Current News + Events
The Independent Weekly Recognizes Mountain Top Removal
The Independent Weekly has named Mountain Top Removal director, Mike O'Connell the winner of one of the 2008 Arts Indies awards in honor of his work in the documentary field.
Upcoming Screenings of Mountain Top Removal:
July 10 Nashville, Tennessee. Screening at the Basement Nightclub in Nashville. Director Michael O'Connell will be in attendance along with special guests from Nashville for post screening discussion.
July 21 Engineering Earth International Conference Lexington, Kentucky. Sponsored by the University of Kentucky Geography Department. The screening is free and starts at 7pm at the Hilton on the Green Hotel in Lexington. Director Michael O'Connell in attendance for post screening discussion.
July 31 at 5pm Woods Hole Film Festival Woods Hole Massachusetts, Redfield Auditorium. Executive producer Gill Holland will be in attendance at the festival as a film maker in Residence.
Sept 25 University of Notre Dame National Energy Conference. Director Michael O'Connell in attendance for post screening discussion and filmmaking workshop with Notre Dame film students.
SDF's Newest Fiscally Sponsored Project
SDF has accepted another new project for fiscal sponsorship, BROTHER TOWNS/PUEBLOS HERMANOS, by Project Director Charlie Thompson. The project tells the story of two communities, one in Florida where Guatemalan immigrants have arrived in great numbers, as well as the Guatemalan town that sends these new immigrants. By painting intimate portraits, the film will reveal who the immigrants are, why they come, what their dreams hold, and what the immigrants and their host communities can do about the challenging issue of the merging of cultures.
Bending Space: Georges Rousse and the Durham Project Upcoming Festival Screenings
June 14, 2008 DeadCENTER Film Festival 5pm IAO Gallery, Oklahoma City
July 2008 (date/time tba) Woods Hole Film Festival
Love Lived On Death Row Coming to a Screen Near You
Love Lived on Death Row will screen Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 1:30 pm following NC Coalition for a Moratorium press conference at 1:00 pm. This screening takes place at the Raleigh NC Legislative Building in the Legislative Auditorium.
A panel discussion will follow the screening. Scheduled panelists to attend: Attorneys Henderson Hill & Russell Sizemore; UNC Professor Deborah Weissman; Filmmaker Linda Booker; Members of Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation
SDF Sponsored Films Sweep Best Documentary Category
Congratulations to director Rebecca Cerese whose film Change Comes Knocking- The Story of the NC Fund won first place for Best Documentary at the Appalachian Film Festival, which was held last week in Huntington, West Virginia click here for more details.
Further congratulations to Mike O'Connell, director of Mountain Top Removal , for a second place win in the documentary category.
Rex Miller's film SOMAY KU: A Uganda Tennis Story won best documentary at the Malibu Film Festival. To read more about Miller click here.
These films are screenings locally and around the world.Change Comes Knocking will screen as part of the Southern Docs Screening Series, May 1, 2008 at the Durham Arts Council at 7:30. Tickets are $5 at the Door. A panel discussion will take palace after the film with director Rebecca Cerese and two Durham community Activists, Ann Atwater and Mary Martin.
Mountain Top Removal will screen at the Athens International Film and Video Festival- April 26 2008, Athens Ohio and The
5th Annual Green Film Festival- May 22 through 27 2008, Seoul South Korea
SOMAY KU: A Uganda Tennis Story will air on the Tennis Channel beginning this fall.
Southern Documentary Fund Presents — Southern Docs Screening Series
We're excited to announce our new ongoing screening series at the Durham Arts Council (DAC). We will be spotlighting completed SDF works and giving directors and audiences a chance to connect.
All shows begin at 7:30 pm at the DAC's PSI Theater click here for DAC website and location details. Admission is FREE for SDF members and project directors. General admission is $5 per person. Interested in free admission? Check out the benefits of SDF memberships click here.
Screening Schedule:
Friday, April 11, 2008 — Durham: A Self-Portrait
Director Steven Channing will be in attendance
Thursday, May 1, 2008 — Change Comes Knocking: The North Carolina Fund
Director Rebecca Cerese will be in attendance
Friday, June 6, 2008 — Down in the Hollow
Director Peden Young will be in attendance
For more information or to purchase tickets in advance please call SDF at 919-308-3714. Tickets to each screening are sold on a first come basis.
Mountain Top Removal Wins Al Gore Award
Mountain Top Removal has received the Reel Current Award selected and presented by Al Gore at this years Nashville Film Festival. This award is given to a documentary with extensive insight into a social or environmental issue. To read more about this award Click Here. Mountain Top Removal has also been selected for a premiere at New York's Lincoln Center. The event will take place on Earth Day, April 22, 2009.