On Location: wrapup

From On Location:

The 2008 On Location: Memphis international film fest is a wrap! 93 films from 20 different countries and the U.S. found new audiences and fans during this 4 day annual fest! More than 100 filmmakers, producers, directors and actors converged on Memphis, March 27-30 to celebrate independent filmmaking with 4 days of films, workshops and networking opportunities. Among those who came from around the globe was Adrian Belic, whose movie, "Ghengis Blues," was nominated for an Academy Award. Belic was in Memphis for the showing of “Ghengis Blues” and his newest documentary, "Beyond the Call," which he wrote, produced, directed and filmed.. "This is one of those wonderful local regional festivals that filmmakers and fans come to just have fun, for the sheer pleasure of independent films," Adrian said. "I'm astonished how many filmmakers are here. That's rare."

Awards were given out on Thursday, March 27, at Malco’s state-of-the art Paradiso Theatre just before the Opening Night film, “Delta Rising”, the Clarksdale, Miss.-centered music documentary filmed at Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club. "Low and Behold," a movie about a young insurance claims adjuster unprepared for the physical and emotional wreckage of post-Katrina New Orleans, was named Best Narrative Feature. "Knowledge Is the Beginning", about an orchestra of Arab and Israeli young people, was named Best Documentary. "The Second Line" another Katrina-inspired film, was award the Best Short. The Best Animated Film was the short, "Raccoon and Crawfish" with the Music Video award going to "Falling from Mars" by singer Alyssa Campbell. In a special presentation, Jimmy Tashie, SVP of Malco Theatres, was given the first OL:M VISION Award – presented to those in the community who have shown tremendous support and vision for the filmmaking industry in Memphis.



Standing room only workshops included industry professionals such as Linn Sitler of the Memphis and Shelby County Film & Television Commission, James Spies director of “Nothing But The Truth”, actress Renee O’Connor from “XENA: The Warrior Princess”, Brent Heyning from ToyShoppe Productions, Jeffery Clanagan, CEO of Code Black Entertainment and legendary composer Dennis Lambert ("Ain't No Woman Like The One I've Got," "One Tin Soldier", "Nighshift", and "Rhinestone Cowboy.

" Lisa Bobal, OL:M Programming and Marketing Director says, "We are already planning for the 10th anniversary On Location: Memphis international film fest - in fact, I've even asked Dennis Lambert to write a song for us!"