Friday, August 17, Saturday, August 18, Sunday, August 19
Entry to all special and spotlight films, as well as official film blocks each day, included with Festival Pass
On Friday, August 17, the film “Love, Gilda The Eternal Spirit of Gilda Radner” will screen at the Douglass Theatre. The film is a documentary directed by Lisa Dapolito, who will attend the festival and conduct a Q&A after the screening at the historic Douglass Theatre. In her own words, comedienne Gilda Radner looks back and reflects on her life and career. Weaving together recently discovered audiotapes, interviews with her friends, rare home movies and diaries read by modern day comediennes (including Amy Poehler), “Love, Gilda” offers a unique window into the honest and whimsical world of a beloved performer whose greatest role was sharing her story. Doors open at 7:15 p.m.; the screening starts at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, August 18, the film “If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd,” directed by Stephen Kijak, will screen at the Douglass Theatre. The documentary film takes viewers on a trip through the history, myth and legend of the greatest American rock band ever. Rising from the swamps of the Deep South these good ol’ boys from Jacksonville, Florida, came to define an era with their hard rocking boogie-woogie sound, their drunken and dangerous antics and their controversial use of the rebel flag. The film also serves as a portrait of band leader Ronnie Van Zant; Simple Man, Country Boy, Whiskey Rock-a-Roller, a poet and prophet for the common man whose life was cut tragically short, but whose legacy endures to this day. Longtime music industry executive Alan Walden, who managed the band from 1970 to 1974 out of his office in Macon, will present a Q&A with his daughter, Rock Candy Tours co-owner Jessica Walden, after the film. Doors open at 7:15 p.m.; the screening starts at 8 p.m.
The festival closes on Sunday, August 19, with a screening of “All Square.” This comedy tells the story of a down-on-his-luck bookie who befriends an ex-girlfriend’s son and begins taking bets on his little league games, creating chaos in the community. The film is directed by John Hymans and stars Michael Kelly, Jesse Ray Phelps and Paula Adlon. It film premiered at South by Southwest Film Festival this year. The Macon Film Festival screening starts at 7:15 p.m. at the Douglass Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Spotlight Films:
“Support the Girls” will screen Saturday August 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the Douglass Theatre. The film is directed by Andrew Bujalski and tells the story of Lisa Conroy, the last person you would expect to find in a highway-side “sports bar with curves.” An incurable den mother, she nurtures and protects her girls fiercely–but over the course of one trying day, her optimism is battered from every direction. The film stars Regina Hall and Haley Lu Richardson.
“Hearts Beat Loud” screens Sunday, August 19, at 2:15 p.m. at the Douglass Theatre. The film is directed by Brett Haley and features actors Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Toni Collette, Ted Danson and Blythe Danner. The setting is the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook where single dad Frank is sending his daughter Sam off to college. In an attempt to stay connected, Frank and Sam create a father-daughter musical act that sends them on a journey of love, growing up and musical discovery.
“Crime + Punishment” will screen Sunday, August 19, at 3:45 p.m. at the Douglass Theatre. The film, directed by Stephen Maing, chronicles the real lives and struggles of a group of black and Latino whistle-blower cops and the young minorities they are pressured to arrest and summons in New York City. A highly intimate and cinematic experience with unprecedented access, “Crime + Punishment” examines the United States’ most powerful police department through the brave efforts of a group of active duty officers and one unforgettable private investigator who risk their careers and safety to bring light to harmful policing practices which have plagued the precincts and streets of New York City for decades.
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.MaconFilmFestival.com.
*VIP Pass and Screening Pass holders have priority seating for all special and spotlight films, followed by Day Pass holders. If seats remain five minutes prior to show time, rush tickets will be sold outside the theater for $10. However, both “Love, Gilda” and “If I Leave Here Tomorrow” are expected to fill with pass holders.
For the latest news and Film Festival happenings, follow Macon Film Festival on Facebook and Twitter.