SCAD Savannah Film Festival: A Cinematic Celebration for Movie Lovers
Every year, movie lovers eagerly anticipate the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, a renowned cinematic celebration held in October. This festival has gained a reputation for its exceptional programming, featuring top Oscar qualifiers and providing a platform for studios to showcase their best films. Additionally, the festival brings industry talent to Georgia, allowing them to interact with students from the Savannah College of Art and Design and share valuable insights about careers in the film industry. Despite the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, the SCAD Savannah Film Festival has curated a lineup that is sure to captivate movie enthusiasts, starting on Saturday, October 21.
A Stellar Lineup of Award Contenders
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival recently unveiled its programming for the 2023 celebration, and it’s packed with leading Academy Award contenders. Among the highlights is Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece, Oppenheimer, which will be featured along with a special awards presentation honoring the film’s cinematographer, Hoyte Van Hoytema. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The festival will kick off with the highly anticipated drama Nyad, starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster. And it will conclude with Ava DuVernay’s Origin, a film that left a lasting impact on Corey Chichizola when he saw it at the Toronto International Film Festival, moving him to tears.
Paula Wallace, the President and Founder of SCAD, expressed her excitement about the upcoming festival, stating, “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.” She also highlighted a new addition to the festival, the backlot at Savannah Film Studios, which is the largest backlot at any university worldwide. This backlot offers a range of settings, from Savannah cityscapes to suburban neighborhoods, providing a paradise for local filmmakers and SCAD students alike.
Anticipated Movies Filmed in Savannah
This year’s SCAD Savannah Film Festival will feature several highly anticipated movies that were filmed in Savannah and the coastal Georgia area. One of the most notable films is Blitz Bazawule’s bold reimagination of the beloved classic, The Color Purple. This musical boasts a star-studded production team, including Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones. The cast, which includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, H.E.R., Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino in her film debut, has garnered significant acclaim.
In addition to The Color Purple, other films that have generated buzz include Emma Stone’s Poor Things, Bradley Cooper’s Maestro, Sophia Copolla’s Priscilla, Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, Michel Franco’s Memory, and Todd Haynes’s May December. One film that is already generating excitement is Dream Scenario starring Nicolas Cage, which is expected to be a must-see.
If you’re interested in attending the festival, tickets are currently available. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience this year’s incredible programming. Visit the festival’s website to secure your tickets and explore the full lineup.
