Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers

South Arts Announces 2017- 2018 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers

Alexandria, LA – South Arts, a Regional Arts Organization serving nine states in the Southeast, announces the 2017- 2018 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. Throughout the season, 18 filmmakers will tour their work to 21 Screening Partner venues spanning nine states for a total of 123 screenings.

“Through the Southern Circuit, we are reshaping the relationship between films, filmmakers, and audiences,” said Teresa Hollingsworth, senior program director with South Arts. “Our Screening Partners are developing thriving audiences who support independent films, and filmmakers have the opportunity to interact with audiences in each community at receptions, Q&As, and workshops.”

“The Southern Circuit is about creating a deeper, more conversational approach to film,” continued Hollingsworth. “Instead of catching a documentary in your living room, audiences get to meet the filmmaker and discuss the creative process.”

Filmmakers on the Southern Circuit come from all over the United States and embark on tours of up to two weeks throughout the South. During their tour, they experience portions of the country that are underserved by the film industry, both commercial and independent. For both filmmakers and audiences, the Southern Circuit is frequently the only option to connect the creative process. Last season, over 15,000 people attended Southern Circuit screenings and events throughout the South.

Screening Partners for the 2017- 2018 Season include:

• Arts Council of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, LA
• Broward College in Davie, FL
• City of Hapeville in Hapeville, GA
• Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN
• East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN
  • • • Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
    • Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL
    • Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art/Auburn University in Auburn, AL
    • North Central Louisiana Arts Council/Dixie Center for the Arts in Ruston, LA
    • Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, GA
    • Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC
    • South Miami-Dade Cultural Center in Cutler Bay, FL
    • Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in Bowling Green, KY
    • The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, KY
    • The Tennessee Valley Art Association/Ritz Theatre in Sheffield, AL
    • Tropic Cinema/Key West Film Society in Key West, FL
    • Troy University in Troy, AL
    • Union College in Barbourville, KY
    • Union County Community Arts Council/Wingate University in Monroe, NC
    • Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC
    • Winder Cultural Arts Center in Winder, GA

Films and filmmakers selected to screen at the Hearn Stage in Alexandria include:

• Pushing Dead with Tom E. Brown (September 22nd)
• Score: A Film Music Documentary with Matt Schrader (October 27^th)
• Romeo is Bleeding with Donté Clark (November 17^th)
• Deej with Robert Rooy (February 23^rd)
• Purple Dreams with Robin Grey (March 23^rd)
• Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry with Gill Holland (April 20^th)

“Matching films and filmmakers with Screening Partners and communities is an intricate process,” continued Hollingsworth. “We received applications from over 300 filmmakers who wanted to participate this season.”

Hollingsworth and a team of industry experts watch each submitted film and narrow selections to the top 40. The remaining 40 films are submitted to each Screening Partner to review in the spring, with each partner focused on what content and styles might best resonate in their respective communities. Finally, the Screening Partners gather in Atlanta for a marathon session to select the films and filmmakers to be invited, and to begin mapping out tour possibilities. “The process ends up almost like we are drafting a fantasy football league,” laughed Hollingsworth.

The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers accepts applicants from filmmakers with recently completed work in animation, documentaries, experimental, and fi­ction. This year’s selections reflect a growing interest in social justice and equality as well as the filmmaking process.

Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmaker screenings are coordinated by South Arts in conjunction with each independent Screening Partner. A full list of screenings is available on the South Arts website, and further information as well as ticketing may be found with each Screening Partner. The Southern Circuit is produced with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

About South Arts

South Arts, a nonprofit regional arts organization, was founded in 1975 to build on the South’s unique heritage and enhance the public value of the arts. South Arts’ work responds to the arts environment and cultural trends with a regional perspective. South Arts offers an annual portfolio of activities designed to address the role of the arts in impacting the issues important to our region, and to link the South with the nation and the world through the arts. For more information, visit www.southarts.org.