The three-day schedule for the FilmDayton Festival is packed with everything from local rock videos to Academy Award-nominated films, parties to a story pitch session, a “screenless screening” to student films.
The festival will be held Friday, May 14, through Sunday, May 16, in downtown Dayton at The Neon movie theater, 130 E. Fifth St., and Gilly’s nightclub, 132 S. Jefferson St. Events also will be held at Think TV, 110 S. Jefferson St., and in the former Greyhound station on Fifth Street in the City of Dayton Transportation Center.
Pricing for individual tickets to films will be $5 and workshops will be $15. Weekend passes are available: The $35 Reel Deal pass includes access to all three days of films. The $75 All-Access pass includes the Reel Deal benefits, plus access to special parties on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets and passes will be available soon at www.FilmDayton.com. In addition, discounts and special screenings are available to FilmDayton members. Visit the Web site for more information and to become a member.
The FilmDayton Festival will spotlight Dayton-centric feature and short films from around the world and the city’s own backyard, along with workshops, Q&A sessions and much more. A complete schedule follows, and highlights include:
• Winner of the 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Prize, the family drama Winter’s Bone will be shown exclusively at the FilmDayton Festival before it opens to the general public in June.
• WYSO 91.3-FM Director Neenah Ellis hosts the first “Screenless Screening,” a presentation of Dayton stories and sounds akin to Story Corps or This American Life ― and an unconventional listening experience in a dark movie theater.
• The producer of the gripping international documentary Burma VJ will be at the festival all the way from Denmark for a Q&A and discussion following the film.
• Convention features photography and sound by Daytonians and 2010 Academy Award nominees Steve Bognar and Julia Reichert.
• During the second annual Pitch It! session, festival-goers can take a stab at selling their film ideas to industry pros.
• Sunday Spin, written and directed by former Daytonian Nichol Simmons, features a 100 percent Dayton cast and crew.
• Wright State University’s popular Big Lens Film Festival will feature the most recent work by students in the university’s award-winning motion pictures program.
• Rev. Cool, longtime DJ of the popular “Around the Fringe” show on WYSO 91.3-FM, and his Arkestra Ensemble will take over Gilly’s with music and dance during a special Saturday night party.
“The FilmDayton Festival gives audiences a unique opportunity to see award-winning films and the work of young, emerging filmmakers ― all with a Dayton connection,” said Ron Rollins, FilmDayton board president. “This memorable three-day experience spotlights the creativity coming out of and inspired by our city.”
With twice as many films being screened in multiple locations, the FilmDayton Festival has doubled in size from last year. In 2009, the inaugural festival featured such award-winning films as 45365, which has gone on to win three film festival awards, and Blue Car, for which actress Agnes Bruckner was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. In addition, last year’s festival sold more than 1,000 tickets to screenings and workshops, awarded 10 individual student films $1,000 each, and brought a larger audience to Wright State University’s Big Lens Film Festival.
“We expect this year’s festival to have an even further reach,” said Eva Buttacavoli, FilmDayton director. “It’s a chance to learn about the far-reaching scope of film in the Dayton community, which audiences really appreciate and enjoy.”
FilmDayton promotes the art, craft and business of filmmaking in the region; presents year-round events, including the annual FilmDayton Festival; and helps grow the next generation of filmmakers and film lovers. For more information, visit www.FilmDayton.com.
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