Atlanta Film Festival Announces 2017 Lineup of Features and Short Films

ATLANTA, GA (February 24, 2017)  — The Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) is pleased to announce the lineup of feature length and short film programming for the 41st annual celebration that will take place March 24 – April 2, 2017. In addition to the announced lineup of 163 films, the ten-day event will be highlighted with Opening and Closing Night Presentations, 40 Creative Conference events and 12 unique Special Presentations. 

Of the record-breaking 6,000+ film submissions for the 2017 festival, the final selections include 47 feature length films, 116 short films and 28 creative media presentations, which consist of music videos, virtual reality and episodic pilots. The diverse slate represents 40 countries, with 53% of selected submissions directed by a female and 40% from filmmaker(s) of color.

Christopher Escobar, ATLFF Executive Director said, "Coming off a record-setting 40th Anniversary event in 2016, we are entering our fifth decade with programming that represents our long-term commitment to celebrate filmmakers and audiences of all backgrounds. We are especially proud to be a festival that highlights diverse voices, while also emphasizing the important role that our city plays in the film and television community by holding our events at places unique to Atlanta.”

In addition to the film lineup announced today, information on Opening Night, Closing Night, additional Marquee screenings and Special Presentations, which include annual fest favorites like Food on Film and SOUND + VISION, as well as the Creative Conference educational programming, is forthcoming.  

The Atlanta Film Festival is the annual centerpiece of educational and enriching film programing that is provided year-round by parent organization, the Atlanta Film Society.

Passes for the festival are available for purchase now.

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2017 ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP

If a selected film will be included in a specialty track or falls into a distinctive category, it is noted with brief designation following the synopsis. Films identified as New Mavericks feature a strong, female lead seen through the lens of a female filmmaker. The Pink Peach track shines a spotlight on LGBTQ narrative features, documentary features and short films. The CineMás track highlights Latin American films and filmmakers. Productions with an Atlanta and/or Georgia connection are noted as well.

NARRATIVE FEATURES

Ann

Directed by Carla Forte

USA, 2016, Spanish/English, 79 minutes

Friday, March 30, 2017, 9:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Ruben, a visual artist, is tormented by his reality. He copes by retreating into his vivid imagination; creating a parallel world unlike his own. As his alternate world becomes more attractive, Ruben becomes more disconnected from the material world, societal norms, and emotional attachments. He must come to terms with reality after this disconnect and subsequent loss of ego.

#CineMás, #Competition, #PinkPeach

Born River Bye

Directed by Tim Hall

USA, 2017, English 84 minutes

Friday, March 31, 2017, 9:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Two childhood friends reunite in their sleepy hometown as they each face a crossroads in their lives. Scott is drifting through town (and life) after a long departure, much like a ghost to haunt his estranged family and friends. Laura, still stuck in their hometown, is living in a stagnant reality of mediocrity out of fear of following her dreams. Both feel superior to those around them, and yet experience an overwhelming unhappiness with their choices. As the days unfold, Scott and Laura begin to turn a new leaf, forgiving themselves for their past, making amends, and looking to their futures with renewed optimism.

#Georgia, #WorldPremiere

The Boss Baby

Directed by Tom McGrath

USA, 2017, English

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 2:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

DreamWorks Animation and the director of Madagascar invite you to meet a most unusual baby.  He wears a suit, speaks with the voice and wit of Alec Baldwin, and stars in the animated comedy, DreamWorks’ The Boss Baby.  The Boss Baby is a hilariously universal story about how a new baby's arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator, a wildly imaginative 7 year old named Tim.  With a sly, heart-filled message about the importance of family, DreamWorks’ The Boss Baby is an authentic and broadly appealing original comedy for all ages.  

#FamilyFriendly, #Marquee

Chee and T

Directed by Tanuj Chopra

USA, 2017, English, 80 minutes

Sunday, March 26, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Two friends working as collectors for a family crime ring are assigned what proves to be their most challenging task yet—delivering the indifferent, drug-induced nephew of their boss to an event across town. As the three men cruise to their various destinations in a pale blue hot rod, they encounter more than they bargained for and find themselves caught in a web of politics, drugs, love, and their own moral values.

Cherry Pop

Directed by Assaad Yacoub

USA, 2016, English, 77 minutes

Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 9:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Drag Queens encounter an outsider and must face their own baggage during a wild night at a failing drag club. The quirky group of patrons, family, friends, and lovers experience heartache, betrayal, and acceptance through a bizarre series of events. The night begins like any other and ends with celebration of both beginnings and endings as the queens and those in attendance learn to set aside their differences and embrace what unites them. 
#PinkPeach

Children of the Mountain

Directed by Priscilla Anany

Ghana/USA, 2016, Ewe/Akan, 101 minutes

Monday, March 27, 2017, 7:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Caught between love for her child and respect for her culture, a mother confronts the social stigma of special needs. When her child is born with a cleft lip, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome, Essuman’s future becomes bleak. As her community disowns her and her baby, she is faced with a decision—abandon her child or defy society. She turns to the rural mountains of Ghana as she searches for answers and salvation.   

#NewMavericks

دم سرد (Cold Breath)

Directed by Abbas Raziji

Iran, 2017, Persian, 83 minutes

Monday, March 27, 2017, 9:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Born a woman and living as a man, 30-year-old Maryam struggles in conforming to societal gender norms. She is living paycheck to paycheck when her daughter succumbs to cancer and she must find a way to pay for treatment. Trusting in love for survival, Maryam faces her greatest fears head on when her secret is revealed.

#PinkPeach, #WorldPremiere

Cortez            

Directed by Cheryl Nichols

USA, 2016, English, 99 minutes

Saturday, April 1, 2017, 5:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Jesse—a misguided musician—finds his way to the town of Cortez where he will face old love and new relationships. Anne—a woman from his past—will teach him a little something about what happens when a rockstar lifestyle meets responsibility and how re-creating oneself doesn't always mean saying goodbye to adventure.

#Competition

Dean

Directed by Demetri Martin

USA, 2016, English, 87 minutes

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 9:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Dean (Demetri Martin) is an illustrator whose unwillingness to deal with the recent death of his mother means escaping his hometown of New York for an interview with an ad agency in Los Angeles. His retired engineer dad Robert (Kevin Kline) takes a more regimented approach to grief, including putting the family home up for sale. Both father and son set out on their own paths to find a new normal as unexpected circumstances and potential new love interests threaten to thwart all plans.

#Marquee

Everything But a Man          

Directed by Nnegest Likké

USA, 2016, English, 110 minutes

Sunday, March 26, 2017, 2:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Vanessa is a self-made career woman who seems to have everything going for her, but there is one element of a happy life that continues to elude her: Love. Could Max, a mysterious, French-speaking foreigner be the one to change her luck? His lifestyle is so different from hers, yet these differences could be just what Vanessa needs: a challenge to her fixed notions of love, relationships and what being a strong woman really means. This 3rd feature from writer-director Nnegest Likké explores romance and self-discovery from a bold, intelligent, female perspective—and it might just provoke the rest of us to question our idea of personal success.

#NewMavericks

Holden On

Directed by Tamlin Hall

USA, 2017, English, 102 minutes

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 11:45 AM — Plaza Theatre, Main

No longer your average boy-next-door, Holden Layfield weaves audiences through his harrowing tale in this film set in the early 1990s. After succumbing to a secret battle with mental illness, Holden evolves from a beloved, small town Georgia football player to a lost, self-medicating prophet.

#Georgia, #WorldPremiere

In the Radiant City

Directed by Rachel Lambert

USA, 2016, English, 95 minutes

Saturday, April 1, 2017, 12:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

After 20 years away, Andrew Yurley returns to his hometown in Kentucky to play key-witness in his brother's resentencing. Having lived with the remorse of his statement—which put his brother away for life—Andrew must now face an angry sister, a doped-up mother, and countless degrading town folk, thanks to his niece, Beth. In the midst of dealing with lawyers and the case, Andrew must now answer the question—can what is broken ever be put back together again?

#Competition

La Soledad

Directed by Jorge Thielen Armand

Venezuela/Italy/Canada, 2016, Spanish, 89 minutes

Saturday, April 1, 2017, 2:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Capturing the life of real people amidst the Venezuelan crisis, “La Soledad” is the story of José, a young father who discovers that the dilapidated mansion he inhabits will soon be demolished. Desperate to save his family, José begins a search for a cursed treasure that is said to be buried in the house.

#CineMás, #Competition        

The Lost City of Z

Directed by James Gray

USA, 2016, English, 140 minutes

Thursday, March 30, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Based on author David Grann’s nonfiction bestseller, “The Lost City of Z” tells the incredible true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam), who journeys into the Amazon at the dawn of the 20th century and discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization that may have once inhabited the region. Despite being ridiculed by the scientific establishment who regard indigenous populations as ‘savages,’ the determined Fawcett — supported by his devoted wife (Sienna Miller), son (Tom Holland) and aide-de-camp (Robert Pattinson) — returns time and again to his beloved jungle in an attempt to prove his case, culminating in his mysterious disappearance in 1925.

#Marquee

No Light and No Land Anywhere

Directed by Amber Sealey

USA, 2016, English, 75 minutes

Sunday, March 26, 2017, 4:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Grieving her mother’s death and her own failing marriage, Lexi boards a plane from London to Los Angeles in search of the estranged father. Based out of a seedy Hollywood motel, she follows a tenuous trail of breadcrumbs, beginning with his aging former in-laws, collecting numbers and addresses in the hopes that one will lead to her father. Along the way, she establishes other unexpected connections: her father's ailing former second wife, her bitter half-sister Tanya and her caregiver girlfriend, and two local barflies.

#Competition, #NewMavericks

Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer

Directed by Joseph Cedar

USA/Israel, 2016, English, 117 minutes

Sunday, April 2, 2017, 2:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere) only wants to matter. Living a lonely life in the shadow of power and money, he uses any angle or connection to put himself in a position of significance. He is an opportunist, just not a very good one. Until he finally bets on the right horse by buying a pair of expensive shoes for Micha Eshel (Lior Ashkenazi), a lowly Israeli politician. When Micha becomes Prime Minister, Norman finds himself in the center of a geopolitical drama beyond anything he could have imagined. 

#Marquee

San Fu Tian (Dog Days)

Directed by Jordan Schiele

China, 2016, Mandarin Chinese (Changsha dialect), 95 minutes

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 4:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Struggling to support her family as a dancer, Lulu comes home one night to an empty apartment. Desperate to find her missing husband and child, Lulu tracks down drag queen, Sunny, to aid her on her quest. After a night of high-running tensions, Sunny only agrees to help on the journey around China if Lulu promises not to turn her husband, Bailong, over to the police. Despite the agreement, Lulu decides to take matters into her own hands and some secrets come to light.

#Competition, #PinkPeach

The Scent of Rain & Lightning

Directed by Blake Robbins

USA, 2017, English, 103 minutes

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

After learning her parents' killer has been released from prison, Jody Linder must revisit old wounds, face suppressed memories, expose family secrets, and learn what happens in a life of hate.

#WorldPremiere

Sylvio

Directed by Albert Birney & Kentucker Audley

USA, 2017, English, 80 minutes

Monday, March 27, 2017, 8:00 PM — Dad's Garage

It's the story of a small town gorilla, Sylvio, who is stuck in his job at a debt collection agency. Deep down he just wants to express himself with his hand puppet, Herbert Herpels, and his experimental puppet show that highlights the quiet moments of life.

#Marquee

Teenage Love Bomb

Directed by Mads Erichsen

Denmark, 2016, Danish, 84 minutes

Sunday, March 26, 2017, 5:30p - Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Thomas is working his way through the seventh grade, lives in Denmark with his mom and brother, and occasionally maintains a relationship with his cop father. A unique set of skills allows him to team up with his crush, school bad-girl Vikki, and her band of misfit friends (and Vikki's boyfriend) to blow up their teacher's bike. All's fair in love and war.

The 12 Lives of Sissy Carlyle

Directed by Fran Burst-Terranella

USA, 2017, English, 87 minutes

Monday, March 27, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Sissy writes in her journals about the life she wants as she finds her reality less than interesting. With the help of her brother and some newly-found friends, Sissy starts creating a life worth living.

#Georgia, #NewMavericks, #WorldPremiere

Wexford Plaza

Directed by Joyce Wong

Canada, 2017, English, 82 minutes
Friday, March 31, 2017, 7:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs
The daily occurrences within Wexford Plaza uncover what it means for 20-year-old Betty to explore love whilst maintaining her job as a security guard. A cohabiter of the Wexford Plaza, Danny, weaves his way into Betty's life, and both parties need to decide where their priorities lie and at what cost they come. 

#Competition, #NewMavericks

A Woman, A Part

Directed by Elisabeth Surbin

USA, 2016, English, 98 minutes

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 7:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

At the peak of her acting career, Anna decides she no longer wants to continue the profession despite facing a potential lawsuit. She impulsively flies to New York to revisit the past life she left behind. Upon reconnecting with former friends, she learns that they have used her as the inspiration for a character in a stage play.

#NewMavericks, #PinkPeach

Wonder Valley

Directed by Heidi Hartwig

USA, 2017, English, 72 minutes

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 9:45 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

When Karian plans a weekend getaway with her new best friend Cloudy, she is upset to find out that Cloudy has invited her childhood friend, Sasha, a has-been actress, to join them. Tensions escalate quickly after the girls decide to take daturas, a dangerous psychotropic drug that blurs the line between real and imaginary. When Karian makes a chilling discovery during a hike, no one believes her, leading to a final show down between her and Sasha.

#NewMavericks, #WorldPremiere

Your Ride Is Here

Directed by Fraser Jones

USA, 2017, English, 58 minutes

Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 8:00 PM — Dad's Garage

An Uber veteran and a talkative rookie take on a night of driving each other mad through the streets of Nashville. Throughout the night, passengers find solace within the confines of the vehicle, and break down walls only approached in late hours amongst the comfort of strangers. 

#Georgia, #WorldPremiere

The Zookeeper’s Wife

Directed by Niki Caro

UK/USA/Czech Republic/New Zealand, 2017, English, 126 minutes

Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

In 1939 Poland, Antonina Zabinska (Jessica Chastain) and her husband, Dr. Jan Zabinski (Johan Heldenbergh), have the Warsaw Zoo flourishing under his stewardship and her care. When their country is invaded by the Germans, Jan and Antonina are stunned and forced to report to the Reich's newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck (Daniel Brühl). To fight back on their own terms, the Zabinskis covertly begin working with the Resistance and put into action plans to save lives out of what has become the Warsaw Ghetto, with Antonina putting herself and even her children at great risk.

#NewMavericks, #Marquee

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

Atlan

Directed by Moein Karimoddini

Iran, 2015, Farsi, 62 minutes

Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 9:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

A Turkman horse trainer, Ali, plans to spend his life-long prize winnings on his wedding. When some life events head south, Ali must take the reigns and participate in this revered Iranian sport through the northern Sahara in order to guarantee a successful marriage.

City of Joy

Directed by Madeleine Gavin

Democratic Republic of Congo, 2016, Swahili/French/English, 76 minutes

Sunday, March 26, 2017, 2:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

A tale of hope and restoration unfolds in “City of Joy,” a film that follows students at a leadership center in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite the horrific abuse they have endured, this first class of women comes together as a community of leaders to positively revolutionize a place long deemed by many as hopeless.

#NewMavericks

Death by a Thousand Cuts

Directed by Juan Mejia Botero & Jake Kheel

USA/Dominican Republic, 2016, Spanish/Haitian Kreyòl, 73 minutes

Monday, March 27, 2017, 9:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Showcasing the tension between Haitians and Dominicans over charcoal, “Death by a Thousand Cuts” focuses on the investigation into the death of a Dominican Park Ranger, Melaneo. Melaneo was found brutally murdered by a machete in the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, after he was investigating the illegal charcoal production. The film sheds light on the deforestation in the Dominican Republic, and the relationship between the murder weapon and Dominican trees being chopped.

#CineMás

Dwa światy (Two Worlds)

Directed by Maciej Adamek

Poland, 2016, Polish, 51 minutes

Sunday, March 26, 2017, 12:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

As the only member of her family with the ability to hear, 12-year-old Laura guides viewers in this inspiring family portrait. The challenges she faces are surprising and unusual. As their story unfolds, the strength of their love in light of the challenges they face allows the viewers to confront a reality otherwise unknown to them.

#FamilyFriendly, #NewMavericks

Farewell Ferris Wheel

Directed by Jamie Sisley & Miguel "M.i.G." Martinez

USA/Mexico, 2016, English/ Spanish, 71 minutes

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 2:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

In the United States, tens of thousands of migrant workers are displaced from their once-reliable sources of income due to adjusted labor laws and as a result of H-2B labor abuse. “Farewell Ferris Wheel” spends six years uncovering the experiences of various legal Mexican migrant workers from one small town that predominantly works with carnivals. The adjustment of these laws could mean the end of carnival festivities nation-wide, despite the 200-year history in America. 

#CineMás

The House on Coco Road

Directed by Damani Baker

USA/Grenada, 2016, English, 79 minutes

Sunday, April 2, 2017, 12:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

“The House on Coco Road” depicts the times and trials of Fannie Haughton, an activist and teacher who moves her children from Oakland, California to participate in the Grenada Revolution, unknowingly amidst a US military invasion. Her son's search for truth to confirm Fannie's place in American history is this beautifully painted homage to family, nationalism, freedom, and the dream of a better world.

#Competition

Jackson

Directed by Maisie Crow

USA, 2016, English, 92 minutes

Friday, March 31, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Forty-five percent of all pregnancies in the USA are unplanned, and one in three women will have an abortion in her lifetime. And yet, the battle for women's access to reproductive healthcare is far from over. Inside the last remaining abortion clinic in Mississippi, “Jackson” is an intimate, first-of-its-kind look at the issues, through the voices of women in the Deep South who stand on both sides of the debate.

#Competition, #NewMavericks

La Selva Negra (The Modern Jungle)

Directed by Charles Fairbanks & Saul Kak

Mexico/USA, 2016, Spanish/Zoque, 72 minutes

Saturday, April 1, 2017, 12:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

An intimate portrait of Zoque culture is painted through the fever dream of a Mexican shaman. The film highlights their challenges in the midst of increasing globalization and fetishization of commodities, while addressing the predicament of documentary. The shaman's financial hardship and hopes of a better future emotionally engage viewers as the film unapologetically explores its subject.

#CineMás, #Competition

League of Exotique Dancers

Directed by Rama Rau

Canada, 2016, English, 91 minutes

Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 9:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

With a blast of brassy jazz and a spin through the glitz of modern Las Vegas, League of Exotique Dancers sets the stage for a provocative and eye-opening “backstage tour” of the golden age of Burlesque through the colourful lives of unforgettable women who made it glitter.

#NewMavericks

Mele Murals

Directed by Tadashi Nakamura

USA, 2016, English, 66 minutes

Sunday, March 26, 2017, 5:45 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

“Mele Murals” follows the stories of two renowned street artists, Estria Miyashiro (AKA Estria) and John Hina (AKA Prime), as they attempt to express their knowledge of the last 20 years in Hawaii and discover cultural identities through street art. This documentary emphasizes the artists' desires to unite their communities and educate the public on modern mural-making and traditional Hawaiian culture.

Milwaukee 53206

Directed by Keith McQuirter

USA, 2016, English, 55 minutes

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 12:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Milwaukee 53206: America's most incarcerated ZIP code. Three powerful characters relate their experiences of incarceration and how prison shaped their lives, families, and community. This film exposes the challenges a community faces when fighting to move forward despite a history of poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunity, and how these factors sustain the crisis of mass incarceration in this region and across the nation.

Mr. Chibbs

Directed by Jill Campbell

USA, 2017, English, 90 minutes

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 4:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

A retired professional athlete faces unexpected challenges in his post-athletic world. As life continues, Kenny Anderson discovers basketball did not prepare him for all facets of reality. The former New York City high-school prodigy and NBA All-Star confronts loss in its many forms and subsequently finds himself lost. Facing his personal demons head-on, the charismatic Anderson must come to terms with his past in order to find a way forward.

#FamilyFriendly, #Georgia

Não Deixe a Peteca Cair (Bad’ & the Birdieman)

Directed by Lili Fialho & Kátia Lund

Brazil/USA, 2016, Portuguese, 50 minutes

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 12:00 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Sebastião’s goal is to use badminton as a tool of escape for the kids in his community of Chacrinha, Rio de Janeiro. The kids enjoy playing the sport but lose at every competition, despite Sebastião’s vision for the kids to become champions. With love, hard work and dedication, the badminton team became qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games.

#CineMás, #FamilyFriendly

The Nine

Directed by Katy Grannan

USA, 2016, English, 98 minutes

Saturday, April 1, 2017, 2:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

The Nine is a no-man’s land where rules of polite society do not apply; a resting place for those who have relinquished the American dream. This emotional documentary unearths the stories of those living along the Nine in Modesto, an area in California's Central Valley devastated by the Great Depression. In a city with no hope, Kiki, exploited by personal trauma, is a rare bright light whose magnetic optimism is a means of self-preservation. Her childlike enthusiasm belies the stark reality of her Darwinian existence, emphasizing the beauty of those who fall by the wayside.

#Competition, #NewMavericks

Preso

Directed by Ana Tipa

Uruguay, 2016, Spanish/Portuguese, 92 minutes

Saturday, March 25, 2017, 7:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Miguel, a hard working family man, must come to terms with his double life. He frequently crosses the border of Uruguay and Brazil to ensure both of his families are taken care of. As his internal struggle thrives, he must find enough courage to tell them the truth.

#CineMás

Raising Bertie

Directed by Margaret Byrne

USA, 2016, English, 102 minutes

Saturday, April 1, 2017, 5:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

“Raising Bertie” follows three young African American boys over the course of six years as they grow into adulthood in Bertie County, a rural African American-led community in Eastern North Carolina. Through the intimate portrayal of these boys, this powerful vérité film offers a rare in-depth look at the issues facing America's rural youth and the complex relationships between generational poverty, educational equity, and race. The evocative result is an experience that encourages us to recognize the value and complexity in lives all too often ignored.

#Competition

Rat Film

Directed by Theo Anthony

USA, 2016, English, 82 minutes

Thursday, March 30, 2017, 7:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Across walls, fences, and alleys, rats not only expose our boundaries of separation but make homes in them. "Rat Film" uses the rats—as well as the humans that love them, live with them, and kill them—to explore the history of Baltimore. ‘There's never been a rat problem in Baltimore, it's always been a people problem.’

#Competition

Waiting for B.

Directed by Paulo Cesar Toledo & Abigail Spindel

Brazil, 2016, Portuguese, 72 minutes

Friday, March 31, 2017, 9:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Documented in Brazil, “Waiting for B.” exposes the journey young Beyoncé super-fans undergo in an attempt to be closer to the front of the stage. Lacking the money to buy their way to the front, they camp out in the streets for two months waiting for a chance to be closer to their idol. As their lives intertwine, commonality is found between victims of hype, a community of hope forms, and the contradictions of humility and vanity at the heart of diva worship are explored.

#CineMás, #Competition

Whose Streets?

Directed by Sabaah Folayan & Damon Davis

USA, 2017, English, 103 minutes

Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 9:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe this movement for justice, “Whose Streets?” is an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising. When unarmed teenager Michael Brown is killed by police and left lying in the street for hours, it marks a breaking point for the residents of St. Louis, Missouri. Grief, long-standing racial tensions and renewed anger bring residents together to hold vigil and protest this latest tragedy. Empowered parents, artists, and teachers from around the country come together as freedom fighters. As the national guard descends on Ferguson with military grade weaponry, these young community members become the torchbearers of a new resistance.

#Marquee

Woman on Fire

Directed by Julie Sokolow

USA, 2016, English, 84 minutes

Sunday, March 26, 2017, 8:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Truly one of New York’s bravest, Brooke Guinan breaks barriers when she becomes the city's first and only transgender firefighter. Guinan reveals her experience of facing adversity while remaining steadfast in her goals. The documentary waxes inspirational as she reflects upon her upbringing, 9/11, and her experiences as a transgender firefighter.

#NewMavericks, #PinkPeach

SHORT FILMS BY BLOCK

AH, MY HOMETOWN
Deeply homegrown documents of Georgia.

Documentary, 77 minutes
Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 7:00 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main
Presented in partnership with Homespun

Digital Edition | directed by James Kicklighter, USA, 26:02

In the midst of a print revolution, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution experiments with new storytelling tools in the digital era.

#Georgia

Nadia | directed by Erin S Murray, USA, 3:04

A ballerina discusses her relationship with ‘perfection’ and how she finds individuality within the rigorous standards of ballet.

#Georgia, #NewMavericks

7 Days | directed by Rashel Stephenson, USA, 25:12

“7 Days” goes behind the scenes with three organ transplantation surgeons as they turn death into life and desperation into hope.

#Georgia

We the Creators: Daniel Lamb | directed by Babacar Ndiaye, USA, 2:08

“We The Creators” is a documentary series that examines the inner thoughts and processes of a select group of artists.

#Georgia

American Moderate | directed by Jared Callahan, USA, 16:34

A first-time voter from the South struggles to find herself, and a candidate that best represents her, in the 2016 presidential primaries.

#Georgia

APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
Unexpected predicaments and the choices that follow.

Narrative, 98 minutes
Sunday, March 26, 2017, 2:00 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Mother | directed by Simón Mesa Soto, Colombia/Sweden, 14:00

16-year-old Andrea comes down from her poor neighborhood in the hills of Medellín to attend a downtown casting call for a porno film.

#CineMás

Babysitter | directed by Aurit Zamir, Israel, 26:17

One night at Eilat’s babysitting job, during which motherhood and childhood manifest themselves in confusing ways.

#NewMavericks

Retaliation | directed by Ange-Régis Hounkpatin, Benin/France, 25:39

Awa, 18-years-old, goes to class in the military high school of Natitingou. One day, she learns that her father has just been murdered. She has just joined her family in Cotonou when a popular prosecution is put together in order to avenge the memory of the deceased. Facing the helplessness of the police, Awa decides to take part in it.

#Competition

Your Day | directed by Ginger Gonzaga, USA, 31:49

A young couple, Jack and Jane, spend the day at a hotel, seemingly to celebrate Jane's birthday, until we realize they are there for a VERY different reason.

#NewMavericks

A CHAPTER IN HER LIFE
A collection of vignettes by and about women.

Narrative, 91 minutes
Saturday, April 1, 2017, 12:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Fract | directed by Georgina Bloomfield, New Zealand, 13:49

A teenage outcast discovers her cast is a friend magnet.

#NewMavericks

Birthday Cake | directed by Brantly Jackson Watts, USA, 17:16

A woman who fled a violent relationship must choose between love and survival on the first anniversary of leaving her abuser.

#Georgia, #NewMavericks

Solatium | directed by Christina Tynkevych, Ukraine/United Kingdom, 10:43
Anna, an ambulance doctor, arrives at a night call which brings back her painful past and challenges her moral compass.

#Competition, #NewMavericks

One Up | directed by Eimi Imanishi, USA, 14:41

Hadley jumps into an uncomfortable sexual encounter after she's brutally rejected by her teammate crush Christine.

#NewMavericks, #PinkPeach

How Far She Went | directed by Ugla Hauksdottir, USA/Iceland, 13:06

An unflinching look at family, personal sacrifice, and the lengths we'll go for those we love.

#NewMavericks

Submarine | directed by Lebanon     0:20:51Mounia Akl      NS       Under the imminent threat of Lebanon’s garbage crisis, Hala, a wild child inside of a woman is the only one to refuse evacuation.

#Competition, #NewMavericks

AN EARTHY PARADISE FOR THE EYES
Sublime imagery creates transcendent experiences.

Narrative & Documentary, 99 minutes
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 4:45 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Limbo | directed by Konstantina Kotzamani, France/Greece, 29:50

The leopard shall lie down with the goat. The wolves shall live with the lambs. And the young boy will lead them. 12+1 kids and the carcass of a whale washed ashore…     

The Offering | directed by Billy Silva & Guille Isa, Peru, 6:42
Two musicians and a dancer make an ancient and sacred offering to the earth.

#CineMás

Wald der Echos (Forest of Echoes) | directed by Luz Olivares Capelle, Austria, 30:00

A teenager, Christina, loses her friends in the forest. Looking for them she finds the bodies of three drowned kids on the shore of a lagoon.

#NewMavericks

The Sleeping Saint | directed by Laura Samani, Italy, 19:40

In order to grow up, Giacomina has to learn the art of letting go.

#NewMavericks

To Be Free | directed by Adepero Oduye, USA, 12:18

In a tiny after-hours club, Nina Simone finds a way, for one moment, to be free.

#Competition, #NewMavericks

FISH TANK
Fleeting glimpses through the glass.

Documentary, 92 minutes
Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 7:00 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

More Is More | directed by Alexis Boling, USA, 6:24

Unearthly creatures from another dimension climb out of the mind of a transformational artist and onto the streets of NYC.

#Georgia

Gut Hack | directed by Kate McLean & Mario Furloni, USA, 14:00
A former NASA scientist turned bio-hacker attempts an experiment that makes him confront the multitudes inside.           

Powder Fresh | directed by Lyntoria Newton, USA, 7:37
“Powder Fresh” is an experimental look into the racial and gender implications of hygienic practices through targeted advertising.  

The Sandman | directed by Lauren Knapp, USA, 18:56
A doctor walks the line of his own morality as he participates in executions, while personally opposing capital punishment.

#Competition, #Georgia

Distribution | directed by Sam Ellison, Nicaragua/USA, 11:10

The pirate movie industry of Nicaragua, seen in kaleidoscopic detail.

#CineMás, #Competition

Raised by Krump | directed by Maceo Frost, USA/Germany/Sweden, 22:00

“Raised by Krump” explores the LA-born dance movement ‘krumping,’ and the lives of some of the area’s most influential and prolific dancers.          

#Competition

Matthew's Gift | directed by Jon Watts, USA, 11:54

We follow photographer Oana Hogrefe as she dedicates her one day a year taking remembrance photos of a child nearing the end of life.

#Georgia

IN THE REALMS OF THE UNREAL
Otherworldly tales.

Narrative (Sci-Fi/Horror), 97 minutes
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 2:00 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Waste | directed by Justine Raczkiewicz, USA, 15:50

Roger gets to know his roommate Olive over a series of meals, which become increasingly strange and push the limits of his curiousity.

The Last Journey of the Enigmatic Paul WR | directed by Romain Quirot, France, 17:07         

The red moon threatens our existence on earth. Our only hope is the enigmatic Paul WR, the most talented astronaut of his generation. However, few hours before the start of the mission, Paul disappears.

Creswick | directed by Natalie Erika James, Australia, 9:30

While a young woman helps her father pack up his house, they are both increasingly aware of the presence that they always knew was there.

#NewMavericks

The Purple Plain | directed by Kim Albright, United Kingdom, 12:41

The true story of the Mercury 13, the first American women who tested for space flight.

#NewMavericks

Home Education | directed by Andrea Niada, United Kingdom, 24:50

A girl is convinced by her mother that her dead dad will be resurrected if they show how much they miss him. That is, until he begins to rot...

They Charge For the Sun | directed by Terence Nance, USA, 16:52

In a future where people live nocturnally, a young black girl unravels the lie that has kept her and her sister in the dark.

#Competition

LOL (Laughing Out Loud)
Amusing moments and familiar faces.

Narrative (Comedy), 114 minutes
Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 8:00 PM — Dad’s Garage

The Accomplice | directed by Jon Hoeg & John F. Beach, USA, 7:56

Jerry arrives home to a full answering machine and realizes he might be in trouble.

Hit | directed by Katie Trew Cheline, USA, 15:51

“Hit” follows Brandon, who thinks he's met the girl of his dreams in the mysterious Izzy… until they go on the first date of his nightmares.

Seeking: Jack Tripper | directed by Quinlan Orear, USA, 14:30

A married gay couple who try to have a threesome in an attempt to reignite the spark in their relationship.

#PinkPeach

Chicken / Egg | directed by James D'Arcy, United Kingdom, 15:00

Mark's a good guy. Kenneth not so much. Mark's gonna help Kenneth out. Maybe.

The Session | directed by Morgane Becceril, France/USA, 13:08

A novice dominatrix fights to free a tortured client.

Pregnant | directed by Joseph Sackett, USA, 9:30

A pregnant man communicates psychically with his unborn fetus.

#Competition, #PinkPeach

Perfect Roast Potatoes | directed by Nick Frew, USA, 18:00

A bittersweet comedy about cooking and grief. Dysfunctional British siblings have an awkward Christmas with the corpse of their dead mum.

Lightningface | directed by Brian Petsos, USA, 19:57

After an inexplicable incident, Basil Stitt sequesters himself inside his apartment and begins a profound transformation.           

THE NEW LOVE AND THE OLD
The malleability of modern romance.

Narrative & Documentary, 95 minutes
Saturday, April 1, 2017, 5:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Modern Love | directed by Francesca Mirabella, USA, 10:03

Romance in the era of Snapchat.

Victor & Isolina | directed by William D. Caballero, USA, 5:45

Victor and Isolina (now in their 80s) answer questions about their life-long, complex and arduous relationship.

#Competition

Gema | directed by Kenrick Prince, USA, 13:24

When Gema gets roped into meeting her fiancé’s parents for the first time, she grapples with facing the truth he’s been keeping from them.

All Good Things | directed by Chloe Domont, USA, 26:00

In a portrait of a modern marriage, a filmmaker follows her mother's relationship with two men, each whom satisfy her different needs.

#Competition

Call Your Father | directed by Jordan Firstman, USA, 19:04

On Josh and Greg's first date, they quickly realize that the generational divide between them is the least of their worries.

#PinkPeach

In the Hills | directed by Hamid Reza Ahmadi Rahmatabadi, United Kingdom, 21:00

In the idyllic English Cotswolds, Sharam, a young immigrant man, takes a rather radical approach towards integrating with British society.

#Competition

PLANET OF THE CHILDREN
Kids shows and shorts. (Recommended ages 8+)

Animation, Narrative & Pilot, 69 minutes
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 12:15 PM — Towne Cinema

The Discovery of Dit Dodson | directed by Kelley Kali, USA, 10:35

In the Bayous of Louisiana, 14-year-old Dit discovers that she inherited magical healing powers, but they get her into a world of trouble.

#NewMavericks

Egér (Little Mouse) | directed by Ervin B. Nagy, Hungary, 7:12

1986, Budapest. The later olympic champion swimmer Krisztina Egerszegi is only 12. Her opponents are stronger and bigger.     

Wishful Whiskers | directed by Pulkit Datta, USA, 9:55

Stuck in her dad’s boring lunch meeting, little Ella suddenly discovers the curious case of all the mustaches.     

Nobody | directed by Elham Toroghi, Iran, 10:16

The story is about a white cat who lives in a city of black dwellers.

#Competition

Rum | directed by Russell Haigh, UK, 4:26

A quarrel between two pirates gets completely out of hand.

#Competition

The Wishing Jar | directed by Denver Jackson, Canada, 13:48

A girl, a flying goldfish, and a wishing star.

#Competition

Frolic 'n Mae | directed by Danny Madden, USA, 12:40

Frustrated, Mae creates Frolic, and Frolic creates mayhem.           

REASSEMBLAGE
Rendering illusions of motion and change.

Animation, 84 minutes
Monday, March 27, 2017, 7:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main
Presented in partnership with ASIFA-South

Ceci n'est pas une animation | directed by Federico Kempke, Canada/Mexico. 5:14

A group of pretentious animators are followed through the process of creating the ‘ultimate animated film.’ But do they really have the skills to back up their claims?

#CineMás, #Competition

Related | directed by Ida Andreasen, Denmark, 15:00

Related is a drama about love and genetics. A daughter and her father strive to learn to live with their uncontrollable tempers.

#Competition

Once a Hero | directed by Xia Li, USA, 8:13

Wanting to be a superhero, a boy befriends with a girl who is bullied by all her classmates. One day, he is forced to make a choice, betray the girl or not.

#Competition

Confessions of A Breastimator | directed by Jisu Kim, USA, 3:24

The story of a breast aficionado who reflects back on her life as an animator, confessing her longtime passion for cartoons and animating double Ds.

#Competition, #NewMavericks

Thank You For Visiting | directed by Dinesh Ram, India, 10:54

The story of habitat loss told through the life of a bear in a regular city zoo.

#Competition

The Laughing Spider | directed by Keiichi Tanaami, Japan, 7:24

A psychedelic phantasmagoria from Japan’s greatest veteran animator, based on childhood memories of air-raids.

#Competition

"The Talk" True Stories About The Birds & The Bees | directed by Alain Delannoy, Canada, 8:50

There are things in life you never forget. One of them, like it or not, is ‘the talk.’

#Competition

Summer's Puke is Winter's Delight | directed by Sawako Kabuki, Japan, 2:59

Painful events become memories over time. Still, we vomit and eat again. Life is Eco.

#Competition

Fox and the Whale | directed by Robin Joseph, Canada, 12:03

The story of a curious fox who goes in search of an elusive whale. A journey of longing and discovery.

#Competition

The Wrong End of the Stick | directed by Terri Matthews, United Kingdom, 9:40

Malcolm Fetcher faces an all-consuming identity crisis. His marriage disintegrates and he is forced to express a deep, hidden desire.

#Competition

SEASON OF STRANGERS
Avant-garde selections that redefine form and function.

Experimental, 74 minutes
Sunday, March 26, 2017, 7:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Auto | directed by Conner Griffith, USA, 6:19
A choreographed dance of pedestrians and automobiles, presented on their routinized stages.

Fault Lines | directed by Mandy Bea, USA, 3:12
I only see in neon.

A Hard World for Little Things | directed by Sonja Bertucci, USA, 2:00

“A Hard World for Little Things” is a film about toys insofar as they channel the violence of the adult world into the space of childhood.

Forged From the Love of Liberty | directed by Vashti Harrison, Trinidad and Tobago/USA, 4:45

A visual poem about a family's curse, and two superstitions surrounding it.

Clandestine | directed by Atoosa Pour Hosseini, Ireland/Estonia, 14:23

“Clandestine” Layers both space and time, superimposing imagery and creating entrancing patterns of repetition and startling interruption.

Back Track | directed by Virgil Widrich, Austria, 7:00

A 3D remix of flat feature films.

Skin in the Game | directed by Ariana Gerstein, USA, 5:02

From many pieces, marked by light, by pressure, sliced. 

More Dangerous Than a Thousand Rioters | directed by Kelly Gallagher, USA, 6:19

An experimental animated documentary exploring the powerful and inspiring life of revolutionary Lucy Parsons.

#NewMavericks

Underbelly Up | directed by Josh Yates, USA, 3:57

A disembodied entity meditates on the trauma caused by a devastating flood that occurred during October, their favorite month.

Colombi | directed by Luca Ferri, Italy, 20:46
A reflection on the last century and two people's precise unwillingness to accept the changes imposed by society.

SOUTHERN COMFORT
Films (and makers) crafted in the Peach State.

Narrative, 85 minutes
Monday, March 27, 2017, 9:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

The Ebbing Tree | directed by DaManuel Richardson, USA, 12:58

A young teen gains the courage to leave his home for the mainland after a chance encounter with an old friend.

#Georgia

Leaving Charlie | directed by Amanda Brooke Avery & Diane Calhoun, USA, 15:38

A young, queer, stripper is forced to reevaluate her boundaries when a customer gets too close.

#Georgia, #NewMavericks, #PinkPeach

Northfield | directed by Cameron Schwartz, USA, 18:40

After kidnapping his son's murderer, a distraught father takes up a dangerous journey and faces a harrowing dilemma.

#Georgia

My Indian Rhapsody | directed by Abijeet Achar, India/France/USA, 15:31

A once famous author works on a new book about a life with a brother he never knew, but is distracted by dreams of a lover he left behind.

#Georgia

It's Just Skin | directed by Haley Wetherington, USA, 7:02

After a misconstrued moment between Stella and her neighbor Matt, Stella is left to contend with the blame she puts on herself.

#Georgia, #NewMavericks

Cul-De-Sac | directed by Damon Russell, USA, 14:30

Two parents, living in a quiet cul-de-sac, discover a wiretap hidden inside their son's teddy bear.

#Georgia

STORIES WE TELL
Memoirs of uprooted lives.

Documentary, 83 minutes
Saturday, April 1, 2017, 2:45 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Notes From Buena Vista | directed by Elizabeth Lo, USA, 9:38

A working-class mobile home park in Silicon Valley faces imminent closure. Notes From Buena Vista glimpses into the lives of low-income families in one of the wealthiest places in the world.

The Move | directed by Maija Hirvonen, Finland, 18:51

“The Move” is a short documentary of a poet Mirkka Rekola who reflects on her life that is soon coming to an end.

#NewMavericks

El Hara | directed by Margaux Fitoussi & Mo Scarpelli, Tunisia/France, 16:00

“El Hara” poetically explores how the places we grow up in haunt who we become, forever.

#Competition

Se Shin Sa | directed by Eunhye Hong Kim, USA, 10:52

“Se Shin Sa” is a hybrid of fiction and documentary portraying an undocumented woman living and working as a masseuse in Koreatown, Los Angeles.

#Competition, #NewMavericks

Refugee | directed by Joyce Chen & Emily Moore, USA/Senegal, 27:14

“Refugee” tells the story of a West African woman who left her five children in 2003 to come to the USA and provide them with a better future.

#Competition, #NewMavericks

TIES THAT BIND
Family matters of life and death.

Narrative, 103 minutes
Friday, March 31, 2017, 7:00 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Benny Got Shot | directed by Malcolm Washington, USA, 20:01
Naomi, an autopsy assistant, realizes her brother is missing the night of a police shooting and fears that his body may be in her morgue.

Let the Past Go By | directed by Maryam Naraghi, Iran, 21:00

Unlike her father, Bahar hasn’t yet overcome the tragedy of her younger brother’s death. When his killer is released from jail, she tries to make him suffer emotionally. Her endeavors result in a change in her perspective.

#Competition, #NewMavericks

Death in a Day | directed by Lin Wang, USA/China, 14:05

After visiting his comatose father, a young Chinese boy must come to grips with the impending death falling upon his family.

Fox | directed by Jacqueline Lentzou, Greece, 28:02

Stephanos, a reactive teenager and the oldest of a family with no father, has a fight with his mother. Left home-alone with his siblings and sick dog, Lucy, he has no idea that this would be the last, most carefree day of his life.

Vìré | directed by Hugo Rousselin, France/Guadeloupe, 19:50
A young Guadeloupean named Isaac has troubles to mourn over the death of his brother Legba.

#Competition

UNSTRUNG HEROES
Invisible hands awaken the inanimate.

Puppetry, 85 minutes
Sunday, March 26, 2017, 11:30 AM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Ropes in Life | directed by Gerardo González, Mexico, 13:00

Caro is a thoughtful puppet who wanders through streets, meeting other puppets will make him conscious of the impositions he lives.

#CineMás

Loren The Robot Butler: Teach Me How To Dougie! | directed by Paul McGinnis, USA, 3:18

Decommissioned and stored in the basement, Loren the Robot Butler begrudgingly teaches the kids of the household how to dance the Dougie.

Belle and Bamber | directed by Alex Forbes, United Kingdom, 15:00

Belle and Bamber is a dark comedy about a child afraid of growing up and the dangers of psychotic imaginary friends.

Hot Air Balloon Animals | directed by Ben Johnson, Serene Bacigalupi & Jacques Duffourc, USA, 7:51

A lovable monster becomes inspired to embark on a hot air adventure filled with flying unicorns and cloud animals.

Lucky Chicken | directed by Gulliver Moore, United Kingdom, 12:15

A quirky silent romantic comedy about a butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker... and a magic chicken.

B-Bot | directed by Bryan McAdams, USA, 5:55

After the tragic loss of his best friend, a robot must find happiness in a world destroyed by a catastrophe.

Rain | directed by Matt Glass, USA, 14:27

One town, sixty years without sunlight or rain, a tyrant who controls the people and a mysterious wanderer offering a bright side to it all.

The Owl and the Lemming | directed by Roselynn Akulukjuk, Canada, 3:33

In this fable in which a young owl catches a lemming to eat, children learn the value of being humble, and why pride is to be avoided.

Gute Nacht (Good Night) | directed by Henning Backhaus, Austria, 6:37

Music clip for the first song from Franz Schubert's song cycle “Winter Journey.”

The Pits | directed by Mike Hayhurst, USA, 3:11

In a world full of pears, what can you find to fill your pit? A story about longing, love, and finding your other half.

SHORTS SCREENING BEFORE FEATURES

Narrative & Documentary

Better Known As Peaches Christ | directed by Jeff Dragomanovich & Nate Visconti, USA, 3:40

Screens with CHERRY POP (Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 9:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main)

Drag icon Peaches Christ offers a rare glimpse into her transformation process, and describes the path from stifled teen to brazen cult hero.

#PinkPeach

Game | directed by Jeannie Donohoe, USA, 15:54

Screens with MR. CHIBBS (Saturday, March 25, 2017, 4:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main)

A new kid shows up for the varsity boys' basketball tryouts and instantly makes an impression.
#NewMavericks

Get the Life | directed by Ozzy Villazòn, USA, 11:55

Screens with JACKSON (Friday, March 31, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main)

A transgender teenager faces an unwanted pregnancy and risks losing everything he loves in order to live courageously.

#PinkPeach

Megan's Shift | directed by Zeke Farrow, USA, 10:52
Screens with YOUR RIDE IS HERE (Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 8:00 PM — Dad's Garage)

It's never too late to give up.

Search Party  | directed by Tesia Walker, USA, 8:48

Screens with MILWAUKEE 53206 (Saturday, March 25, 2017, 12:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs)

Donna Greene is a mother living in a NYC housing project, who is throwing a party for her son, when a surprise visitor shows up her door.

#NewMavericks

Shauna is a Liar | directed by Chell Stephen, Canada/USA, 10:53

Screens with WEXFORD PLAZA (Friday, March 31, 2017, 7:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs)

An isolated perfectionist exacts ill-conceived revenge on all liars of the world via one nearby target: a classmate sharing her name.

#NewMavericks

Il Silenzio (The Silence) | directed by Ali Asgari & Farnoosh Samadi, Italy/France, 14:35

Screens with TWO WORLDS (Sunday, March 26, 2017, 12:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs)

Fatma and her mother are Kurdish refugees in Italy. On their visit to the doctor, Fatma has to translate what the doctor tells to her mother but she keeps silent.

#Competition

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About the Atlanta Film Festival and Atlanta Film Society

The Atlanta Film Festival, now in its fifth decade, is an Academy Award-qualifying festival and one of the region’s largest and longest-running preeminent celebrations of cinema in the Southeast United States. More than 27,000 festival attendees enjoy independent, animated, documentary and short films each year, selected from more than 6,000 submissions from 120 countries. The Atlanta Film Festival is the chief annual operation of the Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS), one of the oldest and largest organizations dedicated to the promotion and education of film in the United States, which enriches the community through screenings, classes, workshops and other events year-round. The Atlanta Film Festival was recently named one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” and one of “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” by MovieMaker Magazine. Major funding for the Atlanta Film Society is provided by Turner, XFINITY, MailChimp and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners through the Fulton County Arts & Culture Department and the National Endowment for the Arts through the Art Works category. www.AtlantaFilmFestival.com 

Atlanta Film Festival Announces Opening Night, Closing Night, Special Presentations & Creative Conference

ATLANTA, GA (March 3, 2017)  — The 2017 Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) is pleased to unveil key programming highlights that will take place during the 41st annual event from Friday, March 24, 2017 – Sunday, April 2, 2017. The featured screenings and events, announced first by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, include Opening and Closing Night Presentations, 18 Marquee and World Premiere screenings, 40 Creative Conference events and 12 unique Special Presentations. The programming revealed today will join a spectacular lineup of 163 previously announced feature length and short films, selected from a record 6,000+ submissions.

To kick-off the fest, ATLFF is pleased to welcome the feature film DAVE MADE A MAZE, as the Opening Night Presentation on Friday, March 24, 2017. Lauded “a cult classic in the making,” the narrative feature-length film combines elements of live action, puppetry and stop-motion video. The film stars comedian Nick Thune and is the directorial debut of writer-director Bill Watterson. Watterson and select cast and crewmembers will attend the Opening Night red carpet screening and celebration.

The festival’s Marquee screenings will take place throughout the ten-day event, giving attendees the opportunity to see a diverse lineup of upcoming releases from major film studios, including: Focus Features, 20th Century Fox, CBS Films and Sony Pictures Classics. Marquee screenings will include: THE LOST CITY OF Z (starring Charlie Hunnam, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson), THE BOSS BABY (starring Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy Kimmel, Toby Maguire), and DEAN (starring Demetri Martin and Kevin Kline). 

Among the Marquee screenings is a trio of films presented in partnership with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF). ATLFF is proud to partner with AJFF to co-present three films with strong ties to Judaism that both celebrate and honor the Jewish faith and heritage. Based on the best-selling novel by Diane Ackerman, THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE (starring Jessica Chastain, Johan Heldenbergh, Daniel Brühl) recounts the true story of the Polish couple, who fought to save humans and animals in the Warsaw Zoo during World War II. NORMAN: THE MODERATE RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF A NEW YORK FIXER – partially shot in Israel – tells the story of Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere), an opportunist who finds himself in the center of a geopolitical drama beyond anything he could have imagined.

To conclude Atlanta’s 2017 celebration of culture and cinema, ATLFF will close with MENASHE from A24 Films, the studio behind the ‘Best Picture’ winner at the 2017 Academy Awards®.  A Yiddish comedic drama that explores New York’s ultra-orthodox Hasidic Jewish community, MENASHE is the third film presented in partnership with the AJFF. Executive Producer Danelle Eliav is scheduled to appear at the Closing Night celebration.

ATLFF is proud to host the World Premiere of seven feature-length narrative or documentary films and two episodic pilots during the 2017 festival. World Premiere presentations will feature films from ATLFF specialty tracks (New Mavericks, Pink Peach, Georgia-Made) and with casts that include notable actors such as Maggie Grace, Justin Chatwin, Maika Monroe and Will Patton.

In addition to film screenings, ATLFF hosts a series of Special Presentations annually, including fest-favorites Food on Film and SOUND + VISION. This is the fifth year that ATLFF has hosted the Food on Film event, which pairs a food-themed movie with a delicious after party. This year, foodies and film lovers can expect a 25th Anniversary Presentation of Georgia-made classic MY COUSIN VINNY, followed by a southern celebration to honor grits. SOUND + VISION will also return to the 2017 festival with details to be announced. Also joining the Special Presentations lineup this year is a block of emerging creative media including music videos, episodic television pilots and virtual reality screenings. 

Rounding out the announcement of key programming is the 2017 ATLFF Creative Conference schedule. As the festival’s educational programming track, the five-day Creative Conference program consists of nearly 40 panels, talks and demos that delve deeper into the captivating world of cinema, focusing on topics such as screenwriting, acting, producing, casting, funding and distribution. This year ATLFF is delighted to offer conferences on production location, IMDB, costume design, script writing and more. 

For a full lineup of films, or to purchase passes, please visit www.AtlantaFilmFestival.com. Select individual screening tickets are on sale now and will be updated as additional events are announced. 

The Atlanta Film Festival is the annual centerpiece of educational and enriching film programing that is provided year-round by parent organization, the Atlanta Film Society.

Additional announcements will be made as programming is added to the 2017 ATLFF lineup.

OPENING NIGHT PRESENTATION

Dave Made A Maze

Directed by Bill Watterson
USA, 2017, English, 81 minutes
Friday, March 24, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

In a struggling attempt to create something of significance, Dave builds a fort in his living room where he falls victim to his own creation. Now trapped in a world filled with booby traps and fantastical pitfalls, Dave advises his girlfriend against entering the ever-changing mythical world to save him.
#Puppetry, #Marquee

Director Bill Watterson and select cast and crew members scheduled to attend.
Sponsored by Moonshine Post-Production.

CLOSING NIGHT PRESENTATION

Menashe

directed by Joshua Z. Weinstein
USA/Israel, 2017, Yiddish, 91 minutes
Saturday, April 1, 2017, 7:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main
Presented in partnership with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Deep in the heart of New York’s ultra-orthodox Hasidic Jewish community, Menashe, a kind, hapless grocery store clerk, struggles to make ends meet and responsibly parent his young son, Rieven, following his wife Leah’s death. Tradition prohibits Menashe from raising his son alone, so Rieven’s strict uncle adopts him, leaving Menashe heartbroken. Meanwhile, though Menashe seems to bungle every challenge in his path, his rabbi grants him one special week with Rieven before Leah’s memorial. It’s his chance to prove himself a suitable man of faith and fatherhood, and restore respect among his doubters.
#Marquee

Executive Producer & Unit Production Manager Danelle Eliav scheduled to attend.
Sponsored by Music Matters.

MARQUEE FILMS

The Boss Baby

Directed by Tom McGrath
USA, 2017, English
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 2:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Meet a most unusual baby. He wears a suit, speaks with the voice and wit of Alec Baldwin, and stars in the animated comedy, DreamWorks’ “The Boss Baby.” “The Boss Baby” is a hilariously universal story about how a new baby's arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator, a wildly imaginative 7-year-old named Tim.
#Animation #FamilyFriendly

Dean

Directed by Demetri Martin
USA, 2016, English, 87 minutes
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 9:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Dean (Demetri Martin) is an illustrator whose unwillingness to deal with the recent death of his mother means escaping his hometown of New York for an interview with an ad agency in Los Angeles. His retired engineer dad Robert (Kevin Kline) takes a more regimented approach to grief, including putting the family home up for sale. Both father and son set out on their own paths to find a new normal as unexpected circumstances and potential new love interests threaten to thwart all plans.
#Marquee

The Hero

Directed by Brett Haley
USA, 2017, English 96 minutes
Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Lee Hayden (Sam Elliott) is an aging Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. He spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his former-co-star-turned-dealer, Jeremy (Nick Offerman), until a surprise cancer diagnosis brings his priorities into sharp focus. He soon strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with stand-up comic Charlotte (Laura Prepon), and he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Lucy (Krysten Ritter), all while searching for one final role to cement his legacy.
#Marquee

The Lost City of Z

Directed by James Gray
USA, 2016, English, 140 minutes
Thursday, March 30, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Based on author David Grann’s nonfiction bestseller, “The Lost City of Z” tells the incredible true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam), who journeys into the Amazon at the dawn of the 20th century and discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization that may have once inhabited the region. Despite being ridiculed by the scientific establishment who regard indigenous populations as ‘savages,’ the determined Fawcett — supported by his devoted wife (Sienna Miller), son (Tom Holland) and aide-de-camp (Robert Pattinson) — returns time and again to his beloved jungle in an attempt to prove his case, culminating in his mysterious disappearance in 1925.
#Marquee

Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer

Directed by Joseph Cedar
USA/Israel, 2016, English, 117 minutes
Sunday, April 2, 2017, 2:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs
Presented in partnership with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere) only wants to matter. Living a lonely life in the shadow of power and money, he uses any angle or connection to put himself in a position of significance. He is an opportunist, just not a very good one. Until he finally bets on the right horse by buying a pair of expensive shoes for Micha Eshel (Lior Ashkenazi), a lowly Israeli politician. When Micha becomes Prime Minister, Norman finds himself in the center of a geopolitical drama beyond anything he could have imagined. 
#Marquee

The Promise

Directed by Terry George
Spain/Portugal/Malta/USA, 2016, English/German/French, 134 minutes
Sunday, April 2, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Michael Boghosian (Oscar Isaac) arrives in 1914 Constantinople as a medical student determined to bring modern medicine back to Siroun, his ancestral village in Southern Turkey. Photo-journalist Chris Myers (Christian Bale), has come here only partly to cover geo-politics. He is mesmerized by his love for Ana (Charlotte le Bon), an Armenian artist he has accompanied from Paris after the sudden death of her father. When Michael meets Ana, their shared Armenian heritage sparks an attraction that explodes into a romantic rivalry between the two men even as Michael hangs on to a promise from his past. After the Turks join the war on the German side, the Empire turns violently against its own ethnic minorities. Despite their conflicts, everyone must find a way to survive—even as monumental events envelope their lives.
#Marquee

Sylvio

Directed by Albert Birney & Kentucker Audley
USA, 2017, English, 80 minutes
Monday, March 27, 2017, 8:00 PM — Dad's Garage

It's the story of a small town gorilla, Sylvio, who is stuck in his job at a debt collection agency. Deep down he just wants to express himself with his hand puppet, Herbert Herpels, and his experimental puppet show that highlights the quiet moments of life.
#Marquee

Whose Streets?

Directed by Sabaah Folayan & Damon Davis
USA, 2017, English, 103 minutes
Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 9:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main

Told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe this movement for justice, “Whose Streets?” is an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising. When unarmed teenager Michael Brown is killed by police and left lying in the street for hours, it marks a breaking point for the residents of St. Louis, Missouri. Grief, long-standing racial tensions and renewed anger bring residents together to hold vigil and protest this latest tragedy. Empowered parents, artists, and teachers from around the country come together as freedom fighters. As the national guard descends on Ferguson with military grade weaponry, these young community members become the torchbearers of a new resistance.
#Marquee

The Zookeeper’s Wife

Directed by Niki Caro
UK/USA/Czech Republic/New Zealand, 2017, English, 126 minutes
Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main
Presented in partnership with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

In 1939 Poland, Antonina Żabińska (Jessica Chastain) and her husband, Dr. Jan Żabiński (Johan Heldenbergh), have the Warsaw Zoo flourishing under his stewardship and her care. When their country is invaded by the Germans, Jan and Antonina are stunned and forced to report to the Reich's newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck (Daniel Brühl). To fight back on their own terms, the Żabińskis covertly begin working with the Resistance and put into action plans to save lives out of what has become the Warsaw Ghetto, with Antonina putting herself and even her children at great risk.
#NewMavericks, #Marquee

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

WonderRoot’s Local Film Series
Thursday, March 23, 2017, 7:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main — $12 at door/$10 in advance

Once again, we kick-off the festival with WonderRoot’s generally local, mostly independent film series. Join us for a night of awe-inspiring short films from our own backyard.
#Georgia

ATLFF Screenplay Competition: Table Read
Friday, March 24, 2017, 4:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs — FREE with RSVP

Join us for a script read of selections from each of the three 2017 Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition winners, featuring local SAG-AFTRA actors.

AIGA Poster Show: Art Director’s Cut
Friday, March 24, 2017, 7:00 PM — Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge — FREE with RSVP

It’s the sequel to last year’s smash hit Poster Show + Mixtape Collaboration fundraiser with a new twist: MOVIES! Our carefully selected critics have curated a poster exhibition that will be on display during the festival to pay homage to our favorite movies. All attendees will take home an event poster for free.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Friday, March 24 & 31, 2017, 12:00 AM — Plaza Theatre, Main — $12

It's a Plaza Theatre institution! Lips Down On Dixie performs the interactive version of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Midnight each Friday.

Fear Haus
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 10:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main — $12 at door/$10 in advance

Join the FEAR HAUS team during their hand-picked, 1-hour horror genre block, presented by Blair Bathory and Drew Sawyer, with guests of honor Luchagore! FEAR HAUS is an Atlanta-based international brand that curates episodic and feature content with directors and filmmaking teams from around the world. We are proud to have Luchagore with us at the festival, kicking off our newest season. Additionally, Luchagore is collaborating with FEAR HAUS on original content in Atlanta as part of our brand new FEARMAKER program. FEARMAKER provides sustainable production opportunities for talented genre filmmakers, helping showcase them and other’s work around the world. Prepare to make horror your new home.
#Georgia

Food on Film - 25th Anniversary presentation: My Cousin Vinny
directed by Jonathan Lynn
USA, 1992, English, 120 minutes
Sunday, March 26, 2017, 12:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main — $12 at door/$10 in advance

Bill Gambini and Stan Rothenstein are a couple of 21-year-old college guys taking a cross-country road trek to UCLA via the back roads of the deep South. They should be having the time of their lives, except for one small mishap: They are wrongfully arrested in Wahzoo City, Alabama, for murdering a convenience store clerk. At best, they face long-term jail sentences; at worst...the electric chair. Their only hope is legal representation from Bill's cousin Vinny, a Brooklyn lawyer who took six years to pass the bar and only made it six weeks ago. This is not only his first murder trial it's his first case. Refusing help from his fiery Brooklyn girlfriend, Lisa, the novice lawyer must wrestle with legal procedures in an alien environment under the intimidating eye of Chamberlain Haller, a tough country judge with an obsession for the letter of the law and a powerful dislike for Vinny. This year, we are having an after-party to celebrate GRITS, in all the glorious, Southern dishes we can get our hands on. (After-party FREE with “My Cousin Vinny” ticket or festival badge.)
#Georgia

Puppet Slam
Sunday, March 26, 2017, 9:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main — $12 at door/$10 in advance

Hosted by Beau Brown, the Puppet Slam (formerly known as Touch the Puppet Head) is a combination of live puppetry performances and curated short puppet films. Featuring “New Roommate” directed by Victor Yerrid, “Pets” directed by Raymond Carr & Molly Coffee, “Fade to Grey” directed by Rowan Patel and “Fruit Flies” directed by Benjamin Wilson.
#Georgia

The Florida State University College Of Motion Picture Arts Presents: Selected Keylight Films
Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 6:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs — FREE with RSVP

The FSU College of Motion Pictures Arts presents a showcase of eight short student films followed by a panel discussion with representatives from the College. Ranked by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the top 25 film schools in the country, FSU College of Motion Picture Arts produces student films that regularly win prestigious awards like the Student Emmys and Oscars. Join us for an evening of cinematic entertainment as we showcase this year's selected Keylight Films.

The Art Institute of Atlanta Presents: Senior Film Screening
Thursday, March 30, 2017, 5:00 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main — FREE with RSVP

A showcase of short films created by senior level students from The Art Institute of Atlanta.
#Georgia

EPISODIC PILOTS

FAMILY PILOTS
Enjoy family pilots before the shorts block Planet of the Children!    
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 12:15 PM — Towne Cinema
FREE with RSVP                                    

The Discovery of Dit Dodson
Directed by Kelley Kali | USA, 2016, English, 10:35
In the Bayous of Louisiana, 14-year-old Dit discovers that she inherited magical healing powers, but they get her into a world of trouble.
#FamilyFriendly, #WorldPremiere

Little Mouse
Directed by Ervin B. Nagy | Hungary, 2016, Hungarian, 7:12
1986. Budapest. The later olympic champion swimmer Krisztina Egerszegi is only 12. Her opponents are stronger and bigger.
#FamilyFriendly

COMEDY PILOTS
Binge through three full season comedies at Dad's Garage!
Sunday, March 26, 2017, 3 PM, 5PM & 7:30 PM — Dad's Garage Theatre
$12 at door/$10 in advance

The Benefits of Gusbandry
Directed by Alicia J. Rose | USA, 2016, English, 1:17:00
One woman, one man, a lot of weed, a little crying and NO sexual attraction whatsoever.  Love is so gay.
#NewMavericks, #PinkPeach

The Minutes Collection
Directed by Jim Cummings & Dustin Hahn | USA, 2015, English, 1:27:10
Dona Nobis Pacem: grant us peace.

Hart of America
Directed by Arlen Konopaki | USA, 2016, English, 55:00
Alcoholic bigfoot, sex-crazed teens, and a hard-nosed detective cross paths in the Georgia woods searching for fulfillment.
#Georgia

UNSCRIPTED PILOTS
Tune into vignettes of local and domestic artists in our documentary block.
Sunday, March 26, 2017, 4:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Main
$12 at door/$10 in advance

UNCODE
Directed by Myisa Plancq-Graham | USA, 2017, English, 25:00
An original series documenting the presence, global influence, and varied interests of the African diaspora.
#NewMavericks, #PinkPeach

We The Creators
Directed by Babacar Ndiaye | USA, 2016, English, 12:00
“We the Creators” takes a closer look at a diverse group of artists specializing in multiple art forms.
#Georgia

SCRIPTED PILOTS
Head to Poncey-Highland for some late night drama.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 7:20 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs
$12 at door/$10 in advance

Reset
Directed by Christelle Gras | France, 2016, French, 33:57
The end of the world, the beginning of theirs

Steps
Directed by Fernando Sanchez & Pascual Sisto | USA, 2016, English, 59:00
A series that rearranges itself to form unique episodes for each viewer as it weaves the deviant drives of several unconnected people.
#WorldPremiere

VIRTUAL REALITY

Monday, March 27 & Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 6PM to 10PM — 7 Stages Theatre, Black Box

Ch'aak' S'aagi (Eagle Bone)
Directed by Tracy Rector
USA, 2016, Lushootseed/English/Tlingit, 5:00
Nature reminds us that we are all connected and to reflect on the teachings of the old ones.

Fossil Hunters of the Gobi
Directed by Jason Drakeford
USA, 2016, English, 3:44
We immerse the viewer in the journey of 1920s explorer and fossil hunter Roy Chapman Andrews, leading up to current day research.
#Georgia

haunt
Directed by Lilian Mehrel
USA, 2016, English, 7:39
"haunt" is a short virtual reality film about presence, experienced through the eyes of a ghost.
#NewMavericks

I Philip
Directed by Pierre Zandrowicz
France, 2016, English, 13:00
“I Philip” is an immersive short fiction that takes the viewer inside the mind of one of the greatest writers of science-fiction of our time.

Please State Your Name
Directed by Jak Wilmot
USA, 2016, English, 9:00
Stuck with a broken voice box, a decapitated robot head desperately tries to escape a giant garbage facility.
#Georgia

Traces
Directed by Gabriela Arp
USA, 2016, English, 8:00
Traces is a cinematic virtual reality film exploring the meaning of memory for one woman living with Alzheimer's disease.
#Georgia, #NewMavericks

Women on the Move
Directed by Shannon Carroll
Niger, 2016, English, 6:24
A woman's life in rural Niger changes when she enters into a savings group. Will her granddaughter take the next step out of poverty?
#Georgia

MUSIC VIDEOS

Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 9:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

“Oh Elise” - VIECH
Directed by Arne v. Nostitz-Rieneck | Austria, 2016, German, 6:19

“It Keeps You Running (To The Hills)” - Metal McDonald
Directed by Video Rahim | USA, 2016, English, 6:37
#Georgia

“Dangerous” - Big Freedia
Directed by Wilberto Lucci | USA, 2015, English, 4:30
#PinkPeach

“The Rush” - Langtunes
Directed by Sahar Tarzi | Iran, 2015, English, 3:37

“Young Rebels” - TW Walsh
Directed by Brit Wigintton | USA, 2016, English, 3:03
#Georgia

“Soy Yo” - Bomba Estéreo
Directed by Torben Kjelstrup | Denmark, 2016, Spanish, 2:55

“Left & Right” - Pazes
Directed by Camila Lima | Brazil, 2016, 3:29

“Ponura Tresura” - Makabreski
Directed by Ala nunu Leszynska | Poland, 2016, Polish, 5:09

“Time Stops” - StarBenders
Directed by Benjamin Roberds | USA, 2016, English, 3:49
#Georgia

“Fighter” - Supa Good D Smoke feat. Jackie Gouché + Davion Farris
Directed by Erica Eng | USA, 2016, English, 6:00

“Redefine” - TRENTEMØLLER
Directed by Åsa Ritton & Andreas Emenius | Denmark/Sweden, 2016, English, 5:08

“Move” - Austin Royale
Directed by Josh Yates | USA, 2016, English, 2:30

“Funeral Regrets” - Closet Witch
Directed by Autojektor | UK/USA, 2016, English, 2:55

“Flight Attendant” - XXX
Directed by Mattis Dovier | South Korea/France, 2016, Korean, 3:52

“Beasts in the Garden” - Spires That In The Sunset Rise
Directed by Lori Felker | USA, 2015, English, 6:29

“The Was” - The Avalanches
Directed by Soda_Jerk | Australia, 2016, English, 13:40

CREATIVE CONFERENCE

MONDAY, MARCH 27th

Location, Location, Location — 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

A director, production designer, and location managers discuss finding the right location and how collaboration can produce the perfect look.

Reputation is Everything — 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 7 Stages Theatre, Black Box

From your resume to the basics of IMDb, learn to accurately and properly list your credits whether you're an actor or crew.

Create Me — 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

A writer, director, actor, propmaster, and costume designer work together to construct different characters from the page to the stage.

Trust Me — 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Documentary filmmakers explore when and how to build trust with their subject(s), the difficulty of staying neutral, and the lines to avoid crossing.

Make It Work — 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Development is crucial to success—what's involved, why it's about more than just script rewrites, and how the right team can help bring your ideas into focus.

Breaking In — 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Production Assistants discuss how they got started, what they wish they'd known, tips for success, and networking best practices to keep getting gigs.

I'll be in my Trailer — 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Actors working on network television shows and studio features share what it took to get there, and how indie film started their careers.

SAGIndie: Get Great Talent — 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Producers and production staff: SAGIndie offers an indepth look at the various low budget contracts that the Screen Actors Guild has to offer.

TUESDAY, MARCH 28th

Fincannon & Associates: Casting Master Class — 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Plaza Theatre, Main

Mark Fincannon explains the art of casting, self-taping, auditions, discovering new talent, and more.

Based on a True Story — 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Narrative, reality TV, and documentary filmmakers discuss the pros and cons of crafting stories based in real life.

The Pinewood Panel: Candy Jar - An Indie Case Study — 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Main

Please join Producing team Judy Cairo and Michael A Simpson, Line Producer Carole Peterman, and Director Ben Shelton as they discuss their new film shooting at Pinewood, Candy Jar.

Back to One — 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Actors and directors explore how to find a common language to best communicate intention, and what makes a good working relationship.

A Fist Full Of Dollars — 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Black Box

Art department members share tips and tricks to save money, like recycling big budget sets to keep them out of landfills.

Note to Self — 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

A writer, director, producer, and editor talk about the art of giving and receiving notes, whether from each other or a studio.

Working in a Virtual World — 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Directors and DPs examine the differences and challenges of VR storytelling vs typical narrative work.

Block, Light, Rehearse, Shoot — 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

From shot lists to scheduling, how the DP, Director, and 1st AD collaborate to ensure a production runs smoothly.

The Business of The Biz — 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Former film crew members explain how their insider knowledge allowed them to start an ancillary business that serves the film industry and their previous craft.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29th

Grip Truck Show and Tell — 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 7 Stages Theatre, Back Parking Lot

Day 1 Production Services showcases the typical 3-ton non-CDL grip truck used by indie features and smaller productions.

The Fine Print — 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Entertainment attorneys discuss the contracts necessary to protect everyone involved on your next production.

Light and Shoot Your Indie — 11:15 AM - 12:45 AM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

PC&E demos cameras, lighting, and grip equipment to help you choose the right gear for your next production.

Stop and Care: Set Safety  — 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

From insurance and safety meetings to stunts and guns, how to get the shots you need, encourage your crew to speak up, and keep your set safe.

Animate It — 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, The Workshop

Hands-on workshop provides the tools, equipment, and know how to create an animated project in under an hour.

Sound is Half the Picture — 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

From on-location sound recording and basic equipment to post audio and foley, the dos and don'ts of sound recording.

Show Me The Money — 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Film investment, tax credits, sales reps, and self distribution; panelists share how their process works and best practices.

ShareGrid: Cinematography — 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Directors of Photography discuss cameras, lenses, and the best approach for investing in gear. Get tips on branding yourself as an owner/operator and how to fully monetize your time and gear. Join us for a ShareGrid sponsored Happy Hour at Highland Ballroom following panel discussion! 

Media Services: Payroll-101 — 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Everything you need to know about payroll: union issues, workers’ comp, incentives, budgeting and the latest digital tools from Media Services Payroll.

THURSDAY, MARCH 30th

Disrupting Hollywood — 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

The Hollywood system has made movies the same way for over 100 years. Is Atlanta poised to disrupt the status quo using data and new technologies?

I Recognize That Voice — 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

From animation to VO and narration, Atlanta's voice talent community examines what it takes to succeed.

Good, Fast, Cheap: Pick Two — 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Filmmakers share the challenges and freedom of low budget filmmaking, plus tips and tricks to help you succeed.

Unions & Guilds — 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Reps discuss who their unions/guilds represent, how to join, how they work with indie productions, and what to expect when under a union contract.

It's a Small World Afterall — 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

How diversity behind and in front of the camera increases marketability and sales; delivering your message to an ever-growing diverse, worldwide audience.

Truth or Consequences — 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Documentary filmmakers examine ‘truth’ in today's climate, its affect on their power to persuade, and whether agenda based or neutral approaches may work best.

Not Your Parents' Cartoons — 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Network animated series creators share how new digital platforms expand distribution possibilities for their shows as well as animators in general.

#ShePersisted — 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Film Fatales, PGA WIN committee, BWFN, WIFTA, New Mavericks, and more discuss opportunities for females in education, mentorship, and support.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31st

Managing Media — 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Post-production companies handling studio features, network TV shows, and indie features explain best practices for organizational workflow.

Playing Games — 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

With over 100 video game studios, Georgia is a hotbed of talent, creating opportunities for gamemakers and interesting alliances with filmmakers.

Georgia On My Mind — 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

Georgia has a deep and diverse music scene—how to license songs, get an original score, and use music to complement rather than overwhelm the moment.

Airport Shorts: Puppetry and Stop Motion Animation — 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Molly Coffee and friends discuss the making of “Passing 66,” her felt puppet stop motion animation airport short.

Case Study: A Scene for Sound Design — 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, 7 Stages Theatre, Main

John Kassab, sound designer and producer of last year's ATLFF feature “Like Lambs,” dissects scenes from the movie to illustrate the art of sound design.

Case Study: VFX in GIFs — 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Plaza Theatre, Upstairs

Self-taught viral video GIF maker Chris Nik demystifies the process, explains improv comedy's influence, and how to VFX problem solve on a DIY budget.

Atlanta Film Festival Announces First Wave of Films from 2017 Lineup

ATLANTA, GA — After the 40th annual Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) in April of 2016 saw record-breaking numbers of works submitted, festival attendees and media impressions, the Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS) immediately put plans in place to maintain the momentum. In preparation for the 41st ATLFF next spring, the organization is pleased to announce a first slate of programming comprising feature length and short films, narratives, documentaries, pilot episodes, music videos, animation, puppetry, experimental and virtual reality.

“We are really excited to release a first wave of films that represents every category of our festival programming,” said ATLFS Executive Director Christopher Escobar. “ATLFF isn’t just one thing, and by including short films, pilots and virtual reality alongside features, we are presenting a greater picture of what to expect this year.”

This group of fourteen films represents the first selections out of a new ATLFF record of 6,085 submissions. Hailing from Austria, Brazil, China, France, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia and USA, these films showcase a tremendously diverse swath of work, both artistically and geographically.

Among the feature films represented, themes range from Iranian transgender rights in “Cold Breath” to poverty-stricken Beyoncé super-fans from Brazil in “Waiting for B.” The Tunisian documentary short “El Hara” was co-directed by ATLFF ‘15 alum Mo Scarpelli, who saw great success with her debut film “Frame by Frame.” Famed Japanese animator Keiichi Tanaami created “The Laughing Spider” using inspiration from his childhood memories of air-raids. Virtual reality short film “Traces” explores memory loss and reconstruction by placing the viewer inside the mind of a woman with Alzheimer's.

These films will be joined by over 150 others for the 2017 Atlanta Film Festival, taking place March 24 through April 2, 2017.

---

Narrative Feature

Cold Breath (دم سرد)

directed by Abbas Raziji
Iran, 2016, Persian, 83 minutes
Maryam has just turned 30-years-old. She was born as a girl but she passed through puberty like a boy. In the way of love and subsistence, she has tried hard everyday to live just like a normal man.

No Light and No Land Anywhere

directed by Amber Sealey
USA, 2016, English, 75 minutes
Grieving her mother’s death and her own failing marriage, Lexi boards a plane from London to Los Angeles in search of the estranged father who abandoned her when she was three-years-old. Based out of a seedy Hollywood motel, she follows a tenuous trail of breadcrumbs, beginning with his aging former in-laws, collecting numbers and addresses in the hopes that one will lead to her father. Along the way, she establishes other unexpected connections: her father's ailing former second wife, her bitter half-sister Tanya and her caregiver girlfriend, and two local barflies.

---

Documentary Feature

Waiting for B.

directed by Paulo Cesar Toledo, Abigail Spindel
Brazil, 2016, Portuguese, 72 minutes
WAITING FOR B. takes the viewer on a journey with young Beyoncé super-fans who, lacking the money to buy their way to the front, camped out for two months in order to be closer to the front of the stage. A story about victims of hype, a community of hope, and the contradictions of humility and vanity at the heart of diva worship.

---

Narrative Short

Submarine

directed by Mounia Akl
Lebanon, 2016, Arabic, 21 minutes
Under the imminent threat of Lebanon’s garbage crisis, Hala—a wild child inside of a woman—is the only one to refuse evacuation, clinging to whatever remains of home.

They Charge For the Sun

directed by Terence Nance
USA, 2016, English, 17 minutes
In a dystopian future where people live nocturnally to avoid the harmful rays of the sun, a young black girl unravels the lie that has kept her and her sister in the dark.

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Documentary Short

El Hara

directed by Margaux Fitoussi, Mo Scarpelli
Tunisia/France, 2016, French, 16 minutes
EL HARA poetically explores how the places we grow up in haunt who we become, forever.

Se Shin Sa

directed by Eunhye Hong Kim
USA, 2016, Korean, 11 minutes
A hybrid of fiction and documentary, SE SHIN SA follows an undocumented woman living and working as a masseuse in Koreatown, Los Angeles.

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Animated Short

The Laughing Spider

directed by Keiichi Tanaami
Japan, 2016, Japanese, 7 minutes
A psychedelic phantasmagoria from Japan’s greatest veteran animator, based on childhood memories of air-raids.

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Virtual Reality Short

Traces

directed by Gabriela Arp
USA, 2016, English, 8 minutes
TRACES is a cinematic virtual reality film exploring the meaning of memory for one woman living with Alzheimer's disease.

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Puppetry Short

Good Night (Gute Nacht)

directed by Henning Backhaus
Austria, 2016, German, 7 minutes
A sock puppet strolls through niveous winter worlds; the dark, expressionist black-and-white imagery oscillating between comedy and tragedy. Soon the protagonist will choose to end his life, while the lonesome journey by Schubert has only just begun.

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Experimental Short

Forged From the Love of Liberty

directed by Vashti Harrison
Trinidad and Tobago/USA, 2016, English, 5 minutes
A visual poem about a family's curse, and two superstitions surround it.

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Pilot Episode

The Benefits of Gusbandry

directed by Alicia J. Rose
USA, 2016, English, 9 minutes
One woman, one man, a lot of weed, a little crying and NO sexual attraction whatsoever. Love is so gay.

---

Music Video

“Left & Right” by Pazes

directed by Camila Lima
Brazil, 2016, 3 minutes
Left and right. Fire and water. Night and day. Heavy and light. Masculine and feminine. From a divided individual in search of its whole.

Ask an Alum: Danielle Deadwyler, a.k.a. Elevate ATL's Didi Xio

Continuing our Ask an Alum series, we talked with ATLFF-selected filmmaker and actress Danielle Deadwyler about what makes Atlanta home, what she has coming up (hint: go to Elevate ATL!) and why she submitted to the festival. Currently showcased in the International Terminal in the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport as part of the Atlanta Film Society's Airport Shorts Program version 3.0 with her short film Su:Per:He:Ro:In:Uh, Deadwyler is the first recipient of the Living Walls Laura Patricia Calle Grant with her project BUST IT OPEN—a multimedia arts installation that champions black feminism.

Q: ATLFF knows you primarily as an actress and narrative short filmmaker. What other genres do you like to work with?
A: I work in dance, experimental video/film, theatre, voiceover, poetry and hiphop (I go by didi xio too)...as well as film and TV. I'm willing and open and invested in being malleable and collaborative. I invite myself to play in all fields.

Q: What sets Atlanta apart for you as a creative home?
A: Atlanta is home first. That's what sets it apart. You know something, or a place, inside out, then it shifts as Atlanta is right now, and you have to relearn it, or learn as you go. And yet that place still holds history, memory all over you...that is a creative flux right there. It's a place still morphing...other cities are fixed...Atlanta is creatively taking shape, and can be shaped by artists who are present.

Q: Why did you submit your films to ATLFF? 
A: I submitted to ATLFF to gain connection. To reveal work at home. To be a part of a significant festival that could support me with access to information, education, and like minds.

Q: What part of Atlanta (or place in Atlanta) serves as your most reliable or impactful arts incubator?
A: I can't say one place or one part of Atlanta has been most reliable for incubating my arts growth. There have always been multiple hoods and places serving my growth simultaneously. Whether I'm in Little five doing theatre or experimental work, or on Broad St of late performing with Dux or showing performance art work, or downtown learning at C4, or performing at the Southwest Arts Center, or being nurtured as an emerging artist at Spelman's Museum...Atlanta as a whole has invested in the present form of art that I am producing or collaborating to create.

Q: Okay, everyone's favorite question—what are you working on now?
A: I'm currently preparing to present a public performance art multimedia work at ELEVATE ATLANTA Friday October 14. Come check it out! I'm traveling 3.8 miles from the old Club Nikki on Metropolitan Pkwy (old Stewart Ave) to Broad St and Mitchell St, where the ELEVATE event will be held.

Q: If you were an Atlanta neighborhood. which would you be?
A: I'd have to be Capital View...its the neighborhood that birthed me.

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We love our filmmakers. We love Atlanta. And there's no such thing as too much of either. Submit your work(s) in any of twelve categories before prices rise with the late deadline—October 28th. Catch Danielle and her work this weekend at Elevate ATL! You'll also find ATLFS-supported works from Josephine Figueroa and the Digital Good Times crew.

HBO and the Atlanta Film Society invite you to the Ultimate "Game of Thrones" Experience, Sunday, April 24th

Pinewood Atlanta Presents A Conversation with William H. Macy and Production Panel on Sunday, April 10th

Pinewood Atlanta Studios Presents the Production Panel and A Conversation with William H. Macy at the 40th Anniversary Atlanta Film Festival

The 40th Anniversary Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) is pleased to announce a partnership with Pinewood Atlanta Studios (Pinewood) that will bring key educational Creative Conference programming to the 2016 event. On Sunday, April 10, 2016, ATLFF and Pinewood will host A Conversation with William H. Macy. Immediately following, Pinewood Atlanta Presents the Production Panel will feature four established filmmakers with previous or current productions on the Pinewood lot. Pinewood Atlanta Studios is a full service film and entertainment studio complex comprised of 11 sound stages on 700 acres in Fayetteville, Georgia USA, just south of Atlanta.

“It is an incredibly exciting time for the Atlanta film industry as we experience rapid growth in both independent and big-budget studio production. With four decades of experience, the continued mission and responsibility of the Atlanta Film Festival is to provide enriching programming that will support our film community in sustaining this growth,” said Christopher Escobar, Executive Director of the Atlanta Film Festival. “We are pleased to have the support of esteemed community partners like Pinewood Atlanta Studios to share in this goal. Our partnership with Pinewood will bring two distinctive educational opportunities to the 2016 Creative Conference that provide exclusive glimpses into filmmaking at the prestigious studio complex.”

“We are proud to support the Atlanta Film Festival and thrilled to be supporting the growth of the film industry in Georgia. There has never been a better time to film in Atlanta” said Kevin Bar, Sales Executive for Pinewood Atlanta Studios.

ATLFF and Pinewood will present A Conversation with William H. Macy at 10:00AM on Sunday, April 10 at 7 Stages Theatre, located at 1105 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. Pinewood Atlanta Presents the Production Panel will also take place on Sunday at 7 Stages at 11:00AM. ATLFF 2016 festival badges (prices range) and individual tickets to both Creative Conference events ($10) are available now.

Pinewood Atlanta Studios is part of the Pinewood Studios Group, one of the leading providers of studio and related services to the worldwide film and television industries. Synonymous with world class British and international productions, Pinewood’s studios have an impressive heritage and have been home to some of the most successful features films and TV shows ever made.

In 2014, Marvel’s Ant-Man was the first production to shoot on the newly constructed Atlanta lot. The film went on to open at #1 at the box office and grossed more than $519 million worldwide the following year. On May 6, 2016, the second Marvel production made at Pinewood Atlanta, Captain America: Civil War, will be released in theaters around the world. Sony’s Passengers, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, wrapped up production at Pinewood Atlanta in early 2016; making way for production of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which is currently underway.

The Atlanta Film Festival kicked off 10 days of events on Friday, April 1, 2016 that will continue through Sunday, April 10, 2016. In addition to more than 150 film screenings and over a dozen special events, the 40th Anniversary event will feature nearly 40 Creative Conference educational events. Previously announced Creative Conference programming includes the Master Class Series featuring discussions with Oscar-winning documentary producer James Moll (Foo Fighters: Back and Forth, ATLFF 2016’s Mully), Broadway vet Shuler Hensley, director Victor Nunez (Ulee’s Gold, Ruby in Paradise) and director James Ponsoldt (The Spectacular Now, The End of the Tour).

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Pinewood Atlanta presents: A Conversation with William H. Macy

Sunday, April 10, 2016, 10:00AM — 7 Stages Theater

William H. Macy is an Oscar® and Golden Globe nominee, a SAG and Emmy Award–winning actor, and a director and writer in theater, film and television. He currently stars in the Showtime series “Shameless”. His many film credits include Seabiscuit, The Cooler, Magnolia, Boogie Nights, Jurassic Park III and Fargo. Macy is currently prepping for production of his 3rd directorial project, Krystal, on the Pinewood Atlanta lot.

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Pinewood Atlanta presents: The Production Panel

Sunday, April 10, 2016, 11:00AM — 7 Stages Theater

Join a panel of filmmakers assembled by Pinewood Atlanta Studios for an educational discussion on filming at the Atlanta studios in Fayetteville, Georgia. Expected participants include:

• Camille Friend – Hair Designer ("The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 & 2," "Miles Ahead," "Captain America: Civil War")

• Simon Hatt – Associate Producer (Marvel’s "Guardians of the Galaxy," Marvel’s "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2")

• Christopher Townsend – Visual Effects Supervisor (Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Iron Man 3," "Captain America: The First Avenger") 

• Will Greenfield – Producer/Production Manager ("Krystal," "Loving," "The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea") 

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Atlanta Film Festival Announces Spanx® and The Sara Blakely Foundation Sponsorship Honoring Female Filmmakers

The Atlanta-based company and foundation will present the New Mavericks Award at the 40th Anniversary Atlanta Film Festival

The Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) is proud to announce Atlanta-based SPANX® and The Sara Blakely Foundation’s sponsorship of the Atlanta Film Society’s New Mavericks program. This key sponsorship funds the New Mavericks Award that will be presented at the 40th annual event next month, and also provides support for year-round programming aiming to encourage women involved in various aspects of Atlanta’s film community.

“Spanx is celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of women in film, especially those behind the lens who shine a light on strong female characters,” said Sara Blakely, the company’s founder and owner. “The inspiring work created by the New Mavericks is a perfect example of what happens when women fulfill their potential and we are super excited to be a part of it.”

The Atlanta Film Society’s New Mavericks program was launched as a short film block in 2013, celebrating female-directed films featuring strong female leads. At ATLFF 2015, New Mavericks grew to include feature films that met the same criteria. Last year, the program grew beyond festival boundaries to include monthly networking events and the first-ever New Mavericks Film Series, which is expected to return in summer 2016. SPANX® and The Sara Blakely Foundation will present a New Mavericks Award to a female filmmaker at the 2016 festival. This award will come with a $5,000 cash prize.

"We are overjoyed to have the support of Sara and the Spanx team, whose mission directly aligns with that of the New Mavericks program,” said Kristy Breneman, ATLFF Creative Director. “Female filmmakers are female entrepreneurs in a male-dominated industry, and no one is more familiar with the challenges that accompany this than Sara. Her testament to overcoming professional obstacles with internal confidence is an empowering model we're proud to extend to New Mavericks and female filmmakers everywhere."

As a nonprofit organization, the Atlanta Film Festival and its parent organization, the Atlanta Film Society, rely heavily on the support of corporate sponsors, private foundations and government agencies in order to showcase the best of independent films to the Atlanta community. The 2016 festival will take place from April 1 – 10, 2016, and will feature an eclectic mix of more than 150 narrative and documentary feature and short films, 37 educational conferences and more than a dozen special events and presentations.

Feature-length films showcased in the 2016 ATLFF New Mavericks track that are eligible for the SPANX® and The Sara Blakely Foundation New Mavericks Award are included below. Additionally, 25 short films that represent 13 different countries in this year’s New Mavericks program are listed below.

For more information about the Atlanta Film Festival and full schedule of film screenings and events, visit www.atlantafilmfestival.com. Passes for the festival and individual screening tickets are available for purchase now on the website.

2016 ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL NEW MAVERICKS FILMS

Feature Films

collective:unconscious
directed by Lily Baldwin, Frances Bodomo, Daniel Patrick Carbone, Josephine Decker, Lauren Wolkstein
USA, 2016, English, 81 minutes
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 3:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main
When independent filmmakers adapt each other's dreams for the screen, the result is a collective unconscious indeed: A man and his grandmother hide out from an ominous broadcast. The Grim Reaper hosts a TV show. The formerly incarcerated recount and reinterpret their first days of freedom. A suburban mom's life is upturned by the beast growing inside of her. And a high school gym teacher runs drills from inside a volcano. Five new works explore the space between sleep and lucidity. Welcome to their dream state.

Driving With Selvi
directed by Elisa Paloschi
India/Canada, 2015, Kannada/English, 74 minutes
Friday, April 8, 2016, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main
This is the story of a young Indian girl's struggle to survive. Forced to marry years ago at the age of 14, Selvi finds herself determined to leave an increasingly destructive situation. Selvi starts a new life for herself by becoming South India's first female taxi driver. Ride along as we observe through ten years in Selvi's eyes the challenges many women living in India face.

Embers
directed by Claire Carré
USA/Poland, 2015, English/Spanish, 86 minutes
Sunday, April 3, 2016, 12:20 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs
What do you do when you lose all your memories? In a world reeling from a neurological epidemic and its aftermath, five stories weave through time, space, love, and struggle to reconcile a future with no past.

The Fits
directed by Anna Rose Holmer
USA, 2015, English, 72 minutes
Thursday, April 7, 2016, 9:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main
Developed and produced through a micro-budget, micro-timeline initiative for first and second-time filmmakers, "The Fits" stars fresh face Royalty Hightower as Toni—an 11-year-old tomboy emboldened by a strong, confident group of young dancers. While the team navigates a sudden, unexplained outbreak of fainting spells, Toni navigates her innocent but furtive desire to fit in.

The Founders
directed by Charlene Fisk & Carrie Schrader
USA, 2016, English, 85 minutes
Monday, April 4, 2016, 9:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main
Battling the sexism and stereotypes made sturdy in the 1950s, thirteen women founded the Ladies Pro Golf Association (LPGA). Rare archival footage, historical re-enactments and current-day interviews with surviving founders and leading players present an underdog story never before seen. Despite competing against one another on the greens, these pioneers worked together to keep their dreams of professional golf careers alive. From child prodigy fame to Olympian status, each member left a sports world legacy that lives on today.

The Ground Beneath Their Feet
directed by Nausheen Dadabhoy
Pakistan, 2015, Urdu, 75 minutes
Sunday, April 3, 2016, 5:20 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs
After a devastating earthquake north of Pakistan paralyzes Ruquiya and Khalida, the young women fight to fulfill their culture role of becoming wives and mothers. Women make up just twenty percent of the Pakistani workforce, a hindrance that bears a weight that other cultures may never understand. Viewers experience the profound effects of this physically and emotionally-jarring event through the eyes of the courageous women who faced it.

It Had to Be You
directed by Sasha Gordon
USA, 2015, English, 85 minutes
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 7:00 PM — Serenbe
Sonia is a musician approaching her thirties who's terrified upon discovering her laidback boyfriend's intention to propose. Though most of her friends are married parents, she fears she isn’t where she dreamed she'd be by now. When forced to comply with now embarrassed Chris's ultimatum, Sonia's anxiety and uncertainty fuel a three-day crash course in self- realization.

Jean of the Joneses
directed by Stella Meghie
Canada/USA, 2016, English, 82 minutes
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 5:15 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs
Writer-director Stella Meghie's feature revolves around the troubled Jones family, one of whom dies at the start of the movie. When the paramedic who answers their 911 call falls for rambunctious Jean, the courtship goes south during a calamitous Jones funeral. This screenplay won the 2011 ATLFF Screenplay Competition.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers
directed by Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy & Geeta Gandbhir
USA/Bangladesh/Pakistan, 2015, Bengali/English/Creek, 95 minutes
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 3:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs
The world's first all-female, predominantly Muslim peacekeeping unit accepts a Bangladeshi mission to join the United Nations Stabilizing Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Leaving home for Haiti, the women leave behind families and the traditional lives of women in Bangladesh. Although centered around a 160-woman unit, the lives of three foot soldiers and the harsh realities and responsibilities that accompany the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission become the focus of this brave and beautiful profile.

Juanicas
directed by Karina Garcia Casanova
Canada/Mexico, 2015, Spanish/English/French, 78 minutes
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 1:30 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs
When Karina Garcia Casanova set out to film her brother, Juan, upon his return from their Mexican birthplace, she knew she wanted a feature debut anchored in more than home footage—but the paranoia and depression into which Juan falls casts a shadow she can't control. "Juanicas" is a transparent, autobiographical portrait of mental health, familial introspection, and the futility of taking one without the other.

A Light Beneath Their Feet
directed by Valerie Weiss
USA, 2015, English, 90 minutes
Sunday, April 3, 2016, 2:50 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs
High school senior Beth spends every spare moment caring for her sick mother. Burdened by an early onset role of the ‘responsible adult,’ she yearns for the freedom to be a normal teenager. When presented with an opportunity to attend her dream college, she is torn between her own sanity and her mother’s.

Speed Sisters
directed by Amber Fares
Palestine/USA, 2015, Arabic/English, 80 minutes
Thursday, April 7, 2016, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main
The first all-woman race car driving team in the Middle East coined themselves The Speed Sisters. These female professionals are no strangers to headlines, drama, or trophies, but crossing the finish line in a male-dominated industry takes more than experience. Amplified by larger-than-life personalities, this race to become the best while working together wins the hearts of both sport and documentary spectators.

The Wrong Light
directed by Dave Adams & Josie Swantek
USA/Thailand, 2015, English, 80 minutes
Wednesday, April 6, 2016, 9:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre
Thousands of desperate families have abandoned and sold their daughters into Thailand's rampant sex trafficking industry. ‘Activist’ Mickey Choothesa founded a shelter to rescue these young girls from their misfortune. He provides food, education, and family...or at least that’s the story he sells. Upon further investigation, Mickey's story doesn't quite add up. Is he manipulating these vulnerable girls for his own profit? "The Wrong Light" exposes Choothesa and the dark side of misrepresented global aid.
 

Short Films

Affections | directed by Bridey Elliott, USA, 16:00
A comedy about isolation and loneliness, “Affections” follows a young woman adrift and seeking intimacy in the most unlikely places.
Sunday, April 3, 2016, 2:45 PM — 7 Stages Theatre (Tin block)

Another Kind of Girl | Directed by Khaldiya Jibawi, Jordan/Syria, 9:29
17-year-old Khaldiya meditates on how the refugee camp has opened up new horizons and given her a sense of courage that she lacked in Syria.
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 1:45 PM — High Museum, Hill Auditorium (Ivory block)

Asunder | directed by Nathalie Álvarez Mesén, Sweden, 17:11
During a family party in the countryside, we follow Nia and her cousin Teo, whose relationship balances on the edge of what is considered normative. A film about power, sexuality, love and the urge to explore.
Thursday, April 7, 2016, 9:35 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs (Pearl block)

Barriers of Separation | Directed by Raghad Al Khatib, Jordan/Syria, 4:25
With a heavy heart, 18-year-old Raghad expresses her desire to reconnect with her father and family in this personal postcard from her new home in Jordan.
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 1:45 PM — High Museum, Hill Auditorium (Ivory block)

Battalion To My Beat | directed by Eimi Imanishi, Western Sahara/Algeria/USA, 13:44
“Battalion To My Beat” is set in the Western Saharan refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, and follows the story of Mariam, a rebellious 13 year old girl who naively envisions herself a Jeanne D'Arc that will free her people from the occupation.
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 12:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre (Ruby block)

Carnal Orient | directed by Mila Zuo, USA, 8:34
A dark and strangely surreal snapshot of sexual desire aimed at the exotic.
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 12:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main (Wool block)

Children | Directed by Marah Al Hassan, Jordan/Syria, 5:01
15-year-old Marah captures in this verite essay the resilience and creativity of the Syrian children living in Za'atari Refugee Camp.
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 1:45 PM — High Museum, Hill Auditorium (Ivory block)

Dreams Without Borders | Directed by Muna Al Hariri, Jordan/Syria, 4:46
Muna, a romantic 16-year-old girl whose family fled from Syria to Jordan, tries to reconcile her need to express herself and be a normal teenager within the new confines of her family’s situation.
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 1:45 PM — High Museum, Hill Auditorium (Ivory block)

El Adiós | directed by Clara Roquet, Spain, 14:55
A Bolivian maid attempts to honor the last wishes of her late mistress.
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 12:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre (Ruby block)

The Girl, Whose Shadow Reflects the Moon | Directed by Walaa Al Alawi, Jordan/Syria, 5:01
Walaa recounts her terrifying journey as a 14-year-old girl from Syria to Jordan, and how filmmaking has given her hope through the chance to voice her story and reach out to other girls with similar experiences.
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 1:45 PM — High Museum, Hill Auditorium (Ivory block)

Jinju | directed by Crystal Jin Kim, USA, 10:19
A Korean American mother endures a day of her daughter's sulking until it escalates to the breaking of something deeply precious.
Thursday, March 31, 2016, 8:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main (Steel block/WonderRoot)

Join the Club | directed by Eva Vives, USA, 05:05
A writer’s dilemma of whether or not to join a professional networking club takes many interesting turns as it unfolds entirely during one therapy session.
Sunday, April 3, 2016, 2:45 PM — 7 Stages Theatre (Tin block)

Land Tides (Marea de Tierra) | directed by Manuela Martelli and Amirah Tajdin, Chile/France, 13:00
Laura, a heartbroken teenager from Santiago, is on holiday in the southern Chilean archipelago, Chiloé, with her friends. As she wanders the lonely island seascapes, she encounters a group of women who are seaweed collectors and shares stories with them.
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 12:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre (Ruby block)

The Long Road | Directed by Rafif Al Fadi, Jordan/Syria, 3:57
16-year-old Rafif creates a journey through the landscape and textures of her new life in a foreign place, and her desire to return to and rebuild her country.
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 1:45 PM — High Museum, Hill Auditorium (Ivory block)

Maman(s) | directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, France, 21:03
Life is disrupted for eight-year-old Aida when her father returns with a young Senegalese woman, Rama, whom he introduces as his second wife. Sensitive to her mother's distress, Aida decides to get rid of the new visitor.
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 12:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre (Ruby block)

The Man of My Life | directed by Mélanie Delloye, France, 25:33
When Alice sees Eric kissing another girl, she is devastated. To make matters worse, her rival runs with her in the same relay team. Alice might only be 13 years old, but she is not ready to give up her place so easily.
Thursday, April 7, 2016, 9:35 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs (Pearl block)

Ookie Cookie | directed by Francesca Mirabella, USA, 13:35
Five teenagers play truth or dare in the basement of a funeral reception.
Thursday, April 7, 2016, 9:35 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs (Pearl block)

Que Sera | directed by Robyn Hicks, USA, 6:27
The story of a young couple navigating a cancer diagnosis. Inspired by the writer and director’s personal life, the film is an observation of how such devastating circumstances can pull people apart and bring them together.
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 12:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre (Ruby block)

The Real American | directed by Darya Zhuk, USA/Belarus/Russia, 13:09
How a Russian exchange student stopped fearing American culture and started shaving her legs.
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 12:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre (Ruby block)

Seide | directed by Elnura Osmonalieva, Kyrgyzstan, 14:40
Seide lives in a snowy mountain village with her humble family and her beloved horse. When she's forced into an arranged marriage with a man from a wealthy family, she fights to save her horse from being slaughtered for food for the wedding.
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 12:15 PM — 7 Stages Theatre (Ruby block)

The Silence of Nature | Directed by Bushra Al Masri, Jordan, 3:05
18-year-old Bushra remembers her brother, who she lost in the war, and his gentle, humorous ways through observing nature and her new urban setting in this visual haiku.
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 1:45 PM — High Museum, Hill Auditorium (Ivory block)

Treeples | directed by Sarah Nolen, USA, 20:00
“Treeples” follows the adventures of everyday girls joining forces with a group of lively forest creatures to rid the woods of monsters.
Thursday, April 7, 2016, 7:00 PM — Center for Puppetry Arts (Wood block)

Violet | directed by Brit Wigintton, USA, 10:39
When Violet finds herself living in a refuge for runaway girls in the Georgia backwoods, she soon realizes that nothing is as perfect as it seems. In order to save her ‘sisters,’ she must make a decision that could change their lives forever.
Thursday, March 31, 2016, 8:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main (Steel block/WonderRoot)

What Doesn't Kill You | directed by Darya Zhuk, Israel/USA, 8:01
After a rare diagnosis, Lily's attempts to flee from war torn Israel are thwarted when the airport shuts down and her zany cousin forces her to party.
Sunday, April 3, 2016, 2:45 PM — 7 Stages Theatre (Tin block)

Zelos | directed by Thoranna Sigurdardottir, USA, 14:58
A competitive mother orders a clone to outshine her flawless friend, but soon realizes she purchased an unbeatable rival.
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 12:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main (Wool block) 

This is the Last Week to Support the Atlanta Film Society through Power2Give

ATLFF's Power2Give Campaign Ends on April 1.

For 40 years, the Academy Award® qualifying Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) has been the home to independent filmmakers by leading the community in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image.

The 40th Anniversary will be “A Homecoming Year” with invitations extended to ATLFF alum such as Spike Lee, Robert Rodriguez and Ray McKinnon as well as over 125 notable Georgians in the industry. 

Your support of the Atlanta Film Society and the moving image will help the festival increase filmmaker participation and ensure that the 40th Anniversary Homecoming Year is a success! Support the Atlanta Film Festival Family today. Thank you!

Our generous sponsors at the Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs will contribute $1 for every $1 donated to this project up to $5,000!

First Wave of Features from 40th Annual Atlanta Film Festival Announced!

Next year will make history. Today’s international climate fosters social, economic, and political revolution, yielding stories of incomparable gravity. Independent filmmakers continue to connect the world with these stories, and the Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) extends to these voices a platform four decades in the making.

“As the U.S. approaches a pivotal election year, this 40th anniversary lineup builds upon six feature films whose subjects, communities, and conflicts resonate with Atlanta and the world beyond,” said Kristy Breneman, ATLFF Creative Director and Features Programmer. Of this first slate, two are narratives and four are documentaries.

All six were selected from an impressive pool of over 4,750 submissions—an ATLFF all-time record. The films and their makers comprise an international showcase, together representing Bangladesh, Canada, India, Pakistan, Palestine, South Africa, and the United States.

Four of the features mark directorial debuts. Directed by Ted Marcus, “Like Lambs” is a dramatic narrative thriller that illustrates a student revolution. “Romeo is Bleeding,” directed by Jason Zeldes, follows Donté Clark’s quest to restore peace in his Richmond, CA streets. “Sink” is a narrative directed by Brett Michael Innes that adapts his novel about a Mozambican domestic worker, her South African employers, and the tragedy that befalls them. “Speed Sisters” is Amber Fares’ documentary tale about the first all-female race car driving team in the Middle East.

“Driving With Selvi” and “A Journey of A Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers,” documentaries from India and Bangladesh respectively, feature strong female subjects from Georgia’s fastest growing demographic.

ATLFF ‘16 meanwhile marks the first year within the Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS), a fortified organization title birthed in October of 2015. The ATLFS name reflects a year-round mission to lead the community in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. Connection with a filmmaker dramatically magnifies the impact of his or her moving images, and ATLFF strives to bring our filmmakers to Atlanta no matter where they are in the world. This objective introduces a story’s audience to its storyteller, enriching the audience experience with access to the source of passion, context, and craft.

The 40th annual Atlanta Film Festival takes place April 1-10th, 2016. The festival is currently conducting its third annual and largest ever Kickstarter campaign to bring filmmakers to the festival. (atlantafilmfestival.com/fund) #40Kin40Days

Driving With Selvi

directed by Elisa Paloschi
Canada/India, 2015, Tamil, 74 minutes

Selvi, like so many girls living in India, is forced to marry at 14, only to find herself in a violent marriage. One day in deep despair, she chooses to escape, going on to become South India’s first female taxi driver. We first meet Selvi at a girls’ shelter in 2004—timid, soft-spoken, a fresh runaway from a difficult life. Over a ten-year journey, we see a remarkable transformation as Selvi finds her voice and defies all expectations—learning to drive, starting her own taxi company, leading educational seminars, and much more. This character-driven story highlights the challenges that millions of devalued women and girls in India face. In a society where women are often considered expendable or worthless, Selvi is exceptional—a charming, strong, and utterly courageous young woman who moves beyond the pain she’s experienced to create a new life.

#Documentary #International #NewMavericks

A Journey of A Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers

directed by Geeta Gandbhir, Sharmeed Obaid-Chinoy
USA/Bangladesh/Pakistan, 2015, Bengali/English/Creek, 95 minutes

“A Journey of A Thousand Miles” follows a unit of one hundred and sixty women who, between June 2013 and July 2014, travel far from their families, friends and all that is familiar at home in Bangladesh to join the United Nations Stabilizing Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). They form one of the world’s first all female, predominantly Muslim peacekeeping units; shattering every stereotype the world holds about the capabilities of Muslim women. The women—young and old, married and single, mothers and daughters—come from every corner of Bangladesh. The film focuses on three women in this unit as they grapple with the harsh realities of becoming foot soldiers in a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission.

#Documentary #International #NewMavericks

Like Lambs

directed by Ted Marcus
USA, 2016, English, 83 minutes

When economic apocalypse strikes America, students at an impossibly exclusive boarding school kidnap their most privileged classmates. After they release a video to the media stating that unless trillions of dollars in illegally withheld offshore taxes are brought in to halt the collapse, the wealthy elite must watch as their precious babes are executed on national television.

Starring: Liam Aiken, Connor Paolo, Justin Chon, David Dayan Fisher, Godfrey, Chanelle Peloso, Kale Browne
#Narrative

Romeo is Bleeding

directed by Jason Zeldes
USA, 2015, English, 93 minutes

A fatal turf war between neighborhoods haunts the city of Richmond, CA. Donté Clark transcends the violence in his hometown by writing poetry about his experiences. Using his voice to inspire those around him, he and the like-minded youth of the city mount an urban adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, with the hope of starting a real dialogue about violence in the city. Will Richmond force Donté to compromise his idealistic ambitions? Or will Donté end Richmond’s cycle of trauma?

#Documentary

Sink

directed by Brett Michael Innes
South Africa, 2015, Afrikaans, 115 minutes

"Sink" tells the story of Rachel, a Mozambican domestic worker living in Johannesburg, is forced to make a life-changing decision after her daughter dies while under the care of her South African employer; return to poverty stricken Mozambique or continue working for the people responsible for the death of her child so that she can keep her home, her visa and continue to support her family. Things become even more complicated when she finds out that her employers are expecting their first child and the story follows the journey of all three as they try to find a way to live with the tragic accident that has brought them together.

Starring: Anel Alexander, James Alexander, Leandie du Randt
#Narrative #International

Speed Sisters

directed by Amber Fares
Palestine/USA, 2015, Arabic/English, 80 minutes

The Speed Sisters are the first all-woman race car driving team in the Middle East. Grabbing headlines and turning heads at improvised tracks across the West Bank, these five women have sped their way into the heart of the gritty, male-dominated Palestinian street car-racing scene. Weaving together their lives on and off the track, “Speed Sisters” takes you on a surprising journey into the drive to go further and faster than anyone thought you could.

#Documentary #International #NewMavericks

Help Us Raise #40Kin40days to Bring Filmmakers to Atlanta for ATLFF '16!

It is our 3rd year running a Kickstarter campaign, but its our 40th birthday, so we have to do it bigger than ever! Help us raise money for our travel budget so that all filmmakers can attend next year's festival.

We need #40Kin40days to meet our goal, or we don't get a dime of it. This is an ambitious goal, but you have helped us drastically exceed our goal in the last two years, so we are confident that by December 15, we will be on our way to a successful 40th ATLFF!

Memberships to the Atlanta Film Society are tied to Atlanta Film Festival passes, so if you buy a pass through the Kickstarter campaign, you get membership to ATLFS through December 31, 2016. If you had a pass to ATLFF '15, your membership expires at the end of this year, so renew now by purchasing through Kickstarter!

You can also become one of our Founding Patrons by giving at levels from $1,000 to $10,000.

Please visit, give and share this link: atlantafilmfestival.com/fund