The End Of The Line For (Another) World’s Largest

Shortly after arriving home from my final leg of the tour, I heard the news that the end had come for another “world’s largest”.

You may have read in a past Southern Circuit blog post about the giant popcorn box that the folks at the Lucas Theater in Savannah constructed for our screening. Or maybe you heard about it somewhere else - the local press or facebook, where a noted travel blogger commented on it. That’s because it did exactly what a good attraction is supposed to do – created buzz for the film, the Lucas, and by extension the city itself.

The popcorn box also made sense, symbolically. Much of World’s Largest focused on what object people memorialize with their town statues and as such, what they choose to celebrate about their communities. What better thing to represent a classic theater than an oversized tribute to the quintessential movie snack.

Sadly, the saga of the popcorn box paralleled the narrative of the film on another level as well. Big ideas often prove divisive. And sometimes the naysayers have valid points – if too much public money is spent on the project, there’s no unified vision, maybe it’s simply too garish. None of these arguments seem to apply to popcorn box, so this handmade labor of love arguably delivered all the benefits of a “world’s largest” with none of the drawbacks. Yet it still triggered complaints, which prompted a citation from the city and its ultimate demise.

Weighing in as a visiting filmmaker, I can honestly say the popcorn box enhanced my time in Savannah. Its construction and presence transformed the screening of my film into a participatory event. If it still existed, I’d tell people to go visit it. RIP popcorn box, I hardly knew ye.

Our condolences to the Lucas Theatre

On November 18th the Lucas Theatre, one of our Southern Circuit partner venues, said goodbye to a new but never-the-less dear friend- their world's largest popcorn box. 


"We are deeply saddened to inform the community of Savannah about the passing of a dear friend. The Giant Popcorn Box was born on November 10 and was disassembled just 8 days later when he succumbed to a short battle with small-minded forces with a skewed view of historical references. He is survived by five grieving staff members, and countless visitors and tourists. In lieu of flowers, please send letters to City officials who can affect the ordinances that killed the Giant Popcorn Box."

- from Lucas Theatre Facebook page

Letter from concerned citizens of Savannah

So sorry to see the popcorn box go and we look forward to what the Lucas will come up with in the future. If you think the popcorn box should have stayed then go to the Lucas Theatre's Facebook page and let them know! Best of luck to our friends at the Lucas as they search for the next project to incite reprimand from city counsel people. After all, film is all about pushing boundaries.

Further On Up The Road with World’s Largest

Another storied Carolina University, Hank Williams’ hometown and a quintessential small southern city were the next stops on World’s Largest’s Southern Circuit journey. The trek to Clemson took one canceled flight, four airports and eleven hours, but I was able to squeak in under the wire for the Q&A. The students’ thoughtful, production-related questions made me glad that I did. Add a visit to a real neighborhood bar with faculty Amy Monaghan and Jonathan Beecher Field, and all road weariness was vanquished.

I got to Montgomery, AL right on schedule and in plenty of time for Capri Theatre director Martin McCaffery to take me sightseeing. And to exactly my kind of sights – offbeat attractions like the aforementioned Williams’ grave and a proud civic monument to the “father of modern gynecology”. But the highlight of the tour for me was actually the Capri itself. The classic mid-century American cinema is a gem of a venue - where true film buffs want to go and filmmakers want to screen.

I went from a big city to a small one with a Sunday matinee in Winder, GA. Downtown Main Street looked like a shot from World’s Largest – sleepy historic buildings, chain store sprawl still held at bay by the railroad tracks running through town. It also belied the modernity of the Winder Cultural Arts Center. The state-of-the-art facilities were an impressive reminder of how harnessing technology is one way rural communities can remain relevant. The importance of that continuing relevance was a constant of the discussions both on stage (expertly moderated by WTV21 producer Christopher Childs) and at the post-event reception.

Lucas Theatre Constructs Surprise for World's Largest Screening

Can you guess what is is?

Any ideas yet?

Okay, you should have it now. Its a giant popcorn box!

Makes me want some delicious movie theater popcorn.

Job well done to our friends at the Lucas Theatre for the great promotion idea. Hope your screening is a big hit! I know Amy will be excited to see the giant popcorn box.

Hello (Again) To The South from World’s Largest

We spent a lot of time shooting down south for World’s Largest – it’s great to be hitting the road this time to screen! The tour kicked off in the mountains of Cullowhee, NC at Western Carolina University. Felt right at home as I pulled into campus and was greeted by WCU’s very own “world’s largest” – the big catamount statue guarding the entrance. In fact, everything about the inaugural stop put me at ease – from unflappable event facilitator Lori Davis to the well-attended screening in a first-rate space.

Next up was the Center for the Arts in Thomasville, GA. Thomasville reminded me a lot of places we filmed in its charm and hospitality but a big difference was the vitality I felt in its thriving downtown. I enjoyed terrific meals in bustling restaurants and coffee shops with superstar host Bonnie Hayes and other locals and spoke to three high school media classes (with some production facilities to envy!). The themes in World’s Largest also really seemed to resonate – much of the Q&A after the show focused on how Thomasville related to the sites featured in the film and the need to ensure a vibrant future for their own small city.

The week wrapped up back in the Carolinas at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art in Charleston. Another good turnout from a truly engaged crowd – the post-screening discussions lasted over an hour. And that’s been the big takeaway for me so far – after all, for a filmmaker, not much beats getting the chance to connect with your audience face to face.

Meet Amy Elliott

Welcome Amy Elliott to the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers! Amy's first screening of her film, World's Largest is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 1 at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The show starts at 7:30 PM. Don't forget your popcorn!


World's Largest is also screening in the following cities: To see when check the screenings calendar.

Montgomery, AL

Alexandria, LA

Savannah, GA

Tupelo, MS

Thomasville, GA

Charleston, SC

Winder, GA

Clemson, SC 

Johnson City, TN  

Amy Elliott is a photographer and documentary filmmaker based in New York City. She co-directed, shot and edited the feature documentary “World’s Largest.”  Her photography has appeared in countless national publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post. She is a graduate of Princeton University.