This year's closing night film was Carlos Cuaron's Rudo & Cursi and it was a tremendous success.

Even though Cauron has written and produced many movies in the past, this is actually his first time writing and directing his own project and he thinks he didn't do so bad. Actually, not bad at all, the movie has already been a great success in Mexico and will premiere in commercial theaters around the country shortly. However, Atlantans were amongst the few privileged enough to ask the director some questions themselves after the showing of the film, and later had the opportunity of drinking a beer with him and hear him crack a joke or two at the party.

Seeing Cuaron at the festival was actually very pleasing for many people, he seemed down to earth and very capable of having fun, joking around and carrying on conversations with admirers of his work. The audience at the showing was very diverse and despite the language barrier, and the author's insistence that the movie is actually a drama, the theater was filled with roaring laughter and lighthearted compassion for the characters in the story.

This year's audience choice award went to Living is Winning. This was a very pleasant surprised for co-producer Jeff Keating, who seemed ecstatic after hearing the news. However, the award does not come as a surprise since the Atlanta filmmakers did rally enough people to have a full audience on their opening night, and consistently promoted their film vigorously and charmingly thereafter. Congratulations guys!

One of the star shorts of the festival was Transitions, directed by Atlanta-based Filmmaker Joe Binford. The movie, shot in 35mm, moved from scene to scene without a single cut. I caught Binford at the closing night party and asked him to tell us a little bit more about his film.

Teems also talks about his amazing cast Hal Holbrook (Into the Wild), Ray McKinnon (Oscar Winner for The Accountant), & Dixie Carter. 

Filmmaker Jason Winn and writer Michael David Talk about their short film Last Bullet, showing on the 2009 ATLFF with a group of other action shorts this sunday. They are both Atlanta based and are very exited to be making films in the city.  

Video: From left to right Chris Holland & Heidi Van Lier

During Friday's Coffehouse Conversations at Starbucks, authors Chris Holland (Film Festival Secrets) & Heidi Van Lier (The Indie Film Rule Book), talked about the selection process if film festivals. 

These guys have had extensive experience selecting and judging for film festivals and now they give you the inside scoop on the DO's and DONT's that could get your film IN or most definitely OUT of a film festival.   

 

I caught these guys chilling after Friday's Coffeehouse Conversations at Starbucks. They are director and writer/producer of Deadland, Damon O'steen and Gary Weeks.

The film, which was partly filmed in Georgia and will premiere at the 2009 ATLFF these Saturday, is an apocalyptic feature that promises to leave you mind in a warp.  

After the screening you can stick around for the Q&A and have a chance to talk to the filmmakers about their third collaboration together. 

 

Linda Burns, the director of Living is Winning, showcasing this Tuesday april 21 shared her enthusiasm on the opening of the Atlanta FIlm Festival and talked about why she chose to direct a documentary after many years as a producer in Atlanta.