Hot Springs to Host Annual Documentary Film Festival
October 16, 2007
Zoie Clift, Travel Writer
Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
Hot Springs - Film will reign in the Spa City when the 16th annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (A Passport to an Open Mind) takes center stage at the historic downtown Malco Theatre Oct. 19-28.
"We are the oldest documentary film festival in the nation and second only to Amsterdam, internationally," said Malinda Herr-Chambliss, coordinator of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute.
This year’s schedule includes multiple film debuts, U.S. premieres and special multi-level educational film presentations. There will also be several collaborative events and workshops connected with films.
According to Herr-Chambliss, 1000 documentary films were submitted from around the world for this year’s event and 97 were selected for screening. Among the eclectic mix are many stories highlighting local connections. The festival’s opening film will be "The First Saturday in May" which follows six diverse trainers as they jockey for position along the 2006 Kentucky Derby trail. The film features Hot Springs' Bob Holthus and Oaklawn. "Injury Slight," from Hot Springs filmmaker Josh Baxter, tells the story of the discovery of the downed plane of Colonel Charles O'Sullivan, an ace fighter pilot forced to crash land in the jungles of New Guinea and survive alone for 30 days during World War II. O'Sullivan, now 92 and formally of Little Rock, and his family will be attending the world premiere of this film set to be shown on the anniversary of downing of his plane. The festival is also hosting the world premiere of "Beacon of Hope" which tells the story of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
"The atmosphere of the festival presents itself as a meeting place to bring avid documentary film buffs into contact with filmmakers of varied cultures, ethnicities and nationalities," said Herr-Chambliss. "Over the years the filmmakers themselves have named the festival 'the filmmaker’s festival' due to the warmth and hospitality of Hot Springs and its people."
Over 50 filmmakers will be on hand to participate in Q and A sessions after their films. Chris Gore, who lives in L.A. and was recently named one of the top 25 influential filmmakers in the world, is the special guest this year. His Web site Filmthreat.com was named one of the top movie sites on the Internet by the Wall Street Journal. His workshop will be on Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. at Alison Parsons Gallery.
Pricing for the festival is $5 per film, $20 for a day pass, $50 for a three-day pass, and $150 for a 10-day pass. The theater is located at 819 Central Avenue. For a complete festival schedule and further details on workshops and films, visit www.hsdfi.org.
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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Zoie Clift, Travel Writer
Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
Hot Springs - Film will reign in the Spa City when the 16th annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (A Passport to an Open Mind) takes center stage at the historic downtown Malco Theatre Oct. 19-28.
"We are the oldest documentary film festival in the nation and second only to Amsterdam, internationally," said Malinda Herr-Chambliss, coordinator of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute.
This year’s schedule includes multiple film debuts, U.S. premieres and special multi-level educational film presentations. There will also be several collaborative events and workshops connected with films.
According to Herr-Chambliss, 1000 documentary films were submitted from around the world for this year’s event and 97 were selected for screening. Among the eclectic mix are many stories highlighting local connections. The festival’s opening film will be "The First Saturday in May" which follows six diverse trainers as they jockey for position along the 2006 Kentucky Derby trail. The film features Hot Springs' Bob Holthus and Oaklawn. "Injury Slight," from Hot Springs filmmaker Josh Baxter, tells the story of the discovery of the downed plane of Colonel Charles O'Sullivan, an ace fighter pilot forced to crash land in the jungles of New Guinea and survive alone for 30 days during World War II. O'Sullivan, now 92 and formally of Little Rock, and his family will be attending the world premiere of this film set to be shown on the anniversary of downing of his plane. The festival is also hosting the world premiere of "Beacon of Hope" which tells the story of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
"The atmosphere of the festival presents itself as a meeting place to bring avid documentary film buffs into contact with filmmakers of varied cultures, ethnicities and nationalities," said Herr-Chambliss. "Over the years the filmmakers themselves have named the festival 'the filmmaker’s festival' due to the warmth and hospitality of Hot Springs and its people."
Over 50 filmmakers will be on hand to participate in Q and A sessions after their films. Chris Gore, who lives in L.A. and was recently named one of the top 25 influential filmmakers in the world, is the special guest this year. His Web site Filmthreat.com was named one of the top movie sites on the Internet by the Wall Street Journal. His workshop will be on Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. at Alison Parsons Gallery.
Pricing for the festival is $5 per film, $20 for a day pass, $50 for a three-day pass, and $150 for a 10-day pass. The theater is located at 819 Central Avenue. For a complete festival schedule and further details on workshops and films, visit www.hsdfi.org.
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"