Indie Memphis Film Festival

The South is not like anywhere else. According to longtime MM contributor Jason Mann, this fact has been recognized many times over in literature and music, but rarely in film. So the Indie Memphis Soul of Southern Film Festival was created to right that injustice, focusing on films that showcase that local flavor.

The fest accepts films in four categories: Narrative Feature, Narrative Short (less than 30 minutes), Documentary and Experimental/Animation. Films made in Shelby County, home of the Indie Memphis Film Festival, are eligible for a second set of awards, aptly called the Hometowner Awards.

But what does the South have to offer the moviemaking community at large? “The South has a great tradition of storytelling,” says Tracy Lauritzen Wright, executive director of Delta Axis, the organization behind Indie Memphis. “The rich history and culture of the region lend themselves to great imagery, music and stories. Indie Memphis seeks to introduce the national moviemaking community to a new generation of filmmakers who draw inspiration from the people and landscape of the South. We are particularly committed to the local community of filmmakers, and provide many Memphis filmmakers with their first screening opportunities,”

Think you’ve got what it takes to make it at this year’s event? The 2007 Indie Memphis Film Festival will run from October 19–25. The final deadline for submissions is July 16. For more information visit www.indiememphis.com.