ATLFF Alum Molly Coffee's KAYLEE AGE 8 is Coming!

Filmmaker-In-Residence and 2018 Screenplay Competition Semifinalist, Molly Coffee has come back to bring the world yet another impactful story coupled with amazing production design. Coffee needs you to help KAYLEE AGE 8 get the final push over the mountain of funding.   

Synopsis

In her short time on Earth, quiet autistic eight year old Kaylee’s entire world is just her and her mother. They play, they eat, they bathe, they love their own special way. Kaylee sees her mother as a beautiful mermaid, unlike any of the other human beings she encounters. One day, out of the blue, the real world comes crashing down when Kaylee’s mother dies. With no one left interested in taking care of her and not quite understanding what happened to change her life so drastically, she takes her life into her own hands and embarks on an odyssey with her mother’s ashes to release her into the river so she can become a true mermaid. Along the way, she meets a colorful cast of characters who help her truly understand how to cope with her mother’s death in her own unique way.

Atlanta Film Festival Announces New Organization Name for Year-Round Identity as Atlanta Film Society

The Atlanta Film Festival is pleased to announce a new name to reflect its year-round nature—the Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS). The ten-day Atlanta Film Festival will still take place every spring, but the organization will operate as the Atlanta Film Society going forward.

Originally founded as the IMAGE, Inc. (Independent Media Artists of Georgia, Etc., Inc.) in 1976, ATLFS has endured several name changes in the last four decades in order to convey its year-round service to the filmmaking and film-loving community while reflecting connection to its flagship program. 

“This name change represents who we are right now and paves the way for where we want to go,” said ATLFS Executive Director Christopher Escobar. “The change from ‘Festival’ to ‘Society’ better depicts the work and effort showcased all year long through screenings, classes, events and special programs. It clarifies that we are only part of the greater Atlanta film community and reinforces our plan to serve this community in a bigger way.”

For years, the organization has operated several year-round programs under the Atlanta Film Festival moniker, such as the Airport Shorts program, which screens select short films on 15 screens throughout Hartsfield-Jackson Airport’s new International Terminal; Eat, Drink & B-Indie, a monthly film-themed networking and educational mixer at Manuel’s Tavern; Film Festival Collective, an XFINITY Video On Demand channel that showcases short films from several prestigious film festivals across the country; the Filmmaker-in-Residence program, which supports accomplished Atlanta-based festival alumni in a three-year residency; and New Mavericks, a year-round screening and networking program spotlighting female filmmakers from Atlanta and beyond.

Among the most important details of the ATLFS announcement is the A/V Toolbank—a new equipment rentals program that provides audio/visual and presentation equipment for local groups and organizations seeking to host screenings or events. Operating as an arm of the nonprofit ATLFS, the A/V Toolbank borrows the spirit of the Atlanta Toolbank, but the focus on audio/visual equipment makes it the first resource of its kind in Metro Atlanta. This program provides high-quality equipment and technical expertise at competitive rates, creates additional support for the Atlanta Film Society and extends significant equipment discounts to other Metro area nonprofit arts organizations.

“The A/V Toolbank is a crucial facet of ATLFS,” Escobar continued. “We’ve been working with organizations like WonderRoot, GSU Student Film Festival and The Goat Farm Arts Center and aided events like Elevate, Flux Projects and Art on the Beltline while piloting this program. This announcement allows us to formalize the resource and make it more widely available.”

As with any nonprofit, the Atlanta Film Society relies heavily on the support of members and sponsors. For several years, year-round memberships have focused solely on the benefits they provide directly to members—with festival passes at the core—ranging in price from $50 to $750. In conjunction with this new identity, ATLFS has established patron levels ranging from $1,000 - $10,000 to enable community impact and maintain a focus on membership benefits.

ATLFF Filmmaker-in-Residence Brantly Watts Wants to Share "Birthday Cake" With You!

Brantly Jackson Watts, along with her husband and frequent filmmaking partner, Jon Watts, first came into the Atlanta Film Festival fold with their feature debut, "AKA Blondie," at ATLFF '12. Focusing on the Clermont Lounge's most famous dancer-poet-activist-author-celebrity, Anita Rae 'Blondie' Strange, that film became a local phenomenon and catapulted Brantly and Jon into positions as local film community leaders. Now in their second year as ATLFF Filmmakers-in-Residence, Brantly and Jon have been exceptionally busy in recent years. They both launched the Homespun Series in 2014, and Brantly has been a central figure in the birth of the New Mavericks program that launched early this year. 

Now, we are excited as Brantly prepares to make her first ever narrative film, "Birthday Cake."

Set in the deep south, Birdie marks the first anniversary of leaving her abusive lover, Donnie, with a ceremonial candle on a cake. As the evening unfurls, Birdie will be confronted by more than an aching heart in this Southern Gothic thriller. A haunting story of love, survival and the complexities found in relationships, this film examines modern domestic violence and abuse in a way that is seldom explored. Violence in relationships is often viewed with very clear moral distinction, without any gradations. "Birthday Cake" delves deeper into the issue to reveal the grey areas we often choose to ignore. An important film that promises to remain with viewers, "Birthday Cake" is as captivating as it is powerful.

The campaign was launched nine days ago and has already raised an incredible 86% of its $8,000 goal! However, stretch goals will be applied and the more money raised, the harder Brantly will work to make the film as perfect as possible! Check out the campaign and claim your perks now.

Contribute now!

ATLFF Filmmaker-in-Residence Darrell C. Hazelrig Needs Your Help (and Money!)

Darrell C. Hazelrig has been an Atlanta Film Festival alum for years, working on a variety of live action and puppetry features and short films, in various roles. In 2015, Hazelrig entered into the role of ATLFF Filmmaker-in-Residence and began prep work for his first feature film at the helm, "Edgor & Izzy (And Somewhere in the Middle is Me)."

"Edgor & Izzy (And Somewhere in the Middle is Me)" is an epic, cerebral, fantasy feature film—the long-lost love child of "8 1/2" and "The Wizard of Oz." Two cantankerous siblings, Edgor and Izzy, awake to find themselves trapped in the mythical Lonely Desert. As they try to solve the mysterious disappearance of their female companion, Rose, they encounter a multitude of strange characters who prove equal parts help and hindrance to their quest, all the while evading the relentless pursuit of Erebus, the dark-spirited madman who lusts for their destruction.

In the first three weeks of the campaign, 118 people have contributed, snagging some of the incredible perks offered! The goal is steep—$100,000—but possible. The good news is, IndieGoGo allows you to keep whatever you raise, unlike the all-or-nothing Kickstarter, so your money will 100% go towards getting "Edgor & Izzy" produced and on the big screen!

Contribute now!

Animated Shorts Compete for Oscar Eligibility at ATLFF

Academy Award® nominated film and ATLFF '14 official selection "The Dam Keeper"

In 2015, the Atlanta Film Festival became Oscar-eligible for the Documentary Short Film category, meaning that the jury award-winning film in that category would then qualify for the shortlist of films that the final nominees are chosen from. However, ATLFF has already been Oscar-qualifying in the animated and narrative short categories for many years.

Earlier this year, two ATLFF official selections were nominated in the Best Animated Short category at the Academy Awards®. "The Dam Keeper," by Robert Kondo and Daisuke 'Dice' Tsutsumi, was part of the animated short competition during the 2014 festival and "The Bigger Picture," by Daisy Jacobs, played this spring as part of the 2015 ATLFF animated short competition. 

The winning animated short film from ATLFF '15, thus qualifying it for Academy Award® consideration, is the locally produced "Starlight" from the Atlanta-based filmmakers and animators Tamarind King, Shir Wen Sun, Marisa Tontaveetong and Yu Ueda. "Starlight" follows a stray cat as it navigates the sights and sounds of Atlanta's famed Starlight Six Drive-in Theatre during a busy night. One of the animators, Marisa "Ginger" Tontaveetong, was announced as one of ATLFF's Filmmakers-in-Residence earlier this year. We will have to wait and see if "Starlight" goes on to compete for an Oscar next winter, but we know we have our fingers crossed!

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We are now accepting submissions for the Animated Short category and all other categories for the 2016 Atlanta Film Festival. The Regular Deadline is September 18.

Homespun Series to Spotlight Atlanta's Bustling Art Scene at The Plaza on July 30

Homespun is a curated series of short documentary films profiling unique individuals around the metro Atlanta area. Partnered by the Atlanta Film Festival, the series features local filmmakers who highlight the characters and neighborhoods that give Atlanta its distinctive culture. Through these individual character studies, Atlanta will be revealed as the Homespun phenomenon it has become.

There is no doubt that the arts scene in Atlanta is thriving. Any native Atlantan can tell you that our streets are exploding with art—from colorful murals lining our underpasses, to community-inspired and public-transportation projects, to a multitude of galleries featuring a wide range of performance and visual craft. This installment of Homespun will showcase a few of the artists working in and around the metro area who bring their innovative and sometimes homegrown creations to our city.

Admission: $10; Free for ATLFF Members

(ATLFF Members: Click Enter Promotional Code below and input the email address associated with your festival membership for complimentary tickets.)

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Low
Directed by Alex Zhuravlov & Arkia Jahani

The film focuses on The LOW Museum, located in downtown Atlanta. The gallery was created by three artists who've turned their residential home into an exhibition space. The LOW is dedicated to cultural undercurrents and underground art scenes in the city. The gallery founders visit WRAS 88.5 college radio station to discuss their mission and to learn more about the station's current situation. The following day Jordan Stubbs presents his work "You Tell Me" at the LOW; a collection of interactive sculptural installations that are made from found objects.

Inside the Abyss
Directed by Adrienne Lee

"Inside The Abyss" is an exploration of human character. Danny Abyss is a young, ambitious and up-and-coming tattoo artist from Atlanta, Georgia. He firmly believes in dedication and living his life to the fullest potential. Danny's beliefs are revealed through the sacrifices he makes to grow as a tattoo artist, the people he encounters, and his unwavering commitment to his craft. 

Kyle Brooks
Directed by Whitney Reed

Kyle “BlackCatTips” Brooks is a neofolk artist living in Atlanta, GA. A painter for over 15 years, Brooks has become a mainstay in the Atlanta art scene. While his work follows in the folk tradition by speaking to contemporary issues, his inspiration comes from the things he sees everyday—bugs, animals, and odd Atlanta folk walking down the road. Many of his commissioned pieces can be seen in storefront windows, restaurants and metro homes; but Atlantans are also just as likely to see one of his whimsical paintings nailed to a utility pole in an East Atlanta neighborhood. 

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Support Our Filmmaker-in-Residence, Darrell C. Hazelrig, With a Night of Comedic Shenanigans

As part of our year-round filmmaker residency program, the Atlanta Film Festival proudly presents The "Edgor & Izzy" Variety Show!; a special IndieGogo Launch Event for the Feature Film "Edgor & Izzy!" Taking place Thursday, July 16th @ 9:30PM, at the Plaza Theatre!

Come out and support local filmmaker (and ATLFF alum) Darrell C. Hazelrig as he takes the momentum built from multiple award-winning short films into the feature film realm. This film's extremely talented cast, friends, and supporters have put together an epic show for their IndieGogo launch; come support the huge and exciting undertaking going into production on a feature film is!

Every supporter (ticket-buyer or donation) will receive updates from the set of "Edgor & Izzy" when production kicks off in October! One of the great things about indie filmmaking is that we get to include all of you in every step of the process!

EVENT DETAILS

Location: Plaza Theatre, Downstairs
Time: 9:30PM
Price: $10 (all proceeds will go toward the production of "Edgor & Izzy") ; Available below!
Make a Donation: In addition to your ticket purchase, you can make a donation to the production of this film; it takes a village! All donations are tax deductible. See the ticket purchase window below.

"EDGOR & IZZY" SYNOPSIS 
Two brothers find themselves adrift within a nightmarishly fantastical landscape of their own psychological making, forced to work together to overcome their differences in order to escape from the haunting specter of their innermost fears and weaknesses. 

PRODUCTION
"Edgor & Izzy" is scheduled to kick off production in October. It will be filmed locally, as well as out west in some of our nation's most iconic locations, such as Death Valley and Old Route 66. The vast majority of its cast and crew are Atlanta-based, all of which are super excited to bring this fantastical story to our audience here at home and beyond!

WHAT SHENANIGANS TO EXPECT
In addition to a special discussion with the film's cast and crew, some of them -- as well as awesomely infamous local talent -- will be strutting their stuff on stage for a night jam-packed with laughs (and probably a healthy dose of comedic irreverence)! 

LINEUP:

DAD'S GARAGE
Improv Comedy 

EVAN FOWLER
Stand-up Comedian

BEAU BROWN
Adult-Themed Puppetry

HEATHER LUTTRELL
Singer/Songwriter

TIPPY TAPAGE
Tap Burlesque

HOSTED BY:
Brian Bremer

Check out all of the performer photos, bios, and videos we'll be releasing on our Facebook page all week! Come be part of the excitement! 

FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Darrell Hazelrig (Writer/Director), Christopher Sailor (Producer), Shannon Reis (Producer/Casting Director), Elizabeth Leary (Producer), Molly Coffee (Production Designer), Jessica Hinckle (Script Supervisor), plus many more!

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT "EDGOR & IZZY"

Become a Fan on Facebook
Join the Launch Party Facebook Event
Check Out the Website