Magnolia launches Independent Film Festival, and it all begins this Friday night at Starkville Cinema 12 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. If you don’t have plans Friday night, well, you do now, and the cost of admission is an inexpensive $5.
This all began in 1998 and it was the beginning of the first of all film festivals here in Mississippi.
“This is a fundraiser to keep the Magnolia Film Festival going. We need to keep this on peoples minds so our festival can continue to grow,” said Magnolia Film Festival coordinator Ron Tibett.
First to screen will be “Ah! Amour,” French for “all love.” It’s an animated short two-minute film by Don Hertzfeldt. The cartoon is a twisted look at the trails and tribulations of a single person looking for love. It was honored as HBO’s world’s funniest cartoon in 1998.
Next on the line-up is “Cheek to Cheek,” a short 38-minute drama by Beth Armstrong. The film recalls the life of an aging woman who sinks into deep depression after her husband suddenly dies, and is brought back to life by the family dog. The story is uplifting and inspiring story of a woman who rediscovers life, laughter and tap-dancing. Rewarded at the International Film Festival in St. Louis for best film.
“Roswell” is a short experimental film by Bill Brown. The film is a creative 21 minutes that won best short documentary at the 4th Annual Magnolia Film Festival.
One of the more popular screenings is “Gregor’s Greatest Invention,” by Johannes Keifer. “For those who need a good laugh, this is an uplifting comedy,” Tibett said.
As his grandmother’s legs deteriorate, her nasty girlfriend’s try to convince her to enter an old age home, but Gregor, her grandson who loves her dearly and a gifted inventor, finds a solution. Nominated for a 2002 Academy Award for best short film, the comedy is 11 minutes long.
Tears begin to shed because of laughter and triumph from the films. A 15- minute break will be offered before the last film. Concessions will also be sold.
“Scratch” by Doug Pray is the feature film and the official Sundance Selection and multi-award winner. It explores the world of the hip-hop disc jockeys from the birth of hip-hop, when pioneering disc jockeys began extending breaks on their party records, to the invention of “Scratchy,” and “Beat Juggling.” Vital to its recent explosion as a musical movement called turn tabalism, “Scratch” tells the story of the unknown underdogs and serious virtues that are radically changing the way we hear, play and create music.
“Vibrant, hilarious, invigorating and compelling,” said in a press release from The New York Times.
The festival will continue every other month on the first Saturday evening at 7 p.m.-the next films will be ready for viewing on June 7.
For more information contact Ron Tibett at 494-5836.