 2010 Dear Filmmaker, In the Spotlight this week is the 4th Annual LITTLE ROCK FILM FESTIVAL (LRFF), a favorite among filmmakers and audiences alike, serving up a dynamic lineup of independent films in Arkansas’ capital city. Declared the “biggest little film festival in the South” by Paste Magazine, LRFF has unveiled more than 250 films from around the globe, held panels with industry leaders, and hosted notable industry players. Alumni make up an impressive list, including Academy Award-winner Ray McKinnon (THAT EVENING SUN), David Modigliani (CRAWFORD), Judi Krant (MADE IN CHINA), and Phil Donahue (BODY OF WAR). LRFF selections and festival favorites include ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL and (500) DAYS OF SUMMER. In the spirit of Southern hospitality, LRFF strives to create the most enjoyable environment a festival can offer. Filmmakers receive travel stipends, complimentary accommodations in one of the finest hotels on the banks of the Arkansas River, environmentally friendly transportation around Little Rock, swag bags complete with local flavor (like last year’s talking Bill Clinton doll), all-access VIP festival badges, and are taken on Southern-themed excursions. Panels, galas, workshops, and after-parties take place at the city’s hottest venues, including the Clinton Presidential Library. Patrick Floyd (THE EYES OF ME) gushes that he “had an unforgettable time. Saw good films. Met good people. Stayed out too late. Slept too little. Can’t wait for next year.”
UPCOMING DEADLINE MISSION AND OBJECTIVE MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL The Festival’s industry attendance and participation is noteworthy and has grown significantly each year. Filmmakers will find producers, performers, distributors, and entertainment lawyers in attendance, as well as reps from the many theatrical and DVD distribution companies based in Arkansas (and also home to Wal-Mart’s headquarters). Two-time alum Walton Goggins (THAT EVENING SUN) declares, “Our Little Rock experience was one of open arms by both the festival and the community. It’s becoming a litmus test for those art films looking to establish themselves in the South.” To showcase your film in Arkansas and to enjoy serious Southern hospitality, submit to the Little Rock Film Festival today! |
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TONIGHT: LRFF Founders Dateline Special on AR Children’s Hospital
Tonight Dateline NBC will air a feature on Arkansas Children’s Hospital in an hour long program. The program, filmed by Little Rock Film Festival founders and Arkansas natives Brent and Craig Renaud, will show stories about patients and their families at one of the largest pediatric medical center in the US “serving children from birth to age 21.”
The Dateline Special will air at 6pm Central Time Tonight, Sunday, January 31.
Also check out the front page of the New York Times today where you will see the Renaud Brothers story on Haiti.
Good work guys and we’ll be watching tonight!
Create Little Rock Launch Party- Thursday Night 5-7pm
BLOG
Create Little Rock Thursday Jan 28- 5:00-7:00pm
Little Rock Film Commissioner and head of the Arkansas Film Series, Gary Newton, is hosting the launch for Create Little Rock, an initiative by the Chamber of Commerce to create and attract a talented and creative workforce in Little Rock. The event will be Thursday from 5:oopm to 7:00pm in the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center Ballroom.
Ray McKinnon from the Golden Rock Award-winning film That Evening Sun will be a special guest at the event. Show your support for artistic talent as well as members of the film community by attending the event and register here.
You can also read an interview with Gary Newton and Festival Programmer Levi Agee on Cameras on the Radio here.
Founders Brent and Craig Renaud’s Video on Haiti for New York Times
Film Festival Founders and filmmakers Brent and Craig Renaud have been busy documenting the Navy’s struggle to help earthquake victims in Haiti on the U.S.N.S. Comfort for the New York Times. You can watch the most recent segment here.
Happy New Year from the LRFF!!
Jack Lofton
Happy Holidays!
Happy holidays to our LRFF friends and to everyone that made 2009 another fun, successful year. We’re really excited about the new year and can’t wait to see you at the fourth annual LRFF in June!
Little Rock Film Festival mention in SW Airlines in Flight Magazine: Spirit
According to the article in Spirit magazine there are lots of reasons which make Little Rock a great city and the Little Rock Film Festival is counted among them.
Throughout the year, join art buffs for
the 2nd Friday Art Night in downtown
Little Rock and the 3rd Friday Argenta
Artwalk across the river in North Little Rock. Each event
showcases galleries such as the Historic Arkansas Museum
and the Arkansas Studies Institute. Other art-scene
highlights: the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the Arkansas
Repertory Theatre, and the Little Rock Film Festival.
You can read the rest of the article here and be sure to join us June 2-10, 2010 to find out what makes our film festival so special.
Spirit Award Noms for LRFF 2009 Films
According to the nominee list for the Independent Spirit Awards many LRFF films are on the ticket. 500 Days of Summer is up for Best Picture as well as Best Actor. Goodbye Solo’s Souleymane Sy Savane is also nominated for best acting. However, biggest news is Little Rock resident and actor extrordinaire Ray McKinnon was nominated for his riveting and nuanced turn as Lonzo Choat in Golden Rock Winning film That Evening Sun directed by Scott Teems. Ray definitely deserves this award and more. Congratulations to everyone on the list.
Cirque Success! Sold Out Screening w/ Exec. Producer Pledger and Actor Massoglia
The Friday night screening of Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant was a huge success. Following the film, Little Rock native and Executive Producer of the film, Courtney Pledger, and Actor and Star of the film, Chris Massoglia, were interviewed by the Arkansas Dem-Gazette Film Critic Philip Martin. After an intriguing discussion on the process of making Cirque, Pledger and Massoglia ventured to Copeland’s where the sold out crowd followed them for drinks and appetizers.
LRFF Founders Craig and Brent Renaud to screen new film at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.
Warrior Champions; From Baghdad to Beijing tells the emotional and inspiring story of a group of severely wounded American Soldiers, as they fight to turn nightmares of war into Olympic dreams. Iraq War Veterans Kortney Clemons, Scott Winkler, Melissa Stockwell, and Carlos Leon, as little as a year after losing limbs and suffering paralysis fighting for their country in Iraq, have set out to do what many thought impossible; to compete in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. Filmmakers in-person. Arkansas Film.
WarriorChampions.com
