Before we move into the new year, here are a couple excellent reviews of the arts in the Mobile Bay area & throughout Alabama in 2011. Thank you to the Mobile Press-Register and ModMobilian for their support of the local arts community. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to checkout all the writers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and organizations listed in these articles.

Year in Review: visual and performing arts of 2011 by Thomas B. Harrison

2011 Southern Art & Music Award (Moddys) Winners

Now on to New Business…

Upcoming film events in the Mobile area

Participants get to choose the path their movie will take and see where it leads…

7pm Friday January 6
Serda’s Coffee (map)
Registration per team : $10

RSVP through Facebook or contact editor[at]modmobilian.com for more information.

“Finding Kind,” produced by Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson, documents growing-up stories from girls across the U.S., and includes interviews with respected experts and authors in the fields of psychology, education and the interrelationships of women and girls.

Mothers and girls of all ages are invited to attend a 6:00 showing of the film. This showing is open to the community and admission is free.

Tuesday, Jan 10 @ 6:00 PM
Louise R. Moorer Center for Performing Arts
St. Luke’s Episcopal School
1400 University Blvd. S.
ADMISSION IS FREE
For more information call 251-666-2991

Acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) directs an amazing and true story about a single dad who decides his family needs a fresh start, so he and his two children move to the most unlikely of places: a zoo. With the help of an eclectic staff, and with many misadventures along the way, the family works to return the dilapidated zoo to its former wonder and glory.

Showtimes are listed at The Crescent Theater

Again, I can not thank you enough for your continued support of SoALFF throughout 2011 and we are all looking forward to an exciting 2012.

WORKSHOP: What your film office can do for you?
Saturday, November 5 · 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Join Eva Golson (Mobile Film Office), Diane Hall (Mobile Film Office), and Tommy Fell (Alabama Film Office) to discuss the Alabama Film Incentive program and the advantages of working with your local film office.

WORKSHOP: Fair use in film production
Saturday, November 5 · 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Join filmmaker Douglas Newman (The Reconstruction of Asa Carter) for a discussion on fair use in film production.

DOWNLOAD your copy of the schedule today!

Feature films include:

General Orders #9, Awarded for its visionary cinematography, GENERAL ORDERS No. 9 breaks from the constraints of the documentary form as it contemplates the signs of loss and change in the American South;

Prairie Love, From the harsh Midwestern frozen plains, comes this wonderfully bizarre but heartwarming look at three people searching for love and self discovery in the oddest ways.

Dear God No!, A brand new biker/horror/sexploitation feature written & directed by exploitation aficionado James Anthony Bickert. Shot entirely on SUPER 16MM Fuji film and using equipment from the era, DEAR GOD NO! is a drive-in & grindhouse lover’s dream;

Wrestling for Jesus, A documentary about Timothy who was born in Mobile, AL and grew up a wrestling fanatic. After moving to South Carolina, Timothy started a Christian wrestling organization. His goal is to use wrestling to evangelize his neighbors. However his passion and vision for his ministry are tested when his personal life begins to disintegrate. Wrestling for Jesus is a raw and honest all-access pass into the two worlds of independent wrestling and religion in the rural South.

The Reconstruction of Asa Carter, Forrest Carter, best-selling author of The Outlaw Josey Wales and The Education of Little Tree, was an exalted Cherokee hero of New Age wisdom. As a leader in the Native American cultural revival of the 1970′s, Forrest touched millions of readers with his gentle and earthy tales of Indian life. Twelve years after his death, however, the public learned that Forrest had a hidden past. Forrest Carter was actually Asa ‘Ace’ Cater, violent Ku Klux Klansman and Alabama Governor George Wallace’s principal speechwriter; author of the infamous 1963 inaugural address, ‘Segregation Now! Segregation Tomorrow! Segregation Forever!’;

Man in the Glass: The Dale Brown Story, is a feature documentary that tells the compelling and inspiring story of Dale Brown, the legendary LSU basketball coach (1972-1997). The film boasts an all-star cast including Matthew McConaughey, Shaquille O’Neal, John Wooden, Dick Vitale and Tim Brando. The film chronicles his battles with the NCAA, his successful campaign to have a prisoner released and ultimately pardoned from Angola State Penitentiary, his efforts on behalf of native Americans and his life-long commitment to his players. This is not the story of a basketball coach; this is the story of an amazing and unique man who happened to coach basketball;

Better Than Something, is a feature documentary about the controversial and prolific garage rock icon Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr, better known to the world as Jay Reatard. This intimate portrait, captured just months before his untimely passing, brings us incredibly close to Jay’s complicated punk-rock world in Memphis, Tennessee. BETTER THAN SOMETHING eloquently interweaves cinéma vérité, interviews, and archival concert performances, and features scenes from an insightful and candid week spent with Jay, who reveals personal childhood stories and the struggles of life in Memphis;

Disabled but Able to Rock, Meet Danger Woman, the Songbird of Justice that fights against the three Tri-Phobes: Homophobia, Race-ophobia, and Disable-phobia. Her Karaoke singing destroys her enemies while delighting fans and a curious public. This character study follows her over a 13-year period and reveals a single woman’s struggle with autism, a tragic family history, and societal stigmas both real and imagined that paint the picture of a person that just wants to be perceived as ‘normal’;

Man of Deeds, Born into the chaos of the French Revolution, Mathias Loras would come to develop a vision for a state of spirituality in the New World that few dare dream. Brought up in an elegant, bourgeois family he would eventually become a missionary assigned to a remote outpost in the frontier territory of Iowa. There he would sow the seeds of the church to rough miners and farmers, while battling the unending hardships of life on edge of civilization.

The festival will also feature special film events:

Kevin, In Austin, TX in the early ’90s, musician Kevin Gant was the Duplass Brothers’ hero. They reveled in Kevin’s exploratory musical style and playful spirituality. But in 1995, Kevin mysteriously disappeared. Jay Duplass’ documentary debut explores who Kevin is, how he lost his inspiration, and what he must do to get it back. Kevin Gant will be here for a very special Q&A;

Missing Pieces, Special preview screening by Birmingham filmmaker. This is a story about a man who’s lost everything and his misguided attempts to put it back together. “Missing Pieces” is an emotional enigma about love and loneliness…and a kidnapping. Through interwoven, poignant vignettes, this multi-plot tale unfolds and untangles into a truly unique and heartfelt love story about finding hope when all is lost;

Barbeque and Bluegrass, Three unique short films about the history and romance of bluegrass, plus a plate of barbeque. What could be better?

Camp Films, world premiere of Monday Mayhem and All 4 One, the two short films made by Space 301 summer campers.

Short Films for the festival include: On a Roll, Jobless, Divination, What Do You Know?, Slick, and many more.

Passes for the festival will be available starting October 14, 2011, at the downtown office and online. Weekend passes will be $30 and individual film tickets will be $5.

The South Alabama Film Festival is a part of the Mobile Arts Council made possible by the generous support of the Mobile Public Library, The Crescent Theater, The Center for the Living Arts, The Bike Shop, The Fort Conde Inn, The Hampton Downtown.

The SoAL Film Fest is pleased to announce that Jay Duplass’ first documentary project KEVIN is coming to the 2011 festival. We’re also very excited that documentary subject Kevin Gant will accompany the film to Mobile for Q&As and live performances throughout the festival weekend.

Jay Duplass and brother Mark are very well known on the film festival circuit. The brothers have teamed up in the past on Cyrus, Baghead, The Puffy Chair, and several other films.

From the Jay Duplass KEVIN KickStarter campaign…

Who Is Kevin Gant?

In Austin, TX in the early ’90s, Kevin was my hero. He was the purest, most inspired artist I had ever seen. His fusion of all-American folk-poetry with a wild flamenco guitar style was completely original, and I went to every show of his I could.

But in 1995, Kevin disappeared completely from the music scene, and I had no idea why.

Two years ago I finally tracked him down, and we began a friendship. I learned about the painful events back in ’95 that shattered his lifelong dream of making and sharing music. I learned he had barely touched his guitar ever since, and forgotten how to play almost all of his songs.

But then, thanks to a magical twist of fate I could never have imagined, Kevin and I found ourselves traveling halfway around the globe and back. And along the way, I watched as Kevin’s dream reignited right before my eyes.

KEVIN, my documentary debut, is that story.

Jay Duplass talks Kevin Gant

Feature-Length Documentary – Nonfiction films more than 60 minutes in length.

Short Narrative – Fiction films, animated or live, that are less than 30 minutes in length.

Short Documentary – Documentary films, animated or live, that are less than 30 minutes in length.

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
The South Alabama Film Festival’s mission is to showcase and educate the community about filmmakers and their creations. To accomplish this mission it holds an annual film festival with seminars and workshops. During the festival, attendees will have the opportunity to see films that may not have large distribution and have the chance to meet and discuss these films with filmmakers. The group also plans events throughout the year promoting local filmmaking and encouraging the art of filmmaking in our local schools. The South Alabama Film Festival is an annual event anticipated by the entire community. The South Alabama Film Festival wants to bring filmmakers and their products to the Mobile community. The group is not searching for major motion pictures or stars, but for films that might not otherwise be seen in our area. Over a three-day period, the festival hopes to show 8-16 features, plus short films, and host several social events and workshops. This film festival will be open to the general public.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The South Alabama Film Festival (SoAL Film Fest) seeks to showcase and educate the community about filmmakers and their creations, while welcoming all who enjoy the medium. One of the nation’s oldest and most beautiful cities, Mobile will alight with the cinematic arts throughout 2011, culminating in November’s three-day festival. In addition to feature-length and short films, SoAL Film Fest will offer seminars and workshops for adults and school children, to further its goal of educating – as well as enchanting – the growing regional film community. SoAL Film Fest strives to be the yearly event in Southern Alabama for all who love, and create, film. The festival is scheduled for November 4-6, 2011.

ORGANIZERS
Hailee Kuntz (Executive Director)
Lesley Delchamps (Assistant Director)
Gideon Carson Kennedy (Program Director)

FEES

All fees are nonrefundable.

GENERAL RULES
Submissions must have been completed after December 1, 2008 and may not be publicly screened in Mobile County or Baldwin County, Alabama prior to the 2011 festival dates (excluding other South Alabama Film Festival screenings and collaborations). Submissions will be notified of their selection status on or around Sept. 15, 2011. If accepted, two additional DVDs of the final film must be provided to the South Alabama Film Festival for jury screenings, media requests and the festival archive. Selected festival films must also provide updated contact information, a digital and non-digital press kit, and one exhibition copy of the film in the format we will determine at the time of selection. South Alabama Film Festival may deny acceptance of any film at its sole discretion, or waive rules for any submission it deems appropriate for the festival. If accepted, the screening schedule (including venue, time and number of screenings) is at the sole discretion of South Alabama Film Festival. The festival encourages filmmakers to accompany the film to represent it and participate in a Q&A sessions following the screening to share their experience of making of the film. Each accepted film will receive free industry passes to the festival.

The entrant guarantees that they have legal right to submit their film and have obtained all necessary rights and clearances to screen the work at the South Alabama Film Festival. Submission of work confirms that the South Alabama Film Festival has permission to exhibit it (and any moving image excerpts or reproduced stills) during the festival and for any festival publicity or promotion. Every precaution will be exercised in handling entries and exhibition copies of submitted films, but the entrant agrees to hold the festival, its organizers, employees, volunteers, sponsors, and partnering organizations harmless for damage to or loss of materials submitted.

FILMS
The South Alabama Film Festival is looking for 8-16 feature length films, and 12-20 short films. The festival plans to show all films multiple times. We wish to show both fiction and nonfiction films. Special consideration will be given to films made in or around Mobile, Alabama; in the state of Alabama; and in the American “South.”

TO SUBMIT A FILM
Film submissions should be done through WithoutABox.

5/5 – Minced @ The Crescent Theater

“Minced!” blends old-timey radio cliffhangers with today’s Food TV, with hilarious results. Voice actors, live sound effects, and plenty of audience participation will create a unique evening of fun, while Chip Herrington’s Jazz Quartet performs between “episodes.” The cast includes well-known local performers and TV celebrities, and “Minced!” will be recorded for future broadcast on Catt’s Radio Avalon (92-ZEW).

There will be a Cinco de Mayo reception to follow (South of the Border food and beverage) across the street in Rollin’s Deli. All proceeds benefit the Crescent Theater Film Society.

Tickets are $50. Contact Carol Hunter at chunter@downtownmobile.org or 251-434-8498 for reservations or more information.

Thursday, May 5
7:00 PM @ The Crescent Theater

5/5 – Art & Soul @ Mobile Arts Council

Join us for Mobile Arts Council’s spring fundraiser, sponsored by Portraits, Inc.

Set for Thursday, May 5 from 5:30 until 8 PM, Art & Soul will feature portraits and paintings by leading artists from the Southeast, music
by singer/songwriter Matt Jones, a portrait demonstration by Melissa Crawford, and hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

Call 251-432-9796 for your ticket in advance ($15) or buy it at the door ($20).

Thursday, May 5
5:30 PM @ Mobile Arts Council

5/6 to 5/12 – Super @ The Crescent Theater

After his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, though he lacks for heroic skills.

Director: James Gunn, Writer: James Gunn, Starring: Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page and Liv Tyler

Daily Showtimes: 6:00 & 8:30 PM
Sat & Sun Matinee: 2PM

BONUS: Writer/Director James Gunn gives us a look at The Holy Avenger

5/6 – Biutiful @ The Fairhope Film Series

This is a story of a man in free fall. On the road to redemption, darkness lights his way. Connected with the afterlife, Uxbal is a tragic hero and father of two who’s sensing the danger of death. He struggles with a tainted reality and a fate that works against him in order to forgive, for love, and forever.

Friday, May 6
7:00 PM (Doors open @ 6:30 PM)
UASBC Performance Center (Corner of St. James and Summit in Downtown Fairhope)

Congratulations to the winners of the 2nd Annual SAFA Story Starter Film Competition

Best Story

“Wal Mart Ninja Incident”
written by Ben Bentley
filmed by Logan Bowes (Jolt Productions)

The Wal-Mart Ninja Incident from Jolt Productions on Vimeo.

Best Film (Student Choice)

“Door to Door”
based on “She isn’t what you think” by Sarah Lawrence
filmed by Scotty White (Stupid Mop Productions)

Best Film (Judges Choice)

“High Score”
based on “What happens in New York stays in New York” by Passiah White
filmed by Andrew Preston (BRTL Films)

5/1 – SoAL Film Fest’s Program Director and resident filmmaker Gideon C. Kennedy (Clandestine) and 2009 SoAL alum Isabel Machado (Rootsy Hip) will have a new short film included as part of Preserving Our Literary History: Eugene Walter and Augustas Evans Wilson Sunday at the Ben May Branch of the Mobile Public Library.

A program on two Mobile writers, including two short films on Eugene Walter (Glimpses by Christin and Tom Loehr and Grand Fugue on the Art of Gumbo by Isabel Machado and Gideon Carson Kennedy) and a preview of a work-in-progress, The Passion of Miss Augusta, by Robert Clem; also: discussion of Wilson’s work by Susan Reynolds (author of a recent cover feature on the writer for Alabama Heritage) Southern Literary Trail Trailfest 2011 event.

Sunday, May 1 @ 2pm
Mobile Public Library, Ben May Branch
Bernheim Hall
Admission is Free

4/30 – SAFA’s 2nd Annual Story Starter Film Screening

The Student and Filmmaker Alliance (SAFA) presents their 2nd Story Starter Film Screening. Local filmmakers turn creative stories written by Burns Middle School (BMS) students into short films. All films were inspired by the prompt: “I finally found out what was the matter with that crazy lady down the street.”

The screening is co-sponsored by the Mobile Public Library, and will show on the big screen in Bernheim Hall, part of the Ben May Main Library Branch.

You can vote for your favorite story online at www.safafilm.org/2011essays.html

See who wins best writer and best filmmaker, and join us for a reception following.

Saturday, April 30 @ 2pm
Mobile Public Library, Ben May Branch
Bernheim Hall

Also, as usual, there are some great films this weekend screening at The Crescent Theater and as part of the Fairhope Film Series.

4/29 to 5/4 – Dylan Dog: Dead of Night

In New Orleans, Dylan Dog (Brandon Routh) is an ace detective whose specialty is paranormal cases. Now, he must deal with vampires, werewolves, zombies and a guardian of Hell, all due to a client’s (Anita Briem) case. With the help of Marcus Adams (Sam Huntington), his undead assistant, he will have to persevere for the sake of the Earth.

The Crescent Theater
Daily Showtimes: 6:00 & 8:30 PM
Sat & Sun Matinee: 2PM

4/29 – Inside Job

Takes a closer look at what brought about the financial meltdown.

Fairhope Film Series
7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30)

4/30 – Wilco Live: Ashes of American Flags

Ashes of American Flags is an award-winning film presenting Wilco live in concert during their 2008 tour. Culled from concerts in five quintessentially American venues – Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Tipitina’s in New Orleans, The Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. – the film captures the energy, poignancy and musicality of a Wilco concert and tour. Directed and produced by Brendan Canty and Christoph Green (Sunken Treasure, Burn to Shine), the film intersperses interviews with band members and day-in-the-life footage as the band travels across the U.S.

PRIZES
At the screening, there will be a drawing for 3 pairs of tickets to the upcoming Wilco show at the Saenger and 6 12×18 limited-run promotional film posters that have never been available for sale.

TICKETS are available for purchase now online here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/170879

The Crescent Theater
One Screening Only @ 11 PM

4/22 – ‘Peddlin for the Cure’ and ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ at Premiere Cinema on the Eastern Shore

Premiere Cinema on the Eastern Shore will be helping out ‘Peddlin’ for The Cure’ on Friday with an end of ride celebration and charity screening of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’. The ride will end around 5:00pm in the lobby of Premiere Cinema and the screening will begin at 6:00pm. Tickets are $5 and all proceeds will benefit The American Cancer Society.

More info on this event
Facebook
Baldwin County Now

4/22 to 4/28 – Crescent Theatre

Barney’s Version begins it’s one week run Friday. Daily screenings will be @ 7:00pm, along with 2:00pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

BARNEY’S VERSION is the warm, wise, and witty story of Barney Panofsky, (Paul Giamatti), a seemingly ordinary man who lives an extraordinary life. A candid confessional, told from Barney’s point of view, the film spans four decades and two continents, taking us through the different “acts” of his unusual history.

4/22 – Fairhope Film Series

FFS will be screening Mao’s Last Dancer @ 7:00pm (Doors open 6:30pm) at USABC Performance Center at the corner of St. John And Summit St in downtown Fairhope.

A drama based on the autobiography by Li Cunxin. At the age of 11, Li was plucked from a poor Chinese village by Madame Mao’s cultural delegates and taken to Beijing to study ballet. In 1979, during a cultural exchange to Texas, he fell in love with an American woman. Two years later, he managed to defect and went on to perform as a principal dancer for the Houston Ballet and as a principal artist with the Australian Ballet.

4/1 – Alabama Moon at The Crescent Theater

Eleven year old Moon Blake has spent most of his life hiding out in the forests of Alabama with his father, an anti-government radical who clings to conspiracy theories and trusts no one. His life suddenly changes when the land is sold and his father suddenly dies. He must learn how to make friends, avoid enemies and find his place in the modern world. An adventure for the boy in all of us!–Based on the popular novel by Watt Key.

4/1 – Mobile Bay Film Scramble

The Crescent Theater and Mod Mobilian Dot Com Present Mobile Bay Film Scramble

Participants met at Crescent Theater signed up Friday March 18 and turned in their completed short films by 6pm March 28 (That’s just under 10 days to complete the film.) Come out to see all the films 11PM Friday April 1 at Crescent Theater. Awards will be given for Best Acting Performance, Best Film, and Crowd Favorite.

4/1 to 4/3 – Crossroads Film Festival (Jackson, MS)

The 12th annual Crossroads Film Festival is set for April 1-3, 2011, in and around Jackson, MS. Enjoy films from every corner of the world, plus music, art, workshops, and much, much more. The Crossroads Film Society sponsors the annual Crossroads Film Festival each April in Jackson, Mississippi.

Crossroads Film Festival Schedule