Thursday, October 11, 2018
At today's City Council meeting, Council opted to delay a vote to officially name the new cultural arts center the "Savannah Cultural Arts Center."
Alderman Van Johnson indicated "this is the only opportunity" to name the building, and perhaps the public might want some input into the name.
Alderman Tony Thomas agreed — suggesting that the City might even generate revenue by selling the naming rights in a sponsorship deal.
The theatre inside the center is already scheduled to be named for the late Savannah jazz great Ben Tucker.
Alderman Bill Durrence said if they were considering selling the naming rights, it would be best to come up with a protocol for that since "this is going to come up again."
Council agreed to take the next month to solicit more public input on the naming process.
In other business, a show-cause hearing for a controversial longtime bar owner resulted in the granting of a new alcohol license for a new location.
Jaqueline Somesso, former owner of Club Oz and Club Ice, is opening Liquid Cafe on the Southside near Tibet Avenue. While it would open ostensibly as a restaurant, Mayor Eddie DeLoach expressed skepticism that it would stay that way, worrying openly that it was likely to morph into a club catering to underage clientele.
DeLoach said that Somesso at one point ran a "shot house," i.e. an illegal alcohol establishment.
Though Council was briefed on the many dozens of police calls to Somesso's former clubs while they were in operation — including shootings, carjackings, and assaults as well as noise violations and underage drinking — in the end her attorney Steven Scheer's appeal that those incidents mostly took place over ten years ago won the day.
Oddly, Scheer twice cited Somesso's "in-kind contributions" to the local Democratic Party specifically as reasons for Council to approve the alcohol license.
Despite City staff and the Revenue Department recommending denial of the license, Somesso won her license in a unanimous vote following over an hour of debate, with Alderman Thomas saying "I'm begging you" to live up to her promise that there would be no trouble at the new club.
The controversial purchase of the former Fire Station on Henry Street was delayed for staff review.
Alderman Van Johnson indicated "this is the only opportunity" to name the building, and perhaps the public might want some input into the name.
Alderman Tony Thomas agreed — suggesting that the City might even generate revenue by selling the naming rights in a sponsorship deal.
The theatre inside the center is already scheduled to be named for the late Savannah jazz great Ben Tucker.
Alderman Bill Durrence said if they were considering selling the naming rights, it would be best to come up with a protocol for that since "this is going to come up again."
Council agreed to take the next month to solicit more public input on the naming process.
In other business, a show-cause hearing for a controversial longtime bar owner resulted in the granting of a new alcohol license for a new location.
Jaqueline Somesso, former owner of Club Oz and Club Ice, is opening Liquid Cafe on the Southside near Tibet Avenue. While it would open ostensibly as a restaurant, Mayor Eddie DeLoach expressed skepticism that it would stay that way, worrying openly that it was likely to morph into a club catering to underage clientele.
DeLoach said that Somesso at one point ran a "shot house," i.e. an illegal alcohol establishment.
Though Council was briefed on the many dozens of police calls to Somesso's former clubs while they were in operation — including shootings, carjackings, and assaults as well as noise violations and underage drinking — in the end her attorney Steven Scheer's appeal that those incidents mostly took place over ten years ago won the day.
Oddly, Scheer twice cited Somesso's "in-kind contributions" to the local Democratic Party specifically as reasons for Council to approve the alcohol license.
Despite City staff and the Revenue Department recommending denial of the license, Somesso won her license in a unanimous vote following over an hour of debate, with Alderman Thomas saying "I'm begging you" to live up to her promise that there would be no trouble at the new club.
The controversial purchase of the former Fire Station on Henry Street was delayed for staff review.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
As Hurricane Michael approaches, Savannah Chatham County Public Schools announce that there will be no school Thursday. There will also be no City trash pickup in scheduled areas for Thursday. Trash collection for Thursday’s route will take place on Friday, Oct. 12.
Chatham Emergency Management Agency announces a Tornado Watch for this area until 2 a.m.
Other developments:
· The City of Savannah will delay opening until noon Thursday. That means City buildings will be closed and City services will be suspended until noon. The regular City Council meeting will take place as scheduled at 2 p.m. However the usual City Council workshop prior has been canceled. Public Safety and Public Works operations will continue to operate during the storm.
· The City’s Adult Day Care and Senior Centers will be CLOSED Thursday, October 11. The Community Centers are scheduled to open at their regular time tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m.
· Parking Garages will be OPEN tomorrow. Parking enforcement in the garages and on the street will not begin until noon tomorrow.
· Recorder’s Court’s traffic court and felony hearings have been CANCELLED. Recorder’s Court will send out new court dates and times by mail to everyone scheduled for tomorrow’s docket.
· Chatham County offices will have a delayed opening on Thursday and will resume normal operations at 12:00pm. Those having business with the Chatham County Court System should call the Court to determine the status of any court cases.
· Savannah Tech is closed today and will remain closed Thursday.
Chatham Emergency Management Agency announces a Tornado Watch for this area until 2 a.m.
Other developments:
· The City of Savannah will delay opening until noon Thursday. That means City buildings will be closed and City services will be suspended until noon. The regular City Council meeting will take place as scheduled at 2 p.m. However the usual City Council workshop prior has been canceled. Public Safety and Public Works operations will continue to operate during the storm.
· The City’s Adult Day Care and Senior Centers will be CLOSED Thursday, October 11. The Community Centers are scheduled to open at their regular time tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m.
· Parking Garages will be OPEN tomorrow. Parking enforcement in the garages and on the street will not begin until noon tomorrow.
· Recorder’s Court’s traffic court and felony hearings have been CANCELLED. Recorder’s Court will send out new court dates and times by mail to everyone scheduled for tomorrow’s docket.
· Chatham County offices will have a delayed opening on Thursday and will resume normal operations at 12:00pm. Those having business with the Chatham County Court System should call the Court to determine the status of any court cases.
· Savannah Tech is closed today and will remain closed Thursday.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) anticipates some local impact from Hurricane Michael — expected to be a Tropical Storm by the time it reaches here — but "less than what we anticipated earlier this morning."
CEMA Director Dennis Jones says right now the anticipated impacts include 25-35 mph winds with possible 45 mph gusts and rain impacts from 2-4 inches throughout today and tomorrow.
Jones says "Tornadoes are possible with this system" and communities that normally experience flooding in a heavy rain event can expect the same.
Jones says the sustained winds will "knock more limbs down," and that there is "a potential for power outages."
Currently there are no plans to open any storm shelters. Homeless camps are in contact with social service agencies for sheltering.
Jones said to secure Halloween decorations and any other potential items which might become windborne hazards.
The Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools will remain OPEN Wednesday, with a determination about any potential closure Thursday to happen tomorrow morning.
The Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University has already announced all classes are cancelled for Wednesday.
CEMA Director Dennis Jones says right now the anticipated impacts include 25-35 mph winds with possible 45 mph gusts and rain impacts from 2-4 inches throughout today and tomorrow.
Jones says "Tornadoes are possible with this system" and communities that normally experience flooding in a heavy rain event can expect the same.
Jones says the sustained winds will "knock more limbs down," and that there is "a potential for power outages."
Currently there are no plans to open any storm shelters. Homeless camps are in contact with social service agencies for sheltering.
Jones said to secure Halloween decorations and any other potential items which might become windborne hazards.
The Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools will remain OPEN Wednesday, with a determination about any potential closure Thursday to happen tomorrow morning.
The Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University has already announced all classes are cancelled for Wednesday.
Though Ga. Gov. Nathan Deal has declared a state of emergency for 92 counties in Georgia, including Chatham County, local officials stress that this is procedural and doesn't mean there will be any evacuations of any kind.
Hurricane Michael is expected to deteriorate to a Tropical Storm as it comes through middle/south Georgia sometime Thursday. It will likely bring heavy winds, likely power outages, and some risk of low-lying tidal flooding in coastal areas.
Chatham Emergency Management Agency has entered what it calls Operating Condition 3, the mobilization phase preparing for expected impacts. They will brief the public at 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on storm preparation and forecast.
Hurricane Michael is expected to deteriorate to a Tropical Storm as it comes through middle/south Georgia sometime Thursday. It will likely bring heavy winds, likely power outages, and some risk of low-lying tidal flooding in coastal areas.
Chatham Emergency Management Agency has entered what it calls Operating Condition 3, the mobilization phase preparing for expected impacts. They will brief the public at 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on storm preparation and forecast.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Tybee Island officials say that they are continuing to address the issue of bee deaths this past spring, which seems to be at least in part due to pesticide spraying by Chatham County.
"In May, earlier this year, there was a problem, still of indeterminate nature, which resulted in the death of a large number of bees and damage to hives on Tybee Island," a Tybee City spokesperson says. "The City is continuing to address the matter and is exploring steps to promote a vibrant bee population on the island. The City is investigating the use of different organic methods for both weed and ant control."
The Tybee Island Department of Public Works is currently using natural weed and ant control solutions rather than pesticides and continues to explore methods of natural controls.
"In addition, a pollinator garden has been planted at Jaycee park, and landscaping around the fire station will be replaced with pollinator plantings to promote our population of beneficial insects," the City of Tybee says.
The City of Tybee is also working with its insurance coverage group to try to assist in mitigating losses.
"The unfortunate loss of bees was unexpected by the City as it relies on those educated in the field in matters relating to treatments. The Department of Agriculture analyzed samples relating to the incident in June and has released a report which is available on the City’s website. The interpretation of the findings is best left to the Department," the City of Tybee says.
The Dept. of Agriculture report indicates that the bees were killed by the same pesticide used by Chatham County Mosquito Control, but concludes:
"The responsibility for the health and welfare of bees rests ultimately with the beekeepers," the state says.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Chatham Emergency Management Agency reminds us that on Wednesday, October 3, a local siren test and a nationwide test of both the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) will occur at different times throughout the day.
Here's what to expect:
Noon: CEMA Emergency Outdoor Warning Siren Test
Residents of Chatham County will hear a one minute emergency tone from the various sirens located throughout the county, weather pending.
2:18 PM: Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA)
What to expect: Nationally, citizens will hear a special tone and vibration on their cellular phones, with a test message to read, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." Residents should only see one emergency message on their phone.
2:20 PM: Emergency Alert System (EAS)
What to expect: Nationally, citizens will hear and see a one minute test from EAS participants (e.g., radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers). This will last for approximately one minute.
Here's what to expect:
Noon: CEMA Emergency Outdoor Warning Siren Test
Residents of Chatham County will hear a one minute emergency tone from the various sirens located throughout the county, weather pending.
2:18 PM: Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA)
What to expect: Nationally, citizens will hear a special tone and vibration on their cellular phones, with a test message to read, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." Residents should only see one emergency message on their phone.
2:20 PM: Emergency Alert System (EAS)
What to expect: Nationally, citizens will hear and see a one minute test from EAS participants (e.g., radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers). This will last for approximately one minute.
Savannah Book Festival announces the Opening and Closing Address authors for SBF 2019. The addresses will take place this year at The Historic Lucas Theatre for the Arts.
On Thursday, February 14, George and Paula Saunders will present the Opening Address. George is the 2017 winner of the Man Booker Prize for his number-one New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed novel, Lincoln in the Bardo. His newest book, Fox 8, will be published in November.
For the Closing Address on Sunday, February 17, Lynn Vincent, a US Navy veteran and number-one New York Times bestselling author will appear with Sara Vladic, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and one of the world’s leading experts on the USS Indianapolis. Their recent NYT bestseller, Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U.S. Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocent Man, brings to light the truth about what happened in the sinking of the ship that delivered the atom bomb to Japan in 1945.
Tickets to the Opening, Keynote and Closing Address events go on sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2019. The pre-sale tickets for LITERATI members are available on Thursday, January 3, 2019.
On Thursday, February 14, George and Paula Saunders will present the Opening Address. George is the 2017 winner of the Man Booker Prize for his number-one New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed novel, Lincoln in the Bardo. His newest book, Fox 8, will be published in November.
For the Closing Address on Sunday, February 17, Lynn Vincent, a US Navy veteran and number-one New York Times bestselling author will appear with Sara Vladic, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and one of the world’s leading experts on the USS Indianapolis. Their recent NYT bestseller, Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U.S. Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocent Man, brings to light the truth about what happened in the sinking of the ship that delivered the atom bomb to Japan in 1945.
Tickets to the Opening, Keynote and Closing Address events go on sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2019. The pre-sale tickets for LITERATI members are available on Thursday, January 3, 2019.
Monday, October 1, 2018
In this year's edition, the SCAD Savannah Film Festival will screen a total of 164 films, including 33 narrative films, 16 documentary films and 115 shorts, more than any year before.
The festival will kick off on Saturday, Oct. 27, with the Opening Night Gala Screening of Roma, directed by Alfonso Cuarón. The actresses from the film Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira, along with producer Gabriela Rodriguez will be in attendance.
The Centerpiece Gala will be If Beale Street Could Talk, written and directed by Barry Jenkins and starring festival honorees Stephan James and KiKi Layne. All three will be in attendance.
The festival will close on Saturday, Nov. 3 with the Closing Gala Screening of Green Book, directed by Peter Farrelly and starring Viggo Mortensen and 2016 festival honoree Mahershala Ali.
The 2018 schedule includes Gala, Docs to Watch, Signature and Professional Competition screenings, along with Global Shorts Forum and “Wonder Women” forum highlighting female directors, producers, and below the line talent at SCAD’s historic theaters and industry-leading studios.
New programming this year includes an Animation Corner, a TV Sidebar and a Shorts Spotlight. SCAD’s annual tribute to excellence in film has screened over 110 Oscar-nominated films; and has honored over 80 legendary actors, directors, producers, writers, and filmmakers.
“SCAD’s renowned master’s and bachelor’s degree programs are essential to the continued growth, sophistication, and evolution of entertainment professions around the world, and especially in Georgia,” said SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace.
GALA SCREENINGS
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival is known for shining a spotlight on upcoming award contenders, screening many studio films prior to their wider release. Last year, the festival screened seven films that went on to receive 35 Academy Award nominations and 12 Oscar wins, including 2017 Best Picture winner The Shape of Water.
Twelve films have been selected for the Gala Screening spot:
· Anna and the Apocalypse (Director: John McPhail. Cast: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Sarah Swire, Christopher Leveaux, Ben Wiggins, Marli Siu)
· Ben is Back (Director: Peter Hedges. Cast: Lucas Hedges, Julia Roberts, Courtney B. Vance, Kathryn Newton, Rachel Bay Jones, David Zaldivar)
· Boy Erased (Director: Joel Edgerton. Cast: Lucas Hedges, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Joel Edgerton)
· Destroyer (Director: Karyn Kusama. Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Tatiana Maslany, Sebastian Stan, Bradley Whitford, Jade Pettyjohn, Scoot McNairy)
· The Favourite (Director: Yorgos Lanthimos. Cast: Emma Stone, Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Mark Gatiss, Joe Alwyn, Nicholas Hoult)
· The Front Runner (Director: Jason Reitman. Cast: Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, Alfred Molina)
· Green Book (Director: Peter Farrelly. Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco, Dimiter D. Marinov, P.J. Byrne)
· If Beale Street Could Talk (Director: Barry Jenkins. Cast: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Aunjanue Ellis, Dave Franco, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Emily Rios, Ed Skrein, Finn Wittrock, Bryan Tyree Henry)
· The Kindergarten Teacher (Director: Sara Colangelo. Cast: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rosa Salazar, Gael García Bernal, Parker Sevak, Michael Chernus)
· Roma (Director: Alfonso Cuarón. Cast: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Nancy Garcia, Diego Cortina Autrey, Carlos Peralta, Daniela Demesa, Marco Graf, Nancy Garcia, Jorge Antonio Guerrero Martinez)
· A Private War (Director: Matthew Heineman. Cast: Rosamund Pike, Jamie Dornan, Stanley Tucci, Tom Hollander)
· Widows (Director: Steve McQueen. Cast: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Garret Dillahunt, Carrie Coon, Jacki Weaver, Jon Bernthal, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo with Robert Duvall, Liam Neeson)
SIGNATURE SERIES
The Signature Series features premiere and special screenings, from narrative to documentary films, followed by a Q&A session with the film's actors, directors, producers, or writers. This year’s selection includes:
· Adrift (Director: Baltasar Kormákur. Cast: Sam Claflin, Jeffrey Thomas, Shailene Woodley)
· At Eternity’s Gate (Director: Julian Schnabel. Cast: Willem Dafoe, Rupert Friend, Oscar Isaac, Mads Mikkelsen, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Anne Consigny, Amira Casar, Niels Arestrup)
· BlacKkKlansman (Director Spike Lee. Cast: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier, Topher Grace)
· Can You Ever Forgive Me? (Director: Marielle Heller. Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant, Dolly Wells, Ben Falcone)
· Capernaum (Director: Nadine Labaki. Cast: Zain al-Rafeea, Yordanos Shiferaw, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole, Kawthar Al Haddad)
· Cold War (Director: Pawel Pawlikowski. Cast: Agata Kulesza, Tomasz Kot, Joanna Kulig)
· Everybody Knows (Director: Asghar Farhadi. Cast: Penélope Cruz Javier Bardem, Jamie Lorente, Ricardo Darín)
· The Gospel According to André (Director: Kate Novack)
· Nancy (Director: Christina Choe. Cast: Andrea Riseborough, Steve Buscemi, Ann Dowd, J. Smith- Cameron, John Leguizamo)
· A Parting Glass (Director: Stephen Moyer. Cast: Edward Asner, Rhys Ifans, Melissa Leo, Cynthia Nixon, Denis O’Hare, Anna Paquin)
· A Quiet Place (Director: John Krasinski. Cast: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe)
· Stella’s Last Weekend (Director: Polly Draper. Cast: Polly Draper, Nat Wolff, Alex Wolff, Paulina Singer)
· Vox Lux (Director: Brady Corbet. Cast: Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin)
DOCS TO WATCH
Join for the fifth annual Docs to Watch Roundtable hosted by Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter. Directors include Stephen Maing (Crime + Punishment), Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (Free Solo), Gabe Polsky (In Search of Greatness), Nathaniel Kahn (The Price of Everything), Alan Hicks and Rashida Jones (Quincy), Julie Cohen and Betsy West (RBG), Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster (Science Fair), Matt Tyranuer (Studio 54), Tim Wardle (Three Identical Strangers) and Morgan Neville (Won’t You Be My Neighbor?).
ANIMATION CORNER: ART IN MOTION
The Animation Corner: Art in Motion is a new category debuting for the 2018 SCAD Savannah Film Festival:
· Best of Annecy 2018 showcases a selection of shorts from the latest festival with tailor-made opening sequences by the students of GOBELINS, l’école de l’image.
· Best of Annecy Kids 2018 is a mix of funny, emotional and poetic short films for kids. This program consists of films from Annecy 2018's official selection of trailers and is aimed at children age 5 years and older.
· DreamWorks Animation will showcase two of their films from the DreamWorks Shorts initiative: Bilby and Bird Karma
· Isle of Dogs (Director: Wes Anderson) will include a week-long exhibition of puppets and miniature sets designed and built for the film.
· Mirai (Director: Mamoru Hosoda)
· Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck- It Ralph 2 presentation: (Directors: Phil Johnston and Rich Moore) Disney will show exclusive clips of the upcoming full-length sequel.
· Ruben Brandt, Collector (Director: Milorad Krstic)
TV SIDEBAR
As Hollywood A-listers migrate to episodic storytelling on the small screen, SCAD Savannah Film Festival debuts a TV Sidebar, a series of panels and special screenings that highlight the best in television.
· Outlander, season 4 premiere will include an exhibit showcasing nearly 20 costumes at the SCAD Museum of Art, which marks the first-ever costume exhibit at the Museum and Film Festival.
· TV Guide Magazine to host “Fan Favorites” panel that brings stars from TV’s hottest shows for a lively discussion filled with behind-the-scenes scoop, fan-encounter tales, and more.
COMPETITION
From feature-length films to two-minute shorts, the annual festival celebrates cinematic excellence from award-winning and emerging filmmakers. The juried competition features the best of professional, animated, and student films selected from more than 2,300 entries annually.
· Narrative Features: From side-splitting comedies to heart-wrenching dramas, the narrative feature films selected represent diversity in storytelling, excellence in acting and directing, and exemplary cinematography and editing.
· Documentary Features: Beyond simple subject matters, documentaries present compelling stories that illuminate and educate audiences in a thought-provoking and timely manner.
· Professional Shorts: Running the gamut of subject matter and style, these short films are selected based on their individual merits in storytelling and execution.
· Animated Shorts: These animated films represent the diversity of the craft from simple, hand-drawn figures to stop-motion and digital rendering, showcasing unique storytelling at its finest.
· Student Shorts: With solid storytelling and emerging vision, these films represent a broad range of categories including live action, narrative, documentary and animation.
GLOBAL SHORTS FORUM
The Global Shorts Forum is a curated collection of international shorts from multiple genres that focus on world issues. This year’s themes include
· LGBTQ & You: Love is Love is Love, no matter who, where, or why.
· Woman Walks Ahead: A wide range of topics from the feminine perspective.
· A Sporting Chance: The triumphs and tribulations of competitors around the globe.
· Don’t Dis My Ability: Dedicated to raising awareness of the disabled community and their ongoing struggles and triumphs.
SHORTS SPOTLIGHT
The Shorts Spotlight is a new category debuting for the 2018 SCAD Savannah Film Festival. This collection of shorts will highlight
· Animated Delights: A kid-friendly collection of intriguing animated shorts from around the world.
· Bump in the Night: Everyone loves a good scare. These shorts put a new spin on the beloved horror genre.
· LOLz: To err is human, to laugh at one’s error, divine. These shorts remind us just how hilarious life can be.
· Three-Piece Oddity: A delightful and surreal collection of three distinct shorts that defy categorical description but together celebrate the joy of discovery.
PANELS
From software and special effects demonstrations to discussions and panels with industry stars and insiders, knowledge sharing occurs every day of the festival. This year’s panels include
· The Wonder Women Panel Series will focus on the cinematic achievements and contributions of female directors, producers, and below the line talent in film and television.
· The Below the Line Panel Series is a curated series of panels highlighting contributions of below-the-line talent to the art of cinema with a focus on casting, costume design and production design.
· The State of the Art Series, hosted by SCADFILM, is a collection of panels with a focus on filmmaking, augmented and virtual reality, and gaming.
· Through the Writers on Writing Series, Writers Guild Foundation sit down with screenwriters to illuminate the craft behind their screenplays and their journeys navigating the industry as writers.
The festival will kick off on Saturday, Oct. 27, with the Opening Night Gala Screening of Roma, directed by Alfonso Cuarón. The actresses from the film Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira, along with producer Gabriela Rodriguez will be in attendance.
The Centerpiece Gala will be If Beale Street Could Talk, written and directed by Barry Jenkins and starring festival honorees Stephan James and KiKi Layne. All three will be in attendance.
The festival will close on Saturday, Nov. 3 with the Closing Gala Screening of Green Book, directed by Peter Farrelly and starring Viggo Mortensen and 2016 festival honoree Mahershala Ali.
The 2018 schedule includes Gala, Docs to Watch, Signature and Professional Competition screenings, along with Global Shorts Forum and “Wonder Women” forum highlighting female directors, producers, and below the line talent at SCAD’s historic theaters and industry-leading studios.
New programming this year includes an Animation Corner, a TV Sidebar and a Shorts Spotlight. SCAD’s annual tribute to excellence in film has screened over 110 Oscar-nominated films; and has honored over 80 legendary actors, directors, producers, writers, and filmmakers.
“SCAD’s renowned master’s and bachelor’s degree programs are essential to the continued growth, sophistication, and evolution of entertainment professions around the world, and especially in Georgia,” said SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace.
GALA SCREENINGS
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival is known for shining a spotlight on upcoming award contenders, screening many studio films prior to their wider release. Last year, the festival screened seven films that went on to receive 35 Academy Award nominations and 12 Oscar wins, including 2017 Best Picture winner The Shape of Water.
Twelve films have been selected for the Gala Screening spot:
· Anna and the Apocalypse (Director: John McPhail. Cast: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Sarah Swire, Christopher Leveaux, Ben Wiggins, Marli Siu)
· Ben is Back (Director: Peter Hedges. Cast: Lucas Hedges, Julia Roberts, Courtney B. Vance, Kathryn Newton, Rachel Bay Jones, David Zaldivar)
· Boy Erased (Director: Joel Edgerton. Cast: Lucas Hedges, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Joel Edgerton)
· Destroyer (Director: Karyn Kusama. Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Tatiana Maslany, Sebastian Stan, Bradley Whitford, Jade Pettyjohn, Scoot McNairy)
· The Favourite (Director: Yorgos Lanthimos. Cast: Emma Stone, Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Mark Gatiss, Joe Alwyn, Nicholas Hoult)
· The Front Runner (Director: Jason Reitman. Cast: Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, Alfred Molina)
· Green Book (Director: Peter Farrelly. Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco, Dimiter D. Marinov, P.J. Byrne)
· If Beale Street Could Talk (Director: Barry Jenkins. Cast: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Aunjanue Ellis, Dave Franco, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Emily Rios, Ed Skrein, Finn Wittrock, Bryan Tyree Henry)
· The Kindergarten Teacher (Director: Sara Colangelo. Cast: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rosa Salazar, Gael García Bernal, Parker Sevak, Michael Chernus)
· Roma (Director: Alfonso Cuarón. Cast: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Nancy Garcia, Diego Cortina Autrey, Carlos Peralta, Daniela Demesa, Marco Graf, Nancy Garcia, Jorge Antonio Guerrero Martinez)
· A Private War (Director: Matthew Heineman. Cast: Rosamund Pike, Jamie Dornan, Stanley Tucci, Tom Hollander)
· Widows (Director: Steve McQueen. Cast: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Garret Dillahunt, Carrie Coon, Jacki Weaver, Jon Bernthal, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo with Robert Duvall, Liam Neeson)
SIGNATURE SERIES
The Signature Series features premiere and special screenings, from narrative to documentary films, followed by a Q&A session with the film's actors, directors, producers, or writers. This year’s selection includes:
· Adrift (Director: Baltasar Kormákur. Cast: Sam Claflin, Jeffrey Thomas, Shailene Woodley)
· At Eternity’s Gate (Director: Julian Schnabel. Cast: Willem Dafoe, Rupert Friend, Oscar Isaac, Mads Mikkelsen, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Anne Consigny, Amira Casar, Niels Arestrup)
· BlacKkKlansman (Director Spike Lee. Cast: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier, Topher Grace)
· Can You Ever Forgive Me? (Director: Marielle Heller. Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant, Dolly Wells, Ben Falcone)
· Capernaum (Director: Nadine Labaki. Cast: Zain al-Rafeea, Yordanos Shiferaw, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole, Kawthar Al Haddad)
· Cold War (Director: Pawel Pawlikowski. Cast: Agata Kulesza, Tomasz Kot, Joanna Kulig)
· Everybody Knows (Director: Asghar Farhadi. Cast: Penélope Cruz Javier Bardem, Jamie Lorente, Ricardo Darín)
· The Gospel According to André (Director: Kate Novack)
· Nancy (Director: Christina Choe. Cast: Andrea Riseborough, Steve Buscemi, Ann Dowd, J. Smith- Cameron, John Leguizamo)
· A Parting Glass (Director: Stephen Moyer. Cast: Edward Asner, Rhys Ifans, Melissa Leo, Cynthia Nixon, Denis O’Hare, Anna Paquin)
· A Quiet Place (Director: John Krasinski. Cast: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe)
· Stella’s Last Weekend (Director: Polly Draper. Cast: Polly Draper, Nat Wolff, Alex Wolff, Paulina Singer)
· Vox Lux (Director: Brady Corbet. Cast: Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin)
DOCS TO WATCH
Join for the fifth annual Docs to Watch Roundtable hosted by Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter. Directors include Stephen Maing (Crime + Punishment), Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (Free Solo), Gabe Polsky (In Search of Greatness), Nathaniel Kahn (The Price of Everything), Alan Hicks and Rashida Jones (Quincy), Julie Cohen and Betsy West (RBG), Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster (Science Fair), Matt Tyranuer (Studio 54), Tim Wardle (Three Identical Strangers) and Morgan Neville (Won’t You Be My Neighbor?).
ANIMATION CORNER: ART IN MOTION
The Animation Corner: Art in Motion is a new category debuting for the 2018 SCAD Savannah Film Festival:
· Best of Annecy 2018 showcases a selection of shorts from the latest festival with tailor-made opening sequences by the students of GOBELINS, l’école de l’image.
· Best of Annecy Kids 2018 is a mix of funny, emotional and poetic short films for kids. This program consists of films from Annecy 2018's official selection of trailers and is aimed at children age 5 years and older.
· DreamWorks Animation will showcase two of their films from the DreamWorks Shorts initiative: Bilby and Bird Karma
· Isle of Dogs (Director: Wes Anderson) will include a week-long exhibition of puppets and miniature sets designed and built for the film.
· Mirai (Director: Mamoru Hosoda)
· Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck- It Ralph 2 presentation: (Directors: Phil Johnston and Rich Moore) Disney will show exclusive clips of the upcoming full-length sequel.
· Ruben Brandt, Collector (Director: Milorad Krstic)
TV SIDEBAR
As Hollywood A-listers migrate to episodic storytelling on the small screen, SCAD Savannah Film Festival debuts a TV Sidebar, a series of panels and special screenings that highlight the best in television.
· Outlander, season 4 premiere will include an exhibit showcasing nearly 20 costumes at the SCAD Museum of Art, which marks the first-ever costume exhibit at the Museum and Film Festival.
· TV Guide Magazine to host “Fan Favorites” panel that brings stars from TV’s hottest shows for a lively discussion filled with behind-the-scenes scoop, fan-encounter tales, and more.
COMPETITION
From feature-length films to two-minute shorts, the annual festival celebrates cinematic excellence from award-winning and emerging filmmakers. The juried competition features the best of professional, animated, and student films selected from more than 2,300 entries annually.
· Narrative Features: From side-splitting comedies to heart-wrenching dramas, the narrative feature films selected represent diversity in storytelling, excellence in acting and directing, and exemplary cinematography and editing.
· Documentary Features: Beyond simple subject matters, documentaries present compelling stories that illuminate and educate audiences in a thought-provoking and timely manner.
· Professional Shorts: Running the gamut of subject matter and style, these short films are selected based on their individual merits in storytelling and execution.
· Animated Shorts: These animated films represent the diversity of the craft from simple, hand-drawn figures to stop-motion and digital rendering, showcasing unique storytelling at its finest.
· Student Shorts: With solid storytelling and emerging vision, these films represent a broad range of categories including live action, narrative, documentary and animation.
GLOBAL SHORTS FORUM
The Global Shorts Forum is a curated collection of international shorts from multiple genres that focus on world issues. This year’s themes include
· LGBTQ & You: Love is Love is Love, no matter who, where, or why.
· Woman Walks Ahead: A wide range of topics from the feminine perspective.
· A Sporting Chance: The triumphs and tribulations of competitors around the globe.
· Don’t Dis My Ability: Dedicated to raising awareness of the disabled community and their ongoing struggles and triumphs.
SHORTS SPOTLIGHT
The Shorts Spotlight is a new category debuting for the 2018 SCAD Savannah Film Festival. This collection of shorts will highlight
· Animated Delights: A kid-friendly collection of intriguing animated shorts from around the world.
· Bump in the Night: Everyone loves a good scare. These shorts put a new spin on the beloved horror genre.
· LOLz: To err is human, to laugh at one’s error, divine. These shorts remind us just how hilarious life can be.
· Three-Piece Oddity: A delightful and surreal collection of three distinct shorts that defy categorical description but together celebrate the joy of discovery.
PANELS
From software and special effects demonstrations to discussions and panels with industry stars and insiders, knowledge sharing occurs every day of the festival. This year’s panels include
· The Wonder Women Panel Series will focus on the cinematic achievements and contributions of female directors, producers, and below the line talent in film and television.
· The Below the Line Panel Series is a curated series of panels highlighting contributions of below-the-line talent to the art of cinema with a focus on casting, costume design and production design.
· The State of the Art Series, hosted by SCADFILM, is a collection of panels with a focus on filmmaking, augmented and virtual reality, and gaming.
· Through the Writers on Writing Series, Writers Guild Foundation sit down with screenwriters to illuminate the craft behind their screenplays and their journeys navigating the industry as writers.
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