The Southern Screen Festival will give filmmakers and enthusiasts alike a chance to get a backstage view into the industry, see some film screenings and attend pitch competitions and writing workshops.
The festival is celebrating their seventh year, which they have dubbed as their "Seven Year Itch," by adding new elements to their event, including a live podcast and pitch competition.
“We’ve been mostly film and a little bit of music and we kind of just wanted to shake things up to make it more of a storytelling type of event,” says Julie Bordelon, executive director of the festival.
Special guests at the event will include Alison Becker, actress from "Parks and Recreation," who will be teaching an improv workshop and acting as the special guest on the live performance podcast, along with Eamonn Boles, president of Magnolia Pictures.
Other special guests will include John Viener, a writer and producer for “Family Guy,” along with Chadd Gindin, a writer and producer who has worked on “Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “Saturday Night Live,” who will lead the TV writers panel.
Unlike traditional film festivals, Southern Screen is not a competition, but rather a showcase of the films chosen by the selection committee.
Southern Screen pays to fly the chosen filmmakers in, to enjoy the festival, network and hopefully catch the eye of a big name in the industry who may be able to contribute to their current or future work.
“People who come in to teach these workshops are coming to watch these movies too, so a filmmaker could invite someone like Eamonn Boles to see the screening of their film, or maybe they hit it off with Alison Becker and ask her to be in their next film,” says Bordelon. “We have a lot of filmmakers who have met throughout the years and collaborated on something afterwards.”
The pitch competition is a new element of the festival that Bordelon is particularly excited about, especially for those interested in becoming screenwriters.
“People can go to the screenwriting workshop and learn how to pitch like you would to a production or distribution company,” says Bordelon. “From there, they can sign up and five people will get to pitch their script, with an audience present, to the group putting on the workshop. The winner will get some Final Cut software equipment and an opportunity to pitch to a studio, which is a really big deal and is hard to do on your own.”
The festival will show films currently on festival circuits along with some that have not been released yet, like the Magnolia Pictures film “Permanent,” featuring Rainn Wilson and Patricia Arquette.
Other films shown throughout the event will include “Dina,” “Suck it Up” and “Lucky.”
Those looking to get a better idea of what happens behind the scenes in film and production may be interested in attending the live Table Reading panel, in which a group of actors will sit and read through a script together.
There will be film screening all day Saturday at Cites des Artes, and Acadiana Center for the Arts in Downtown Lafayette, which is the same day of the Pitch Competition.
The festival will end Sunday with a concert by Sickbay at Acadiana Center for the Arts.
The event is open to the public and passes can be purchased online at southernscreen.org, along with a detailed schedule of events.
Upcoming Events
- Escape Fire Movie, free screening, Thurs., Nov. 16, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Lafayette, La.
Let’s put the ‘care’ back in healthcare.
Join HPHI in a screening of "Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare."
Please invite your co-workers, and friends and join us at 6 p.m. on Nov. 16.
Watch the trailer here
“'Escape Fire' examines the powerful forces maintaining the status quo, a medical industry designed for quick fixes rather than prevention, for profit-driven care rather than patient-driven care.
After decades of resistance, a movement to bring innovative high-touch, low-cost methods of prevention and healing into our high-tech, costly system is finally gaining ground.
This film follows dramatic human stories as well as leaders fighting to transform healthcare at the highest levels of medicine, industry, government, and even the US military. 'Escape Fire' is about finding a way out. It's about saving the health of a nation.”
– Matthew Heineman, Producer/Director
- Plague of Frogs by Logan Faust, a developmental production, Thurs., Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m., Lafayette
The Acadiana Repertory Theatre is proud to present the final show of their 2017 season Plague of Frogs. This dark comedy by New Orleans based playwright Logan Faust, tells the story of Margot and Geoffrey, who are living the upper-middle class dream: white sofas, expensive wines, and general comfort. Then, Geoffrey runs over the neighbor's cat. That's when their mundane life becomes plagued with many unexpected, unexplained guests, who drive the couple to their absolute breaking point.
Featuring Kristen Dubois and Steven Landry, Plague of Frogs is directed by Debbi Ardoin.
Due to adult content and language, this show is recommended for ages 18 and up or at parents discretion.
For more information visit acadianarep.org or call 337-291-1122
- Blue Roof Swing, Thurs., Nov. 16, 8:00 p.m., Lafayette
Brian Rogers and Eric McGoffin are hosting a weekly informal jam session at The Blue Roof (1014 West Congress Street).
Food is available for those looking for a hot meal and even hotter tunes, BYOB.
Cocktail attire is encouraged.
Park cars on Cedar Crest Street. Bicycles can be parked in the courtyard.
- Artist Talk with Francis Pavy, Fri., Nov. 17, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Lafayette
Join us during Homecoming Week for our final program of the season.
Local artist and USL alum, Francis Pavy, whose work Lake Arthur Lotus is on view at the museum until December 9, will talk about his artistic process and practice.