The 2010 Jacksonville Film Festival comes Downtown this weekend for several screenings, some seminars and the festival’s signature soirees, the gala and awards ceremonies.
The lineup includes the world premieres of two locally produced documentaries. “The 904” details Jacksonville’s crime issues, particularly the murder rate, while “Thespians” tells the story of high school students who are striving for careers in show business.
Here’s the lineup of Downtown events:
Saturday
African-American Spotlight:
“Streetball” at 10 a.m.
“The Great Debaters” at 1 p.m.
“Children of God” at 5:30 p.m.
“Family Affair” at 7 p.m.
Ritz Theatre
“I Want So Much To Live”
Q&A with Filmmakers, Noon, Main Library Hicks Auditorium
A documentary film that tells the emotional and compelling story of the researchers, physicians, patients and breast cancer advocates whose personal sacrifice and professional commitment advanced a project from scientific curiosity to a potential lifesaving medicine.
The Kids’ Red Carpet
12:30 p.m. Florida Theatre
For the first time, young film buffs will walk the Red Carpet before a screening of the short “Love Bug” and a feature film for 8-12 year-olds.
Screenwriting Competition
1 p.m., Museum of Contemporary Art
The top five finalists in the festival’s annual screenwriting competition will pitch their ideas to judges Danny Strong, Jason Kliot, Jillian Stein, Khris Baxter, Jen Valenti and Lou Maggio. Moderated by Paul Cohen, director of the Torchlight program at Florida State University. At the Awards Ceremony Sunday afternoon, awards will be granted for Best Screenplay, 2nd place screenplay, 3rd place screenplay, Best Pitch Judges Award and Best Pitch Audience Award.
“The Fat Boy Chronicles”
Q&A with Director Jason Winn 3 p.m. Main Library Hicks Auditorium
Inspired by a true story, “The Fat Boy Chronicles” reveals the world that obese teens experience in the face of a thin-obsessed society. At age 14, 5-foot-5 Jimmy weighs 187 pounds. Outside the comfort of his family and church, life for Jimmy is a constant struggle. The cruel taunts of his classmates make going to school or playing sports a humiliating experience. Yet, he still manages to focus on his goals: to lose weight and win over the girl of his dreams.
“The 904” World Premiere and Q&A with Filmmakers
3:30 p.m.
Ritz Theatre
A one-hour documentary film of the real-life story of Jacksonville’s epidemic tide of violence. Shot in HD, “The 904” tells the stories of citizens impacted by violent crime, explores solutions and inspires action to fight the city’s persistent crime problems.
“Thespians” World Premiere and Q&A with Filmmakers & Cast
3:30 p.m. The Florida Theatre
Every performer starts somewhere and many of them started in their high-school thespian troupe. For kids in Florida that means possibly ending up performing on a stage for more than 7,000 other students who share their passion. The film is the story of four of those troupes as they embark on the journey of preparing for the largest high-school theatre festival in the world.
Red Carpet Arrival
7:30 p.m.
Followed by the Tribute Awards 8 p.m.
The Florida Theatre
Presentation of awards to Danny Strong (Renaissance Award) Jason Kliot and Joana Vicente (Producer Award), followed by a screening of “My Dad’s Six Wives” starring Tim Allen, Elisha Cuthbert, S. Epatha Merkerson, Andie MacDowell, Jenna Elfman, Jenna Dewan, Paz Vega, Chris Klein, Eric Christian Olsen and directed by Howard Gould. Producer Lou Maggio will be on hand for a Q&A to follow.
Sunday
“Phantom of the Opera”
3 p.m. Times-Union Center Jacoby Concert Hall
2010 Jacksonville Film Festival Awards Ceremony
5:30 p.m. The Florida Theatre
For the complete schedule and ticket information, visit www.jacksonvillefilmfestival.com