Sundance, Providence and now Norcross is on the map for hosting its first film festival. According to Tixie Fowler, downtown and PR manager for the city announced a great event is to be presented by the Norcross Arts Alliance.
An opportunity for local, independent filmmakers is being introduced in Historic Norcross, a community known as one of Gwinnett’s top hubs for art and cultural variety. The Filmmaker’s Showcase, hosted by the Norcross Arts Alliance (NAA) is a free event scheduled for Saturday, January 22, from 7p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center (NCACC) at 10 College Street. This showcase features work produced by several filmmakers who produce throughout the Atlanta area and call Norcross “home,” in some cases because they are literally residents of the city, as well as business-based in the area.
Residents Suzan Satterfield and Allen Facemire are veterans in the film-making business as owners of SaltRun Productions. Since 1989, they have reportedly been pursuing television projects with “great storytelling angles, larger-than-life characters, and the potential to open viewers’ minds and hearts to new ideas.” They have produced several TV series, including the long-running HGTV series “Ground Breakers” and “Fresh from the Orchard” and “Mega Dens,” which both air on the DIY Network. At Norcross’ Filmmaker’s Showcase, the team will tell a little-known story about the famous Atlanta restaurant, Herren’s. According to Ms. Satterfield, “Few people know now that Herren’s Restaurant was at the epicenter of Atlanta integration. Herren’s tells the story of Atlanta’s boom, decline, and rise from the ashes through the personal experience of Ed and Jane Negri, and the Sheltons, who were the first African American families to integrate the restaurant. It’s a simple story of sweet rolls and hard decisions.”
Another veteran, Emmy-award winning David Duke ofLivingstories.tv, will present Remembering Miz Jones, the poetic story of a strange old woman living alone in a mountain holler, and the 10-year-old city boy whose life is transformed by knowing her. According to Duke, “We all share the essential things: love of family, courage in adversity, sustaining faith, and hope for the future. This film is a window into the heart and mind of someone we may never meet, but would love to know. I believe storytelling can change the world.” Much of Duke’s work centers on inspirational films that address human and spiritual causes. He produces films for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Georgia Conservancy, Columbia Theological Seminary, the Arthur Blank Foundation, and many others. David’s film Summer Hill is currently running on national public television.
Fairly new on Atlanta’s filmmaking scene and also presenting work at Norcross’ Filmmaker’s Showcase are producers John Duke, Kris Valeriano and Daniel Flaherty. Duke recently completed a master’s degree in Cinema Studies at NYU. A writer, director, video editor, and musician, Duke co-wrote Atlanta: Day One, directed and edited the film, and composed the sound track. Valeriano, who holds a Creative Writing degree from Emory University, co-wrote the film and is its sole actor. Atlanta: Day One is an audio-visual journey through a post-apocalyptic Atlanta. According to Duke, “Each viewer must decide: Have these events happened in actual time and space, or are they a vivid rendering of the internal experience of one young man?”
Flaherty, a recent graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, will present his new film Water of Life, a story of finding hope in the midst of chaos, which he wrote, shot, and directed. Flaherty is also a musician, and for “Water of Life,” he composed and performed the soundtrack on solo violin.
Each of the filmmakers will be on hand at the showcase to answer questions about their work and engage in audience discussion about the topics. The Norcross Arts Alliance is proud to be introducing these talented filmmakers, and anticipates continuing these showcases as a regular feature of the Norcross arts community. According to NAA Chairman, Charlie Riehm, “The NAA’s goal is to utilize the creative outlets and energy Norcross offers to promote a diversity of art forms, including performing arts, fine arts, filmmaking and any other expression that is unique and creative. We’re very pleased with the diversity of stories being shared in this first showcase, as well as the quality of the work. Hopefully, it is the beginning of an ongoing and stimulating film experience here in Norcross. ”
For more information about this showcase and other events in the City of Norcross, please visit www.aplacetoimagine.com. For more information about the Norcross Arts Alliance and opportunities to support that organization’s efforts, visit their website at www.norcrossartsalliance.org
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