By Shera Everette
Carrboro Commons Writer

If the Carrboro Film Festival were a plant, in a few months it would be getting ready to sprout legs and leap.

“There’s a plant metaphor for plant growth and development that says the first year, ‘steep;’ the second year, ‘creep;’ and the third year, ‘leap,’” said Selena Lauterer, chair of the Carrboro Film Festival. “For plants, their third year is when they’re most robust. In relationships and organizations, you’ll see that in the third year, things just magically grow.”

Committee members of the 2007 Carrboro Film Festival display the event’s fun spirit.
Photo courtesy of Carrboro Film Festival

The Carrboro Film Festival, which began showcasing local artists’ narratives and documentaries in November 2006, will have its third annual competition on Nov. 23, at the Carrboro Century Center.

“Can you believe the growth that we’ve seen?” asked Jackie Helvey, one of the festival’s founders. “Last year was a standing-room-only event and it was incredible. I can’t wait to see what happens this year.”

The deadline for submissions is Aug. 29, with late submissions being accepted until Sept. 22. Films can be no longer than 20 minutes, and the filmmaker has to have had a brush with Orange County at one time in life. They will be competing for one of the Kay Kyser Awards, which is named in honor of the 1940s Chapel Hill big band leader known as the “ol’ professor of swing.”

Lauterer said it is imperative to get the word out now, before students leave for summer vacations.

“We want as many student filmmakers as possible to be participants,” Lauterer said. “Who knows, maybe you will see the next big director.”

Barbara Trent, who along with David Kasper won the 2006 Kay Kyser award for the emerging filmmakers, is now an Oscar winner.

The local festival usually attracts more than 80 filmmakers from all walks of life. The committee, composed of filmmakers, teachers and many other creative minds, views each submission and uses a scientific formula to rate and select the top 20 films.

Lauterer has been involved each year in some way and she says she has a hard time choosing a favorite film.

“That’s like saying you have a favorite child out of your children,” she said.

In previous years, Lauterer, a partner in local public relations company PoGo Promotions, was in charge of media relations for the festival. This year, Lauterer took over as chairwoman after former chairman Nic Beery, stepped down so he could submit his own film. Lauterer said she realizes that she has big shoes to fill.

“He’s just a very positive and upbeat guy, and I can only hope to do as good a job as he,” Lauterer said. “This is a year where it’s a new day, and I’m excited about it.”