The venues for 2012 are San Marco Theatre, Jacksonville Public Library, Florida Theatre - and for the first time - Ponte Vedra Concert Hall.
“This year’s slate was designed to delight, entertain, educate and excite independent film lovers in North Florida,” said Jules Delamar, Executive Director. “We’re bringing in talented actors and filmmakers, including our festival honoree Carrie Preston, who'll be recognized by fans of True Blood and The Good Wife.”
She added: “We’re so excited about what we’ve nailed down so far and there’s even more to come. With the nature of a film festival, one of the coolest aspects is that new films and guests are added right up to the last minute.”
Highlighted films include:
That’s What She Said
Bebe (Marcia DeBonis) is getting ready for the most romantic encounter of her life, and she needs her best friend Dee Dee (Anne Heche) to cheer her on. Too bad Dee Dee is so cynical about dating that she shows up three hours late only to spew cigarette smoke and bitterness all over the morning coffee. And too bad Clementine, a train wreck of a stranger (Alia Shawkat,) has decided to invade their day with non-stop talk about her nymphomaniac escapades. Looking to turn the day around, this fearsome threesome embark on a day of misadventure that only New York City can offer. THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID is a quirky and honest look at friendship in the face of adversity, asking one of life’s great questions: why does it always have to be so hard? (That’s what she said.)
-Directed by Carrie Preston
Metropolis (1927)
“One of the most celebrated movies in cinema history...For the first time, Lang’s vision... which has influenced contemporary films like “Blade Runner” and “Star Wars,” seems complete.” — The New York Times Incorporating more than 25 minutes of newly discovered footage, this 2010 restoration of METROPOLIS is the definitive edition of Fritz Lang’s science fiction masterpiece. Backed by a new recording of Gottfried Huppertz’s 1927 score (presented here in 5.1 Stereo Surround), the film’s dazzling visual design and special effects are more striking than ever. And the integration of scenes and subplots long considered lost endows METROPOLIS with even greater tension and emotional resonance, as it dramatizes the conflict between wealthy über-capitalists and rebellious subterranean laborers—orchestrated by a diabolical scientist capable of destroying them both.
-Directed by Fritz Lang
The Last Flight of Peter Ginz
By 14, he had written five novels and penned a diary about the Nazi occupation of Prague. By 16, he had produced more than 170 drawings and paintings, edited an underground magazine in the Theresienstadt Ghetto, written numerous short stories and had walked to the gas chamber at Auschwitz. But this is a story of celebration as well as tragedy, a testament to how a boy's wonder and creative expression represent the best of what makes us human.
-Directed by Churchill Roberts and Sandra Dickson
This Space Available
Billboards and commercial messages dominate the public space like never before. Are the efforts to reverse this trend signaling a movement? From 240 hours of film, 160 interviews, and visits to 11 countries on five continents, This Space Available charts a fascinating variety of struggles against unchecked advertising and suggests that more than aesthetics is at stake. But the filmmaker also recognizes the history and politics behind this fight. Turning to such legislation as the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, Gobé shows how the enforcement of this landmark law, designed to regulate outdoor advertising on America’s roadways, has steadily eroded. And today, public space activists like Jordan Seiler faces harsh penalties for covering outdoor ads with art – while officials turn a blind eye to illegally erected billboards. Still, the film strikes a hopeful tone.
-Directed by Gwenaelle Gobé
Veer
Jesse Sorensen had it all - a lucrative skateboarding contract, girls, fame and an extravagant lifestyle. Now ten years later, past his prime and his usefulness in a youth driven culture, Jesse is dropped by his skate team. Broke, he moves in with his elderly grandmother only to discover his 17-year old niece, Samantha, crashing there as well. Ironically, she is following the same slippery slope Jesse once paved, with the hottest new skater in town. Jesse must confront what he has spent his entire career avoiding - responsibility - and figure out his future once and for all.
-Directed Patrick Barry
This year’s special events highlights include:
Meet Carrie Preston, Director of That’s What She Said/Actress on True Blood and The Good Wife
Come down on Saturday morning and meet Carrie Preston, here with her new film THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID and series regular on True Blood and The Good Wife. Bring something to be signed and enter the Carrie Preston Contest: prizes include: a picture with Carrie, a seat at the Women in Filmmaking Luncheon, 2 tickets to the “Shooting through the Glass Ceiling” Filmmaking Panel and 2 free tickets to the THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID screening on Sat afternoon.
Women in Filmmaking Luncheon
Each year the festival honors a female filmmaker with a luncheon igiven in her honor and a moderated discussion. Business owners, filmmakers, local producers, community leaders and fans attend this prestigious luncheon as part of an intimate way to spend time with an honored festival guest. This year the festival honors the fantastic Carrie Preston.
JaxFilm Fest Global Whimsy Party
The JaxFilmFest Global Whimsy Party will be held Saturday evening in the Main library upstairs courtyard and atrium. DJ Catharsis accompanies an array of succulent food- highlighting the culture of Jacksonville and beyond. Lighting sets a swanky mood and the conversation is non-stop until the dancing begin. Indian Dancers both entertain and engage; Heavy hors d’oeuvres and full bar.
10th Annual Jax Film Fest Celebration Reception
Celebrate the official “Opening of the Fest” at the Florida Theatre. Philly G & Catharsis from Green Team Media will be spinning inside the theatre and the Jaguar’s own Eben Britton joins us to share his collection of movie posters. Join in with our partners/sponsors: Scenic Jacksonville, City Beautiful Jax, Greenscape of Jacksonville, Citizens for a Scenic Florida and Rogers Towers, P.A.(THIS SPACE AVAILABLE follows). Light hors d’oeuvres and open bar complete the fun.
THE KIDS RED CARPET (November 3 – Jacksonville Main Public Library)
Pint sized film buffs will walk the “Kids Red Carpet” event before a special screening of a feature film for 8-12 year-olds.
The Jacksonville Film Festival is offering All Access Passes for $325 which covers all special events, panels, workships and screenings and “unpublished private events”; the Preferred Pass (excludes (excludes Women in Filmmaking Luncheon, Filmmaker Lounge, Sponsor/Filmmaker Reception and several "unpublished" private functions) for $125 and Reel Passes for all screenings for $75 .
New to the fest is the Information Pass, featuring entrance to every published workshop and panel for $100; and the Social Pass, featuring entrance to the Daily Mix n' Mingle (Thur, Fri, Sat), Opening Reception (Florida Theatre), Party in the Park, Saturday Night Party and Beaches Reception.
For tickets, full schedule and more information, please visit www.jaxfilmfest.com.
