arts, books and music

‘King Ester’ honors Pre-Katrina New Orleans, normalizes marginalized voices

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The New Orleans Film Festival turned 30 this year, and their diversity in films and filmmakers is a point that they stress. This year, they screened “232 visionary, thought-provoking films that represent a wealth of perspectives,” 26% of which were Louisiana-made and 56% directed by people of color. One series based in Uptown New Orleans made its debut on the NOFF big screen and online simultaneously. “King Ester”—directed by Dui Jarrod and presented by Issa Rae’s ColorCreative production company—takes the viewer into the world of a black trans woman right before natural disaster. Filmed all over New Orleans and based in Pigeon Town (P-Town), the series is described as such:
“Ester is a trans woman struggling to find her path in New Orleans during the week before Hurricane Katrina. In the face of an evacuation order, she is forced to make a choice that will impact her future forever.”

arts, books and music

‘Spy Boy Dow,’ celebrating Black Masking Indians, premieres tonight at Film Festival

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Dow Michael Edwards — a lawyer from Uptown New Orleans who grew up loving the Black Masking Indian culture — is headed for a big screen debut in the short film “Spy Boy Dow.” The film directed by Carl Harrison Jr. follows Edwards’ suit-making process in preparation for Mardi Gras Day. This is Harrison’s second project to be accepted into the New Orleans Film Festival in three years, and it premieres at The Broad Theater tonight (Oct. 18). The birth of Spy Boy Dow
“The Spy Boy is first in the front… he is ahead looking for trouble.

arts, books and music

New Orleans Film Fest: Screenings at Prytania, prominence for Louisiana films

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The New Orleans Film Society kicks off the 30th New Orleans Film Festival at tonight (Oct. 16) with the Opening Night Film Marriage Story. Uptown’s Prytania Theater will screen over a dozen films, including Motherless Brooklyn, directed by and starring Edward Norton, and The Long Shadow, by Louisiana director Daniel Lafrentz. Shorts from the state and big-budget films are some festival highlights coming to the neighborhood this year. Of the 6,500 submissions from 104 countries, 232 “visionary, thought-provoking films that represent a wealth of perspectives” made it into the festival.

arts, books and music

New Orleans Film Festival to celebrate 30th anniversary

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The New Orleans Film Society is gearing up for the 30th annual New Orleans Film Festival to be held Oct. 16–23. All-Access Passes for the festival are now on summer pre-sale with up to a $100 discount at neworleansfilmfestival.org. Film and screenplay submissions for #NOFF2019 are open through June 21 via this link. The full film and event lineup will be announced in mid-August.

Festivals

Uptown Weekend: French Film Festival, ‘Vagina Monologues’

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During the last weekend before parades take over Uptown streets, there’s still plenty to do without leaving the neighborhood. To name a few: You can take in a French movie at the Prytania or a play at the Ashe Cultural Arts Center. French Film Festival

The 22nd New Orleans French Film Festival, one of the longest running foreign language festivals in the country, showcases contemporary and classic francophone Cinema for audiences of about 4,000 at the Prytania Theatre, 5339 Prytania St., the oldest single-screen movie house operating in Louisiana. Live music and lectures will accompany a curated selection of French, French language films and a program of short films.

Je ne parle pas Française, you say? Don’t worry; all films are screened with English subtitles.

events

Prytania Theatre to host 22nd annual New Orleans French Film Festival

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The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) announced that the 22nd annual New Orleans French Film Festival will be held from February 15 to 21, 2019, at the historical Prytania Theatre. Last year, the festival reached a record audience of about 4000 attendees, and NOFS expects the festival to grow even more next year. The 22nd French Film Festival will showcase excellence in contemporary and classic French-language cinema from France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland and other French-speaking countries and regions. Live music and lectures will accompany a curated selection of French and French language feature films and a program of short films. Prior to the opening night film, there will be a champagne toast for a dedicated audience of Francophiles, cinephiles, sponsors, and patrons at a private residence near Prytania Theatre. The 22nd French Film Festival passes are on Holiday Sale with a discounted price now until January 2.

arts, books and music

Film festival selection features Central City youth football team and combating violence-based trauma

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The A.L. Davis Park Panthers, its players, and their mental health are the points of focus for the 2018 New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF) selection, The Children of Central City. The 18-minute documentary—shot and directed by Emma Scott, based on the reporting of Jonathan Bullington and Richard A. Webster—shows the impact of the youth football program based in Central City New Orleans, and the violent environment its children must go through. Purpose
The premise of the film is as follows:
For the boys on the Davis Park team, it’s not a matter of if they’ve been exposed to violence– it’s how often. In their young lives, they’ve already attended funerals for slain family and friends, and stepped off school buses to the sight of flashing blue lights and yellow crime scene tape. They can tell the difference between fireworks and gunfire, and they know what to do when they hear the latter.

events

New Orleans Film Festival brings filmmakers to Prytania, O.C. Haley

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The Prytania Theatre and the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center and the Ashe Cultural Arts Center on O.C. Haley Boulevard are once again among the venues in the New Orleans Film Festival, which opens Thursday night and continues for the following week. More than 200 films will screen throughout the week around New Orleans, according to the festival website. Below, find some highlights at Uptown venues selected by the festival organizers:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12
Friday Spotlight Film – 1:30 p.m. Trash Dance (Dir. Andrew Garrison) Sometimes inspiration can be found in unexpected places. Choreographer Allison Orr finds beauty and grace in garbage trucks, and in the men and women who pick up our trash.

events

Watch the Oscars tonight with the New Orleans Film Society

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The New Orleans Film Society is hosting its annual Oscar party tonight at Prytania Theatre, complete with film trivia and a costume contest. Meanwhile, the society is also looking for supporters to help purchase a screen and projector for an outdoor film series. Details on both tonight’s party at the Prytania and the “Movies to Geaux” project are below, via email:

“And the Envelope Please…” NOFS Presents Awards Watch Party This Sunday at Prytania Theatre

Join the New Orleans Film Society as we watch the Academy Awards® at the Prytania Theatre (5339 Prytania Street) this Sunday during our annual Oscar Party! Walk the red carpet in your finest glam garb–or come dressed as a character from your favorite nominated film (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo anyone?