The River's Edge International Film Festival begins this Thursday and continues through Sunday in downtown Paducah. In it's 11th year, the festival brings David Wilson from the City of Bradford (UK), a UNESCO City of Film, to the UNESCO city of Crafts & Folk Art. On Sounds Good, Tracy Ross speaks with Landee Bryant-Greene of Maiden Alley Cinema about the festival.
The River's Edge Film Festival began in 2005 with a regional focus and in 2009 expanded to become an international festival. About 15 to 20% of submissions come from outside of the United States, Landee Bryant-Greene says. Juried categories are best animated film, best experimental film, best short documentary, best feature documentary, best short narrative, best feature narrative and best of the festival.
Topics range from nuclear politics to female artists to rivers in Kentucky. Some films will include selections from the 48 Hour Film Festival, including festival winners "Surface to Air" and another called "Bloodline."
The kick-off is Thursday at 6 p.m. with a free event including light food and refreshments. Meet the filmmakers and juror before a screening of the winner of last year's featival, "Proud Citizen" from Lexington, Kentucky.
Friday, films start at 1 p.m. at Maiden Alley Cinema, Market House Theatre and the Quilt Museum. The films are within walking distance, she says, and some range from 4 to 7 minutes, while others are feature length. Tickets for film blocks are $5, or a weekend pass is available for $50.
In addition to films are after parties featuring bands: Mutts, Two Cow Garage, Jack Grelle and Amy Levere.