FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: The 2019 Memphis Film Prize Announces the 10 Finalists who will compete for this year’s $10,000 Grand Prize
The 10 film finalists for the 4th annual Memphis Film Prize (August 2-4) was announced yesterday at Puck Food Hall (409 S. Main St.). The Film Prize’s top award of $10,000 cash – judged by both audience members and a group of judges comprised of filmmakers, film critics and journalists, will be awarded to a filmmaker following 3 days of screenings, filmmaker panels, and events in Memphis.
“There are a number of amazing stories behind the scenes that go along with these projects – all shot in Memphis and Shelby County,” said David Merrill, the Memphis Prize Filmmaker Liaison. “That said, with the passion and power of these amazing films, we know this is going to be the best Memphis Film Prize Festival we’ve ever had.”
The ten finalists films will screen at the Memphis Film Prize Fest, Friday and Saturday, August 2-3 at the Malco Theater in Overton Square. Screenings are held throughout the two days of the festival, and a combination of judges and the audience help determine the Grand Prize winner.
Gregory Kallenberg, founder and executive director of the Film Prize Foundation, said, “This has been a banner year for the Memphis Film Prize! We shattered our film submission record, and we are looking forward to our strongest festival lineup ever. We are so proud of what this filmmaking community has produced for the Film Prize.”
The 10 films (and filmmakers) that will compete for the $10,000 Grand Prize include; Kevin Brooks’ A NIGHT OUT; Jaron S. Lockridge’s CHECKLIST; Clint Till’s HANGRY; Garrett Atkinson’s INTERVIEW WITH A DEAD MAN; Noah Glenn’s LIFE AFTER DEATH; Will Robbins’ MEA CULPA; Arnold Edwards II’s PAGES;, Kyle Taubken’s SOUL MAN; Robb Rokk’s TRUTH LIES UPSTREAM; and Lauren Cox’s WITHOUT A ROOF.
The Memphis Film Prize (MemphisFilmPrize.com), combines elements of a film competition and festival, inviting filmmakers from all over the world to create and present a 5-15 minute short film with just one rule – it must be shot in Shelby County, TN. Filmmakers shot their films beginning in February and submitted them in June, when a rough cut of the films were due to contest organizers.
THE 2019 MEMPHIS FILM PRIZE FINALISTS
A NIGHT OUT
Director: Kevin Brooks
Running Time: 12:30 min
A woman goes for a night out following a difficult breakup.
CHECKLIST
Director: Jaron S. Lockridge
Running Time: 14:58 min
Two men go on a drive during which one of them is dead set on completing a series of bizarre tasks.
HANGRY
Director: Clint Till
Running Time: 7:35 min
The mediocre retirement home food is not satisfying for a very hungry Reverend.
INTERVIEW WITH A DEAD MAN
Director: Garrett Atkinson
Running Time: 11:33 min
A convicted murderer is interviewed one last time before his execution.
LIFE AFTER DEATH
Director: Noah Glenn
Running Time: 14:41 min
It becomes apparent that not all dead people are actually dead.
MEA CULPA
Director: Will Robbins
Running Time: 9:25 min
In a world where the decedents of slave-owners have to pay more than money for reparations, a friendship is torn.
PAGES
Director: Arnold Edwards II
Running Time: 13:57 min
Two suicidal people find company with one another.
SOUL MAN
Director: Kyle Taubken
Running Time: 12:56 min
A formerly successful soul artist struggles to find work while seeing some familiar faces.
TRUTH LIES UPSTREAM
Director: Robb Rokk
Running Time: 15:06 min
Two men search for justice through a brutal interrogation.
WITHOUT A ROOF
Director: Lauren Cox
Running Time: 6:48 min
A pregnant woman resorts to living on the streets in order to escape an abusive household.
