COLUMBIA (WACH) — The fifth annual Indie Grits Film Festival, a juried film competition that focuses on empowering all levels of Southern filmmakers with an independent mentality and far-reaching artistic scope, will take place April 13-17, 2011 in Columbia.
In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Indie Grits, the festival will feature famed filmmaker Helen Hill’s final work, “The Florestine Dresses.” As in years past, the festival will also feature the best of the exciting new work coming from Southern filmmakers.
This year, festival attendees will also enjoy several new events surrounding the festival designed to showcase the very best of what’s unique to Columbia:
- Wednesday, April 13: Enjoy a Slow Food Columbia fundraising dinner indoors or out at the All-Local Farmers Market space at 711 Whaley. Dinner prepared by several local chefs who regularly use sustainable, local products in their restaurants will be served inside the market. Following the Slow Food Columbia fundraising dinner, Hunter-Gatherer (900 Main Street) will host a party featuring the Immaculate Underground Old Time Jam, with special musical guests, The Shaniqua Brown (Charleston), Sarah Bandy (Charleston) and another local band (to be announced).
- Thursday, April 14: A full lineup of Indie Grits films will run at the Nickelodeon Theatre. After the films, Fork & Spoon Records, a local Columbia label comprised of USC alumni, will host a music showcase with four different local bands at Immaculate Consumption (933 Main Street) located next door to the Nickelodeon Theatre. Performers will be Coma Cinema, Those Lavender Whales, Sweet Vans and Say Brother.
- Friday, April 15: After a full lineup of films at the Nickelodeon, festival goers can head over to the Whig (1200 Main Street), within walking distance of the Nickelodeon, and enjoy a performance from local band Cassangles.
- Saturday, April 16: Children will enjoy a film and a Lunch Money performance in the morning, and local crafters will offer their unique handmade wares at Crafty Feast at Indie Grits from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. “The Florestine Collection” will premier complete with Helen Hill’s favorites: cotton candy and vegan cupcakes. A full lineup of films will show as well. To wrap up the festival, Columbia artist Toro y Moi will perform in a space that was formerly a movie theater in Parkland Plaza, just over the Blossom St. bridge in Cayce, called ReSale ReVue. Local artist, Valley Maker and Atlanta band Mermaids, will perform as well. Chaz Bundick, who performs as Toro y Moi, will have just returned from another US tour and will be making Columbia his final stop. Tickets for this special performance will be $12.
- Sunday, April 17: Winners will be announced at a filmmakers’ brunch at the Columbia Museum of Art, and winning films will be shown at the Nickelodeon all afternoon.
Tickets for all music performances will be $5 at the door, with the exception of Toro y Moi. Admission is free to all events for festival pass holders.
For more information, visit www.indiegrits.com.
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