Wallace State hosting free film series beginning Oct. 19

Hanceville, AL — Wallace State Community College announces the return of the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers for the 2023-2024 season. Presented by South Arts and made possible through a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers connects independent filmmakers with communities throughout the South for screenings and conversations around stories, important topics, and the art of filmmaking. 

“We are excited to once again offer these films for free viewing for our students and the community,” said Kristen Holmes, Vice President for Students and Chief Marketing Officer at Wallace State. “Films screened in the past through the Southern Circuit have been entertaining and provided opportunities for discussions on a wide range of subjects.”  

All films are free and open to the public. They are an extension of Wallace State’s Burrow Museum offerings in conjunction with Wallace State Student Engagement.

The Only Doctor

The film series will begin on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 5:30 p.m. in the Burrow Center for the Fine and Performing Art. The first film is “The Only Doctor,” a documentary about Dr. Karen Kinsell, who for nearly 20 years has been the only physician in a southwest Georgia county and provides an unfiltered look at the status of rural healthcare in America.  

The film is about healthcare for economically disadvantaged people and touches on other issues like mental health, addiction, rural resources, inequality and mobility, said producer Anjanette Levert. Director Matthew Hashiguchi is scheduled to appear.  

View the movie trailer at: https://vimeo.com/338135749. 

 

Little Satchmo

The next film is “Little Satchmo” on Nov. 9. “Little Satchmo” tells the story of the daughter of Louis Armstrong why little has been known about her until now.   

Producer JC Guest and writer and director John Alexander are scheduled to appear at the screening, which will be held in the Bailey Center Auditorium at 5:30 p.m.  

View the movie trailer at: https://littlesatchmodoc.com/. 

Butterfly in the Sky

The next film in the series is “Butterfly in the Sky” on Feb. 15, 2024. The documentary tells the story of beloved PBS children’s series “Reading Rainbow,” it’s iconic host LeVar Burton and the challenges creators faced in cultivating a love of reading through television.  

“Butterfly in the Sky” will be screened in the Bailey Center Auditorium on March 14 at 5:30 p.m. Co-director and editor Bradford Thomason is scheduled to attend.  

See a clip from the movie at https://vimeo.com/724991207. 

Master of Light

On March 14, a screening of “Master of Light” will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Burrow Center for the Fine and Performing Arts.  

The Winner of the SXSW 2022 Documentary Feature Grand Jury Award, “Master of Light” highlights George Anthony Morton, a classical painter who spent 10 years in federal prison for dealing drugs. While incarcerated, he nurtured his craft and unique artistic ability. Since his release, he is doing everything he can to defy society’s unlevel playing field and tackle the white-dominant art world. Morton is scheduled to appear at the screening.  

View the movie trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dHJGCNQBlk. 

Hollow Tree

The final film in the series is “Hollow Tree” on April 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Betty Leeth Haynes Auditorium.  

“Hollow Tree” follows three teenagers coming of age in their sinking homeland of Louisiana. For the first time, they notice the Mississippi River’s engineering, stumps of cypress trees, and billowing smokestacks. Their different perspectives — as Indigenous, white, and Angolan young women — shape their story of the climate crisis.  

Director Kira Akerman is scheduled to attend. The film won a Jury Prize at its premiere at The New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF). It was selected for the Sundance Institute’s 2019 Talent Forum, The Climate Story Lab, and The Gotham Documentary Lab. 

View the movie trailer at https://vimeo.com/763398145.