Film-goers in the area now have something to get excited about other than the next big blockbuster or critically-acclaimed indie flick coming for a two-week screening. That something happens to be Gatlinburg Screenfest (Friday, March 25 – Saturday, March 26), now in its third year in the old town.

Gatlinburg Screenfest is an independent film festival that takes place every year in March.  This year, 20 films will be featured including the world premiere of Nashville Rises – a new short film documentary narrated by Academy Award Winner, Billy Bob Thornton. The film details the events of May 1 and 2, 2010 in which Nashville saw a record flood bring the city, its residents to its knees inflicting nearly $2 billion in damages along the way.

Screenfest’s opening night will be celebrated by a meet and greet at the restaurant and lounge on the River Terrace property. There, you can get to know the filmmakers, actors, local business owners, and other audience members. Feel free to bring business cards, fliers, or other promotional materials. Screenings will start immediately following the meet and greet.

Cocktails and appetizers will be served as we honor the top three films of the festival as well as the Viewer’s Choice Award, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress. Highlights will include revisiting past winners, showcasing moments over the course of the weekend, and opening submissions for the 2012 festival.

Schedule of Events:

***Indicates Official Selection

Friday, March 25

5:00 PM – Green Light Theater

Lot 3
***Lenny Lebowitz
10 mins
Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone
107 mins
*Not for competition

5:10 PM – Black Tie Theater
Lot 2

Once in a Thousand Years
11 mins
Hoops for Hope
4 mins
The Way It Is
8 mins
A Second Chance for Young Offenders
54 mins

7:00 – 8:30 PM 2^nd Floor Ballroom

Introducing the premiere of

EUPHORIC ENERGY DRINK

at the
Opening Night Party

Featuring Einstein Simplified Improv Group

9:00 PM – Green Light Theater

Lot 4
***Seize
8 mins
***Pitching Amber
4 mins
***D4
98 mins

9:10 PM – Black Tie Theater
Lot 5

***It Girl
9 mins
E. A.
4 mins
***8 or 9
7 mins
Legend of Plainview Woods
40 mins

**9:15 PM – Silver Screen Theater
Lot 1
**This screening will contain a director question and answer session after the films are shown.

***Sound of Slaughter
8 mins
***Mamie
21 mins
***Eye for an Eye
19 mins
Knxvilgrl89
4 mins
***Black & White
19 mins

Saturday, March 26

**12:00 PM – Silver Screen Theater

Lot 3

**This screening will contain a director question and answer session after the films are shown.
***Lenny Lebowitz
10 mins
Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone
107 mins
*Not for competition

12:10 PM – Green Light Theater

Lot 5

***It Girl
9 mins
E.A.
4 mins
***8 or 9
7 mins
Legend of Plainview Woods
40 mins

12:15 PM – Black Tie Theater

Lot 4
***Seize
8 mins
***Pitching Amber
4 mins
***D4
98 mins

**1:35 PM – Green Light Theater

Lot 2

**This screening will contain a director question and answer session after the films are shown.
Once in a Thousand Years
11 mins
Hoops for Hope
4 mins
The Way It Is
8 mins
A Second Chance for Young Offenders
54 mins

2:30 PM – Silver Screen Theater

Lot 1

***Sound of Slaughter
8 mins
***Mamie
21 mins
***Eye for an Eye
19 mins
Knxvilgrl89
4 mins
***Black & White
19 mins

4:30 – 7:00 PM 2^nd Floor Ballroom

Special Presentation of
THE WILD WONDERFUL WHITES OF WEST VIRGINIA

Producer Storm Taylor will answer questions about the film and the independent film industry immediately following the screening.

8:30 PM 2nd Floor Ballroom

Rescreening of last year’s winners

The Suffering
Third Place Winner ~ 7 mins

Lavorsia
Second Place Winner ~ 19 mins

Flesh of My Flesh
Viewer’s Choice Winner ~ 10 mins

The Dirty Guv’nahs: From the Basement to Bonnaroo
Grand Prize Winner ~ 22 mins

The World Premiere of

Nashville Rises

Producers Zac Adams and Mark Slaughter along with Bill Cornelius and Luke Dye will answer questions about the film immediately following the screening.