The 2018 Oxford Film Festival (February 7-11) has announced the the addition of two films to its schedule, with Ted Geoghegan’s MOHAWK and Jake Mahaffy’s MIDWINTER joining the lineup, as well as the full details and participants of this year’s filmmaker panels. OFF also announced that the City of Oxford will issue an official proclamation naming February 5-11 “Oxford Film Festival Week” in celebration of the film festival’s 15th Anniversary.
Geoghegan’s MOHAWK is the latest film from the critically-acclaimed genre filmmaker (WE’RE STILL HERE). The film is set during the War of 1812, where a young Mohawk woman and her two lovers battle a squad of American soldiers hell-bent on revenge. The film stars Kaniehtiio Horn, Ezra Buzzington, Noah Segan, and past OFF Hoka honoree Robert Longstreet, and has made a mark at a number of genre film festivals, like Fantasia. Geoghegan is set to attend and participate in a Q&A following the screening.
Mahaffy’s MIDWINTER focuses on a pregnant woman, who returns to her family's empty cabin to spend time alone, only to find her estranged mother already there waiting for her. What begins as a tentative reunion on the shortest day of the year quickly turns dark. Memphis-based producer Adam Hohenberg will be in attendance and will take part in a Q&A after the film.
“As we ramp up for next week’s 15th Anniversary edition of the Oxford Film Festival, it’s exciting to add a couple very cool and provocative films, that also happen to feature female leads, to what was already a fantastic lineup,” said Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Melanie Addington. “In addition to that, I am personally thrilled with our filmmaker panels this year – the majority of which are free-to-the-public. They deal with topics foremost on the minds of aspiring filmmakers, and will also unflinchingly touch on some hot button socio-political issues facing everyone in the state of Mississippi, as well.”
The Oxford Film Festival’s Filmmaker Panels will be held at various locations: the Malco Panel Tent (MPT), the Gertrude Ford Center for the Performing Arts, and the Powerhouse Community Arts Center. All are made free as part of the OxFilm Society unless tied to a screening and then is included in price of movie ticket.
The subjects include:
Crowdfunding and People Power Workshop
(Sunday, February 11, 1:00PM-3:00PM, @ MPT)
We all know crowdfunding is a powerful tool for harnessing your audience and raising the funds needed to make your film… but how do you find and engage that crowd? Seed & Spark's Head of Education and Outreach Julie Keck will talk about authentic audience building, using social media to engage and activate your crowd, and effective communication techniques to use before, during and after a crowdfunding campaign in order to sustain long-term relationships with your awesome audience.
Film Discussion: I AM EVIDENCE
(Saturday, February 10, 11:30AM-12:30PM, @ MPT)
Following the screening of the hard-hitting HBO documentary about the nation’s incredible number of unprocessed rape kits, I AM EVIDENCE, Oxford Film Festival’s Head Programmer for Documentary Feaures, Mark Rabinowitz will moderate a panel which will include the film’s director, Trish Adlesic, Cuyahoga County Special Investigator Nicole DiSanto, a representative from the Oxford Police Department, and additional special guests.
SEEING IS BELIEVING: WOMEN DIRECT Female Filmmaker Discussion
(Friday, February 9, 10:30AM-12:30PM, Malco Screen 1)
An in-depth panel discussion with an impressive group of award-winning filmmakers following the film’s screening. Participants include: SEEING IS BELIEVING: WOMEN DIRECT director, and two-time Emmy winner (“All My Children”) Cady McClain, documentary director (THE LONG SHADOW, HEIST: WHO STOLE THE AMERICAN DREAM?) Frances Causey, documentary director (FOREVER ’B’, JUNK DREAMS) Skye Borgman, Experimental film director (LOVE SOLILOQUY: A VISUAL ALBUM, LETTERS FROM A TRANSIENT) Astin Rocks, Emmy Award winner Jill Salvino (BETWEEN THE SHADES, TAKING IT FOR GRANTED), Diane Cignoni (Ground Hero Film), and last year’s Lisa Blount Acting Award honoree, Victoria Negri (PARALYSIS, GOLD STAR)
How to Get Your Film Publicize
(Friday, February 9, 5:30PM-7:00PM, @ MPT)
Nationally known film and film festival publicists and film critics reveal the secrets of how to get their attention while on the film festival circuit. Moderated by CrookedMarquee.com’s Eric D. Snider, the informative panel will include the Commercial Appeal’s John Beifuss, Pajiba.com’s Kristy Puchko, Wildworks PR and Festworks.com’s John Wildman, RogerEbert.com’s Brian Tallerico, and Paste Magazine’s Mark Rabinowitz.
Lobaki Virtual Academy
(Friday, February 9, 11:00AM-5:00PM, @ MPT)
The VR Academy has been designed to provide students an immersive introduction to Virtual Reality and the tools and techniques used to create VR experiences. The exciting aspect of creating VR experiences is that not everyone has to have a computer science interest or be a coder. Festival participants will learn about the immersive effects of VR and learn more about the work that Lobaki Inc. is doing in Clarksdale, Mississippi to focus on economic development through Virtual Reality opportunities.
Queer Filmmaking
(Sunday, February 11, 3:30PM-4:30PM, @ MPT)
Attending filmmakers and actors from the LGBTQ juried competition will discuss the challenges, advantages of queer filmmaking as well as the state of LGBTQ cinema in today's climate. Moderated by Eric D. Snider, the panel will include: 2017 Lexus Short Films Competition finalist Lucas Omar, and Emmy Award winning commercial and film director Jill Salvino (BETWEEN THE SHADES).
The Role of Audio in Visual Storytelling
(Saturday, February 10, 1:15PM-3:15PM, @ MPT)
Bad sound can ruin a great film or make a great film a next-level experience. As filmmakers become more independent, quality audio becomes more important than ever. Re-Recording Mixers Jeffrey Reed (YA ALIBI, SHAKE ‘EM ON DOWN), Eric R. Fischer (“Pearl Jam Twenty”) and Kevin Houston (BLACK SNAKE MOAN) will offer insight into the process of the often-overlooked role of audio in visual storytelling. Eric D Snider will moderate the discussion.
Table Read of the Oxford Film Festival ScreenPlay Contest Winners
(Wednesday, February 7, 7:00PM, Powerhouse)
Presented with actors from Theater Oxford, John M. Tyson’s Grand Prize winning script, “Twirling at Ole Miss” will be read by: George Kehoe, Matt King, Josh Heylin, Jacob Hall, Faith Janicki, Monte Boga, Geoff Knight, Brian Whisenant, Elise Fyke, and Matt Gieseke. John Bateman’s Runner Up script, “Not Everything Was Burning” will be read by: Brian Whisenant, Mary Knight, Geoff Knight, George Kehoe, and Matt King.
Visual Effects Conversation with John Norris/Andre Leblanc
(Saturday, February 10, 4:00PM, @ MPT)
Eric D. Snider will moderate a deep dive discussion on visual effects in film today with celebrated
