John Kelly Shelburne (left) asks questions during the Porches and Private Eyes discussion panel. Cotton Yancey (actor) gives the first answer. Photo: Instagram @msabrookhaven
Students from Mississippi School of the Arts had the opportunity to be a part of the audience at Brookhaven’s first-ever film festival, “Film Haven”. The event, hosted by Running Wild Films and Brookhaven Little Theatre, featured a full afternoon of short films and documentaries. “This is the first film festival for Brookhaven, and I’m hoping to do this yearly. Our goal is to bring Mississippi film makers together by showing films made in Mississippi or by film makers from Mississippi.” said Travis Mills, film director/producer for Running Wild Films of Phoenix, Arizona.
An hour long showcase of short films was a part of the line-up, which included a documentary by Mississippi School of the Arts 2016 visual arts alumnus, Cyrus Neese (Watercolor). The documentary provided a full range of interviews and scenes from artists on the gulf coast of Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
During the film festival, a slot was set aside for cast and crew members to discuss the making of Porches and Private Eyes, an independent film shot in Brookhaven, Mississippi. John Kelly Shelburne, the Media Arts instructor at Mississippi School of the Arts, hosted the discussion panel while asking specific questions. The cast members were quite vocal during the discussion, sharing their experiences and how Porches and Private Eyes impacted their profession.
“The whole idea was to figure out how to get more people in seats at Brookhaven Little Theatre. The film idea came at the perfect time.”, said Greg Russell, executive director of Brookhaven Little Theatre and cast member in Porches movie.
Media Arts students enjoying the film festival. Photo: Instagram @msabrookhaven
Porches movie will showcase around Mississippi and also reach a nation-wide audience. The plan is to go internationally, according to director Mills of Running Wild Films. “Porches will be for sale on DVD on October 1st at Ole Brook Festival and soon in outlets such as Amazon.”, said Mills. “If you haven’t seen this film, you definitely should. These Mississippi actors and actresses should feel proud.”, said a film festival attendee.
Travis also noted the company will begin shooting another film in October 2016, in Bogue Chitto, which is 12 miles south of Mississippi School of the Arts and Brookhaven area.
View the Facebook page for Porches Movie