Now in its 26th year, the SCAD Savannah Film Festival continues to train students to become the next generation of artisans.
Through careful programming, fest executive and artistic director Christina Routhier and her team have expanded their lineup. Says Routhier, “This year, we’ve added more directors, producers, casting directors and animation — [as well as] working on the 10 Artisans to Watch series.” She continues, “Our students are so eager to learn and to hear from all these differing voices in the film and TV industry. Their reaction and what they get out of it is probably the most rewarding part of my job.”
Among the films screening this year: Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron,” Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,” Ava DuVernay’s “Origin,” Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” and Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things.”The list of honorees includes: DuVernay, receiving the Virtu- oso Director Award; Emerald Fennell (“Saltburn”), who will be honored with the Spotlight Director Award; Hoyte van Hoytema (“Oppenheimer”) is receiving Variety’s Creative Impact in Cinematography Award; and Todd Haynes (“May December”) will receive the Outstanding Achievement in Directing. Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer will receive the Outstanding Achievement in Production Design honor for “Barbie.”
Yes, the festival is hosting Barbenheimer, Routhier confirms, “We are screening ‘Oppenheimer’ in 35mm, and we’re also screening ‘Barbie.’ We’re honoring the two production designers, Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer.”
Academy Award winning makeup artist Kazu Hiro will receive a Career Achievement Award. Routhier says his work as a sculpture artist should be exciting for the sculpture students, and this was another way to expand the festival and what it’s showcasing to students majoring in the sculpture degree program.
Todd Haynes’ “May December” will also screen at the fest. The film, starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, was shot on location in Savannah. Similarly, “Origin” and “The Color Purple” were also shot there. Routhier says the films utilized Savannah College of Art and Design proprieties and many students worked on the films.
Furthermore, the festival will coincide with the university’s opening of the new backlot at Savannah Film Studios. The 11-acre production hub includes a next-generation LED volume stage for virtual productions and new soundstages, among other features. It is the largest and most comprehensive university film studio complex in the nation.
Also new this year: the festival and Amazon MGM Studios have created a dedicated LGBTQ+ Short Film Competition. Amazon MGM Studios will donate $10,000 for the jury-awarded best overall film and $5,000 for an Audience Award. Films in the program are under 40 minutes in length and represent excellence in storytelling and execution in narrative or documentary formats, reflecting unique insight into LGBTQ+ themes, issues or ideas.
“The future of film lives at SCAD, where audiences can see next year’s Oscar winners at our SCAD Savannah Film Festival later this month, and where guests are treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the latest and greatest SCAD triumph: the new backlot at Savannah Film Studios, the largest at any university in the world,” said SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace. “From Savannah cityscapes, to a courthouse square and suburbs, the backlot is a paradise for filmmakers.