Nashville Film Festival Board of Directors Announces New Executive Committee and Three New Board Members

Nashville, Tenn. (April 11, 2025) — The Nashville Film Festival announces new appointments to their Board of Directors leadership and three new board members. In the organization’s April board meeting, Christopher Barkley of Bonsai Creative was appointed Board President while UTA agent Nick Barnes was appointed Board Vice President. 

Additionally, three Nashville business leaders were appointed to new board positions: music industry professional Anastasia Brown, business attorney Phillip Byron Jones (Evans, Jones & Reynolds, P.C.) and entertainment attorney Courtney Sabatini (Tennessee Entertainment Law).

“We are delighted with the outstanding additions to our leadership team and I couldn’t be more excited to work alongside Courtney, Phillip, and Anastasia—three brilliant professionals whose diverse talents will elevate the Nashville Film Festival to new heights,” said Christopher Barkley, president of the NashFilm board. “We’re building a team that’s not only skilled but also deeply committed to fostering creativity and community through the power of film.”

Anastasia Brown is a music supervisor, talent scout, music publisher, talent booker, entertainment consultant, columnist and author. As a music supervisor, Anastasia Brown has worked on major motion pictures, TV series, soundtracks and original songs which have received Oscar, Grammy, Emmy and Dove wins and nominations.

Phillip Byron Jones is a partner at Evans, Jones & Reynolds, P.C. handling business law and business litigation with an emphasis on contract disputes, corporate disputes, intellectual property, commercial construction project disputes and aviation law. 

Courtney Sabatini started her legal career in the film and television department of a boutique entertainment firm in Los Angeles, working with both Academy and Emmy Award winning and up-and-coming writers, directors, actors, and producers. In 2022, Courtney opened her own practice in Nashville where she continues to work closely with studios in Los Angeles, while also representing talent and production companies closer to home.

The current Nashville Film Festival Board of Directors also includes: Jessica Driver, Kelly Greene, Randall Foster, Bob Raines, Shanna Straussberg and Emily Walker. 

About Nashville Film Festival: Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally recognized nonprofit organization and cultural event presenting the best in world cinema, American independent films and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers. With Academy Award® qualifying status, the Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film.

In addition to producing one of the top film festivals in the country, NashFilm strengthens and enriches the local community year-round through unique programs, including film education screenings for public school students, a summer film camp for teens and free outdoor film screenings. 

Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States and will host its 56th festival from September 18-24, 2025.

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Nashville Film Festival Announces 55th Festival Film and Screenplay Competition Award Winners

Narrative film THE BLACK SEA earns Best Narrative Feature honors; Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie’s SUGARCANE wins Best Documentary

Nashville, Tenn. (September 23, 2024) — The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) today announced the 55th annual festival’s award winners, including best films in each category and the winning scripts in the organization’s esteemed screenplay competition. “THE BLACK SEA,” directed by Crystal Moselle and Derrick B. Harden, was namedBest Narrative Feature, while Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie’s “SUGARCANE” earned the Best Documentary Feature award; “SWAMP DOGG GETS HIS POOL PAINTED,’ directed by Isaac Gale and Ryan Olson, received Best Music Documentary honors, and Titus Kaphar’s “EXHIBITING FORGIVENESS” received the Best NewDirectors Feature. Additionally, in the shorts categories, “DREAMS LIKE PAPER BOATS,” directed by Samuel Suffren, was named Best Narrative Short, “SHOTPLAYER,” directed by Sam Shainberg, received the Best Documentary Short award and “WANDER TO WONDER,” directed by Nina Gantz, was named Best Animated Short.

Additionally, “A MAN CALLED HURT: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT,” directed by Jamison Stalworth and Alex Oliver, was awarded Best Tennessee Feature, and “FIRST NIGHT,” directed by Haneol Lee, received Best Tennessee Short. Screenplay Competition winners include: A.D. Smith’s “R.E.G.G.I.N.” named Best Drama Feature Script; Elizabeth Baquet’s “BASS CHAMPS” and Jason Kaleko’s “EDGEPLAY” earned Best Comedy and Best Horror Feature Script honors, respectively; the Best Tennessee Writer was awarded to Phillip Charles for “I AM;” and additional honors for scripts were awarded in categories including Best Short Script, Best Half Hour Pilot Script and Best Hour Pilot Script. Juries in each festival category named their best films for the 2024 Nashville Film Festival during an awards ceremony held at the Hilton Nashville Green Hills on Sunday, September 22. Winners of the Short Documentary, Short Narrative and Short Animation competitions qualify for Academy Award consideration. The complete list of film and script award winners can be found below.

“The festival has been an incredible journey of creativity and celebration leading up to the highly anticipated awards ceremony, and we’re excited to honor the winning films and visionary creators selected from over 150 outstanding entries at our 55th festival,” said Thelen. “For over 50 years, we’ve proudly supported the success of filmmakers, and we remain committed to fostering connections within Nashville and beyond, continuing to inspire and champion the creative community for years to come.”

“We are so proud to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the filmmakers and screenwriters at the 55th Nashville Film Festival,” said Jason Padgitt, executive director of NashFilm. “It’s inspiring to experience such a vibrant collection of people and stories that are shaping and enriching our city’s cultural landscape.”

The 55th Nashville Film Festival winners are as follows:

● Best Narrative Feature: THE BLACK SEA | Dir. Crystal Moselle, Derrick B. Harden

● Best Documentary Feature: SUGARCANE | Dir. Julian Brave NoiseCat, Emily Kassie

● Best Music Documentary Feature: SWAMP DOGGGETSHISPOOLPAINTED|Dir. Isaac Gale, Ryan Olson

● Best New Directors Feature: EXHIBITING FORGIVENESS | Dir. Titus Kaphar

● Best Tennessee Feature: A MAN CALLED HURT: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT | Dir. Jamison Stalworth, Alex Oliver

● Best Narrative Short: DREAMS LIKE PAPER BOATS | Dir. Samuel Suffren

● Best Documentary Short: SHOTPLAYER | Dir. Sam Shainberg

● Best Animated Short: WANDER TO WONDER | Dir. Nina Gantz

● Best’Edge’ Short: MAST-DEL | Dir. Maryam Tafakory

● Best Graveyard Shift Short: UNIVERSE 25 | Dir. David Tappan

● Best Tennessee Short: FIRST NIGHT | Dir. Haneol Lee

● Best Tennessee Student Short: WHAT SCARES A DINOSAUR | Dir. Tanner McAfee

● Best NextGen Student Short: DON’T YOU DARE FILM MENOW | Dir.CadeFeatherstone

● Best Music Video: CHAPPELL ROAN-CASUAL | Dir. Hadley Hillel

● Best Episodic: NEO-DOME | Created by Matt Pfeffer and Mark Pfeffer

The Nashville Film Festival Screenplay Competition winners are as follow:

● Best Drama Feature Script: R.E.G.G.I.N. | Written by A.D. Smith

● Best Comedy Feature Script: BASS CHAMPS | Written by Elizabeth Baquet

● Best Horror Feature Script: EDGEPLAY | Written by Jason Kaleko

● Best Genre Feature Script: THE MOST MARVELOUS MAN IN THE WORLD |Written by Khris Burton and Colin Scott

● Best Short Script: HOOD | Dir. Dante Desmond

● Best Half Hour Pilot Script: ANDI LAKE HAS THINGS TO DO | Written by Teri Elam

● Best Hour Pilot Script: DISPLACEMENT | Written by Toby Marks

● Best Tennessee Writer: I AM | Written by Phillip Charles

The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally recognized nonprofit organization and cultural event presenting the best in world cinema, American independent films and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers. With Academy Award® qualifying status, the Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States.

For more information on the 55th Nashville Film Festival winners, including Audience Award winners, click here:

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Nashville Film Festival Announces 2024 Full Slate and Programs, Including Official Selections and Special Presentations Featuring Netflix’s WILL & HARPER and National Geographic’s SUGARCANE, the Full Slate Includes Over 150 Titles in the 55th Festival from September 19- 25

The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm), a week-long celebration of film, music and culture, today announced its robust film program, including special presentations, official selections and more, for its 55th annual event, taking place from September 19–25, 2024 at venues throughout the city. This year’s festival features more than 150 films, including 44 feature-length films and more than 33 official selections making their U.S., North American and world premieres with the festival. The films selected join the previously announced opening night double-feature presentation of “DEVO” and “REBEL COUNTRY” and a closing night presentation of “THIS IS A FILM ABOUT THE BLACK KEYS.”

Following the special opening night double-feature screening on September 19, additional notable festival presentations include: Netflix’s “WILL & HARPER,” starring Will Ferrell and his close friend, Harper Steele who recently came out as a trans woman, as they take a road trip to process this new stage in their friendship and reintroduce Harper to the country she loves as her authentic self; Apple Original Films’ “THE LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN,”adocumentary produced by A24 and Malala Yousafzai through her production company Extracurricular, follows an extraordinary band of feisty grandmother warriors as they wage a spirited battle against vast oceanic threats; IFC Films’ “MEMOIR OF A SNAIL,” a stop-motion feature by Academy Award winning animator Adam Elliot, that follows a melancholic woman who hoards snails; “BOB TREVINO LIKES IT,” a film inspired by a true story when a woman bonds with a grieving man who shares the same name as her father; and “TO ALANDUNKNOWN”,thefilmwill have its US Premiere in Nashville following the Cannes Film Festival, in which a Palestinian refugee living on the fringes of society in Athens gets ripped off by a smuggler and sets out to seek revenge.

Additionally, Grammy® and Academy® Award winner Melissa Etheridge will attend an exclusive Q&A and screening for her docuseries, MELISSA ETHERIDGE: I’M NOT BROKEN, chronicling the singer-songwriter’s journey creating a new song inspired by five incarcerated women she meets in her Kansas hometown.This year will also have a special spotlight on US Indie Features which includes a horror film from Shudder titled “LITTLE BITES,” following a young mother who allows a nightmarish monster to slowly eat her alive in order to protect her daughter starring Krsy Fox, Jon Sklaroff and Elizabeth Phoenix Caro.

Featured in the festival’s additional programming is a comprehensive collection of documentary topics spanning from the lives of music legends to the exciting and daunting world of AI. The feature-length films selected for competition include: “ETERNAL YOU,” a film about AI-created avatars featuring the voices of passed loved ones; “A KING LIKE ME,” a feature on the first Black Mardi Gras parade troupe; “SUGARCANE,” a National Geographic investigation into abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school; “SWAMP DOGG GETS HIS POOL PAINTED,” which follows cult musician Swamp Dogg as he navigates the tumultuous waves of the music industry in Nashville and beyond, including inspiring sessions with artists like John Prine; and “THEY ALL CAME OUT TO MONTREUX,” adocuseries sharing the story of Claude Nobs and the Montreux Jazz Festival featuring incredible archival performances from Prince, Sting, Alicia Keys, Keith Richards and more legendary musicians.

Another highly-anticipated aspect of the festival includes the shorts and music video programs. This year’s music video programming will include screenings of pop sensation Chappell Roan’s “CASUAL” music video, directed by Hadley Hillel and rock band Sleater-Kinney’s “SAY IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT” video, directed by Carrie Brownstein. Other shorts programming includes: “TRAILER OF A FILM THAT WILL NEVER EXIST: PHONY WARS,” centered around surrealist artist and poet Charles Plisnier and directed by legendary filmmaker Jean-Luc Goddard as the last film he created before his passing; and “ILY, BYE”, directed by Taylor James, with a comedic cast featuring Megan Stalter, Kanoa Goo, Rainn Wilson, Benito Skinner, the film follows Siobhan, a quirky, socially anxious mess who can’t seem to keep a job.

Highlighting the diverse local talent in the Festival’s namesake, this year’s Tennessee program includes six feature films made in or connected to the state, including: “SESSION, IF A HOUSE BE DIVIDED,” which follows the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2024 as heightened tensions and party divisions spill into the national conversation; “BEAT DOWN,” the only narrative feature film of the Tennessee program, directed by the previous winner of the Tennessee program feature in 2023, Curren Sheldon; and “THE TENNESSEE 11,” focused on a group of 11 Tennessee citizens discussing legislative solutions to address gun rights and safety.

“In our 55th year, we’re proud to unveil an extraordinary lineup of groundbreaking films from both local and international talents,” said Jason Padgitt, Executive Director of NashFilm. “This year’s program powerfully encapsulates a compelling range of stories that celebrate the artistry and innovation in film and music, and we are thrilled to bring these experiences to the Nashville community.”

“I’m deeply proud of the exceptional diversity of films our programming team has curated this year and am eagerly anticipating the audience’s reactions,” said Lauren Thelen, Director of Programming. “From gripping local interest stories and pulse-quickening thrillers to heartfelt music documentaries and nostalgic reflections, our 2024 lineup pushes boundaries and promises unforgettable moments thanks to bold and limitless filmmakers.”

Each of the more than 150 films selected for this year’s Nashville Film Festival will screen in person at iconic cultural venues throughout the city over the course of the week. The full Nashville Film Festival program is below; film and event details, images and trailers are available online here. Tickets for the screenings go on salefor NashFilm badge holders beginning August 16 and for the general public on August 19. Tickets can be purchased online at www.nashvillefilmfestival.org.

Opening Night Presentation: DEVO (dir. Chris Smith)- In 1980, new wave band Devo scored a hit with “Whip It” and gained mainstream success with their message of societal “de-evolution,” formed in response to the 1970 Kent State shootings. REBEL COUNTRY(dir. Francis Whately)- A documentary showcasing how the tensions of race, class, poverty, gender, sexuality and creativity versus commerce and geography are still alive and kicking in the US today, and how today’s country artists are emblematic of a seismic shift that is happening in US country music.

Closing Night Presentation: THIS IS A FILM ABOUT THE BLACK KEYS (dir. Jeff Dupre)- An epic chronicle of the journey of The Black Keys, from their humble beginnings in Akron, Ohio, to their rise to rock stardom with hit albums “Brothers” and “El Camino.” It delves into the lesser-known tensions between Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, revealing the complex bond that has kept them together through decades of relentless touring and personal challenges.

Special Presentations: THE LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN (dir.SueKim)-A documentary produced by A24 and Malala Yousafzai through her production company Extracurricular, follows an extraordinary band of feisty grandmother warriors as they wage a spirited battle against vast oceanic threats. Often called real-life mermaids, the Haenyeo divers of South Korea are renowned for centuries of diving to harvest seafood for their livelihood. MELISSA ETHERIDGE: I’M NOT BROKEN (dir. Brian Morrow, Amy Scott)- A docuseries that chronicles the singer-songwriter’s journey creating a new song inspired by five incarcerated women she meets at the Topeka Correctional Facility in her Kansas hometown, exploring themes of redemption and human connection through music. MEMOIR OF A SNAIL(dir. Adam Elliot)- From IFC Films and Academy Award-winning animator Adam Elliot, the film follows Grace Pudel, a lonely misfit with an affinity for collecting ornamental snails and an intense love for books. When Grace is separated from her twin brother Gilbert, she falls into a spiral of anxiety and angst. Inspiration and hope emerge when she strikes up an enduring friendship with an elderly eccentric woman namedPinky. The film is a poignant, heartfelt, hilarious chronicle of the life of an outsider finding her confidence and silver linings amongst the clutter of everyday life. SABBATH QUEEN(dir. Sandi Simcha Dubowski)- A 39th-generation ex-Orthodox rabbi embarks on a remarkable 21-year personal journey, also embracing life as a drag queen. This will be a co-presentation with the Nashville Jewish Film Festival. WILL & HARPER(dir. Josh Greenbaum)- When Will Ferrell’s good friend of 30 years, Harper Steele comes out as a trans woman, the pair embark on a road trip to process this new stage in their friendship and reintroduce Harper to the country she loves as her authentic self.

Spotlight: US Indie Features Official Selections BANG BANG(dir. Vincent Grashaw)- Tim Blake Nelson stars as ‘Bang Bang’ Rozyski, an eccentric retired pugilist obsessed with rectifying the sins of his past.

GRIFFIN IN SUMMER(dir. Nicholas Colia)- When fourteen-year-old playwright Griffin Naffly strikes up a surprise summer friendship with handsome failed performance artist turned handyman Brad, his life (and play) will never be the same.

Spotlight: Horror/Thriller Official Selections HAZE (dir. Matthew Fifer)- A young journalist returns home to investigate the unsolved deaths at an abandoned psychiatric center. As he dances with the shadows of his past and a mysterious new man in his life, his family history and the town’s secrets begin to converge in this evocative psychological thriller. LITTLE BITES (dir. Spider One)- LITTLE BITES follows Mindy, a young widow and mother, who desperately tries to protect her daughter Alice from the grips of a fiendish, flesh-eating monster named Agyar. Mindy has been secretly sacrificing her own life by allowing the creature to slowly feast on her body as she keeps Alice hidden away at her grandmother’s home. PSYCHO KILLER (dir. Teddy Grennan)- A neo-noir thriller featuring Otto and Lex, a pair of star-crossed lovers, who do the right thing but make the wrong decision and it costs them everything.

Narrative Feature Official Selections: THE BLACK SEA(dir. Derrick B. Harden, Crystal Moselle)- A man journeys to a small Eastern European coastal town where he finds unexpected connections despite being the only Black person in the area. BOB TREVINO LIKES IT (dir. Tracie Laymon)- After searching for her estranged father online, a people-pleasing young womanunexpectedly forms a close bond with a grieving, childless man with the same name as her father on Facebook. Inspired by a true story. GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS (dir. Shuchi Talati)- Follows the journey of 16-year-old Mira, whose sexy, rebellious coming of age is disrupted by her young mother who never got to come of age herself. JAZZY (dir. Morissa Maltz)- JAZZY navigates the space between childhood and young adulthood. When her best friend moves away, Jazzy experiences both a sense of loss and her first inkling of independence. Starring Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone. TO A LAND UNKNOWN (dir.MadhiFliefel)- A Palestinian refugee living on the fringes of society in Athens gets ripped off by a smuggler and sets out to seek revenge. This will be the film’s US premiere following its screening at the Cannes Film Festival. UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE (dir. Matthew Rankin)- In a mysterious and surreal interzone somewhere between Tehran and Winnipeg, grade-schoolers Negin and Nazgol find a sum of money frozen in the winter ice and try to claim it. Meanwhile, Massoud leads a group of increasingly befuddled tourists through the monuments and historic sites of Winnipeg. Matthew quits his meaningless job in a Québecois government office and sets out upon an enigmatic journey to visit his mother.

Documentary Feature Official Selections DRIVER (dir. Nesa Azimi)- After losing everything, Desiree Wood gets a second lease on life as a long-haul truck driver alongside an irreverent group of all-women truckers. ETERNAL YOU (dir. Hans Block, Moritz Riesewieck)- Startups are beginning to use AI that allows people to talk with their loved ones after death. Exploring this deep human desire for immortality leads to unsettling consequences of commodification. HELEN AND THE BEAR (dir. Alix Blair)- A rebellious young woman marries a prominent Republican politician twenty-six years older than her. Decades later, anticipating his death, she wrestles with their marriage, her sexuality, and a life spent by his side.AKINGLIKE ME(dir. Matthew Henderson)- Follows members of the Zulu Club, and explores the history of New Orleans’ first Black Mardi Gras parade, as they work to bring King Zulu back to the streets after the COVID-19 pandemic. PORCELAIN WAR(dir. Brendan Bellomo, Slava Leontyev)- Under roaring fighter jets, Ukrainian artists Slava, Anya, and Andrey choose to stay and fight. Defiantly finding beauty amid destruction, they show that although it’s easy to make people afraid, it’s harder to destroy their passion for living. SUGARCANE(dir. Julian Brave NoiseCat, Emily Kassie)- An investigation into abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school sparks a reckoning on the nearby Sugarcane Reserve. THE STREAK (dir. Kelyn Ikegami)- The Salt Lake Trappers were an unaffiliated team at the lowest level of minor league baseball. By the end of their 1987 season, they had achieved the longest winning streak in the history of professional baseball. This is the remarkable story of the players who lived that magical, bittersweet season. WE CAN BE HEROES (dir. Carina Mia Wong, Alex Simmons)- A group of teens find belonging at a LARP (Live Action Roleplay) Camp, building a fantasy world facing climate disaster. Through roleplaying heroes facing the apocalypse, they find the strength to heal past trauma and emerge empowered in life.

Music Documentary Feature Official Selections ANY OTHER WAY: THE JACKIE SHANE STORY(dir. Michael Mabbott, Lucah Rosenberg-Lee)- Jackie Shane was one of music’s pioneering Black trans performers. On the edge of stardom, she disappeared. But why? ANY OTHER WAY reveals Jackie’s extraordinary journey in her own unmistakable voice. DIANE WARREN:RELENTLESS (dir. Bess Kargman)- An intimate look at the life, career and creative process of one of the most accomplished songwriters of all time, Diane Warren, who’s written hits for Cher, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce, among many others. LINDA PERRY: LET IT DIE HERE (dir. Don Hardy)- An intimate look at the life of Linda Perry, lead singer and primary songwriter of 4 Non Blondes’ iconic song “What’s Up?”, one of pop music’s major creative forces as a multi-faceted singer, songwriter and producer. SONGS FROM THE HOLE(dir. Contessa Gayles)- At 15, he took a life. Three days later, his brother’s life was taken. An incarcerated musician struggles for healing and peace in this documentary visual album composed behind bars. SWAMP DOGG GETS HIS POOL PAINTED (dir.Isaac Gale, Ryan Olson)- Cult musician Swamp Dogg and housemates Moogstar and Guitar Shorty have turned their suburban LA home into an artistic haven. They journey through the turbulent music business, forming a special friendship transcending eras. THEY ALL CAME OUT TO MONTREUX (dir.Oliver Murray)- The story of Claude Nobs and the Montreux Jazz Festival. Featuring incredible archival performances from Prince, Sting, Alicia Keys, Keith Richards and more legendary musicians.

New Directors Feature Official Selections BOYS GO TO JUPITER (dir. Julian Glander)- A teenager in suburban Florida desperately hustles to make $5,000 in this dreamy and surreal animated coming-of-age story. ENDLESS SUMMER SYNDROME(dir. Kaveh Daneshmand)- The mother of two adopted children’s sense of duty takes a macabre turn when she learns that her husband may be having an affair with one of their kids. EXHIBITING FORGIVENESS (dir. Titus Kaphar)- A Black artist on the path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a recovering addict desperate to reconcile. Together, they struggle and learn that forgetting might be a greater challenge than forgiving.THE FRENCH ITALIAN (dir. Rachel Wolther)- Neighbors prank each other, and the situation escalates comically amid the NYC apartment complex’s cutthroat politics, exploring the absurdity of conflict between residents. IN THE SUMMERS(dir. Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio)- On a journey that spans the formative years of their lives, two sisters navigate their loving but volatile father during their yearly summer visits to his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. YOURMONSTER(dir. Caroline Lindy)- After her life falls apart, soft-spoken actress Laura Franco finds her voice again when she meets a terrifying, yet weirdly charming Monster living in her closet. A romantic-comedy-horror film about falling in love with your inner rage.

Tennessee Feature Official Selections: BEAT DOWN (dir. Curren Sheldon)- A feature film about a down-on-his-luck schemer from a West Virginia boxing family who comes home to borrow money from his mother, a two-time world champion, and winds up fighting in a rowdy amateur boxing competition. CLONE COPS (dir. Danny Dones)- A gang of outlaws defend their hideout until they discover a shocking secret about who they are and what they’re up against. Now it’s a race against time as they look for a way to escape certain doom at the hands of the Clone Cops. THE DAY THE MUSIC STOPPED (dir. Patrick Sheehan)- A film examining the decade-long struggle of independent music venues and the creative class they support against developers and concert promoter Live Nation, depicted through the lens of Exit/In, one of the nation’s most historic independent music venues. LET THEM BE NAKED (dir. Jeff Garner)- An audacious exploration into the presence of toxic and often harmful chemicals in the fabrics and materials used in our everyday clothing. Since his mother’s death from breast cancer, designer and activist Jeff Garner has spearheaded a campaign to uncover the health implications of exposure to these chemicals and the urgent need for more ethical production of garments. A MAN CALLED HURT: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT (dir. Alex Oliver, Jamison Stalsworth) Featuring archival footage of Mississippi John Hurt and his extraordinary music career. SESSION, IF A HOUSE BE DIVIDED (dir. Andrew Baxt)- Follows the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2024 as heightened tensions and party divisions spill into the national conversation. From the hallways and hearing rooms, to the House gallery and floor, SESSION steps back to unravel the current American political process. THE TENNESSEE 11 (dir. Rod Blackhurst)- Focused on a group of 11 Tennessee citizens discussing legislative solutions to address gun rights and safety.

Short Film, Episodic and Music Video Selections are available at NashvilleFilmFestival.org in the Schedule and Film Guide.

The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally recognized nonprofit organization and cultural event presenting the best in world cinema, American independent films and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers. With Academy Award® qualifying status, the Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States and will host its 55th festival from September 19-25, 2024. For a glimpse of what to expect at this year’s event, view this video to see highlights from the 2023 festival. For more information, visit www.nashfilm.org.

For more information on the 55th Nashville Film Festival, please visit the official festival webpage here:

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GRAMMY®-nominated musician and composer to lead conversation on film scoring at Soho House Nashville, followed by screening and reception

The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm), a week-long celebration of film, music and culture, is thrilled to announce that GRAMMY®-nominated musician and composer Este Haim will be participating in an exclusive panel discussion on film scoring at this year’s 55th annual event. The panel, titled “In Conversation with Este Haim: Composing Music for Film and Television,” will take place at Soho House Nashville on September 21 at 4 p.m. and is only available to festival badge holders and Soho House members. 

Este Haim, known for her groundbreaking work with the band HAIM and her acclaimed compositions for film and television, will delve into the unique aspects of scoring for film. Haim, in collaboration with co-writer and co-composer Christopher Stracey, has an impressive portfolio of scoring projects, including the Netflix series “MAID,” the Sundance-acclaimed “Cha Cha Real Smooth” and “Suncoast,” along with her recent work on “You’re So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!”. Her ability to create evocative and memorable scores has solidified her reputation as a leading composer in the industry.

“We are very excited to welcome Este Haim to the Nashville Film Festival as she brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the art of film scoring,” said NashFilm Programming Director Lauren Thelen. “Her work has not only elevated the films she has been involved with but has also inspired a new generation of composers. We are honored to have her share her insights with our audience members.” 

The panel will be moderated by Alison Abbey Hudak, Editor-In-Chief of Modern Luxury Nashville. Previously Nashville Lifestyles’ editor, Hudak has worked in print and digital media for nearly two decades, covering music, TV, film and all things pop culture. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Us Weekly, Woman’s Day and Parade, for which she served as associate editor for four years. Following the panel, attendees will be invited to a reception at 5 p.m. prior to a special film screening. 

All three events are only available to VIP badge holders, and badges are on sale now for the 2024 Nashville Film Festival. For more information and to purchase passes, visit www.nashvillefilmfestival.org. The full slate of films and programs selected for the 55th Nashville Film Festival, as well as tickets for individual films and events, will be announced and on sale in mid-August. 

Members of the media interested in covering this impressive slate of films and the festival as a whole may apply for media accreditation online here. The deadline to apply is Monday, September 16, 2024. 

About the Nashville Film Festival

The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally recognized nonprofit organization and cultural event presenting the best in world cinema, American independent films and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers. With Academy Award® qualifying status, the Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States and will host its 55th festival from September 19-25, 2024. For a glimpse of what to expect at this year’s event, view this video to see highlights from the 2023 festival. For more information, visit www.nashfilm.org.

About Este Haim

Este Haim is a GRAMMY® nominated musician, composer, actor, and writer. In 2007, Este and her sisters, Danielle and Alana, founded HAIM, their all-female rock band in which Este sings as well as plays the bass. HAIM made history in 2021 as the first all-female rock group to be nominated for GRAMMY® Album of The Year with their third album, “Women In Music Pt. III. ”Throughout her music career, Este has collaborated with many artists including Kid Cudi, CharliXCX, Thundercat, and Taylor Swift.

In 2021, Este scored the critically acclaimed Netflix limited series, “MAID,” starring Margaret Qualley. She also completed the score for her first feature film, “Cha Cha Real Smooth,” starring Dakota Johnson, alongside her composing partner Christopher Stracey. The film premiered to acclaim at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival winning the US Dramatic Audience Choice Award and a Grand Jury Prize nomination. In 2023, she was the Executive Music Producer and Song Producer for the Disney+ series “A Small Light” where she collaborated with artists like Sharon Van Etten, Orville Peck, King Princess, Moses Sumney, Kamasi Washington, and her sister Danielle Haim. Recently she scored Netflix’s “You’re SO Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah!,” with co-composer Amanda Yamate, and Searchlight Pictures’ “Suncoast,” again with Christopher Stracey.

Additionally, Este made her feature film debut as an actress in Paul Thomas Anderson’s, “LICORICE PIZZA,” and will next appear in “Shell” as Lydia opposite Elizabeth Moss and Kate Hudson.

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