OXFORD, Miss. – The 15th annual Oxford Film Festival finished up in February and will now travel the state from Water Valley to Oxford to Ocean Springs to Vicksburg to Meridian and Jackson with some of the highlighted films and Hoka award winners. This year’s festival featured over 200 films and the Best of Tour has two different film blocks being shown across the state.
“After another successful festival with many great films, we are happy to announce that the show isn’t over yet,” Executive Director Melanie Addington said. “If you were unable to attend the festival this year, then don’t miss out on these key dates in March that are set to feature some of the winning and unique Mississippi films. We are so excited to be working with our venue partners throughout the state, especially the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center for our fourth year in a row and the second year with The Strand Theatre in Vicksburg and adding on the Mississippi Museum of Art and Amelia and Temple Theatre this year.”
Depending on the venue, two film blocks will be screened. Ocean Springs and Jackson will play both film blocks for a mini-film festival. A panel discussion with the filmmakers will follow the first block screening in Jackson.
The Best of Tour will travel from Water Valley at Amelia on March 10 to Oxford at the Powerhouse on March 15 then down to Ocean Springs at the Mary C on March 16, Strand Theater in Vicksburg on March 18 and over to the Temple Theater in Meridian on March 19. A short break will be held before the closing event at Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson on March 31 where a panel discussion will be held with both sets of film blocks screening.
Block one consists of:
Hoka winner “Manna” by King Woman and directed by Vincent Jude Chaney. Led by the hypnotic
and breathy vocal dramatics of Kristina Esfandiari, the Hoka-winning music video unveils the
profoundly crafted opus of brooding, ethereal doom-rock.
Hoka Winner for Fest Forward, Mark C. Smith’s Two Balloons animates two travelers’ return to
a place crossed by stars and clouds where love is at the beginning of everything.
Highlighted Mississippi feature, Mississippi Madam, is Timothy Givens and Mark K.
Brockway’s feature film, which chronicles the life of Nellie Jackson, an African-American
woman born into poverty in Possum Corner, Miss., who travels north to Natchez in 1902 and
opens a brothel she ran for more than 60 years with full knowledge of police and Natchez
officials until a fiery end one hot July night in 1990.
Block one tour schedule:
Friday, March 16: Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center (1600 Government St. | Ocean Springs) at 6 pm
Sunday, March 18: Mississippi Museum of Art (380 South Lamar Street, Jackson at 9:45 am
Sunday, March 18: The Strand Theatre (717 Clay St. | Vicksburg) at 5 pm
Block two consists of:
Directed by Nathan Willis, Cowgirl Up tells the story of a cowgirl from Mississippi who pursues her lifelong dream to be the first African-American woman in the National Finals Rodeo.
Peter Byck’s One Hundred Thousand Beating Hearts, shares the story of a pioneering farmer in rural Georgia of his journey from industrialized beef production to sustainable, humane agricultural and environmental stewardship.
Directed by Rex Jones, Flag Flap Over Mississippi is a filmic conversation between all sides of the state flag that hopes to generate more civil discussion in the public atmosphere.
Truth Rises, directed by Kelly Buckholdt, is a short film about a brother and sister who talk about getting in trouble after mistakes are made in the family business. The film won the Pat Rasberry Emerging Filmmaker Award.
Jeff Dennis’ The Process: The Way of Pablo Sierra is a film about a potter who lives in Yocona, Mississippi. Born in Spain, he came to Ole Miss on a track scholarship. He became a world-class runner, and is now a potter, baker, and horseman. For Pablo, the process is everything.
Block Two tour schedule:
Saturday, March 10: Amelia (112 Main St. | Water Valley) at 7 pm
Thursday, March 15: The Powerhouse (413 S 14th St. | Oxford) at 7 pm
Friday, March 16: Mary C. (1600 Government St. | Ocean Springs) at 8 pm
Monday, March 19: Temple Theatre (2320 8th St. | Meridian) at 7 pm
Saturday March 31: Mississippi Museum of Art (380 South Lamar Street | Jackson) at 1 pm
Prices range at the venues from free to suggested donation to $15 including appetizers. Be sure to check out the website, www.oxfordfilmfest.com for more information on each.
