Hospitable and unpretentious, the Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) brings a quality of Southern charm to a world otherwise dominated by elite film aficionados. So, whether you’re a seasoned screenwriter, or simply a fan of motion pictures — NaFF has something for every film critic. Starting April 18 and running through April 25, NaFF will feature more than 200 films in just eight days.
Unlike many other festivals that rent out gymnasiums, playhouses or hotels to stage showings, NaFF employs the Regal Green Hills Cinema, so filmmakers, actors, screenwriters and patrons will see these independent films on a true silver screen.
“That’s really remarkable,” says Chad Crawford Kinkle, the Nashville-based writer and director behind the psychological thriller Jug Face, set for its NaFF premiere on April 20 at 10 p.m. “This is a theater I go to see other movies in, so to see my own movie in the same place as a Hollywood feature is really exciting.”
Also on the schedule is the widely anticipated Nashville 2012, a part documentary/part video journal project created by The Moving Picture Boys. Far from self-aggrandizing, the docujournal aims to offer viewers an unfiltered look at Nashville, from tense neighborhood meetings about gentrification to a look at homelessness in the city, without the interference of voice-overs, set lights, over-dubbed music or interviews. Mud, a movie starring Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Paulson, and Reese Witherspoon will also make its Tennessee premiere.
“We are proud of Nashville for the support it gives to this historic and important cultural tradition,” Ted Crockett, executive director, says. “This year we welcome guests from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Kurdish filmmakers, hundreds of international and U.S. film industry insiders, and thousands of guests to our eight-day film festival. It’s good to be Nashville.”
But NaFF is more than just good flicks — it also offers ticket holders a host of festivities. An opening night party is available for laminate holders as well as a VIP tent complete with wines, spirits and food catered from local eateries such as Belcourt Taps & Tapas, Miss Daisy, Music City Flats and more open daily from 2:30 to 10:30 p.m. To make sure you don’t miss the parties, invest in a NaFF Gold ($399) or Platinum ($1,500) all-access pass that will grant you luxurious such as closing-night party access, reserve seating and more. Otherwise, tickets for individual films are available at the theater box office. Exhausted from the film festivities? The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star The Hermitage Hotel is only about a 20 minute drive from the venue.
Photos courtesy of Nashville Film Festival
