The Tallgrass Film Association today announced that film legend and 70’s cinema icon, Pam Grier, will be this year’s recipient of the Ad Astra Award during the 16th edition of the Tallgrass Film Festival Presented by Consolidated Equities Trust (October 17-21) in Wichita, Kansas.
MINORITY lands us in a “reverse world” scenario where a white man in a hoodie falls under suspicion of a black convenience store clerk because he is “shopping while being white.” Countless Facebook political debates have posed this scenario to racists and racist-apologists since Trump’s political ascension in 2016 (and, frankly, long before), but Robbins astutely keeps his film as basic and direct as it gets.
On June 14th, Studio Movie Grill rolled out the orange…yes, the orange carpet as they utilized a theme built around THE INCREDIBLES 2 to honor groundbreaking educator Lisa Schmidt of Creative Solutions and Big Thought. Co-Hosted by WFAA’s Alisha Laventure and featuring Incredibles cos-players, a giant golden ticket, free popcorn for attendees to enjoy and an audience of co-workers, colleagues, supporters, well-wishers, and of course – students, that filled two theaters, the third SMG Opening Hearts and Minds Award was a spectacular and oftentimes, emotional event.
Screening exclusively at Studio Movie Grill’s Spring Valley location in Dallas (13933 N. Central Expy.) on August 15-19, WTxFF will present the World Premiere of Amanda Kramer’s mind-bending film, PARIS WINDOW as their Opening Night selection, with Jenn Wexler’s SXSW hit, THE RANGER serving as the Closing Night selection.
The winner of the 3rd annual Memphis Film Prize (www.memphisfilmprize.com) was announced at the event’s traditional celebratory brunch at The Arcade (540 S. Main Street) held on Sunday, August 5th. The Film Prize’s coveted top award of $10,000 cash – judged by a mixture of audience and film industry judges from all over the country – went to LAST DAY directed by Kevin Brooks.
The Women Texas Film Festival Presented by Studio Movie Grill announced today that former Wells Fargo executive Kim Cousin has taken the reins as the film festival’s new Executive Director. WTxFF also announced that Stacy Thiele and Erin Prather Stafford have joined the organization’s Board of Directors.
Meadow-Conner is beloved and widely recognized on the regional film festival circuit as both a take-charge leader, and a “glue” person that can fill in all gaps and bring an organization’s team together. Successes at the very popular Tallgrass Film Festival for years established her reputation, which has only been burnished by yeoman work she did at this year’s Bentonville Film Festival helping it achieve one of its most successful outings yet, as well as consulting for the Woods Hole Film Festival, and her ongoing work with FFA.
The 10 film finalists for the 3rd annual Memphis Film Prize (August 3-5) have been announced. 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.
The All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities Film Festival (aGLIFF) announced that PJ Raval’s timely documentary CALL HER GANDA will be the Opening Night selection for the 31st edition of the film festival (formerly known as the Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival). Also announced was the creation of aGLIFF’s Tribute Award. The recipient of the inaugural aGLIFF Tribute Award will be filmmaker Yen Tan, a stalwart on the Austin indie filmmaking scene.
SMG’s One Story Movement project invites documentary and aspiring filmmakers to create a short film that highlights the work of those who strive to leave a positive wake in our communities. Films must be under three minutes and about an organization, community, or individual within 30 miles of a Studio Movie Grill location.
