News Summary
The Tallahassee Film Festival, in its 17th year, will run from September 26 to 28, showcasing over 50 films, including notable local productions. Opening with the horror film ‘It Ends’ by Alexander Ullom, the festival promotes Florida’s cinematic talent while featuring special events such as live music and anniversary screenings. Tickets are available now, with various pass options to engage both filmmakers and attendees.
Tallahassee, Florida – The Tallahassee Film Festival (TFF) will take place from September 26 to 28, 2023, celebrating its 17th year and highlighting local talent and significant films. The festival will open with the North Florida-shot film It Ends, a notable “hangout horror” movie directed by debut writer-director Alexander Ullom, a graduate of the Florida State University (FSU) film school. Ullom has earned recognition as one of Filmmaker magazine’s “25 new faces to watch” and was awarded the top prize in the “New Flesh” category at the Fantasia International Film Festival.
The Challenger Learning Center serves as the presenting sponsor for this year’s festival. TFF will focus on themes and filmmakers from Florida, showcasing a diverse selection of over 50 films across several venues, including the Challenger Learning Center IMAX, Cap City Video Lounge, and 621 Gallery in Railroad Square. The festival aims to promote community support for local filmmakers and artists.
Among the notable films featured at the festival are:
- River of Grass, a cinematic essay on endangered swamplands directed by Miami native Sasha Wortzel.
- John Lilly and the Earth Coincidence Control Office, exploring the archival history of psychonaut John Lilly’s dolphin experiments.
- The Scout, a drama by Paula Gonzalez-Nasser based on her experiences as a location scout in New York City post-graduation.
- The Winning Recipe, documenting chef Leon Brunson’s challenges in opening Leon’s at Lake Ella.
- Bunnylovr, Katarina Zhu’s debut feature about a woman’s struggles with a breakup and a dying father.
- The True Beauty of Being Bitten by a Tick, directed by Pete Ohs with a screenplay by Jeremy O. Harris.
- WTO/99, a chronicle of the protests during the 1999 World Trade Organization meetings.
- American Theater, a Slamdance winner that follows a theater director’s quest to create a musical about the Salem Witch Trials.
Special events during the festival include a 50th anniversary screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a shadowcast by Indie Sinclair, outdoor performances at Kleman Plaza featuring local musicians such as hip-hop artist One.Will and singer/songwriter Tommy Cooper, and a free 30th anniversary screening of Empire Records. Additionally, there will be a Saturday night party at The Filibuster from 10 p.m. to midnight with a DJ set and a Sunday brunch for VIP passholders and filmmakers at the Challenger Learning Center, concluding with a special IMAX presentation.
Tickets for the Tallahassee Film Festival are available for purchase, with all-access tickets priced at $50 and VIP passes at $85, available at the festival’s official website. Last year, Ian Edward Weir’s documentary Tigers of the Sky received the Flamingo Award for best Florida filmmaker, focusing on the life cycle of a Great Horned Owl and showcasing extensive footage from the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Weir conducted 55 trips to gather material for his documentary, which premiered at TFF in 2022.
The festival has a history of featuring films that tackle important social and racial issues pertinent to Florida, reinforcing the supportive environment for filmmakers and artists within the community. With a diverse array of genres and themes, TFF continues to be a vital platform for showcasing the creativity and talent from the region.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Film Festival Launches FSU Grad’s Horror Flick
- Ian Weir’s Tigers of the Sky
- Tallahassee Director Debuts The Final Pact
- Tallahassee Filmmakers Premiere Being Human at Gasparilla Fest
- The 2024 Tallahassee Film Festival Celebrates 15 Award Winners
- Wikipedia: Tallahassee Film Festival
- Google Search: Tallahassee Film Festival
- Google Scholar: Tallahassee Film Festival
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tallahassee Film Festival
- Google News: Tallahassee Film Festival
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
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