Thursday, November 8th

Diana Wortham Theater

7 - 11 p.m.
Opening Night Gala and movie The Savages
Reception immediately following in Pack Place lobby and outside atrium with food provided by Amici.

Pack Place Gallery

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Authorized Apple Final Cut Pro Training Course
Pre-registration required

Friday, November 9th

Diana Wortham Theatre
presented by Mountain Xpress

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
The Picture of Dorian Gray

2 - 3:45 p.m.
Totally Connected
Art of Suicide

4:15 - 6:30 p.m.
Ghost Town

7 - 9 p.m.
One Road
Soup Ladle
My Name is Wallace
When the Mill Closes Down

9:30 - 11:15 p.m.
Southern Gothic

Fine Arts Theatre—Lower
presented by the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa

Noon - 2 p.m.
The Wake of Calum McLeod
Slipdream

2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Death of a Gentleman
Randy and the Mob

5 - 7 p.m.
1975
Orphans

7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
An Evening with 2007 Career Acheivement Award Winner Tess Harper, with a showing of Tender Mercies. Reception immediately following at Blue Spiral 1 with food provided by Amici.

10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Crimes of the Heart

Fine Arts Theatre—Upper

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Uranya

2 - 4:15 p.m.

Greetings from the Shore

4:45 - 7 p.m.
Saving Mom and Dad
The List

7:30 - 9 p.m.
Blood Car

9:30 - 11:30 p.m.
Lulu la del Pez
The Descendent
Wholetrain

Asheville Community Theatre

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Rebel Song
El Mechanico Loco

2 - 4 p.m.
Off the Rocker
MIA: A soldier’s homecoming

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
American Scary

7 - 8:30 p.m.
Kilroy was Here
For Women Only
A Driving Lesson
Blue Suede Wings

9 - 10:45 p.m.
War/Dance

11:15 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Golden Blade III

35 Below at Asheville Community Theatre

Noon - 1:30 p.m.
The Spirit of Sacajawea

2 - 3:30 p.m.
99 to 1: Ovarian Cancer and Me
Willow Garden

4 - 5:45 p.m.
Greensboro: Closer to the Truth

6 - 7:30
Kamp Katrina

8 - 9:30 p.m.
Blood, boobs and beast

10 p.m. - Midnight
The Year of Paper
Laughing matters… the men

The Ritz - 2nd Floor

9 - 10 a.m.
The Art of Sound Recording for Film
Session Leader: John Sisti

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Introduction to Film
Session Leader: Don Diefenbach

1 - 2 p.m.
Success in Writing and Directing
Session Leaders: Don Mancini, Tim Kirkman and Jack Sholder

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Creative Distribution
Session Leader: Adam Birnbaum

Other events

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Coffee Talk—Documentaries
The Ritz—3rd Floor

11 a.m. - Noon
Critics’ Roundtable
The Ritz—3rd Floor

11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Apple Computer Demonstrations and Technical Exhibits
Pack Place Lobby & Gallery

Saturday, November 10th

Complete film schedule by day coming soon.

Sunday, November 11th

Complete film schedule by day coming soon.

We’ve got Docs! 12 announced for the 2007 Asheville Film Festival

The 2007 Asheville Film Festival is proud to announce 12 groundbreaking and fascinating documentaries for the 2007 Asheville Film Festival.

These documentaries are “American Scary,” “Behind Forgotten Eyes,” “Celebration of Flight,” “El Mechanico Loco,” “Kamp Katrina,” “Kilowatt Ours,” “Laughing Matters… the Men,” “Moving Midway,” “99 to 1: Ovarian Cancer and Me,” “Off the Rocker,” “One Road,” “The Spirit of Sacajawea,” and “The Year of Paper.”

At their best, documentaries provide a glimpse into all aspects of the world and the human experience. These are no exception, covering everything from struggles a world away to those right here, from tales of one family to stories of entire nations. They are by turns funny, tragic, enlightening, terrifying and uplifting.

More information about these films can be found in the documentary section. We are fortunate enough to have trailers for most of these films.

The Asheville Film Festival is proud to have a field of documentaries as diverse as this city—and there are more to come.

2004 Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award
Rance Howard

Achievement in Filmmaking
Robert Radnitz

Feature Winner: Sandstorm
Runner-up: State’s Evidence
Audience Award: Phreaker

Documentary Winner: Searching for Angela Shelton
Runner-up: Monster Road
Audience Award: Searching for Angela Shelton

Short Winner: Trifles
Runner-up: Tacklebox
Audience Award: Tacklebox

Student Winner: Everdark
Runner-up: True Color
Audience Award: The Way of Dale

2005 Film Festival Photo Gallery

2005 Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award
Ken Russell

Feature Winner: Devaki
Runner-up: The Tenants
Audience Award: At Last

Documentary Winner: Donor
Runner-up: Waging a Living
Audience Award: The Great American Quilt Revival

Short Winner: The Butler of the Van der Waal House
Runner-up: The Sky is Falling
Audience Award: Dutch Bird and Significant Romance in Compressed Time (Tie)

Student Winner: The Tragedy of Glady
Runner-up: Son Up
Audience Award: Madison County Project

Animation Winner: Backseat Bingo
Runner-up: The Meaning of Life
Audience Award: Backseat Bingo

2006 Film Festival Photo Gallery

2006 Winners

Career Achievement Award: Jennifer Tilly

Feature film winner:
Ten ‘til Noon

Feature film runner-up:
Apart from That

Audience award feature film winner:
Hiding Victoria

Documentary film winner:
Wetlands Preserved:
The Story of An Activist Rock Club

Documentary film runner-up (tie):
Liberty Street: Alive at Ground Zero

Documentary film runner-up (tie):
Appalachia: The Endless Forest

Audience award documentary film winner:
Prison Pups

Short film winner:
Escape

Short film runner-up:
Untouched

Audience award short film winner:
Super-Anon

Animation film winner:
The Wraith of Cobble Hill

Animation film runner-up:
Puppet

Audience award animation film winner:
Infinitum

Student film winner:
Metacarpus

Student film runner-up:
Frame of Reference

Audience award student film winner:
Frame of Reference

Daniel DeLaVergne Spirit Award:
Nomads

ETV Southern Lens Award:

The Clinton 12

2007 Career Achievement Award Winner

The Asheville Film Festival is pleased to announce that the 2007 Career Achievement Award will be presented to Oscar-nominated actress Tess Harper.

Since she first came on the film scene in Bruce Beresford’s acclaimed Tender Mercies (1983)—for which she received a Golden Globe nomination—Tess Harper has proven herself the consummate professional, appearing in over 70 movies and TV films. She’s appeared in films as diverse as Silkwood, Flashpoint, Crimes of the Heart (another film for Bruce Beresford—and one that brought her an Oscar nomination), The Man in the Moon, The Jackal, and even Amityville 3-D. Asheville audiences are apt to know her from Tim Kirkman’s recent Loggerheads—a film with local roots and a strong following.

Apart from Beresford and Kirkman, Harper has worked for such filmmakers as Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Sam Shepard, Robert Mulligan, and recently the Coen Brothers in their latest film No Country for Old Men. She’s shared the screen with Robert Duvall, Meryl Streep, Sissy Spacek, Jessica Lange, Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman and Bruce Willis—and held her own with them all. Her charm, personality and innate sincerity has enlivened many a film.

As part of the Asheville Film Festival honors, several of her best works will be screened throughout the event.

4th and Long

An affably rambling mockumentary about football—among other things—and some of its more peculiar and most ardent fans. It centers on a local guy called “The Chuck,” the living embodiment of that one person who somehow manages to show up at literally everything, and who expresses a degree of enthusiasm that frankly defies comprehension. A blend of faux-documentary, improvised dialogue and bizarre tangents, the film is also sometimes punctuated with outbursts of slapstick and even an ersatz TV commercial. 4th and Long was shot in Wilmington, N.C.

5 features announced for the 2007 Asheville Film Festival

The Asheville Film Festival is proud to announce the features “Art of Suicide,” “Her Best Move,” “Murder Party,” “Wholetrain” and “Year of the Fish.” And we’ve got trailers! Click here to read more about each film.

Detailed information about the films, their film makers and cast can all be found in features section.

More films for the 2007 festival will be announced throughout the week.

7 Shorts and 3 Student Films at the 2007 Asheville Film Festival

The Asheville Film Festival is proud to announce 7 short films and 3 students films for the 2007 Asheville Film Festival. We have trailers for several of these movies so you can take a peek at them yourself.

Short films can pack quite a bit of power into their time on screen, and these are no exception. The seven shorts: “A Driving Lesson,” “Blue Suede Wings,” “The Wake of Calum MacLeod,” “Jonna’s Body, Please Hold,” “The Lucky One,” “My Name is Wallace” and “Totally Connected” all offer fascinating stories to tell.

Meanwhile, the student films “Quincy & Althea,” “Saving Mom and Dad” and “The Little Gorilla” all offer movie-goers a glimpse of up-and-coming talent.

More information on these films is available in the Shorts and Student sections.

A full list of all the movies announced so far, complete with trailers for many of them, can be found here.

More films will be announced later this week.

99 to 1: Ovarian Cancer and Me

In the summer of 2005, the doctors said they were 99-percent sure that filmmaker Phoebe Brown did not have ovarian cancer. But it turned out that they were too optimistic. Two years later, Phoebe is cancer free but not without scars. The filmmaker takes us on a journey through her diagnosis, her grandmother’s death from ovarian cancer, her physical and emotional reactions to chemotherapy treatment and her hopes for the future..

American Outrage

Carrie and Mary Dann are feisty elderly Western Shoshone sisters who live and ranch in north central Nevada. They have always grazed their livestock on the range outside their ranch. That range is part of 60 acres million recognized by the U.S. as Western Shoshone land in the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley. In 1974, the U.S. sued the Dann sisters for trespassing on public land without a permit. Their dispute swept to the Supreme Court and eventually to the United Nations. Contrasting the Dann’s personal lives and political actions, American Outrage examines why the United States would spend millions prosecuting and persecuting two elderly women grazing a few hundred horses and cows in a desolate desert.

American Scary

A look at the nation’s tradition of horror hosting from Zacherley to A. Ghastlee Ghoul with interviews from major hosts from the 1950s to the present, along with memories from celebrities and fans who were influenced by these hosts. You’ll follow this American folk-art form from its glamorous beginnings, through repeated waves of popularity, to its scrappy resurgence and survival in the age of cable access and the Internet. The film aims to remind people how much fun local TV could be—and maybe could be again. 

Andrew C. Erin - Simple Things

Andrew C. Erin began his career as a writer/director six years ago in Canada where he wrote, produced and directed a number of TV pilots, series and shorts films. His work has been well received and broadcast on numerous Canadian networks. Following the success of his short film “Sam’s Lake,” He later reworked his short “Sam’s Lake” into a full-length feature his first year in Hollywood. The thriller/ horror was picked up by Maverick Films and went into production in fall 2004. Following a successful shoot, Andrew was hired as writer/ director on “Simple Things.”

And the final judges are…

The 2007 Asheville Film Festival is happy to announce the final two additions to this year’s panel of film judges—Felicia Feaster, film critic for Atlanta’s Creative Loafing and Asheville’s very own Ken Hanke, film critic for Mountain Xpress.

Felicia Feaster was born in Jimmy Stewart’s hometown of Indiana, Pennsylvania.  She received her B.A. in film studies from the University of Florida and her M.A. in film studies from Emory University.  Her master’s thesis on exploitation film became a book, Forbidden Fruit: The Golden Age of the Exploitation Film co-authored with fellow lowbrow connoisseur, husband and filmmaker Bret Wood (Hell’s Highway, Psychopathia Sexualis).  She is the staff art and film critic for Atlanta’s alternative newsweekly Creative Loafing.  Her writing has appeared in Elle, New York Press, Atlanta magazine, Sculpture, Art in America, Artnews, Playboy online and Art Papers.  She has curated exhibitions for the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center and TEW Galleries in Atlanta. She has received multiple Green Eyeshade Awards for criticism and feature reporting from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Click here to read the full article.

And the Winners are…

Last night, the 2007 Asheville FIlm Festival announced its winners for this year. They include winners, runners-up and audience favorites in the feature, documentary, short, student and animation categories, as well as the Daniel Delavergne award, which honors films for a sense of adventure, and the ETV Southern Lens Award, going to a film that captures Southern culture

The winners are as follows:

Feature:
Winner - Year of the Fish
Runner-up - (tie) Blood Car, Randy and the Mob
Audience Award - Year of the Fish

Documentary:
Winner - War/Dance
Runner-up - Behind Forgotten Eyes
Audience Award - War/Dance

Short:
Winner - Cabbie
Runner-up - Kilroy Was Here
Audience Award - Jonna’s Body, Please Hold

Student:
Winner - The Little Gorilla
Runner-up - Rebel Song
Audience Award - The Little Gorilla

Animation:
Winner - When the World Goes Dark
Runner-up - Glimpse
Audience Award - Glimpse

Daniel Delavergne Spirit Award:
The Oil and Water Project

ETV Southern Lens Award:
Moving Midway

Anvil! The Story of Anvil

At 14, Toronto school friends Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner made a pact to rock together forever. Their band, Anvil, went on to become the “demigods of Canadian metal,” releasing one of the heaviest albums in metal history, 1982’s Metal on Metal. The album influenced a musical generation, including Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, that went on to sell millions of records. But Anvil’s career took a different path—straight to obscurity.

Appalachian State Football: A Date With Destiny

In 2007, the Appalachian State University football team pulled off what’s been called the biggest upset in college-football history. This film is a first-hand, inside look at how they did it, from the very first practice to the improbable win in the stadium known as “The Big House” against football powerhouse University of Michigan.

Appalachia: The Endless Forest

Some of the richest forests in the world cover the ridges and valleys of the southern Appalachians. This film explores the hidden worlds of these remote valleys, and uncovers a wealth of nature, from bears and salamanders to vultures and flying squirrels. But human culture here is as rich as the natural history. These mountains were the heartland of the Cherokee Nation, and the film producers worked with Cherokee living there today to re-create their view of the forest world. Later, settlers from Germany, Scotland and Ireland in particular helped create the distinctive culture of modern Appalachia, and to evoke all these elements, the film is set to a unique score, especially composed, which combines traditional music from all these cultures.

Film Festival History

In just four short years, the Asheville Film Festival has gained national attention and recognition. The festival has played host to over 300 filmmakers and their works, and over 30,000 people have enjoyed the world premieres, independent films, educational workshops and the charm of downtown Asheville.

While the Asheville Film Festival is just now entering its fifth year, Asheville’s history with film goes back to the earliest days of the medium, as Thomas Edison traveled to the area to film shorts. Asheville has played host to the filming of movies including ”The Swan,” ”Patch Adams,” ”Forrest Gump,” ”Thunder Road,” ”Being There,” ”The Last of the Mohicans,” ”The Fugitive” and ”Hannibal”

Asheville is also the nexus of a thriving arts and film community, home to a multitude of directors, actors, writers, producers and many who combine all of the above talents.

In 2003, the city, along with local theaters, filmmakers and businesses, pooled their efforts in a quest to give Asheville a festival worthy of its storied past and vibrant community. Veteran character actor Pat Hingle, best known as Commissioner Gordon in the ”Batman” movies, received that year’s Lifetime Achievement Honors.

The festival grew in 2004, honoring actor Rance Howard (Cool Hand Luke, Cinderella Man). His family, including his sons, famed director Ron Howard, actor Clint Howard and his granddaughter, actress Bryce Dallas Howard, joined him, resulting in a star-studded celebration of their contribution to the medium and the quality independent films that the festival hosted that year.

In 2005, cutting-edge director Ken Russell (Tommy, Women in Love, Crimes of Passion) took center stage, honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his trail-blazing career. His films, especially Tommy, garnered an enthusiastic reception. The new films likewise grew in both quality and scope, reflecting the same love of innovation that made Russell so well-received.

2006 saw a Career Achievement Award for actress Jennifer Tilly (Bullets Over Broadway, Bound), who wowed audiences with her talents as a storyteller, her enthusiasm and her down-to-earth personality.

“Asheville” is what sets the Asheville Film Festival above the rest.  Unlike many festivals, the venues are all within walking distance, located in scenic downtown and timed just when the leaves have begun to change color. Its selections and future reflect the nature of Asheville itself: diverse, imaginative, with a taste for the unusual and, in the end, completely unique.

Art of Suicide

Paintings, poems, plays and movies—it’s just another day at White Hall Studios, an eclectic commune for young artists and bohemians alike. Painter Joel Mallon and his eager band of friends are out to put themselves and their studio on the map. But just how long can an artist get rejected, overlooked and written off before his “big break” arrives? Joel’s break finally comes when a free-spirited muse enters his life and gives him the ultimate inspiration. But how far are you willing to go to promote yourself?

Asheville Accomodations

2007 Asheville Film Festival

To access these special rates, please reference the “Asheville Film Festival”
when making your reservation.
Rates are quoted for November 8-11.

*PLEASE NOTE – Make your reservations as early as possible to access these special room rates.  In some cases, only a limited amount of rooms are available at the special rate and once they are filled, a higher room rate may be put into effect.  Taxes are not included in the rate(s) provided.
*Triple and quad rates may be higher.

Comfort Inn - Black Mountain
828.669.9950
535 US Hwy. 9
Black Mountain, NC 28711
$80.99*
Free deluxe breakfast bar included
http://www.choicehotels.com

Comfort Suites Biltmore Square Mall
828.665.4000
890 Brevard Road
Asheville, NC 28806
$129.00*
Free deluxe breakfast bar included
http://www.comfortsuitesbiltmore.com

Country Inn & Suites Asheville Mall
828.254.4311
199 Tunnel Road
Asheville, NC 28805
$109.00* Two queen beds
$115.00* King bed
Free deluxe breakfast bar included

Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville
800.733.3211
One Holiday Inn Drive
Asheville, NC 28806
$129.00*
http://www.ashevillecp.com

Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites- Biltmore Square Mall
828.665.6519
1 Wedgefield Drive
Asheville, NC 28806
119.99* Standard room; 129.00* suites
Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast buffet
http://www.hiexpress.com/asheville-mall

Holiday Inn Asheville Airport
828.684.1213
550 Airport Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
$85.95*
http://www.holidayinn.com

Monte Vista Inn
828.669.2119
308 W. State Street
Black Mountain, NC 28711
$92.00*
http://www.montevistahotel.com

Ramada Asheville River Ridge
828.298.9141
800 Fairview Road
Asheville, NC 28803
$89.00*
Complimentary continental breakfast
http://www.ramadariverridge.com

Red Roof Inn Asheville West
828.667.9803
16 Crowell Road
Asheville, NC 28806
November 8 - $49.99 single / $54.99 double
November 9-10 - $64.99*
Pet friendly
http://www.redroof.com

Richmond Hill Inn
888.742.4553
87 Richmond Hill Drive
Asheville, NC 28806
$185.00-$355.00*
http://www.richmondhillinn.com

Sleep Inn – Biltmore West
866.901.1033
1918 Old Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28806
November 8 - $59.99*
November 9 & 10 - $92.99*
Complimentary breakfast
http://www.ashevillesleepinn.com

Super 8 Biltmore East
828.298.7952
1329 Tunnel Road
Asheville, NC 28805
$69.00*
Complimentary breakfast
http://www.sleepsuper8.com

Asheville Attractions

No matter when you decide to visit our magnificent mountains, you’ll find plenty of things to do in and around Asheville. In winter, enjoy mild days in Asheville with easy access to the higher elevations that are dusted in snow. Then, watch the mountains awaken as spring blankets the hillsides with wildflowers. Glorious summer brings warm days for outdoor fun and cool nights for enjoying the hours after dark. And autumn cloaks these peaks with every shade of red, orange and yellow imaginable.
Anytime of the year, you can discover the region’s rich art and craft heritage at the numerous art galleries and shops. Visit one of the area’s historic attractions. Explore downtown Asheville’s unique restaurants and eclectic shops. Delve into the mountains’ endless opportunities for outdoor excursions. Or take a short, yet breathtaking, ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway. And throughout the year, there are events, festivals and entertainment to spice up your visit.

Please visit http://www.asheville.com or
http://www.exploreasheville.com for more
information on Asheville area accommodations.

Film in Asheville

When it comes to movies, Asheville’s star truly shines! In the early days, Thomas Edison traveled to the Esmeralda Inn in nearby Chimney Rock to film shorts for his New Jersey studio. To celebrate 1921, Conquest of Canaan was shot entirely in the city and opened the door to features like Tap Roots, the 1948 epic with Susan Hayward and Van Heflin making love in Mississippi pines recreated in nearby Black Mountain. The Swan, a 1956 release, filmed at Biltmore Estate, starred Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness, followed by Thunder Road, a 1958 salute to moonshine and Robert Mitchum. In 1979 Being There, with Shirley MacLaine and Peter Sellers, became the prophetic Forrest Gump of the Reagan years.

The early 1990’s saw Michael Mann trading the pastels of Miami for the deep shadows of our mountain greenery when he brought the 1992 version of The Last of the Mohicans to the contemporary screen. Railroads were wrecked with amazing realism when Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones battled for the winner’s square in 1993s The Fugitive.

In 1996 Asheville turned its downtown into a Gay-Day Parade starring Jack Lemmon and James Garner as they romped through My Fellow Americans. Then in 2001, Hannibal Lecter celebrated one more last meal in Hannibal, the 2001 salute to nouvelle cuisine. Patch Adams loved our mountains, Songcatcher turned their beauty into song, and Robert Redford and Helen Mirren filmed The Clearing in our backyard.

Self Magazine calls us “America’s Happiest City”, and AARP has termed us the best place to retire, while Rolling Stone had choice words about our eccentricities. But we will let you discover the hidden depths of the city by yourself while you celebrate the movies of the 21st Century!

Resources

We are thrilled that you have noticed the beauty of our mountains, eclectic architecture, and the world-renowned Biltmore Estate as the possible backdrop for your project. For further information about filming your production in this area please contact the City of Asheville Parks & Recreation, Cultural Arts Division at 828-259-5800 or or visit the following website links:

http://www.ashevillefilmcommission.com
http://www.blueridgemotionpictures.com
http://www.wncfilm.net
http://www.ncfilm.com

For a listing of some of the memorable film and television moments filmed in Western North Carolina, click here.

Asheville History

Nestled in a valley and surrounded by mountains, Asheville was settled after the revolutionary war mainly by Scotch-Irish immigrants from northern Ireland. By 1785 there was a permanent settlement known as “Eden Land”. During the early years Asheville was also known as Morristown (1794) and Buncombe Courthouse. In 1797 the town was incorporated and officially named Asheville in honor of North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe of New Hanover County.

As roads and the railroad through the mountains were developed, Asheville became a focal point for commerce and obtained a growing reputation as a health resort. In the early 1900s, George Vanderbilt began construction of his mansion and created the Biltmore Estate on his 45000 acres.

Opened in 1913, The Grove Park Inn was the vision of E.W. Grove, a fiery entrepreneur who made his fortune creating such turn-of-the-century medical wonders as Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic. Having moved to Asheville from St. Louis. Grove found himself with a pretty parcel of land atop Sunset Mountain. It was here he crafted his landmark Inn.

The greatest boom period in Asheville history came during the 1920s with the development of residential subdivisions and new buildings such as the Jackson Building, City Building, Buncombe Courthouse, Grove Arcade, Battery Park Hotel and the Flatiron Building. More art deco architecture built in the late 1920s and early 1930s can be found in downtown Asheville than any other southeastern city except Miami Beach.

The 1930s saw development of two great natural attractions - the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway which have since made Asheville one of the most visited recreational areas in the nation. Asheville’s favorite native sons include writers Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry.

Today Asheville is not only a major tourism center but is known for medical care, the arts, education and business in Western North Carolina.

Asheville’s unique natural and architectural beauty, moderate climate, strong job market, and outstanding educational and health care facilities make it one of the most attractive locations in the United States. Asheville is consistently ranked high among the best places to live, work and retire. The City’s long-range planning is directed to maintain and improve the quality of life in the area, so that it shall remain one of the “best places”.

City of Asheville Vital Statistics & Information
Population of Asheville (2000) 68,889
Population of Buncombe County (2000) 206,330
Elevation 2,200 feet
Asheville Area 35 miles
Average Annual Rainfall 46.97 inches
Average Annual Snowfall 14.9 inches

Airport: (15 miles south of Asheville)
Asheville Regional Airport 828-684-2226
Major Airlines: USAirways & Delta & Continental

Buses: Greyhound-Trailways Bus Lines 828-253-5353 800-231-2222
Public Transportation: Asheville Transit Authority 828-253-5691
Major Interstates: 40 and 26

Asheville Rejects Film Festival

“We’re doing it for you,” Asheville Rejects Film Festival co-creator Shawn Lukitsch says about the festival. The “you” he is referring to is the community of Asheville, and more specifically, those involved in Asheville’s arts scene.

The festival was created three years ago by Lukitsch and John Bennet (Lukitsch’s partner in Asheville’s Agency Films) as a DIY alternative to the larger, city-run Asheville Film Festival. This year, the Rejects Film Festival is attempting to grow into a much more expansive affair, showcasing more than just film. “We’re trying to cross-pollinate the event this year,” Lukitsch explains. Consequently, the festival will include an array of local and regional artists and musical acts, and won’t be downtown-Asheville centric. 

“Art in Asheville isn’t something that’s solely conducive to downtown,” Lukitsch observes. So the Rejects Festival is making the River Arts District and West Asheville their base, with only a couple of events scheduled for downtown venues. It’s an effort to illuminate the art world that exists throughout the city, particularly within its thriving—though often under-publicized—indie-arts scene. “That’s what we’re fans of, and that’s what our friends do and we want to do. It’s to celebrate all those things,” Bennet says. But not before adding, “The Rejects, in essence, is a party.”

The party will include an opening night hip-hop show Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Rocket Club, featuring Savannah, Ga.’s Dope Sandwich Productions. Sunday, Nov. 9, there will be a record swap presented by West Asheville’s Harvest Records, followed that night by a performance from Athens, Ga.-based 20-some-member rock outfit Dark Meat; both the swap and the performance take place at the Grey Eagle. This is all in addition to a Saturday, Nov. 8, show featuring four bands at the New French Bar, headlined by hometown act Aleuchatistas. 

Because of the grander scale of the festival, which in previous years was organized primarily by Lukitsch and Bennet, it has grown into a larger, community effort, consisting of numerous local volunteers and businesses that are involved not only in sponsorship, but organization as well.

But regardless of any new directions in which the Rejects Festival might be heading, the spotlight remains on the films themselves. As in previous years, every film put forward is accepted. “We still don’t reject anybody,” Lukitsch says. And this year—with more than 30 films being screened—the organizers of the Rejects Festival have a number of movies they’re excited to bring to Asheville.

The festival will open with short-film screenings at the Admiral on Thursday, Nov. 6. Those to look out for include David Lindabury’s Day Labor, the story of two day laborers who are forced to work corporate jobs, trapped inside a cubicle; and Brent Stewart’s Harmony Korine-produced Blackberry Winter, which stars Chris Bower, the director of the local production Moon Europa.

Features will be screened at what has seemingly become the Rejects’ unofficial headquarters, the Wedge Gallery (namely, Wedge’s Eyesore and Betsalel Studios), on Saturday, Nov. 8, and Sunday, Nov. 9, starting at 10 a.m. both days. Free, live music will entertain those outside, and there will be a food booth provided by the Admiral. Among the feature films, a few that stand out include Josh Koury’s look at the world of Harry Potter-inspired “wizard rock” in We Are Wizards; Michael Carter’s documentary about Tennessee’s underground pro-wrestling circuit, 3 Minutes from Opryland; and local filmmaker Joe Chang’s Neutral.

But acting as the centerpiece of this year’s festival is Christmas on Mars, the seven-years-in-the-making pet project of psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips. Co-directed by Lips front man Wayne Coyne, this absurdist sci-fi flick has been described as a mix of Eraserhead and The Wizard of Oz, with a smattering of 2001: A Space Odyssey thrown in for good measure. See it for yourself Friday, Nov. 7, at Eleven on Grove, 11 Grove St., in downtown Asheville.

While organizing such a festival may seem like a daunting task for most, Lukitsch and Bennet see it instead as a necessity for their Asheville. “This is the true grit of Asheville,” Bennet says. “And that’s what we want to represent.” For a complete listing of festival events—including a guerrilla-filmmaking workshop—see the schedule that accompanies this story, or visit http://www.rejectsfilmfest.com.

Asphyxia

Asphyxia, the entry from the North Carolina School of the Arts, explores the inner life of a shrink who’s more depressed than the patients he treats. Cynical and jaded, Christian Brock’s life hangs on a subconscious dare based on the survival of his last surviving pet goldfish. Like his fish, Brock (played by David Holland) lives confined to a tedious existence, hopelessly circling around his patients. Brock lives only to sleep, hoping he will dream of the stimulation so missing in his life.

Awards

2007 Asheville Film Festival awards will be presented at the Spotlight Celebration Awards, presented by Amici Trattoria on Saturday evening, November 11th, 2007.

A jury of film-related professionals will judge each entry.  An AFFY award and $500 will be presented in each category.  The awards honor the creative spirit of the filmmaker as well as excellence in production.  Other awards, including a Lifetime/Career Achievement Award, Runner-Up, and Audience Awards in each category will be presented at the Spotlight Celebration Awards Ceremony on November 10.

Other awards include:

The Daniel DeLaVergne Spirit Award presented by The Media Arts Project
This annual award was created in 2006 to honor expedition filmmaker, Daniel DeLaVergne.The DeLaVergne Spirit Award is to recognize and honor filmmakers whose work explores pushing the limits of our minds and hearts by artistically expressing true Spirit. These films unlock the vast potential of the human spirit or nature and enable us to view films that display courage, integrity and hope, taking entertainment to a unique level. The winner will also receive $500. A special thanks to Blue Ridge Outdoors for their support of this award.

ETV Southern Lens Award
The ETV Southern Lens Award is awarded to the best Southern film at the festival. To be eligible for broadcast on the series, the film must be produced and/or directed by a Southern filmmaker, or be about a Southern subject.

Previous Asheville Film Festival winners have been:

2006

Career Achievement Award
Jennifer Tilly

Feature Winner: Ten ‘til Noon
Runner-up: Apart from That

Audience Award: Hiding Victoria

Documentary Winner: Wetlands Preserved: The Story of An Activist Rock Club
Runner-up: Alive at Ground Zero (tie), The Endless Forest (tie)
Audience Award: Prison Pups

Short Winner: Escape
Runner-up: Untouched
Audience Award: Super-Anon

Student Winner: Metacarpus
Runner-up: Frame of Reference
Audience Award: Frame of Reference

Animation Winner: The Wraith of Cobble Hill
Runner-up: Puppet
Audience Award: Infinitum

2005

Lifetime Achievement Award
Ken Russell

Feature Winner: Devaki
Runner-up: The Tenants
Audience Award: At Last

Documentary Winner: Donor
Runner-up: Waging a Living
Audience Award: The Great American Quilt Revival

Short Winner: The Butler of the Van der Waal House
Runner-up: The Sky is Falling
Audience Award: Dutch Bird and Significant Romance in Compressed Time (Tie)

Student Winner: The Tragedy of Glady
Runner-up: Son Up
Audience Award: Madison County Project

Animation Winner: Backseat Bingo
Runner-up: The Meaning of Life
Audience Award: Backseat Bingo

2004

Lifetime Achievement Award
Rance Howard

Achievement in Filmmaking
Robert Radnitz

Feature Winner: Sandstorm
Runner-up: State’s Evidence
Audience Award: Phreaker

Documentary Winner: Searching for Angela Shelton
Runner-up: Monster Road
Audience Award: Searching for Angela Shelton

Short Winner: Trifles
Runner-up: Tacklebox
Audience Award: Tacklebox

Student Winner: Everdark
Runner-up: True Color
Audience Award: The Way of Dale

A Cricket in the Court of Akbar

A young American student of Indian classical music competes in the largest music competition in Rajasthan, India. Sitar in hand, he attempts to navigate the complex rules of this ancient tradition only to find that his Western culture might pose insurmountable problems. Will he find acceptance while facing India’s newest generation of master musicians?

A Death in the Woods

Set in the rural South, a stranger’s suicide drives a man to seek the truth behind the act, and his journey of discovery peels back the veil on his own broken life. Based on the short story by acclaimed author William Gay.

A Piece of Heaven

A Piece of Heaven tells the story of several West Virginia families whose lives are dramatically changed when mountaintop-removal coal mining comes to their community and their local elementary school.

A Powerful Noise

Hanh is an HIV-positive widow in Vietnam. Nada is a survivor of the Bosnian war. And Jacqueline works in the slums of Bamako, Mali. A Powerful Noise takes you inside the lives of these women to witness their daily challenges and significant victories over poverty and oppression.

A second chance to catch “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”

***UPDATE: 2:11 P.M. SATURDAY—THE SECOND “BUZZ” SHOWING OF ‘BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD” HAS SOLD OUT. *** Festival organizers announced a second showing of buzz film, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead after the first showing sold out this past weekend.  The second screening will be Sunday, November 11 at Noon at Diana Wortham Theatre.  Tickets are now available at the festival box office in Pack Place or online or at 828-257-4500.

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead is being hailed as a comeback for acclaimed director, Sidney Lumet, and is already garnering pre-Oscar buzz among film critics.  The film stars Academy Award winners Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei in a robbery that goes all wrong.

A Thousand Hills

Screenwriter Sandra Bowes describes A Thousand Hills this way: “Awkward 13-year-old David tries to save his family’s farm from an ambitious land developer using the only thing he has—his voice—to make a CD and to win the heart of Kelly, the prettiest girl in school. Through many ups and downs he learns who he can trust and who he can’t as he grows from a boy into a young man.” A pleasantly pastoral, family film—with a dose of some melodrama as concerns the greedy land developers. Seemingly bathed in sunlight and shimmering green leaves, A Thousand Hills will appeal strongly to viewers in search of the traditionally uplifting.

Bart Got a Room

The official notes for Brian Hecker’s coming-of-age comedy Bart Got a Room reads, “‘What other evening in your whole life is as big? Maybe your wedding. But odds are that will end in divorce anyway,’ says Danny’s sage-like friend, Craig, as the two nerdy pals lounge poolside in the Florida retirement community they call home. The night in question? Prom, of course, and high school senior/band member/student council vice president Danny Stein wants what any reasonable young man wants on prom night—to get a little lovin’ from a cute girl.” The film is both a little different and blessed with strong supporting performances from William H. Macy and Cheryl Hines—not to mention a funny cameo from Jennifer Tilly as a woman Macy’s character met in a chatroom. The pastel Miami settings with their tacky yard ornaments and endless streams of retirees make an interesting backdrop for this sweet—but never cloying—comedy.

Bean

Director/Writer Giovanna Federico’s graduate thesis project at Chapman University is Bean. The slug line for the film reads, “Anything to get away.” The film won a 2008 Cecil Award for Best Director from Lawrence & Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead

Master filmmaker Sidney Lumet directs this absorbing suspense thriller about a family facing the worst enemy of all – itself. Oscar-winner Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Andy, an overextended broker who lures his younger brother, Hank (Ethan Hawke) into a larcenous scheme: The pair will rob a suburban mom-and-pop jewelry store that appears to be the quintessential easy target. The problem is, the storeowners are Andy and Hank’s actual mom and pop and, when the seemingly perfect crime goes awry, the damage lands right at their doorstep. Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei plays Hoffman’s trophy wife, who is having a clandestine affair with Hawke. The stellar cast also includes Albert Finney as the family patriarch who pursues justice at all costs, completely unaware that the culprits he’s hunting are his own sons. A classy, classic heist-gone-wrong drama in the tradition of The Killing and Lumet’s own The Anderson Tapes, Before The Devil Know You’re Dead is smart enough to know that we often have the most to fear from those who are near and dear.

Behind Forgotten Eyes

Behind Forgotten Eyes examines the enduring legacy of a horrifying chapter of history in both Korea and Japan. The first English-language film to tackle this volatile issue, the work aims to focus the world’s attention on this unsettled aspect of Japan’s colonial heritage and to educate an American public unfamiliar with East Asian history and modern society. Combining expert testimony with firsthand accounts from both Korean women and Japanese soldiers who lived through the nightmare, the film offers a candid look into an issue that has been ignored for far too long.

Being Michael Madsen

Quirky is the word for this clever mockumentary from Michael Mongillo. Cult star Michael Madsen (Kill Bill Vol. 2, Sin City) plays an alternate-reality version of himself that trades on and parodies his tough-guy image. This particular Michael Madsen gets fed up with being plagued by an obnoxious paparazzo, Billy Dant (Jason Alan Smith), who not only won’t leave him alone but is also constantly upping the ante on the outrageousness of the stories he peddles to the tabloids about Madsen. To get back at Dant—who turns out to have a seedy, even sleazy past—Madsen hires a documentary crew to give Dant an increasingly unpleasant dose of his own medicine. But things get a little out of hand. Various Madsen-connected celebrities appear in the film as themselves—all of whom seem perfectly happy to dish a little dirt on their friend, colleague or, in the case of Virginia Madsen, relative.

Blood, boobs & beast

This documentary charts the compelling story of the late Don Dohler, whose movies have been called everything from oddly brilliant to some of the worst films of all time. Despite his critics, Dohler got all nine of his sci-fi and horror films distributed internationally, as well as TV syndication for his first film, The Alien Factor. Mild-mannered and unassuming, Dohler started making wholesome sci-fi films in the Baltimore area in 1976, but recently had begun including nudity and gore in his movies to please distributors. At age 59, he had just finished his most gratuitous movie to date and it was selling well, yet Dohler felt “sick of the exploitative stuff” and was considering giving up the blood, boobs and beast formula. With revealing interviews and beautiful cinematography, Blood, Boobs & Beast explores Dohler’s career, his family and his struggle to just make a good movie.

Blood Car

In the near future, gas prices reach an all-time high, nearing almost $40 a gallon. Archie Andrews, an environmentalist and vegan schoolteacher, is determined to find an alternate fuel source. While experimenting with various wheat-grass concoctions, he accidentally stumbles upon a solution. Blood. Human blood. Archie soon becomes the only person driving a car and attracts the attention of a sex slut named Denise. Unable to turn down her advances, Archie becomes attached to her—and the only way to keep her is to keep the car running.

Blue Suede Wings

North Carolina premiere What would happen if you woke up to find the tooth fairy in your room? See what happens when 8-year-old Lewis catches the thief of teeth, the tooth fairy—except it’s not exactly what he was expecting. 

Broken

Patty is removed from society, spending her days caring for her invalid father and socializing with her garden gnomes. Her only contact with the outside world is her neighbor Bill, who occasionally tries to get her to venture outside her rundown trailer. Everything changes one stormy day when Patty’s roof is struck by lightning. Pike shows up to fix Patty’s leaking ceiling, and she is forced to examine the life she is living.

Cabbie

Marty Yacovelli, a Minnesota native now living in Chicago, has a dream. A dream of one day driving a cab in New York City. The only thing holding him back? At age 36, he has never had a driver’s license. This hilarious and often touching mockumentary follows Marty around Chicago as he discusses his passion for driving a cab, what it has cost him, and what he hopes it will bring to his life.

Career Awards

2007 (Career Achievement Award)
Tess Harper – Actor

2006 (Career Achievement Award)
Jennifer Tilly – Actor, Producer

2005 (Lifetime Achievement Award)
Ken Russell – Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematographer, Actor

2004 (Lifetime Achievement Award)
Rance Howard – Actor, Writer, Producer

2003 (Lifetime Achievement Award)
Pat Hingle – Actor, Producer

Celebration of Flight

At the age of 78, Daniel Rundstroem wants to build his own plane in the middle of the tropical forest on Dominica, an island paradise in the Caribbean. The film chronicles the unique friendship that develops between the elderly Swede and a 16-year-old Caribbean boy. They share one desire for which they are willing to sacrifice everything: to develop and build their very own aircraft. With it, they are planning to compete in Florida for a prize in one of the world’s biggest air shows.

Child’s Play

It’s the 20th anniversary of Child’s Play, one of the very small handful of 1980s thrillers that could qualify as a modern horror classic. It’s also the project that brought Brad Dourif and screenwriter Don Mancini together for a collaboration that’s lasted through four sequels and the in-the-works reboot of the franchise (after the screening, Mancini will do a Q&A). The story involves a serial killer, Charles Lee Ray (Dourif), who is gunned down by Detective Mike Norris (Chris Sarandon) in a toy store. As he’s dying, Ray transfers his soul into a “Good Guy” doll (your “friend to the end") that ultimately finds its way to young Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent) when his mother (Catherine Hicks) buys the malevolent toy for Andy’s birthday. The film holds up quite well—really, only the decor and Joe Renzetti’s score date it—and it’s surprising how subtly the film is built up (more than 20 minutes separate its blood-and-thunder opening and the first mayhem), and how comparatively serious it is, compared to the sequels. That’s not to say that it’s lacking in horror or humor—sometimes in skillful combination, as in the scene where Chucky attacks Detective Norris in his car. It all works, thanks to the clever blend of the fresh with the expected horror tropes (including having the apparent hero join the ranks of classically worthless heroes by spending much of the climax unconscious). And let’s face it, Chucky is a singularly creepy concept, made all the creepier by Dourif’s voice performance and the doll’s resemblance to the then-popular My Buddy doll.

Chiles

A lighthearted comedy/drama that speaks volumes about discrimination, prejudice and the immense power of media stereotyping. The story is told from the perspective of Randal, a black man who’s hoping to be accepted by a Hispanic family because of his love for their daughter, Yolanda. The concept relies on the humor to be found in the nightmare of meeting your future in-laws for the first time. Add in the language barrier and cultural differences, and there’s even more comedic fuel for the fire.

Cody

A child’s journey into the comprehension of death.

Come Back Sweetheart

This animated film from MFACA’s School of Visual Arts looks at the process of finding a balance between freedom and restraint, losing your heart but struggling to reclaim it.

Committee

2007 Advisory Board

Andie MacDowell, Honorary Chair
Lee Nesbitt, Executive Director
Lynn Burns, Assistant Director
Catherine Philpett-Hill, Hospitality
Adrienne Crowther, Screening
Don Diefenbach, Educational
Tracey Johnston-Crum, Public Relations
Ken Hanke, Programming

2007 Staff

Butch Kisiah, Superintendent
City of Asheville Parks & Recreation
PO Box 7148
Asheville, NC 28802
Phone: (828) 259-5809
Fax: (828) 259-5606

Melissa Porter, Festival Coordinator
City of Asheville Parks and Recreation
PO Box 7148
Asheville, NC 28802
Phone: (828) 259-5689
Fax: (828) 259-5606

Sandra Travis, Events Specialist
City of Asheville Parks and Recreation
PO Box 7148
Asheville, NC 28802
Phone: (828) 259-5841
Fax: (828) 259-5606

Convergence

A dramatic story that delves into the minds of a married couple. The film merges opposing perspectives and emotional turmoil that come together with a troubling realization.

Cooking up a Vengeance

Pete, a quiet, self-conscious bald man, lives a life of endless torment at the hands of his office co-workers. But when Monica, the object of everyone’s desire, encourages him in his secret passion for food, Pete decides to end his persecution once and for all. Office bullies prepare, because Pete is cooking up a vengeance!

Cool Hand Luke

“What we have here is—failure to communicate.” So says Strother Martin in Cool Hand Luke (1967), one of the few iconic American films of its era to stand the test of time. It may not quite be a great film, but it may be something more: the embodiment of a way of thought. It is certainly the quintessential screen persona of the late Paul Newman, who stars as Luke, a man sent to a prison farm for vandalizing parking meters. It seems a rather senseless crime, but—like everything else about Luke—it’s part of a kind of messianic statement. Luke is a willful martyr, a self-made Christ; he comes to be something of a real Christ in his refusal to be broken by the cruelty of a world he sees as wrong-headed, and in being all things to the downtrodden who surround him. He embodies their dreams, their hopes—and he will, ultimately, pay the price for them. At every turn, Luke—almost masochistically—is ready and willing to suffer for others and his own sense of what’s right. Whether it’s taking a beating or painfully eating 50 eggs, it’s all the same to him. What makes the film still work, 40 years after the fact? Newman and the screenplay. Newman keeps the character real and engaging. He never lets on that there’s anything more than what you see, yet there obviously is—but what it is is left to the viewer. The screenplay is in on the game, crafting a role for Newman that’s just right: It plays to the anti-establishment mood of 1967 without pandering to it and seems just as fresh today because of it. Reception with screenwriter Frank Pierson will follow the screening in Pack Place’s lower lobby.

Cosmo of 1932

Jerry Cosmo is a modern-day cop with the dream of being an old-fashioned, film-noir-style detective. He lives out his dream—and sometimes finds that it can get him into trouble. As he patrols the crime-ridden streets of his beloved city, he stumbles onto an evil plot organized by a group of the most dangerous criminals in the world.

Cranky Hanke’s 2008 Asheville Film Festival Picks

So much to see and so few days in which to see it. That ought to be the motto of the Asheville Film Festival, especially since each year the competition entries get better and the number of films that make it into the final selection increase in number. By some strange alchemy, there always seems to be one more title on the features list each year. That may be partly illusory, but I know there were 13 features last year and 14 this year. I ought to know, because I sat through all 14 in two days.

This year it’s going to be especially hard for people to make choices on what to be sure to catch in the competition films, because the noncompetition special screenings—the opening and closing night films, the retrospectives etc.—are so strong. You’ve got a festival that begins with Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, starring Mickey Rourke, and ends with Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire. Both films have already been called among the best—if not the best—films of the year by critics at other festivals. It’s pretty hard to resist the chance to see these movies before they officially open later in the year—or where Asheville is concerned, possibly even into next year. Add in the fact that Danny Boyle in particular is a favorite hereabouts, for movies like 28 Days Later ..., Millions and Sunshine. Slumdog Millionaire is going to be a hot ticket.

There are also the retrospective films, which among other things, offer the chance to see some not-so-new gems of filmmaking the way they were intended: on a movie screen and with an audience. This round you’ve got such titles as Cool Hand Luke, Dog Day Afternoon (both scripted by festival honoree Frank Pierson), a 20th anniversary showing of Child’s Play and an ultra-rare screening of John Huston’s Wise Blood, starring festival honoree Brad Dourif. We’re talking some pretty tasty stuff here, and we haven’t even gotten to the competition features.

Of the 14 competition feature films that made the festival, I only saw one that had me scratching my head as to just how it managed to get in. (There’s always one, it seems, and it’s that way at every film festival.) That’s a pretty good average, though. Oh, I’m not saying I necessarily liked all 13 other films—a couple just weren’t my dish of tea—but I had no trouble understanding why they were accepted, nor did I doubt their appeal or basic quality, and quite a few impressed me strongly.

As was the case last year, there’s pretty much something for everybody in the features. I’m a little surprised that the horror genre is so poorly represented this year. If anything, horror is usually over-represented at film festivals, because everybody out to make a movie appears to think the genre is the best way to go. Last year, for example, there were at least four entries that qualified as horror (five if you want to count the faith-based The List, but let’s not).

This year we’re down to one: Stomp! Shout! Scream!, and it’s more of a spoof than actual horror. The film is an attempt—largely successful—to duplicate cheesy 1950s and ‘60s fright flicks with a Beach Party infusion. Sharp genre fans will recognize nods to Them, The Blob and The Horror of Party Beach for starters. Also, you might spot assistant director Alex Orr (who made last year’s runner-up Blood Car in a small role as a dimwitted deputy early in the film). Personally, I could’ve used a little more horror and a little less deliberately clunky dialogue, but that was part and parcel of the movies it draws from and there are benefits from sticking to the form. At the same time, the movie’s best moment—a song about a venereal disease—definitely doesn’t adhere to formula.

The Caller, a thriller from Richard Ledes, starring Frank Langella and Elliot Gould, is particularly fine. Deliberately paced (read: don’t be expecting a lot of gunplay and car chases), beautifully photographed and even more beautifully acted, this is in the “must-see” category. It’s a film that generates that all too rare moviegoing response of truly wanting to know what’s going to happen next. Solid characterizations and strong dialogue boost the film immeasurably.

If you’re looking for lighter fare, there’s Brian Hecker’s delightful, witty and charming Bart Got a Room, a coming-of-age comedy focused on the prom and set in a wonderfully tacky Miami. Both the setting and the experiences are masterfully evoked. Steven Kaplan in the lead role (no, he’s not Bart, whom we rarely see) is excellent, and he gets terrific support from some old pros like William H. Macy as his father and Cheryl Hines (the sassy waitress from Waitress) as his mother. There’s also a terrific cameo from 2006 Asheville Film Festival honoree Jennifer Tilly as a sex-crazed woman Macy hooks up with from an online chatroom. It’s a very funny movie with a generous heart.

Also on the lighter side is the deliciously quirky Irish film Speed Dating from writer/director Tony Herbert, which manages to combine elements of comedy, romance, mystery and even a few thrills within its confines. The cast—headed up by Hugh O’Connor and Emma Choy—is very fine and likable, and there are some great supporting roles. The deftness with which the various elements are handled is surprising and the whole movie is simply a pleasure.

More comedy comes your way in the entertaining multistory film Route 30 from writer/director John Putch. As is often the case with films using this approach, it has a strong first story, a middling center one and a bang-up finale. It’s not quite in the same league as Bart Got a Room or Speed Dating, but it’s very agreeable and entertaining. The whole film would be worth it for Dana Delany’s (from TV’s Desperate Housewives) foul-mouthed, hard-drinking Amish woman, but there’s a lot more to recommend it than just that.

Personally, I think there needs to be a moratorium on mockumentaries. These things threaten to become more prolific than cockroaches. I’d at least suggest that all film festivals limit themselves to no more than one a year. This year, we have three. Two of them, I’ll concede, are actually pretty good. Being Michael Madsen is clever and funny and has enough star power to help put it over. Fans of the cult actor will be delighted, while everyone else will at least be amused and entertained. A sharp script that pokes fun at the silly excesses of the avant-garde raises Off Off Broadway to a much higher level than might be expected. And then there’s 4th and Long. I’m not going to mince words about this one. Let me just say that I threatened to slap one of the members of the group that rated it so highly that it made it into the festival, and leave it at that.

There’s heavier fare in Kevan Tucker’s The Unidentified. Every festival has at least one angst-driven film about the plight of twenty-somethings. I think there may even be a law to that effect. But I’ll have to say that this is one of the best examples of this sort of film I’ve seen and it’s definitely worth consideration. The acting is solid, as are the production values and the script. Heavier still is Chris Young’s Homeland, which deals with a Marine on a furlough from the war in Iraq—a subject that has in the past proved to be box-office poison with mainstream and even artsier audiences. In all honesty, Homeland is far better—and more penetrating—than its Hollywood counterparts, and I hope that festival-goers give it a fair hearing; it deserves one.

And then there’s Nina Paley’s Sita Sings the Blues, which has won award after award at a raft of film festivals. I confess when the film was first mentioned to me, it merely garnered a skeptical look. What possible interest could I have in a computer-animated feature that combines the Indian epic Ramayana with a parallel story about a modern romance? Then I was told it was largely set to 1920s and ‘30s recordings by jazz vocalist Annette Hanshaw and I was even more perplexed. (I didn’t even know who Annette Hanshaw was—and this is coming from someone whose music collection includes such names as Jack Hylton, George Olsen and His Music, the Cliquot Club Eskimos and the Ipana Troubadors, all from the same era.) Well, I was wrong to be skeptical—dead wrong.

Sita is simply amazing (and so is Annette Hanshaw, by the way). A blend of animation styles ranging from things that recall the trippiness of Yellow Submarine, to some limited modern animation to Lotte Reineger’s cut-out “shadow puppet” style of the 1920s, to Terry Gilliam’s Monty Python animations. Add a witty script and wonderful music (more than just the Hanshaw recordings) and you have something remarkable—and one of the festival’s absolutely essential offerings. Do not miss this one!

Now, these are my recommendations. Make your own choices. Look over the listings, and see what’s available. There’s almost certainly something there for every taste. No, you can’t see it all, but see what you can. It’s worth it.

Crawford, Texas

In Crawford, Texas, there are only two paths that lead to Prairie Chapel Road, where the president of the United States vacations. Starting in August 2005, America met itself there.

Crimes of the Heart

Tess Harper—working again with director Bruce Beresford (Tender Mercies)—scored an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Chick Boyle, the very proper, very nosy cousin (and neighbor) of three eccentric sisters, Lenny McGrath (Diane Keaton), “Babe” McGrath (Sissy Spacek) and Meg McGrath (Jessica Lange) in Crimes of the Heart. It’s easy to see why, because Harper has so completely nailed a certain type of Southern woman that she seems to inhabit the character. Every nuance is there: the ability to deliver a well-aimed insult while appearing as nice as pie, the sense of being better than everyone else, a barely-disguised penchant for gossip, and her busybody nature. That she manages to stand out in this perfectly cast, perfectly written, perfectly crafted, perfectly scored ensemble piece is a testament to her artistry. That she does this without upstaging the other performers is a testament to her wisdom as an actress. Beresford’s film of Beth Hanley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play about three sisters drawn together when one of them, Babe, shoots her husband, is an amazing creation overall. The material is at once steeped in the “dark secret” school of the Southern Gothic, while simultaneously satirizing its own genre by focusing on the absurdities—of which there are many—of the form. The dark secrets here are always tinged with the ridiculous, but the amazing thing is that this is never at the expense of the humanity of the characters—all of whom seem realistic in their combination of resilience and fragility. Simply put, this is a wonderful film—funny, moving, involving, and one of the few pictures about life in the South that rings true from beginning to end.

Cubers

Finally, after 25 years, Cubers—elite players who can solve the famous Rubik’s Cube puzzle in less than 30 seconds—get another chance to be crowned the World Champion. The film follows these unique individuals—from Toronto to Paris, from Hungary to the US, and beyond.

Death of a Gentleman

A group of young intellectuals discuss love and aging at a cottage lake house. Bored by the banter, one young man drifts into reverie. What proceeds is an absurd but deeply introspective examination of his essence. Playing tour guide, he takes the audience through his disintegration as an old man. Hints of his past loom in the form of him as a young boy, and eventually his own death must play out in front of the dismissive narrator.

The Descendent

Two hit men are sent on a routine job to take out a target. Everything seems normal as they break into the target’s home, but they soon realize that their target is a kid. After a brief argument over what to do, one of the hit men tries to take out the child—and it is revealed that the kid is actually a demon. It soon turns into judgment night for these two hit men, who wish they’d never stepped foot inside the house.

Discussion: Film submissions

The Asheville Film Festival is aiming to make this year’s selection of movies of the highest possible quality as well as diverse in topic and genre. What kind of films would you most like to see more (or more of) at the festival in the future?

Discussion: What do you remember?

In the past four festivals, what’s your best or most interesting memory tied to the Asheville film festival?

Discussion: Past festivals

What could the festival improve on in the future — and what have been some favorite parts of past festivals?

Dog Day Afternoon

With Elton John’s “Amoreena” on the soundtrack, the mood, the era and the tone of Dog Day Afternoon (1975) is set in under three minutes of screentime. The blend of an in-period song (with plenty of subtext) and images of a summer day on the often unappealing streets of Brooklyn make a perfect introduction to this fact-based modern classic about an ill-conceived crime that goes wrong, yet turns its perpetrator into a kind of folk hero—for a day at least. Al Pacino stars as Sonny Wortzik, a man who attempts to rob a bank in order to pay for a sex-change operation for his boyfriend, Leon (Chris Sarandon). The bank turns out not to have much money. That, at least, is the bare-bones reading of the story, which, ultimately, is also about the whole business of being a celebrity, and the thin line between fame and notoriety. Consider the early scene in which the teller prefers to go back into the bank as a hostage with Sonny. Why? Because she’ll be on TV and part of the excitement that’s unfolding. It’s part and parcel of a shrewdly observed comedic tragedy that benefits from the stylishly documentarian approach of director Sidney Lumet, the wonderfully constructed Frank Pierson screenplay and the fascinating Pacino performance, which runs the gamut from swagger to pathos. The psychology of the film is never less than penetrating as Sonny goes from instant celebrity and a crowd favorite ("Atttica! Attica!") to instant decline (the crowd learns that he’s bisexual) and then back to celebrity (thanks to a gay contingent). Without actually commenting on this, the film, wisely, leaves the viewer to ponder it. Bracing and surprisingly deep, Dog Day Afternoon remains one of the ‘70s brightest moments.

Dreamtime (Droomtijd)

In a work-driven world where time is the ultimate dictator, a mysterious sandman spreads chaos and confusion. Even the best employees of the system get infected by his wondrous dream powder and lose sight of the once-so-dominating clock. Alex Deprins, future employee of the year, becomes one of those “victims.” In his dreams, he comes into contact with a strange new world, where a lady in red captivates his heart. Once awake, he has to make a difficult decision. Does he stay in his familiar (but deadly) rule-bound world, or does he seek the road to salvation in his dreams? 

A Driving Lesson

It’s a lovely autumn day, and Leslie has taken her daughter Brooke out for a driving lesson on a quiet country road. Unfortunately, Leslie is a psychologist unable to pry herself away from her cell phone and the needy patients on the other end, and Brooke is a teenager unable to control her own adolescent exasperation. It’s a moment of typical mother-daughter friction until Brooke hits a small animal, Leslie’s patient begins talking suicide, and an elderly couple comes barreling along the quiet country road in a station wagon.

Eater

In Eater, a rookie cop works the night shift at a police station with a cannibal prisoner on the loose.

Education Series

Pre-Festival Education Events

New Generation Filmmaking Workshop
For middle and high school students
Saturday, October 27, 2007
10 AM to 2 PM. Bring a bag lunch
Pre-registration required: Free!
Call 828-251-6731

Screening of Past Year’s Award Winning Films
Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28
012 Karpen Hall UNCA Campus
Free!

Authorized Apple Final Cut Pro 6 Training Course
Tuesday, November 6 through Thursday, November 8
Pre-registration and participation fee required
818-970-7708 http://www.weynand.com

Festival Education Offerings

All educational offerings are free to the public.  Seating is limited and on a first come, first served basis.

Apple Sponsored Workshops
Session Leader: Francis Shepherd of Apple, Inc.
Friday, 11am-5pm and Saturday, 10 am-1pm
Pack Place Gallery

Introduction to Final Cut Studio 2
Friday, November 9: 9:00 am-10:30 am
Discover the intuitive power of new creative tools designed expressly for Final Cut Pro editors. Rapidly move through editing to motion graphics, audio editing and mixing, color grading, and delivery using Final Cut Studio 2.

Introduction to Motion
Friday, November 9: 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Create stunning 2D and 3D motion graphics in real time with Motion 3, the fastest and most intuitive way to animate and express your creative vision.

Advanced Final Cut Post-Production
Friday, November 9: 1:30 pm-3:00 pm
Final Cut Pro is at the center of integrated post-production workflows with Motion 3, Soundtrack Pro 2, Compressor 3, DVD Studio Pro 4, and Color ï¿_ a brand-new application for professional color grading. This session explores advanced roundtripping techniques with Final Cut Studio 2.

Introduction to Color
Friday, November 9: 3:30 pm-5:00 pm
Give your production a signature look or create a consistent feel for shots from different sources. Color is the newest member of the Final Cut Studio family, offering professional color grading that can elevate the quality of any production.

Introduction to Final Cut Studio 2
Saturday, November 10: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Discover the intuitive power of new creative tools designed expressly for Final Cut Pro editors. Rapidly move through editing to motion graphics, audio editing and mixing, color grading, and delivery using Final Cut Studio 2.

Advanced Rich Media Production with Final Cut Studio 2
Saturday, November 10: 1:00 pm-2:30 pm
Final Cut Studio 2 is at the heart of a complete rich media production environment. Join us as we explore techniques for podcast creation, device delivery, media asset management, and integrated media production for Web 2.0 solutions.

Sound Design for Independent Film
Session Leader:  John Sisti
Friday, November 9, 9-10 a.m.
The Ritz Building, 2nd Floor

Investment in good sound design pays huge dividends by increasing the emotional impact of motion pictures and expanding the screen. This session will explore production sound, construction of sound motifs, and utilizing inspiration in sound design.

John Sisti is Professor of Sound Design at the Savannah College of Arts and Design. His expansive list of credits includes Golden Reel nominations for his work as ADR Editor on Bram Stoker’s Dracula and as Supervising Sound Editor on Mad About You. Dracula won the Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing, and Mad About You won multiple Emmys for Outstanding Achievement in Sound.

“Coffee Talk” – Documentaries
Friday, November 9, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
The Ritz Building, 3rd Floor

Join a discussion forum for local, regional and visiting documentary filmmakers and documentary enthusiasts. The focus will range from a general discussion of the genre to specifics about budgeting, production, planning, shooting, editing, post production, marketing and legalities.

Filmmaking for Beginners
Session Leader:  Don Diefenbach
Friday, November 9, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The Ritz Building – 2nd Floor

Do you want to be a filmmaker but lack the training and experience? This session is designed to get you started on the road to creating your own motion pictures using digital video technology. Participants will explore the fundamentals of story structure, the visual language, and survey the tools and techniques for putting your ideas on the big screen.

Donald Diefenbach is Associate Professor of Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and Author of “Video Production Techniques: Theory and Practice from Concept to Screen.” His professional credits include educational, corporate, and broadcast television programming.

Success in Writing and Directing
Session Leaders:  Don Mancini, Tim Kirkman & Jack Sholder
Friday, November 9, 1-2 p.m.
The Ritz Building – 2nd Floor

Don Mancini, Tim Kirkman and Jack Sholder will share their experiences, successes and pitfalls in the industry.  The audience will have ample opportunity to ask specific questions of this knowledgeable panel.

Tim Kirkman, A N.C. Native, Tim Kirkman made his feature film debut in 1997 with the documentary DEAR JESSE about N.C. Senator Helms. DEAR JESSE earned an Emmy, GLAAD, Gotham and Independent Spirit Award Nominations and was named Best Documentary of the Year by the Boston Society of Film Critics. His debut feature film, LOGGERHEADS, premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and was released in 2006. He recently completed KITTY HAWK, a screenplay for a feature film about the Wright Brothers.

Don Mancini created the Child’s Play franchise, the phenomenally successful series of horror movies featuring “Chucky” the killer doll. Mancini wrote the screenplay for all five films in the series, and made his directorial debut with the latest, 2004’s Seed Of Chucky.

Jack Sholder, after a career as an Emmy award winning editor, directed his first feature in 1982 for New Line Cinema, Alone in the Dark with Martin Landau, Jack Palance and Donald Pleasance.  He then wrote Where Are the Children for Columbia, and directed Nightmare on Elm Street II.  Sholder’s other feature and television credits include The Hidden, By Dawn’s Early Light, 12:01, Tales from the Crypt, and Twelve Days of Terror.

Creative Distribution
Session Leaders: Greg Gardner & Adam Birnbaum
Friday, November 9, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
The Ritz Building – 2nd Floor

Picture this:  Your film has been on the market for a year.  You’ve been to all the festivals, got some awards, received great feedback from the audiences but you still don’t have a distribution deal.  This panel will explore the creative ways to go about getting distribution.

Adam Birnbaum is the Director of Business Development and Film Programming for the Avon Theatre in Stamford, CT. Adam spearheaded the effort to revive this shuttered downtown cinema into a 2-screen not-for-profit art house.  He is also the President of Nova Theatre Circuit, an independent film buying and programming service for over 30 art house screens in the United States, including the Fine Arts in Asheville, NC.  He serves as a part-time consultant for Shadow Distribution and Double Exposure LLC.

Gregory S. Gardner is the product division manager at Laemmle Theatres, and has been with the filmmaker friendly Southern California chain for almost 20 years, booking films and special events. Recently he has formed C*ME (Cinematic Media Events) a distribution source that coordinates booking, publicity, marketing and advertising services for the independent producer and director looking to open their films theatrically, especially geared toward AMPAS eligibility for feature documentaries.  Gregory has spoken on panels at various film festivals and film forums, and has been at the forefront of independent cinema through out his career.

“Coffee Talk” – Narrative Features
Saturday, November 10, 9-10 a.m.
The Ritz Building, 3rd Floor

Join a forum for local, regional, visiting narrative filmmakers and enthusiasts to discuss all aspects of narrative film from finding cast and crew to production, post production and marketing.  Guerilla filmmaking is also a potential topic to explore.

The Art of Editing
Session Leader:  Jack Sholder
Saturday, November 10, 9:30-10:15 a.m.
The Ritz Building – 2nd Floor

A film has three lives: in the script, in front of the camera, and in the editing room.  Jack Sholder will discuss what he’s learned about the art and craft of editing.

Jack Sholder, after a career as an Emmy award winning editor, directed his first feature in 1982 for New Line Cinema, Alone in the Dark with Martin Landau, Jack Palance and Donald Pleasance.  He then wrote Where Are the Children for Columbia, and directed Nightmare on Elm Street II.  Sholder’s other feature and television credits include The Hidden, By Dawn’s Early Light, 12:01, Tales from the Crypt, and Twelve Days of Terror.

New Generation Screening
Saturday, November 10, 10-11 a.m.
Fine Arts Theatre – Lower presented by The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa

Middle and high school students from Western North Carolina teamed up with mentors at the University of North Carolina at Asheville’s Mass Communication Department to produce these awesome short films. Come to our world premiere! The filmmakers will be there to share their experience and address your questions.

Distribution Panel
Session Leaders: Rebecca Lipman and Michael Tuckman
Saturday, November 10, 10:45-11:30 a.m.
The Ritz – 2nd Floor

Ask the experts what it takes to get a distribution deal with Thinkfilm or Seventh Art Releasing.  Michael Tuckman, Thinkfilm and Rebecca Lipman, Seventh Art Releasing will answers your questions on acquiring the most lucrative deal for your film.

Rebecca Lipman is the head of theatrical distribution and marketing at Seventh Art Releasing, a theatrical, foreign sales and specialized marketing company for independent films.  7th Art’s films have received numerous awards, including an Oscar and seven Academy Award nominations (all documentaries). Currently in release are “Steal a Pencil for Me” (with Netflix) and “Oswald’s Ghost” (with PBS).

Michael Tuckman is the Vice President of Theatrical Sales for THINKFilm, serving in this position since the inception of the company over six years ago. He has constructed and implemented the release plans and successful theatrical platforms and rollouts of all of THINKFilm’s titles, including Oscar winner Born Into Brothels, Oscar nominees Murderball, The Story of the Weeping Camel, Spellbound, and Half Nelson, the box office smash The Aristocrats, and the upcoming Oscar hopefuls Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead and The Walker. A veteran of the industry for nearly ten years, Tuckman previously held a similar position with The Cinema Guild. A graduate of Rice University, Tuckman also studied at the prestigious Film Academy in Prague (FAMU) and began his career in the film industry through various film festivals.

Success in the Industry
Session Leaders:  Robby Benson and Andie MacDowell
Saturday, November 10, Noon-1 p.m.
The Ritz – 2nd Floor

Industry veterans Robby Benson and Andie MacDowell will be on hand to take questions from the audience.

Robby Benson’s full bio is listed under festival judges.

Andie MacDowell’s career as a model and actress spans two decades with such credits as Michael, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Groundhog Day, and Sex, Lies and Videotape. Andie has worked with such industry veterans John Travolta, Diane Keaton, Bill Murray, Drew Barrymore and Steven Soderbergh.  Andie also serves as the honorary chair for the Asheville Film Festival.

Great Beginnings:  Starting the Screenplay
Session Leader:  Terry Curtis Fox
Saturday, November 11, 1:30-2:15 pm
The Ritz Building, 2nd Floor

It’s arguable that the single most important scene in any script is the opening scene.  Not only do opening sequences set the tone and pace of the following film, they are arguably essential for getting the script sold and the movie made.

Film and television screenwriter (and WCU associate professor) Terry Curtis Fox will lead a lecture demonstration utilizing great opening scenes – how do they work? What do they do?  How do they influence the story and characters of the film?

This workshop is both for those who wish to write screenplays and those who want a peek at how the professional writer works.

Terry Curtis Fox is a screenwriter, playwright, and journalist. His screen work includes the Miramax feature Fortress, the HBO feature Perfect Witness, and the forthcoming UGC feature A Very Simple Crime (co-written with Nicholas Kazan and to be directed by Barbet Schroeder). Among his more notable television credits are Hill Street Blues, The Marshal, and the Showtime series The Hunger, for which he served as co-show runner. His plays have been produced by the Organic Theatre of Chicago as well as New York’s Playwrights Horizons and the Performance Group. His play Cops was recently revived in Los Angeles and has been performed throughout the country for more than two decades. He served as a critic for both the Chicago Reader and the Village Voice, has taught at USC and WCU, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the WGA west for nine years.

ART, BEAUTY, FILM (and Business...)
Session Leader:  Ken & Beth Eisen
Saturday, November 11, 2:45-3:45 p.m.
The Ritz Building

For those of us in the business of making, distributing and/or showing movies, the excitement and monetary pressures attending what we do can often make us almost forget why we’re involved in this medium in the first place: Film has the ability to move us, to shake us, to stimulate us as no other art form.  If you’re going into film for fame or fortune, you’d have a better shot as an investment banker or wild animal trainer.  But beyond that, you’re likely to betray a truly wondrous art form.  Beth and Ken Eisen, President and Vice-President for Acquisitions of Shadow Distribution, the Maine-based specialized film company whose releases include the indie phenom “The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill,” Oscar nominee “The Weather Underground,” and Laurent Cantet’s “Heading South” with Charlotte Rampling, will discuss the intersection of art and commerce in the film world.

Beth Eisen is Vice-president for Acquisitions for Shadow Distribution. She is also co-Founder and co-Programmer of the Maine International Film Festival.

Ken Eisen is co-founder and President of Shadow Distribution.  He is also the co-founder and President of Waterville, Maine’s Railroad Square Cinema, and co-founder/co-Programmer of the Maine International Film Festival. He teaches film at Colby College and the University of Maine at Augusta, was film critic for the Maine Times, and a contributor to Film Quarterly and Cineaste.

Technical Exhibits

In between the fantastic films and educational seminars browse through the variety of technical exhibits that will be displayed.  Be sure to swing by Pack Place where there will be a collection of products, equipment and contact information for local production crew for your next film project.  Pack Place will house a variety of locations that are film-friendly and have been used in multiple productions.

El Mechanico Loco

Jeff Milburn is a tattooed, punk-rock guy who builds hot rods, runs his own race team, idolizes Gen. Patton and used to race motocross—until he broke his back in a crash and was told he’d never walk again. There’s nothing he’d rather do than prove the world wrong. Watch him and the people he loves refuse to quit on their dreams.

The Erogenous Zone

When his life becomes obsessed with losing his virginity, a high-school student looks for help in The Erogenous Zone.

Escape

Escape follows the life of British film star Aaron Price as he comments on his contact need to escape from all situations. From his love life to his professional endeavors, “escaping” has created a vicious cycle that he notices for the first time.

Events

Special Events & Parties

Simple Things – pre festival screening
Wednesday, November 7, 7 p.m.
Fine Arts Theatre – Lower
$8 per person
Start the festival a day early with a special screening of Simple Things, a locally shot film starring Cameron Bancroft, Bellamy Young and Mickey Jones.  Much of the cast and crew will be on hand for a Q&A session.

Premiere Night Film & Gala: The Savages
Film at the Diana Wortham Theatre presented by Mountain Xpress in Pack Place
Gala immediately following
Thursday, 7 p.m. $40 per person
The critically acclaimed film The Savages will kick-off the 2007 festival.  Following the film, ticket holders will adjourn to the lobby and outside atrium of Pack Place for spectacular food provided by Amici, beer and wine.  For more information on The Savages, please see the film listings.

Who Stole the Funny? – A Novel by Robby Benson
Friday, November 9, 4-6 p.m.
Malaprop’s Bookstore
Free
Visit Malaprop’s bookstore, 55 Haywood St. on Friday, November 9 from 4-6 p.m. for a reading and book signing by actor, writer and festival judge, Robby Benson.  For more information on Robby visit the judges section.

An Evening with Tess Harper: Tender Mercies
Friday, 7 p.m., $20 per person
Fine Arts Theatre – Lower presented by The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Enjoy of evening of film and food with Tess Harper. Tender Mercies marked the beginning of Ms. Harper’s career with a Golden Globe nomination.  Ms. Harper will be available for a Q&A after the film, immediately followed by a reception at Blue Spiral 1.

Loggerheads – Special Screening
Saturday, 1:45 p.m., Fine Arts Theatre-Lower presented by The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
$7.00 in advance, $8.00 at the festival
Tess Harper and Tim Kirkman will present Loggerheads, the film that brought them together.  Both will take questions from the audience.  For more information on Loggerheads, please see the film listings.

Intervention – Special Screening
Saturday, 3 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre presented by Mountain Xpress
$7.00 in advance, $8.00 at the festival
Andie MacDowell will be available for a Q&A after the film.  For more information on Loggerheads, please see the film listings.

Spotlight Celebration Awards Ceremony and Reception
Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Diana Wortham Theatre presented by Mountain Xpress
9 p.m. Awards Ceremony, Diana Wortham Theatre presented by Mountain Xpress
$75 per person
Enjoy a cocktail reception and exciting awards ceremony celebration.  Tess Harper is the recipient of the 2007 Career Achievement Award.

BRO Outdoor Adventure Screening
Saturday, November 10, 8:30 p.m.
Asheville Community Theatre
$7 in advance, $8 at festival
Blue Ridge Outdoors, the Southeast’s premiere outdoor sports magazine, presents an evening of adventure films produced in the Southeast. Enjoy a screening of The Green Race Movie, which documents the most celebrated kayaking race in the country, and 24 Solo, a documentary that follows the world’s best endurance mountain biker on his quest for victory on the international level. To learn more about BRO magazine and the films go to http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com

Local Works in Progress
Saturday, November 10, 4:15 p.m.
Fine Arts Theatre – Lower presented by The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
$7 in advance, $8 at festival
Be part of the audience to give feedback to local filmmakers, Rod Murphy, Rebecca MacNeice and Adams Wood as they screen their films for the first time.  Also, featured is Linda McClean’s Little Pearl’s film, Wild and Free: A Screech Owl Named Pinkey.

Local Showcase
Saturday, November 10, 6:45 p.m.
Fine Arts Theatre- Lower presented by The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Come out and support the filmmaking industry in Western North Carolina as a special collection of local films will be screened for the Asheville Film Festival audience.  Films include:  Convergence, Cosmo of 1932 (48 Hour Film Winner), Finding McQueen, Slow Down & Fast and Three Doors (48 Hour Film Festival).

Closing Night Film and Reception: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Sunday, November 11, 6:30 p.m.
Diana Wortham Theatre presented by Mountain Xpress
$20 per person
The festival will end on a high-note with a showing of buzz film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly followed by a reception with beer, wine and appetizers provided by Amici.  For more information on The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, please see film listings.

Even in my Dreams

“Coming of age” is the term loosely applied to this psycho-drama in which aging widower Michael enters into late-bloomer discovery when he encounters a “Tom of Finland” doll in a sex shop. Stream-of-conscious vignettes carry Michael through an onslaught of emotional states, from anticipation and hope to betrayal and violence.

The Wake of Calum MacLeod

Calum MacLeòid is a storyteller without an audience, for his children moved from Cape Breton long ago. One lonely night, Calum confronts the Baron of the Wind in a storm, demands that his children be returned and promptly falls dead. From distant points, the MacLeòids assemble to attend Calum’s wake, but the deceased Calum has a surprise ending in store for them yet. Shot in the highlands of Cape Breton, the film is a historic venture into one of the world’s most renowned oral storytelling cultures.

Familiar Voices

The very name “Darfur” brings tragic realities to mind, and the documentary Familiar Voices shows why: “The horrific and systematic murder of nearly half a million people ceases to be a distant reality in this film about the ongoing genocide in Darfur,” according to one film synopsis. In a deluge of sight and sound, the film weaves first-hand accounts with expert analysis, while international activists offer insights into the tangible options for effecting change. UNICEF Ambassador, activist and actress Mia Farrow shares moving accounts of her numerous visits to refugee camps; Professor Eric Reeves—a Sudan researcher and activist—analyzes the political dynamics of the region; and Darfurians provide a vivid picture of life in Darfur before and after the conflict broke out. Nobel Peace Prize winners, officials, community leaders, international activist and students of all ages join together to tell the stories of those who no longer are among us.

Farewell, David

It’s just another sunny, slow day at David and Jane’s house—until David discovers that Jane’s been cheating on him. David’s going to make her pay by sacrificing more than her life, in this Cal State Fullerton film.

Festival Guide hits the stands!

The official festival guide is out on the stands right now! Pick up a copy of the latest issue of the Mountain Xpress in one of many locations around the area to find everything out about the film festival, the movies, the galas and events that you ever wanted to know!

Fighting Goliath—The Texas Coal Wars

Sometimes you can slay Goliath (or at least slow him down). Robert Redford narrates the true story of an unlikely coalition—mayors, ranchers, CEOs, community groups, legislators, lawyers and citizens—that came together to oppose construction of 19 conventional coal-fired power plants in eastern and central Texas in a battle for cleaner air. Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars tracks how the group influenced a proposal made by private investors looking to purchase TXU—a company proposing 11 of the plants slated for construction in Texas. In the end, TXU buyers reduced the amount of new plants they would build from 11 to three.

Filmmakers Section

2007 Call for Entries

To submit your movie through withoutabox.com, go here

or

Download our 2007 Filmmaker Application form in PDF format by clicking here.

Remember to submit two copies of the film, this is required for pre-screening.

The Asheville Film Festival accepts films from these 5 Categories:
• Documentary
• Feature
(60 min or more in length)
• Short
(Under 60 minutes in length)
• Student
• Animation

Film Festival Trailer Competition!

The Asheville Film Festival and URTV, Asheville’s public access channel, are seeking the most creative festival trailer! This new competition is aimed at filmmakers of all experience levels from Western North Carolina.

The festival trailer will be used to promote the Asheville Film Festival, November 8-11 and will be shown on URTV prior to the festival and during the festival before each screening.  A prize of $500 will also be awarded to the winning trailer.  Entries will be judged by committee members from the Asheville Film Festival and the URTV Board of Directors.

Entry forms are available here. For more information, contact the city’s festivals division at (828) 259-5800.

Final Cut Pro Training workshop coming to Film Festival

Continuing with the success of her FINAL CUT PRO ROAD TRIP last year, distinguished educator Diana Weynand, and author of the best selling book, APPLE PRO TRAINING SERIES - FINAL CUT PRO 6, is taking her Authorized Final Cut Pro course on the road again.  Her next scheduled stop is at the invitation of the Asheville Film Festival in North Carolina. The Authorized Apple Final Cut Pro 6 class is being offered November 6-8 at The Gallery at Pack Place.

This unique opportunity will again give people a chance to learn Apple’s award winning editing software and become an Apple Certified Pro user.

Click here to read the full article.

Finders Keepers

A lonely boy on vacation strikes up a friendship with the guy who searches for treasure on the beach with his metal detector. The charmingly pedestrian premise hides darker secrets, compelling viewers to venture deeper into the film’s web of relationships, stories, identities and questionable truths.

Finding McQueen

While playing the part of film icon Steve McQueen in the story of his life, actor Jack Johnson discovers that he and McQueen both shared a need to connect with their fathers. Trying to maintain the hectic pace of working in the industry, and finding out that his father will soon be moving away and out of his life, Jack is forced to face his feelings about his father’s leaving. This film weaves brief moments of Steve McQueen’s life with the tale of Jack and his father struggling to rediscover their feelings for one another before it’s too late.

Food Fight

How did we go from near starvation during the Great Depression to an epidemic of obesity? In his documentary, Food Fight, director Christopher Taylor offers answers to these and other questions about food in modern America. Taylor said in an interview about the film—subtitled “A Story of Culinary Revolt”—“There are a lot of surprises in the world of food, in government policy about food, and about who is really making money at the expense of the average American food consumer. When I ask people what happened to tomatoes, they always reply, ‘You’re right, you can’t get a good tomato anymore.’ That simple statement reflects a lot of hidden agendas and unfortunate consequences about how food is grown commercially in this country.”

For Women Only

Hanna is a middle-age, middle-class woman whose husband has forgotten their anniversary. After Hanna’s 23-year-old daughter, Lucia, finds her mother halfway through a bottle of wine, she talks Hanna into going with her to a ladies-only party. But when they arrive, Hanna quickly discovers that she has been taken to a sex-toy party!

Frame of Reference

A dry comedy-drama about a lovesick introvert who copes with his most recent break-up by imagining himself in scenes from classic films, including Raging Bull, Casablanca, and Some Like It Hot.

Freedom Man 2026

In the not-so-distant future, the world has divided into two opposing forces—the Federation and Paradonia. These forces have been at war for years with catastrophic results and a death toll in the billions. Bryant and Ged have become quite wealthy selling Cyborgs to the military, but Ged has become disenchanted and believes he could use the superior technological intelligence to create a Cyborg that could show humans how to live in peace. But what does Bryant think about a plan that would eradicate the need for the deadly Cyborgs and thus destroy his wealth?

Galas and parties!

The Asheville Film Festival isn’t just a time to see great movies, it’s also a time for parties and galas, and this year is no exception.

The fun starts Thursday (Nov. 8) night, with the festival kick-off, complete with the critically acclaimed film The Savages.  Following the film, ticket holders will adjourn to the lobby and outside atrium of Pack Place for spectacular food provided by Amici, beer and wine. Tickets for this event can be purchased here.

On Friday, there will be an evening with this year’s Career Achievement Award winner, Tess Harper. A special screening of Tender Mercies, which marked the beginning of Ms. Harper’s career with a Golden Globe nomination, will be held at the Fine Arts Theater. It will be followed by a Q&A with Ms. Harper and a reception at Blue Spiral 1. Tickets for this event can be purchased here.

Saturday evening will see the festival’s big event, as the winners are announced and the awards presented at a cocktail reception and exciting awards ceremony. Tickets for this event can be purchased here.

The festival will end on a high-note with a showing of the award-winning film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly followed by a reception with beer, wine and appetizers provided by Amici. Tickets for this event can be purchased here.

More information about any of these parites can be found in our list of events.

Game Master

Director/Writer Kimberly Townes describes her student film, Game Master, as “an extreme example of when video-game addiction leads to obsession, delusion, schizophrenia, social spontaneity, compulsion and introverted living.” In the film, a video-game geek meets a woman while playing “World of Warcraft.” His game persona might not let him win the game of love, however.

The Garage

Two best friends plan to leave the small town in which they grew up. Eighteen-year-old Matt, who has just graduated from high school, works at his dad’s garage, while 21-year-old Schultz, who works for his dad in construction, is a strong-minded high-school dropout. For Matt, leaving town is about getting out of the garage and pursuing his passion. For Schultz, it’s simply a matter of survival to get away from his abusive father. When a devastating incident occurs, Matt will have to find his true direction in life.

George & Karl

Filmed in New York City, George & Karl is a silent, black-and-white film about two friends living on the outskirts of a big city and what they do to help each other survive.

Ghost Town

This unique “eastern” Western is North Carolina native Dean Teaster’s tribute to his father, Robert Doyle Teaster, and the Ghost Town In The Sky theme park. The park was a source of childhood happiness for Dean’s family and many others since its opening in 1961 in nearby Maggie Valley. Combining factual information about his great-great-grandfather Harold and the best elements of the staged gunfights at Ghost Town In The Sky, the story paints a picture of the beautiful mountain region settled by the Celtic people, whose rich traditions and true grit allowed them to survive and thrive during the rugged 1800s. With a slight romantic edge, the film is filled with messages about love, hate, family, forgiveness, redemption and sacrifice. Filmed in North Carolina.

We’ve got Ghost Town, the movie!

The Asheville Film Festival is proud to announce that “Ghost Town, the movie” will be playing at the 2007 Asheville Film Festival. This movie has gotten quite a bit of buzz on our discussion boards and we’re happy to have it in Asheville come November.

This unique “eastern” Western is North Carolina native Dean Teaster’s tribute to his father Robert Doyle Teaster and the Ghost Town In The Sky theme park. 

Combining factual information about his great-great-grandfather Harold and the best elements of the staged gunfights at Ghost Town In The Sky, the story paints a picture of the beautiful mountain region settled by the Celtic people, whose rich traditions and true grit allowed them to survive and thrive during the rugged 1800’s.  With a slight romantic edge, the film is full of messages about love, hate, family, forgiveness, redemption and sacrifice.

For the trailer for “Ghost Town,” along with more information about the movie, visit our Features section.

Glimpse

An experimental nine-minute animated short using stop-motion photography, Glimpse started as a study of the life of artist and painter Willem de Kooning. It evolved into a stream-of-consciousness narrative concerning freedom from imprisonment and the impermanence of life. Drawing on top of slate from deserted schoolhouses, the artist used hard pastels to create a dark, uncertain world—sometimes concrete, sometimes abstract. With the camera set up with a timer on 60-second intervals, the artist hand drew the 4,500 stills necessary to complete the nine-month project.

“Glimpse” and “When the World Goes Dark” at the 2007 Asheville Film Festival

The Asheville Film Festival is proud to announce its first animated films for this year, Dustin Grella’s “Glimpse” and Anthony Scalmato’s “When the World Goes Dark.”

“Glimpse” began as a study of the life of artist and painter Willem de Kooning and evolved into a narrative of freedom and the impermanence of life. Over 4,500 stills, hand drawn on top of slate from deserted schoolhouses, create the immersive world of this animated experience

“When the World Goes Dark,” seeing its North Carolina premiere, details the struggle of one man in the New York subway system against his own madness as he searches for love.

More information about both films is available in the animation section.

More films for the 2007 festival will be announced throughout the week.

More filmmaker profiles for 2007 will be announced as the prescreening process continues.
Keep an eye on current news for announcements.