Carrboro Film Festival growing like Topsy
by Marianna King
Carrboro Commons Writer
The judging has begun on about 50 entries for Carrboro’s second annual Film Festival. The only requirement for the films, other than a 20 minute maximum length, is that the creator brushed Orange County at some point in his/her life.
Why so inclusive? According to its mission statement, the festival’s goal is to “support and promote film and video artists in and around Orange County.”
As Carrboro gears up for the Sunday, Nov. 18, festival in Century Hall, Jackie Helvey, the event’s founder, reflects on its exciting beginnings and Nic Beery, the creative force behind the festival’s success.
Marianna King photo
“Nic had just moved to Carrboro the weekend before the Carrboro Music Festival in 2005,” said Helvey. “He made a short movie documenting the festival and sent it to Gerry Williams, the chair.”
Helvey, also a founder of the Music Festival and 10-year member of its committee, recalls seeing the film and instantly recognizing the void in the Carrboro arts scene that needed filling.
“Even if was just a bunch of people coming to see 10 movies, it would be a cool thing,” said Helvey. “It did not end up as anything I envisioned. I thought it would be informal—some people will show up, we’ll watch movies, we’ll have fun. It ended up being this huge event, and that’s thanks to Nic, really.”
After discussing the idea with the Carrboro Art Committee and contacting a few local businesses to be sponsors, Helvey realized she would have the support needed to fund the event and reach the goal. There was an instant response.
Marianna King photo
“I went to Nic after some positive reaction,” said Helvey. “We didn’t know what to do. Nic’s a director so he was really good at planning the event. He was the one who had the idea—who made Century Hall look like a grand theater.”
While fewer films are being judged this year than last, Helvey expects a “standing –room only crowd” again. The 2006 committee received 86 submissions and showed 22 of those films on the festival night. About 50 submissions are being judged this year.
“Basically, if you know where Carrboro is, you could submit a film,” said Helvey. “No, really, in the end we decided it was better to be inclusive. We’re still small enough that we can accept all the submissions.”
A unique characteristic of the film festival is its lack of restrictions on production dates. A film from any point in its creator’s life may be submitted. One of Helvey’s favorite shorts last year was “Greased Elbows” which featured an animated troupe of dancing elbow macaroni. The film was produced for fun in college by banker Mitch Virchick ovehr 25 years ago.
Committee members are reviewing all submissions to choose which films will be shown on Nov. 18. The Blue Ribbon panel will decide which films receive one of the four large hand-sculpted Kay Kyser awards. Eight smaller statuettes will be given as craft awards for acting, directing, lighting and more.
A 1928 graduate of UNC and star of seven feature films, Kyser, whose granddaughter, Amanda Bryan, served on the Carrboro Art Committee, was the perfect choice as namesake for the awards. Kyser’s illustrious career began as the UNC bandleader and developed into a nationally broadcast swing band-era radio show, the Kollege of Musical Knowledge. Mike Roig, a local sculptor makes the recycled steel awards bearing Kyser’s theatrical trademarks, the mortarboard hat and megaphone.
The festival will be held on November 18 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Century Center in Century Hall in downtown Carrboro.
For more information, please visit the festival’s Web site at http://carrborofilmfestival.com/
