Welcome to the 9th Annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest

 

The 2010 Ozark Foothills FilmFest signals some exciting new programming directions made possible by new presenting partners. The festival is indebted to Beatrice Moguel Moore, honorary French ambassador to Arkansas, for initiating a dialogue with the French cultural attaché in Houston that resulted in the two programs of new French short films included in this year's festival. The programs feature animated and live-action narrative films, selected to introduce new audiences to the variety and inventiveness of contemporary French cinema.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is another new FilmFest ally, providing the funding for "Finding Your Audience," a half-day workshop/panel discussion for emerging filmmakers that focuses on indie film marketing and distribution. The Academy is also supporting a number of short film compilation programs designed to showcase the work of local and regional emerging filmmakers.

New collaborators also include the Southern Foodways Alliance, providing the four mouth-watering "foodie" films that make up the "Southern Succulents Food Film Showcase." Produced by filmmaker Joe York at the University of Mississippi's Center for Documentary Projects, the movies explore Southern food traditions, from pig ear and smoked sausage sandwiches to North Carolina barbeque.

With the support of American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius, a major initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ozark Foothills FilmFest is proud to present a multi-disciplinary cinema/live music experience. A screening of two classic Cajun music films by documentary master Les Blank will be followed by a live performance by the Savoy Family Cajun Band. This rare music/movie "happening" presents Cajun music masters Marc and Ann Savoy both on screen and, joined by sons Wilson and Joel, on stage!

The festival will present two of the best independent feature films of recent years, the "teasingly unpredictable" romantic feature I'LL COME RUNNING and the absorbing and heart-breaking exploration of life on the economic fringe, WENDY AND LUCY. Spencer Parsons, director of I'LL COME RUNNING, will attend and discuss his work.

As always, the festival includes several free programs, as well as opportunites to extend the dialogue at the Saturday meet-the-filmmakers morning mixer and evening welcoming receptions for participating filmmakers and entrants in the 3rd annual Screenwriting Competition.

This year's FilmFest branding image was generously provided by photographer/graphic designer Damian DeLoach. Damian's design incorporates two original photographs that unite to capture the history and mystery of the Ozark foothills.

Take a quick minute to check out the sponsors and board of directors pages and, if the opportunity presents itself, to thank the loyal and committed folks whose ongoing support has made the Ozark Foothills FilmFest "the little festival that could!"