Vanessa McMahon

New Orleans Film Society Announces 27^th Annual New Orleans Film Festival,

October 12^th – 20^th, 2016

Festival unveils documentary, narrative and Louisiana feature competition lineup + official program artwork

The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) announced today the feature competition lineup for the 27^th annual New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF), taking place October 12^th – 20^th at venues across New Orleans, with an increased presence in the downtown area.

“The incredible growth the New Orleans Film Festival continues to experience translates into a more dynamic and diverse lineup each year,” says New Orleans Film Society Executive Director Jolene Pinder. “This year, we are excited to introduce new venues that will create a walkable downtown campus for the festival, giving our audiences the chance to see even more films.”

Also revealed today was the official program artwork, designed by local artist Kayla Wroblewski. The artwork displays a portrait of Mexican actress Dolores del Río, who starred in the 1929 Louisiana-based film Evangeline, an image from which was used as part of the poster for the First Annual New Orleans Film Festival in 1989. The art selection highlights Louisiana’s rich history as a site for film production.

The 2016 festival lineup was chosen from almost 4,000 submissions from NOFF’s open call for submissions from independent filmmakers, an increase of about 14% from 2015. Entries came from 115 different countries. Louisiana-made film submissions increased this year by 43%. Of the final selections, 45% of films are from female directors, and 36% are from directors of color.

“This year’s lineup typifies the festival’s strong commitment to supporting new cinematic voices,” says New Orleans Film Society Director of Programming Clint Bowie. “Film is an art, and this year’s selections make that hard to deny. Festival-goers should be prepared to be challenged, moved, and awed by the bold and confident storytelling in this year’s lineup.”  

The New Orleans Film Festival is increasing its presence in downtown New Orleans, establishing its main festival hub at Ace Hotel New Orleans:

-          Ace Hotel New Orleans will offer discounted rooms for NOFF guests

-          Ace Hotel New Orleans will host NOFF films in a pop-up venue in the hotel

-          A suite at Ace Hotel New Orleans will serve as the VIP Lounge for All Access pass holders

-          The NOFF Merchandise store will be held at Ace Hotel New Orleans

-          The Main box office will be located at Ace Hotel New Orleans

-          Festival pass pick-up location will now be held at Ace Hotel New Orleans

-          Selected Cinema Reset exhibition will now be held at Ace Hotel New Orleans

Below lists all 2016 Documentary, Narrative and Louisiana features in competition:

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

Farmer/Veteran | dir. Alix Blair, Jeremy M. Lange

One veteran’s mission to find healing through farming is haunted by the wounds of a family lost and the soldier he still yearns to be.

Jackson | dir. Maisie Crow

Set against the backdrop of the fight to close the last abortion clinic in Mississippi, Jackson captures the hard truth of the lives at the center of the debate over reproductive healthcare in America.

Jonas and the Backyard Circus (Jonas e o Circo sem Lona) | dir. Paula Gomes

U.S. PREMIERE. Jonas is 13 and his passion is running a neighborhood circus he created in his backyard—but as adolescence sets in, what will becomes of Jonas's childhood circus dreams?

The Nine | dir. Katy Grannan

Modesto California’s notorious South Ninth Street—the Nine—is a no-man’s-land where the rules of polite society do not apply, a ravaged micro-community whose Darwinian existence is a day-to-day hustle.

Painted Nails | dir. Erica Jordan, Dianne Griffin

Follows a Vietnamese immigrant’s life-changing journey from her vibrant nail salon to the steps of Congress, becoming the first person to testify for safe cosmetics in over 30 years.

The Prison in Twelve Landscapes | dir. Brett Story

A meditation on the prison’s disappearance in the era of mass incarceration through a series of places across the U.S. where prisons do work and affect lives.

Shelter | dir. Brent Renaud, Craig Renaud

WORLD PREMIERE. Filmed over the course of a full year, the film tells the raw and emotional stories of the incredible kids who seek shelter at the Covenant House, located on the outskirts of the New Orleans French Quarter, and the staff struggling to work miracles everyday on their behalf.

The Shelter (Panahgah) | dir. Abbas Sendi

Against a backdrop of desolation along the outskirts of Rasht, Iran, one woman exudes compassion and hope as she establishes a shelter to care for injured animals.

You and Me (Tú y Yo) | dir. Natalia Cabral, Oriol Estrada

A 70-year-old widow and her young maid live in isolation in a house in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The minutiae of their daily lives is captured, speaking volumes about race, class, and culture.

NARRATIVE FEATURES

72 Hours: A Brooklyn Love Story? | dir. Raafi Rivero

A bright, charismatic Brooklyn teenager has a ticket out of the projects and 72 hours to decide if he’s up to the challenge, all while fending off a rival who’s after his girl.

Are We Not Cats | Xander Robin

Fired, dumped, evicted Eli leaps at the chance to escape the city on an errand upstate. Plagued by strange illness, his sojourn culminates in an affair with a woman who shares his habit of eating hair.

Daddy's Boy | dir. Daniel Armando

Led by its lush black-and-white photography and a frank portrayal of male sexuality, this lyrical film tells the interlocking stories of four men on the fringes of the gay porn industry.

Fugue | dir. Jorge Torres-Torres

WORLD PREMIERE. A woman takes flight to a tiny island, where she chases after wild horses and carouses with drunken revelers. As memories of her past close in, the line between freedom and madness becomes blurred.

Hearts of Palm | dir. Monica Peña

An intimate documentary-style portrait of a collapsing relationship opens up deep questions about the space between languages, the nature of artist-muse pairs, and the pain and fecundity of romantic loss.

Hara Kiri | dir. Henry Alberto

WORLD PREMIERE. August and Beto, two hard-up skate punks, decide to prove their love by following in the steps of Romeo and Juliet, wandering across LA as they celebrate their last day on earth.

A Morning Light | dir. Ian Clark

After they reconnect by chance, Zach and Ellyn's peaceful summer of camping is gradually distorted by a foreign presence that vibrates through the woods around them.

My First Kiss and the People Involved | dir. Luigi Campi

Sam, a non-verbal young woman living in a remote group home, becomes obsessed with the mystery of her missing caretaker Lydia.

The Other Kids | dir. Chris Brown

The struggles of six small-town teens on the verge of high school graduation, told in a doc/fiction hybrid style in which real teenagers collaborated with the filmmakers to tell their own personal stories.

LOUISIANA FEATURES

Back Story | dir. Iman Shervington

WORLD PREMIERE. Five young black men from different backgrounds and areas of New Orleans filmed their lives for six months, sharing their personal views on everything from education to criminal justice.

Before the West Coast | dir. Oyd Craddock

WORLD PREMIERE. The story of Coach Otis Washington's St. Augustine High football team during the years after the court ruling admitting them into Louisiana’s all-white high school sports association.

Bookie | dir. Michael Yusko

WORLD PREMIERE. A New Orleans man attempts to make a feature film to satisfy the Kickstarter backers who invested in him.  

Forgotten Bayou | dir. Victoria Greene

WORLD PREMIERE. Follows five families from the quaint Cajun community of Bayou Corne, whose survival was thrown into question four years ago by the 24-acre sinkhole that opened up on its outskirts.

One Note at a Time | dir. Renee Edwards

WORLD PREMIERE. An homage to the musicians who returned to their hometown after the devastation following Hurricane Katrina, told through the prism of the heroic New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic.

My Father, Die | dir. Sean Brosnan

Deaf and mute since the age of 12, Asher has been training for almost two decades to avenge himself on the man that killed his older brother, who also happens to be his father.

People | dir. Shane McGoey

A pitch-black comedy composed of six intertwined vignettes and an ensemble of characters grappling with each other in a vain attempt to gain control over their lives.

A Quiet Storm | dir. Jason Affolder

WORLD PREMIERE. A musically gifted teenage girl from New Orleans’ 9th Ward is torn between family loyalty and doing what she knows is right after discovering her older cousin has become a violent criminal.

She Was Famous | dir. Kenna J. Moore

A widowed college dropout finds herself going down a rabbit hole inspired by her recent discovery of Karl Marx and the German language, only to learn that things have become a bit mental.

Additional festival announcements, including spotlight films, honorees, and panels will be announced in the weeks to come.

NOFF PASSES & TICKETING SCHEDULE

Early Bird All Access Passes are on sale now at www.neworleansfilmfestival.org. New Orleans Film Society members can purchase All Access passes for $200 and Non-Members for $270. On September 12^th, prices will increase to $250 for members and $320 for Non-Members.

The All Access Pass gives access to:

-          All Festival screenings, with prior reservation

-          Priority entrance to all screenings (All Access line at all venues)

-          Early access to online reservations

-          Entry to all official Festival parties (6-7 parties with complimentary food and drink plus multiple receptions)

-          Access to the VIP Lounge at Ace Hotel New Orleans with complimentary beverages and snacks

-          Advance home delivery of official Festival Program Guide (if purchased before September 25th)

-          Discount to all vintage NOFF merchandise available at the official merchandise store at Ace Hotel New Orleans.

Additional Festival Dates:

-          September 12 - Film packages and Weekend Passes On-Sale Date

-          September 26 - Tickets On-Sale for all NOFS members and All Access pass holders    

-          October 3 - Tickets On-Sale for general public

-          October 10 - NOFF main box office opens at Ace Hotel New Orleans for advance sales

Hotel Partnership: Guests will receive a special coupon for discounted NOFF All Access Passes:

o   Ace Hotel New Orleans: 15% discount on rooms + 25% discount on All Access Pass

o   The Hotel Modern: 30% discount on rooms + $25% discount on All Access Pass

NOFF is launching an official merchandise store at Ace Hotel New Orleans featuring a wide selection of vintage Festival posters, t-shirts and additional merchandise. The store will open on October 10^th and will stay open until Oct 20th.   

For more information on the New Orleans Film Festival and Film Society, please visit www.NewOrleansFilmFestival.org or www.NewOrleansFilmSociety.org.

Sponsors for NOFF 2016 include Ace Hotel New Orleans, the City of New Orleans, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Cineverse, Deep South Studios, Hollywood Trucks, Second Line Stages, and Tectus Security Services.

This program is supported in part by a Community Arts Grant made possible by the City of New Orleans and administered by the Arts Council New Orleans.

ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS FILM SOCIETY

Since 1989, the New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) has engaged, educated and inspired through the art of film. This year marks the 27th anniversary of the New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF). NOFS hosts the French Film Festival and other special events designed to benefit local film audiences, artists and professionals. NOFS partners with local organizations to present monthly film series. NOFS reaches 32,000 people year-round through its programming. NOFS is a 501(c) (3) organization.