Hello, everyone! We hope you were able to view a screening of our October filmmakers who were on the Southern Circuit Tour last month. Just in case you might have missed out, here is the list of the films that were on tour:
Throughout the month of November, we are proud to announce three new documentaries from our filmmakers: Jeanie Finlay, Alexandria Bombach & Mo Scarpelli, and Erin Bernhardt. And as always, the filmmakers travel with their films and are in attendance for post-screening discussions.
ORION tells the story of Jimmy Ellis of Orrville Alabama – an unknown singer plucked from obscurity, and thrust into the spotlight as part of a crazy scheme that had him masquerade as Elvis back from the grave. With an outlandish fictional identity torn from the pages of a novel, the backing of the legendary birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll Sun Records and a voice that seemed to be the very twin of Presley’s himself, the scheme – concocted in the months after Presley’s death exploded into a cult success – and the “Elvis is alive” myth was begun.
Borne by his incredible voice, Jimmy – as the masked and rhinestoned Orion – gained the success he’d always craved, the women he always desired and the adoration of screaming masses but it wasn’t enough…
Our story revels in the manipulative schemes of the music industry, the truth and lies at the heart of the story, the allure of fantasy and the eternal search for identity. Orion proves that fact is indeed ‘stranger than fiction’. This is the story behind that story. Who was that masked man?
Jeanie Finlay is an acclaimed British artist and filmmaker who creates intimate, funny and personal documentary films and artworks. Her focus is on creating compelling portraits and she is obsessed with uncovering what makes people tick. Incorporating art, film and event cinema her work is known for its innovation in audience engagement and distribution.
Her work includes the feature documentaries Orion: The Man Who Would be King (89 mins BBC Storyville) Panto! (71 mins BBC Storyville) The Great Hip Hop Hoax (88 mins BBC Storyville, BBC Scotland), SOUND IT OUT (75 mins ) and sister artwork More than Music, Goth Cruise for IFCTeenland (BBC) and interactive documentary Home-Maker.
Schedule:
November 3, 2015: Carolina Theare of Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
November 4, 2015: Contemporary Arts Center (CAC), New Orleans, LA
November 5, 2015: Florida State University Foundation, Inc. Tallahassee, FL
November 6, 2015: Miami-Dade County Dept of Cultural Affairs, Cutler Bay, FL
When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, taking a photo was a crime. After the regime fell from power in 2001, a fledgling free press emerged and a photography revolution was born. Now, as foreign troops and media withdraw, Afghanistan is left to stand on its own, and so are its journalists. Set in a modern Afghanistan bursting with color and character, FRAME BY FRAME follows four Afghan photojournalists as they navigate an emerging and dangerous media landscape – reframing Afghanistan for the world, and for them. Through cinema vérité, intimate interviews, powerful photojournalism, and never-before-seen archival footage shot in secret during the Taliban regime, the film connects audiences with four humans in the pursuit of the truth.
Alexandria Bombach is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker who lives on the road. Founding her production company RED REEL in 2009, Alexandria is known to sell all of her belongings to tell a story she believes in. In 2010, Alexandria set out to film “23 Feet” a 30 minute documentary about people living a simple life in order to do what they love in the outdoors, “23 Feet” takes an in depth look at what it means to live for your passions. The film screened at festivals in 15 countries and across the U.S. in a rogue distribution outlet: her 1970 Airstream with an outdoor theatre attached to it. Her Emmy Award-winning 2012 film series MoveShake features real life stories and lessons of people dedicating their lives to environmental and social issues. Focusing on character-driven films, Alexandria’s work is defined by her ability to get to the core of what drives passionate people to do what they do
Mo Scarpelli is a non-fiction filmmaker and multimedia journalist. Her curiosity of humans and her compulsion to the underexposed has led her to shoot in more than 15 countries around the world. Mo is the Founder and Director of Rake Films, which produces character-rich films and multimedia stories for news and non-profits. Rake’s award-winning short films with non-profits have screened at the World Health Organization, the United Nations and in global health events across Africa, Asia, Europe and the U.S. As a journalist, Mo’s work has been published with the BBC, The Wall Street Journal, Africa Review, The Huffington Post and Narrative.ly. She holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism from the University of Missouri, nearly 10 years of experience filming in unfamiliar territories, and that bottle opener on her at all times doubles as a tripod key
Schedule:
November 5, 2015: Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art Auburn University, Auburn, AL
November 8, 2015: Winder Cultural Arts Center, Winder, GA
November 9, 2015: East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
November 10, 2015: Oxford College of Emory University: Oxford, GA
November 11, 2015: Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, GA
November 12, 2015: Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC
IMBA MEANS SING is the story of one little boy who is a big star. As the celebrity drummer from the Grammy-nominated African Children’s Choir, Moses relies on his youthful resilience. Growing up in the slums of Kampala, Uganda, Moses and his family lack enough resources for him to even attend the first grade. The film is an intimate character portrait, stunningly shot and told through Moses’ perspective on his one shot journey from poverty towards his dream of becoming a pilot.
Erin Bernhardt is a humanitarian journalist, filmmaker and impact producer dedicated to making movies that make a difference. She works to inspire and motivate people to rally behind important issues and causes. Erin is currently on tour with her first independent documentary feature film, Imba Means Sing, a story about music, education, and poverty alleviation told through the eyes of young members from the Grammy-nominated African Children’s Choir. A former CNN writer/producer and Peace Corp volunteer, Erin now works to bring media and development together. She is grateful to have won several awards for her work, including an Emmy and two Peabody’s. Most recently, Erin was honored with IndieFEST’s Award of Excellence for Women Filmmakers, Speranza Foundation’s ‘Female Filmmaker of the Year’ grant and with giving two TEDxWomen talks. Erin has a heart for her city and the developing world. Locally, she is part of LEAD Atlanta and the Beltline’s Young Advisory Council. She’s a proud wahoo from the University of Virginia and loves making new friends, adventuresome travel, live music and yoga
Schedule:
November 9, 2015: Union County Community Arts Council, Monroe, NC
November 10, 2015: Center for the Arts Bonita Springs, Bonita Springs, FL
November 11, 2015: Memphis Development Foundation, Memphis, TN
November 12, 2015: Union College, Barbourville, TN
November 13, 2015: City of Hapeville Association of Trade & Tourism, Hapeville, GA
November 16, 2015: Troy University, Troy, AL
November 19, 2015: Wallace State Community College, Hanceville, AL
November 20, 2015: The Tennessee Valley Art Association/Ritz Theatre, Sheffield, AL
We hope that you be in attendance to enjoy the films and to meet the filmmakers!
