Atlanta – South Arts, a Regional Arts Organization serving nine states in the Southeast announces the 2017-18 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. Throughout the season, 18 filmmakers will tour their work to 21 Screening Partner venues spanning nine states for a total of 123 screenings.
“Through the Southern Circuit, we are reshaping the relationship between films, filmmakers, and audiences,” said Teresa Hollingsworth, senior program director with South Arts. “Our Screening Partners are developing thriving audiences who support independent films, and filmmakers have the opportunity to interact with audiences in each community at receptions, Q&As, and workshops.”
“The Southern Circuit is about creating a deeper, more conversational approach to film,” continued Hollingsworth. “Instead of catching a documentary in your living room, audiences get to meet the filmmaker and discuss the creative process.”
“I had the pleasure to meet young people who want to tell stories – to become editors, journalists, directors and more,” explained filmmaker Joseph East, who recently toured his film I Will Dance on the Southern Circuit. “They are the future, and if the story of I Will Dance inspired any one of them to create, question or dream more, the trip was more than worth it for them alone.”
Filmmakers on the Southern Circuit come from all over the United States and embark on tours of up to two weeks throughout the South. During their tour, they experience portions of the country that are underserved by the film industry, both commercial and independent. One Screening Partner in Barbourville, Kentucky, explained Hollingsworth, is over thirty minutes away from the nearest movie theatre. For both filmmakers and audiences, the Southern Circuit is frequently the only option to connect the creative process. Last season, over 15,000 people attended Southern Circuit screenings and events throughout the South.
Screening Partners for the 2017-18 season include:
- Arts Council of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, LA
- Broward College in Davie, FL
- City of Hapeville in Hapeville, GA
- Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN
- East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN
- Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
- Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL
- Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art/Auburn University in Auburn, AL
- North Central Louisiana Arts Council/Dixie Center for the Arts in Ruston, LA
- Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, GA
- Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC
- South Miami-Dade Cultural Center in Cutler Bay, FL
- Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in Bowling Green, KY
- The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, KY
- The Tennessee Valley Art Association/Ritz Theatre in Sheffield, AL
- Tropic Cinema/Key West Film Society in Key West, FL
- Troy University in Troy, AL
- Union College in Barbourville, KY
- Union County Community Arts Council/Wingate University in Monroe, NC
- Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC
- Winder Cultural Arts Center in Winder, GA
Films and filmmakers selected for the 2017-18 season include:
- 78/52 with Alexandre O. Philippe
- Bending the Arc with Cori Shepherd Stern
- Big Sonia with Leah Warshawki & Todd Soliday
- Dalya’s Other Country with Julia Meltzer
- Deej with Robert Rooy
- Do Not Resist with Craig Atkinson
- First Lady of the Revolution with Andrea Kalin
- Jackson with Maisie Crow
- Liyana with Amanda Kopp & Aaron Kopp
- Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry with Gill Holland
- Purple Dreams with Robin Grey
- Pushing Dead with Tom E. Brown
- Quest with Jonathan Olshefski
- Romeo is Bleeding with Donté Clark
- Score: A Film Music Documentary with Matt Schrader
- Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four with Deborah Esquenazi
- Swim Team with Lara Stolman
- When God Sleeps with Till Schauder
“Matching films and filmmakers with Screening Partners and communities is an intricate process,” continued Hollingsworth. “We received applications from over 300 filmmakers who wanted to participate this season.”
Hollingsworth and a team of industry experts watch each submitted film and narrow selections to the top 40. The remaining 40 films are submitted to each Screening Partner to review in the spring, with each partner focused on what content and styles might best resonate in their respective communities. Finally, the Screening Partners gather in Atlanta for a marathon session to select the films and filmmakers to be invited, and to begin mapping out tour possibilities. “The process ends up almost like we are drafting a fantasy football league,” laughed Hollingsworth.
The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers accepts applicants from filmmakers with recently completed work in animation, documentaries, experimental, and fiction. This year’s selections reflect a growing interest in social justice and equality as well as the filmmaking process.
“The films and filmmakers this season are extraordinary,” continued Hollingsworth. “Deej celebrates the remarkable power of an individual who is nonspeaking and autistic collaborating directly with veteran filmmaker Robert Rooy. Jackson explores the controversy surrounding the closure of Mississippi’s last abortion clinic, and examines the conflicting debate between religious and reproductive rights. QUESTfollows a family that emphasizes the transformative and healing power of music to their North Philadelphia community through a small music studio. Each film this season was selected for its deep resonance within the communities we serve, and we look forward to the rich dialogues between filmmakers and the audience.”
Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmaker screenings are coordinated by South Arts in conjunction with each independent Screening Partner. A full list of screenings is available on the South Arts website, and further information as well as ticketing may be found with each Screening Partner. The Southern Circuit is produced with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
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FULL SCREENING SCHEDULE FOR THE 2017-18 SOUTHERN CIRCUIT TOUR OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS
- August 29, 2017: Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry with filmmaker Gill Holland at Capitol Arts Center/Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in Bowling Green, KY
- September 08, 2017: Big Sonia with filmmakers Leah Warshawki & Todd Soliday at City of Hapeville in Hapeville, GA
- September 10, 2017: Big Sonia with filmmakers Leah Warshawki & Todd Soliday at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, KY
- September 11, 2017: Big Sonia with filmmakers Leah Warshawki & Todd Soliday at Union College in Barbourville, KY
- September 12, 2017: Pushing Dead with filmmaker Tom E. Brown at Capitol Arts Center/Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in Bowling Green, KY
- September 12, 2017: Big Sonia with filmmakers Leah Warshawki & Todd Soliday at Union County Community Arts Council/Wingate University in Monroe, NC
- September 13, 2017: Big Sonia with filmmakers Leah Warshawki & Todd Soliday at Troy University in Troy, AL
- September 14, 2017: Pushing Dead with filmmaker Tom E. Brown at Broward College in Davie, FL
- September 14, 2017: Big Sonia with filmmakers Leah Warshawki & Todd Soliday at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL
- September 15, 2017: Pushing Dead with filmmaker Tom E. Brown at South Miami-Dade Cultural Center in Cutler Bay, FL
- September 15, 2017: Big Sonia with filmmakers Leah Warshawki & Todd Soliday at The Tennessee Valley Art Association/Ritz Theatre in Sheffield, AL
- September 18, 2017: When God Sleeps with filmmaker Till Schauder at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC
- September 19, 2017: When God Sleeps with filmmaker Till Schauder at Winder Cultural Arts Center in Winder, GA
- September 20, 2017: When God Sleeps with filmmaker Till Schauder at Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, GA
- September 21, 2017: Pushing Dead with filmmaker Tom E. Brown at North Central Louisiana Arts Council/Dixie Center for the Arts in Ruston, LA
- September 21, 2017: When God Sleeps with filmmaker Till Schauder at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC
- September 22, 2017: Pushing Dead with filmmaker Tom E. Brown at Arts Council of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, LA
- September 25, 2017: When God Sleeps with filmmaker Till Schauder at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN
- September 27, 2017: When God Sleeps with filmmaker Till Schauder at Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN
- September 28, 2017: When God Sleeps with filmmaker Till Schauder at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art/Auburn University in Auburn, AL
- October 10, 2017: Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four with filmmaker Deborah Esquenazi at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC
- October 11, 2017: Dalya’s Other Country with filmmaker Julia Meltzer at Union County Community Arts Council/Wingate University in Monroe, NC
- October 12, 2017: Dalya’s Other Country with filmmaker Julia Meltzer at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL
- October 13, 2017: Dalya’s Other Country with filmmaker Julia Meltzer at The Tennessee Valley Art Association/Ritz Theatre in Sheffield, AL
- October 15, 2017: Dalya’s Other Country with filmmaker Julia Meltzer at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, KY
- October 16, 2017: Dalya’s Other Country with filmmaker Julia Meltzer at Union College in Barbourville, KY
- October 18, 2017: Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four with filmmaker Deborah Esquenazi at Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, GA
- October 19, 2017: Score: A Film Music Documentary with filmmaker Matt Schrader at Broward College in Davie, FL
- October 19, 2017: Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four with filmmaker Deborah Esquenazi at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC
- October 19, 2017: Dalya’s Other Country with filmmaker Julia Meltzer at Troy University in Troy, AL
- October 20, 2017: Dalya’s Other Country with filmmaker Julia Meltzer at City of Hapeville in Hapeville, GA
- October 20, 2017: Score: A Film Music Documentary with filmmaker Matt Schrader at South Miami-Dade Cultural Center in Cutler Bay, FL
- October 22, 2017: Score: A Film Music Documentary with filmmaker Matt Schrader at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
- October 22, 2017: Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four with filmmaker Deborah Esquenazi at Winder Cultural Arts Center in Winder, GA
- October 23, 2017: Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four with filmmaker Deborah Esquenazi at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN
- October 24, 2017: Score: A Film Music Documentary with filmmaker Matt Schrader at Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in Bowling Green, KY
- October 25, 2017: Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four with filmmaker Deborah Esquenazi at Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN
- October 26, 2017: Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four with filmmaker Deborah Esquenazi at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art/Auburn University in Auburn, AL
- October 26, 2017: Score: A Film Music Documentary with filmmaker Matt Schrader at North Central Louisiana Arts Council/Dixie Center for the Arts in Ruston, LA
- October 27, 2017: Score: A Film Music Documentary with filmmaker Matt Schrader at Arts Council of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, LA
- November 01, 2017: Jackson with filmmaker Maisie Crow at Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, GA
- November 02, 2017: Romeo is Bleeding with artist Donté Clark at Broward College in Davie, FL
- November 02, 2017: Jackson with filmmaker Maisie Crow at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art/Auburn University in Auburn, AL
- November 04, 2017: Romeo is Bleeding with artist Donté Clark at South Miami-Dade Cultural Center in Cutler Bay, FL
- November 05, 2017: Romeo is Bleeding with artist Donté Clark at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
- November 05, 2017: Jackson with filmmaker Maisie Crow at Winder Cultural Arts Center in Winder, GA
- November 06, 2017: Jackson with filmmaker Maisie Crow at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN
- November 07, 2017: Romeo is Bleeding with artist Donté Clark at Capitol Arts Center/Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in Bowling Green, KY
- November 08, 2017: Jackson with filmmaker Maisie Crow at Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN
- November 09, 2017: Do Not Resist with filmmaker Craig Atkinson at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL
- November 09, 2017: Romeo is Bleeding with artist Donté Clark at North Central Louisiana Arts Council/Dixie Center for the Arts in Ruston, LA
- November 09, 2017: Jackson with filmmaker Maisie Crow at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC
- November 10, 2017: Do Not Resist with filmmaker Craig Atkinson at The Tennessee Valley Art Association/Ritz Theatre in Sheffield, AL
- November 12, 2017: Do Not Resist with filmmaker Craig Atkinson at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, KY
- November 13, 2017: Do Not Resist with filmmaker Craig Atkinson at Union College in Barbourville, KY
- November 13, 2017: Jackson with filmmaker Maisie Crow at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC
- November 14, 2017: Do Not Resist with filmmaker Craig Atkinson at Union County Community Arts Council/Wingate University in Monroe, NC
- November 16, 2017: Do Not Resist with filmmaker Craig Atkinson at Troy University in Troy, AL
- November 17, 2017: Romeo is Bleeding with artist Donté Clark at Arts Council of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, LA
- November 17, 2017: Do Not Resist with filmmaker Craig Atkinson at City of Hapeville in Hapeville, GA
- November 19, 2017: Pushing Dead with filmmaker Tom E. Brown at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
- February 07, 2018: Liyana with filmmakers Amanda Kopp & Aaron Kopp at Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, GA
- February 08, 2018: Liyana with filmmakers Amanda Kopp & Aaron Kopp at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art/Auburn University in Auburn, AL
- February 11, 2018: Liyana with filmmakers Amanda Kopp & Aaron Kopp at Winder Cultural Arts Center in Winder, GA
- February 12, 2018: Liyana with filmmakers Amanda Kopp & Aaron Kopp at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN
- February 13, 2018: Liyana with filmmakers Amanda Kopp & Aaron Kopp at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC
- February 14, 2018: Liyana with filmmakers Amanda Kopp & Aaron Kopp at Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN
- February 15, 2018: Deej with filmmaker Robert Rooy at Broward College in Davie, FL
- February 15, 2018: First Lady of the Revolution with filmmaker Andrea Kalin at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL
- February 15, 2018: Liyana with filmmakers Amanda Kopp & Aaron Kopp at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC
- February 16, 2018: Deej with filmmaker Robert Rooy at South Miami-Dade Cultural Center in Cutler Bay, FL
- February 16, 2018: First Lady of the Revolution with filmmaker Andrea Kalin at The Tennessee Valley Art Association/Ritz Theatre in Sheffield, AL
- February 18, 2018: Deej with filmmaker Robert Rooy at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
- February 18, 2018: First Lady of the Revolution with filmmaker Andrea Kalin at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, KY
- February 19, 2018: Deej with filmmaker Robert Rooy at Tropic Cinema/Key West Film Society in Key West, FL
- February 19, 2018: First Lady of the Revolution with filmmaker Andrea Kalin at Union College in Barbourville, KY
- February 20, 2018: Deej with filmmaker Robert Rooy at Capitol Arts Center/Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in Bowling Green, KY
- February 20, 2018: First Lady of the Revolution with filmmaker Andrea Kalin at Union County Community Arts Council/Wingate University in Monroe, NC
- February 22, 2018: Deej with filmmaker Robert Rooy at North Central Louisiana Arts Council/Dixie Center for the Arts in Ruston, LA
- February 22, 2018: First Lady of the Revolution with filmmaker Andrea Kalin at Troy University in Troy, AL
- February 23, 2018: Deej with filmmaker Robert Rooy at Arts Council of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, LA
- February 23, 2018: First Lady of the Revolution with filmmaker Andrea Kalin at City of Hapeville in Hapeville, GA
- March 07, 2018: Quest with filmmaker Jonathan Olshefski at Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, GA
- March 08, 2018: Quest with filmmaker Jonathan Olshefski at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art/Auburn University in Auburn, AL
- March 12, 2018: Quest with filmmaker Jonathan Olshefski at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN
- March 13, 2018: Quest with filmmaker Jonathan Olshefski at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC
- March 14, 2018: Quest with filmmaker Jonathan Olshefski at Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN
- March 15, 2018: Purple Dreams with filmmaker Robin Grey at Broward College in Davie, FL
- March 15, 2018: Swim Team with filmmaker Lara Stolman at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL
- March 15, 2018: Quest with filmmaker Jonathan Olshefski at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC
- March 16, 2018: Purple Dreams with filmmaker Robin Grey at South Miami-Dade Cultural Center in Cutler Bay, FL
- March 16, 2018: Swim Team with filmmaker Lara Stolman at The Tennessee Valley Art Association/Ritz Theatre in Sheffield, AL
- March 18, 2018: Purple Dreams with filmmaker Robin Grey at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
- March 18, 2018: Swim Team with filmmaker Lara Stolman at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, KY
- March 18, 2018: Quest with filmmaker Jonathan Olshefski at Winder Cultural Arts Center in Winder, GA
- March 19, 2018: Purple Dreams with filmmaker Robin Grey at Tropic Cinema/Key West Film Society in Key West, FL
- March 19, 2018: Swim Team with filmmaker Lara Stolman at Union College in Barbourville, KY
- March 20, 2018: Purple Dreams with filmmaker Robin Grey at Capitol Arts Center/Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in Bowling Green, KY
- March 20, 2018: Swim Team with filmmaker Lara Stolman at Union County Community Arts Council/Wingate University in Monroe, NC
- March 22, 2018: Purple Dreams with filmmaker Robin Grey at North Central Louisiana Arts Council/Dixie Center for the Arts in Ruston, LA
- March 22, 2018: Swim Team with filmmaker Lara Stolman at Troy University in Troy, AL
- March 23, 2018: Purple Dreams with filmmaker Robin Grey at Arts Council of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, LA
- March 23, 2018: Swim Team with filmmaker Lara Stolman at City of Hapeville in Hapeville, GA
- April 05, 2018: Bending the Arc with filmmaker Cori Shepherd Stern at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL
- April 06, 2018: Bending the Arc with filmmaker Cori Shepherd Stern at The Tennessee Valley Art Association/Ritz Theatre in Sheffield, AL
- April 08, 2018: Bending the Arc with filmmaker Cori Shepherd Stern at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, KY
- April 09, 2018: Bending the Arc with filmmaker Cori Shepherd Stern at Union College in Barbourville, KY
- April 10, 2018: Bending the Arc with filmmaker Cori Shepherd Stern at Union County Community Arts Council/Wingate University in Monroe, NC
- April 10, 2018: 78/52 with filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC
- April 12, 2018: Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry with TBA in Davie, FL
- April 12, 2018: Bending the Arc with filmmaker Cori Shepherd Stern at Troy University in Troy, AL
- April 13, 2018: Bending the Arc with filmmaker Cori Shepherd Stern at City of Hapeville in Hapeville, GA
- April 13, 2018: Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry with filmmaker TBA at South Miami-Dade Cultural Center in Cutler Bay, FL
- April 15, 2018: Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry with filmmaker TBA at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
- April 15, 2018: 78/52 with filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe at Winder Cultural Arts Center in Winder, GA
- April 16, 2018: 78/52 with filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN
- April 16, 2018: Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry with filmmaker TBA at Tropic Cinema/Key West Film Society in Key West, FL
- April 18, 2018: 78/52 with filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe at Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN
- April 19, 2018: Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry with filmmaker TBA at North Central Louisiana Arts Council/Dixie Center for the Arts in Ruston, LA
- April 19, 2018: 78/52 with filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC
- April 20, 2018: Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry with filmmaker TBA at Arts Council of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, LA
- April 11, 2019: 78/52 with filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe at Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, GA
- April 12, 2019: 78/52 with filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art/Auburn University in Auburn, AL