Collierville movie buffs will have an opportunity to participate in the popular Indie Memphis Film Festival this year.
On Nov. 5, beginning at 12:30 p.m. and running throughout the day, the Collierville Malco will screen five films as part of the 19th annual festival.
The Indie Memphis Film Festival will be held throughout the county on Nov. 1-7, continuing the week-long format that was successful last year at venues in Mid-Town and Downtown Memphis, contributing to the largest film attendance in the history of the festival.
New this year, presenting sponsor Duncan-Williams, Inc. has increased support to expand the festival into Collierville.
Films will also return to the Hattiloo Theatre during the weekend activities in Overton Square along with Circuit Playhouse and Malco Studio on the Square. The large gala screenings and receptions will continue at the Orpheum’s Halloran Centre on weeknights. Panels and parties will be featured throughout the week.
“We received a lot of positive feedback about the extended format last year and many films were sold-out,” said Ryan Watt, executive director. “So, we are continuing in the same locations while adding more venues to accommodate demand and expand our audience to a wider geographic area.”
Watt announced the return of the “IndieGrants” program for the third consecutive year.
“This year our grant program grows to a total of $21,000 of cash and in-kind services,” said Watt. “The IndieGrants initiative is supporting local filmmakers to make more short films in Memphis.”
Two experienced filmmakers each received $10,000 to make their short films and two emerging filmmakers received $500.
These films will be featured at the Collierville showing.
The five films at the Collierville Malco Towne Cinema include:
• Memphis Short Films (12:30 p.m.) – These eight short films were winners of the IndieGrants award.
• Contemporary Color (2:30 p.m.) – Chronicles the one night only concert event in 2015 that paired popular alternative artists like David Byrne and Nelly Furtado with the twirling flags of 10 high school color guards.
• Chicken People (5 p.m.) – Follows the struggles and triumphs of the world of competitive poultry breeders.
• Donald Cried (7:30 p.m.) – A comedy about awkward friendship when a Wall Street character returns home and is reconnected with his childhood friend.
• The Love Witch (9:30 p.m.) – A modern day witch uses spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her. A tribute to 1960s pulp novels and Technicolor melodramas.
The 2015 festival attracted record-setting ticket sales and high profile screenings including 2016 award winning and nominated Brooklyn, Anomalisa, Carol, Tangerine, and The Look of Silence.
Festival passes are already on sale, which allow festival goers to attend films on multiple days throughout the city. Go to indiememphis.com.
