The 20th annual Magnolia Independent Film Festival will be held from 7-10 p.m. March 2, 7-10 p.m. March 3, and 1-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m March 4 at Hollywood Premier Cinemas.
The MAG was the first independent film festival in Mississippi and it began in 1997 by Ron Tibbett. It is the only film festival in the Golden Triangle Area and the oldest in Mississippi.
This year, a 20-year celebration will be held from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. on March 2 at the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room. Past and present judges, staff members, and filmmakers will be present, and anyone is welcome.
There will be a red carpet event from 6:30 – 7 p.m. on March 3 and 4 at Hollywood Premier Cinemas. Anyone is welcome to come and be interviewed and get his or her picture taken. The event will also be displayed live on Facebook.
At 10 a.m on March 4 there will also be a meet and greet with 20 to 25 present filmmakers and crew at Nine-Twentynine Coffee Bar.
Films for the festival were chosen by a team of screeners who score films based on a rubric. Anything goes. There will be comedies, horror films, action, and foreign films. There are a total of 28 films, 24 shorts and four features, five of which were created by MSU students.
Several of this year’s films were filmed and created locally in Mississippi. Some of the areas include West Point, Amory, Tupelo and around the Gulf Coast.
Angella Baker, chair and director of the film festival, said what she is most excited about when it comes to this year’s festival, is the films themselves.
“I am definitely excited about the quality of the films themselves,” Baker said. “There is one that was actually screened at the Sundance Film Festival and several progressive films, and one that was created by a 10-year-old girl from Atlanta called “Dear New President.”
Molly May, student judge for the festival, said she is most excited about the experience.
“I was simply asked to be a student judge this year as Miss Mississippi State University 2017,” May said. “I’m so excited to be able to judge this year as not only a student, but also as a representative of the university.”
May said she thinks that there is a lot to discover from independent film festivals, and she is excited to see what films are in store.
“I think some of the best films can be discovered from independent film festivals,” May said. “Take ‘Paranormal Activity’ or ‘Blue is the Warmest Color.’ Both are renowned and decorated films found at film festivals. I’m most excited to experience something like this for the first time not only as a viewer, but as a judge and to see all the cinematic talent the Golden Triangle has to offer.”
Student tickets for the Magnolia Independent Film Festival are $5 per night or $15 for an all-festival pass. General admission is $10 per night, $30 for an all-festival pass, and $40 for a VIP pass. Those with VIP passes will have access to the VIP lounge where they can relax, have drinks and snacks and receive special t-shirts and posters.
Baker said the festival is a wonderful experience for everyone.
“For students,” Baker said, “there is a great admission price and the films truly are both high quality and educational. What is so great is that everyone will get to view three hours of superb movies and films. There are films for every taste. There really is something for everyone.”
