"The big news this year is that we opened submissions up for films worldwide, and received nintey four submissions from around the globe," stated Festival Director, Caitlin Renée Campbell. "We have films screening this year from the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Korea, Denmark, Japan, Australia, Germany, Hungary, Spain, and The Netherlands. We have fifty eight films screening of which twelve are WV Filmmakers. There are thirteen films with English subtitles, fascinating documentaries - four specifically about WV, The Heartbeat of Morgantown, Blood on the Mountain, Vandalia Women, Averell's Raiders & The 35th Star, and eleven animations to name a few. The short films are quite strong this year. I have been really impressed with the quality of films submitted."
The Festival kicks off Friday, October 4, at 5 p.m. with BBQ available at The Elk Theatre and a round of Short Films beginning at 6 p.m. The Friday night feature, shot in Pittsburgh and Braxton County, will be WV FILMmaker Charlie Cline's Squid Man, at 8 p.m., ending the first night of the festival with round 2 of short films. On Saturday morning, October 5, 10:30 a.m., there is a Seminar on Insurance & Permits at the Landmark Studio for the Arts. Screenings begin at 11:45 a.m. with a screening of 2010 FILMmaker of the Year, Mari-Lynn Evans, short film from the upcoming 2014 Feature Documentary Blood on the Mountain at 11:45 a.m.
Blood on the Mountain is a documentary film that begins in 2010 at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch coal mine where 29 miners were killed in the worst mine disaster in 40 years. What happened to these workers was labeled "industrial homicide" in the United Mine Worker's investigation. This film explores how such a corporate culture was created, and the role and responsibility of government and the corporations. The history of the State of West Virginia best exemplifies the true and lasting impact of unrestricted corporations on a culture.
Student Short Films, Documentary Shorts and Animation screenings begin after lunch on Saturday at 2 p.m. Saturday night will wrap up with the final round of short films at 8 p.m. and WV FILMmaker David Smith's Ladybeard, shot in the Kanawha Valley, which will screen at 9:30 p.m.
FILMmaker Parties take place at the Film Center at the Elk Hostel with live music Friday night 11pm-1am from Wager and Saturday night, 11pm-1am from The Ultimatums.
Documentary Feature Screenings kick off Sunday with Brad Bear's Where's the Fair? at 12:30 p.m. followed by additional documentaries. The Festival will end with the 5 p.m. Wine & Cheese Awards Ceremony announcing all Film Winners and 2013's FILMmaker of the Year at the Landmark Studio for the Arts.
The 2013 FILM Festival is dedicated to Bob Gates, the 2012 FILMmaker of the Year. (Picture attached of Bob holding the FILMmaker of the Year trophy.)
Please join the Filmmakers ~ the public is invited to all events. All movies will screen at the Elk Theatre in Sutton.
A Festival pass to see all screenings is available in advance for $26.00 via PayPal at the Festival website
Interested in seeing the Screenings for free? Volunteer and be a part of the FILMmaker team! Email your name, contact phone number and email address to:
information@wvfilmmakersfestival.org
