Filmmakers have always been a part of Athens’ creative culture, and the opening of Athena Studios has brought a lot of attention and growth to the local film industry. Although it’s not the first of its kind, the inaugural Athens Film Festival is taking place Aug. 15–17 to celebrate the film community and anchor Athens as a contender in the industry.
The Athens Film Festival’s tagline mission is “to strengthen and embolden the local film community by bringing together top filmmakers, cinephiles and enthusiasts.” In order to achieve this, more than 80 films from around the world will be screened with an emphasis on Georgia creators, along with post-screening discussions, a workshop and networking events. All screenings will take place across four downtown venues: Ciné, Flicker Theatre & Bar, The Globe and the Morton Theatre. Tickets are available on an individual screening basis ($8–12) or as one-day, full screening or all-access passes ($25–60).
The festival will kick off with the Film Fest Welcome and Happy Hour Celebration at 5 p.m. on Thursday at Ciné and close with a party featuring DJ Mahogany Saturday night at Little Kings Shuffle Club, after an awards ceremony at Ciné. Throughout the weekend there will be happy hours and hangouts for attendees to take a break from the screenings and mingle. The screening blocks are categorized as Features, Narrative Shorts, Women in Film, World Class Animation, Horror Shorts, Laugh Your ATH Off Comedy, Reel Peaches Georgia Shorts, Student Films and Documentary.
“We have made a concentrated effort to involve all aspects of the Athens film community in the festival,” says Lora Hogan, Athens Film Festival head of marketing and public relations. “We included films by UGA professors, MFA graduates, UGA graduates, UGA undergrads, UNG alums, Athens Academy alumni, local Athenians and more. All of our blocks contain at least one Georgia film—most of those films are from filmmakers right here in Athens.”
The opening night screening is a Southern premiere of Ugly Sweater at 7:15 p.m. at Ciné. Directed by UGA professor and eight-time Southeast Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Lauren Musgrove, the plot follows an anxiety-ridden high school senior who vividly dreams about an ugly Christmas sweater as she attempts to embrace her future.
During Thursday evening’s comedy segment at The Globe, the comedy short films screening will be preceded by a live comedy showcase featuring local standup performers. Friday afternoon there will be a crowdfunding and crowdsourcing workshop held at 1 p.m. at Ciné. Marty Lang, director of UGA’s MFA program in film, television and digital media, and Aaron Strand, local writer and director who recently completed production on Withdrawal, will lead the workshop.
The Athens Film Festival’s core team—Chuck Griffin, director; Sam Johnson, co-director; Anthony Zuniga, head of event services; Patrick Crawford, head of sales; and Hogan—all have professional or personal ties to the film and theater community. As such, they’re building from the film festival history already within Athens.
“We are very much aware of the past film festivals and are grateful for their support. We have worked closely with Danielle and Film Athens [of the] Kudzu Film Festival, and she has been invaluable with advice. Pamela [Kohn] at Ciné is one of our presenting sponsors, and without her keen wisdom from past film festivals, this event would not be what it is today. We have also strived to learn from the past and, whereas earlier film festivals relied heavily on one or two individuals, we are trying to involve the greater community to ensure that we can continue well into the future. We can’t wait for the 50th anniversary of the Athens Film Festival in 2074,” says Hogan.
For the full three-day schedule and to purchase tickets, visit athensfilm.com.
WHO: Athens Film Festival
WHEN: Aug. 15–17
WHERE: Ciné, Flicker Theatre & Bar, The Globe, Morton Theatre
HOW MUCH: $25–60
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