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!

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