About
Now entering its 12th year, Indie Memphis utilizes Memphis' rich cultural history to serve as a connecting point for regional filmmakers from all corners of the country -- and provides a showcase for films celebrating Southern stories and storytelling. The festival builds bridges that inspire filmmakers and film lovers to collaborate and connect amongst the unique creative landscape that is the home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll.
While the city is perhaps best known for its musical heritage, the Memphis film scene has early roots in independent film that go back to Jim Jarmusch's MYSTERY TRAIN in 1988. Francis Ford Coppola, Milos Forman and Sydney Pollack and have all shot major features in Memphis – not to mention the city’s own Craig Brewer (HUSTLE & FLOW) and Ira Sachs (FORTY SHADES OF BLUE) who both swept Sundance in 2005, winning the Audience and Narrative Jury awards respectively.
The 2008 Indie Memphis Film Festival took place October 9-16 at Malco's Studio on the Square, a boutique theatre that provides an atmosphere of intimate accessibility in the heart of the historic Overton Square neighborhood in Midtown Memphis -- just a stone's throw away from numerous restaurants, bars and clubs.
In 2007, writer/director John Sayles and producer Maggie Renzi opened the Indie Memphis’ 10th annual festival with a special screening of their latest film, HONEYDRIPPER, with Gary Clark Jr. and Yaya DaCosta in attendance – along with a surprise appearance by Oscar-nominee Angela Bassett. Panelists and jurors included award-winning filmmakers and industry veterans, such as Ira Sachs (FORTY SHADES OF BLUE; MARRIED LIFE), Brian Gordon (Nashville Film Festival), and Neal Block & Jeff Reichert (Magnolia Pictures). Other past attendees and special guests have included Craig Brewer (HUSTLE AND FLOW; BLACK SNAKE MOAN), Joey Lauren Adams (COME EARLY MORNING), Albert Maysles (GREY GARDENS; GIMME SHELTER) and Bob Mondello (National Public Radio).
