Indie Memphis connects and inspires indie filmmakers through the unique creative landscape that is the home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll. The festival highlights regional filmmaking and brings new independent work to Memphis from all corners of the country, while continuing its twelve year tradition of showcasing Southern films and filmmakers.
Set for October 8-15, 2009, the 12th annual Indie Memphis Film Festival is headquartered at the Studio on the Square, a boutique theater that provides an atmosphere of intimate accessibility in the heart of the historic Overton Square neighborhood of Midtown Memphis -- the city's cultural center and home to a plethora of restaurants, bars and clubs, all a literal stone's throw from the theater.
Last year, former New York Times film critic & renown interviewer ELVIS MITCHELL joined the festival as part of the Features Jury and hosted conversations with filmmaker CRAIG BREWER ("Hustle & Flow," "$5 Cover") and actor/director GIANCARLO ESPOSITO ("Do The Right Thing," "Homicide: Life On The Streets"), who walked away with the inaugural Southern Soul of Independent Film award for his directorial debut, "Gospel Hill," which made its Regional Premiere at the festival. In 2007, indie filmmaking legends JOHN SAYLES and MAGGIE RENZI opened the festival's 10th year with a special screening of "Honeydripper" with GARY CLARK JR. and YAYA DACOSTA in attendance -- along with frequent Sayles collaborator ANGELA BASSETT. Other past attendees and special guests have included IRA SACHS ("Forty Shades of Blue," "Married Life"), PETER GILBERT ("Hoop Dreams," "At The Death House Door"); JOEY LAUREN ADAMS ("Come Early Morning"); ALBERT MAYSLES ("Grey Gardens," "Gimme Shelter") and BOB MONDELLO (National Public Radio).
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"Come to Indie Memphis. The atmosphere is cozy; it's like a hug just when you need one."
~ MORGAN JON FOX, "OMG/HaHaHa" (2008 Best Hometowner Feature)
"Regional festivals are the foundation ,,of truly independent filmmaking and ,,Indie Memphis is a testament to that. Filmmakers like myself, who are working with limited means to make regional movies, can find an audience at Indie Memphis."
~ TOM QUINN, "The New Year Parade" (2008 Best Feature)
"Indie Memphis has so much that I look for in a film festival, and I should know since I'm at one almost every month: programming with a thoughtful and idiosyncratic point of view that reflects its leadership, and reaches out to promising new filmmakers whose work has an unmistakable sense of place; an excited and eager community that attends the films in force looking to be surprised by the fare, rather than congratulated for coming out; and, oh yeah, barbecue."
~ ELVIS MITCHELL, 2008 festival juror, host of KCRW's "The Treatment" and TCM's "Under the Influence"
