Diversity Rules Magazine

Diversity Rules Magazine | Sept 2022 | 19 Albatross - Con't from page 18 others as either fi ng within or outside of our own bubble," said filmmaker Myles Yaksich. "With ALBA- TROSS, I wanted to go back to a me where differing ideas were analyzed and discussed intellectually, not just blocked emo onally. What happens when you can't leave the dinner table?" Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire ALBATROSS directly with Todd Slater of Slater Brothers Entertainment. ALBATROSS website: www.albatross-thefilm. com The Nashville Film Fes val (NashFilm) today announces its full film program, including special events, official se- lec ons and more for the 53rd annual event, taking place September 29 - October 5 both in-person and virtually. This year's fes val features more than 150 tles, includ- ing 38 feature-length films; more than 30 selec ons mark their U.S., North American and world premieres with the fes val. The films selected to the fes val join the previ- ously announced opening night presenta on of The Re- turn of Tanya Tucker at Nashville's Belcourt Theatre, as well as The Year Between, The Civil Dead, Bu erfly in the Sky and Acidman. Nashville Film Fes val is proud to announce as Closing Night selec on Sacha Jenkins' Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues (pictured below), an in mate and revealing look at the world-changing musician, presented through a lens of archival footage and never-before-heard home record- ings and personal conversa ons. Special guests for Clos- ing Night, as well as throughout the fes val, will be an- nounced in the coming weeks. The full fes val program, including official film selec ons, live music performances and the line-up for the annual Creators Conference, is in- cluded below and available online at www.nashvillefilm- fes val.org, where ckets are now on sale. Following the gala Opening Night screening on Septem- ber 29, addi onal notable fes val presenta ons through October 5 include Seriously Red, the story of a realtor who begins a new career as a Dolly Parton impersonator, starring Rose Byrne and Bobby Canavale; Meet Me in the Bathroom, an immersive journey through the New York music scene of the early 2000s based on the book by Lizzie Goodman; Straighten Up and Fly Right, Kristen Abate and Steven Tanenbaum's personal chronicle of a young New Yorker as her life unravels and she must make a choice to fall apart or get it together; Your Friend, Memphis, about a young man with cerebral palsy caught between the world's expecta ons and his own ambi ons; Graveyard Shi selec on Piggy, following an overweight teen bullied by a clique of cool girls poolside while on vaca on; and Sick of Myself, Kristoffer Borgli's story of a couple in an unhealthy, compe ve rela onship that takes a vicious turn. Featured in the fes val's addi onal programming is a three-film female-centric series, Speaking Out, Stepping Up: 3 Films of Empowered Women. The films selected for this series, all directed by women, highlight the ambi- on, perseverance and ac vism of women determined to change the world for the be er. Films included are: My Name is Andrea, a hybrid documentary drama based on the life of writer Andrea Dworkin; S ll Working 9 to 5, ex- ploring forty years of inequality a er the release of the hit film; and In the Bones, a cinema c journey through Mis- sissippi via the ordinary lives of women and children. Highligh ng the fes val's deep es to the community and region, this year's program features 30 films made in or with connec ons to the state, including the world premieres of feature-length films Alta Valley, about a Mexican-Navajo mechanic and an outlaw cowgirl travel- ing across the desert to outrun criminals and confront a corrupt landowner; The Light We Share, a visual-album style film that highlights vivid and complex stories from everyday people; Showbusiness Is My Life, But I Can't Prove It, following comedian Gary Mule Deer and his 60 year career making people laugh; and Jacir, the story of a young Syrian refugee on the streets of Memphis, Tennes- see facing the hard truth in chasing the American dream. "The crea ve connec ons between the art of film and music con nue to impress and generate more immersive experiences for fans of both," said Jason Padgi , Execu- ve Director of NashFilm. "We are truly honored to show- case an incredible array of films this year and provide a pla orm for people to directly connect and celebrate the accomplishments of our global crea ve culture." "The talent evident in this year's lineup is incredibly excit- ing and I'm looking forward to our audience's reac ons," said Lauren Ponto, Director of Programming. "My pro- gramming team and I have put together a highly curated and eclec c mix of films from over 30 countries with more than half of our official selec ons directed or produced by women. Our industry seems fiercely crea ve this year and I feel privileged that we get to play a part in showcasing the me culous work of these amazing creators." Of the more than 150 films selected for this year's Nash- ville Film Fes val, more than 50 will screen in-person at iconic cultural venues throughout the city over the course of the week, while many will be available online through the fes val's virtual pla orm. Even more programming announcements are expected in the run-up to the 2022 Nashville - Con't on page 20 Nashville Film Festival September 29 - October 25, 2022

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