KNOXVILLE, TN (September 17, 2024) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FILM FEST KNOX, taking place November 14–17, 2024 at the downtown Regal Riviera, announces the lineup of its second annual American Regional Cinema Competition: Bitterroot, Bob Trevino Likes It, Griffin in Summer, The World Drops Dead, and To Kill a Wolf. The Best Film winner will receive an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run, courtesy of Regal. Additional awards include Best Director and a Jury Prize.
The American Regional Cinema Competition is a showcase of the diversity of personal and ambitious filmmaking happening outside of the traditional industry capitals of Los Angeles and New York City.
The directors of the competition films—Vera Brunner-Sung, Tracie Laymon, Nicholas Colia, Brandon Colvin, and Kelsey Taylor—will be in attendance, along with additional cast and crew, who will introduce the films, participate in Q&As, and discuss the current state and future of regional cinema. Collectively, these filmmakers have screened at many of the world’s premiere festivals, including Sundance, South by Southwest, Tribeca, Rotterdam, Edinburgh, San Francisco, Indie Lisboa, and Melbourne.
Bitterroot (Dir. Vera Brunner-Sung)
92 minutes – Drama
Reeling from a failed marriage and in need of comfort and a new perspective, a middle-aged man takes care of his aging mother within the deceptively tranquil landscape of rural Montana. Shot in Missoula, Montana. 2024 Special Jury Mention Winner for Cinematography in a U.S. Feature and Nominee Founders Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature and at its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Starring Wa Yang, Qu Kue, and April Charlo.
Bob Trevino Likes It (Dir. Tracie Laymon)
102 minutes – Comedy, Drama
When lonely 20-something Lily Trevino accidentally befriends a stranger online who shares the same name as her own self-centered father, encouragement and support from this new Bob Trevino could change her life. Inspired by a true story. Shot in Louisville, Kentucky. 2024 Winner SXSW Grand Jury Award for Narrative Feature and Audience Award for Narrative Feature at the SXSW Film Festival. Starring Barbie Ferreira (Euphoria), John Leguizamo (John Wick, Moulin Rouge, Encanto), and French Stewart (3rd Rock from the Sun).
Griffin in Summer (Dir. Nicholas Colia)
90 minutes – Comedy
Fourteen-year-old Griffin Nafly is the most ambitious playwright of his generation. But once he meets handsome twenty-five-year-old handyman Brad, his life (and play) will never be the same. Shot in Richmond, Virginia. 2024 Winner Founders Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay for U.S. Narrative Feature, and Special Jury Mention for New Narrative Director Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. Starring Everett Blunck, Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men, Heavenly Creatures), and Owen Teague (NCIS: Los Angeles, It).
The World Drops Dead (Dir. Brandon Colvin)
71 minutes – Drama, Horror
Claire struggles to cope as the shock of her father's suicide ripples through her small Quaker community. Desperate to reunite with the only person who seemed to understand her, she reaches out to her father across the boundary of death. Shot in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Starring Yumna Jane, Sanam Erfani, and Larry Ratliff.
To Kill a Wolf (Dir. Kelsey Taylor)
92 minutes – Drama, Mystery
In a modern re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood, a social pariah discovers a teenage runaway in the Oregon Wilderness and does his best to help her find a way home. Shot in Rhododendron, Oregon. Starring Maddison Brown (Strangerland, Dynasty), Ivan Martin (Ozark, Suits), Michael Esper (Fallout, The Creator) and Kaitlin Doubleday (Catch Me If You Can, Empire).
Full Festival Passes and VIP Passes are NOW ON SALE. More details on FILM FEST KNOX can be found at FILMFESTKNOX.com. Additional ticket options alongside the full schedule will be announced closer to the festival. Follow FILM FEST KNOX on Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT REGAL
Regal, a subsidiary of the Cineworld Group, operates one of the largest and most geographically diverse theatre circuits in the United States, consisting of 5,774 screens in 425 theatres in 41 states along with the District of Columbia and Guam as of April 2024. We believe that the size, reach and quality of the company’s theatre circuit provides its patrons with a convenient and enjoyable moviegoing experience. We are committed to being “The Best Place to Watch a Movie!” Additional information is available on Regal’s website: REGmovies.com.
ABOUT THE PUBLIC CINEMA
The Public Cinema was created to share vital works of contemporary international and American cinema—works that might otherwise be unseen or overlooked by Knoxville audiences. Most of the films screened are discoveries from the festival circuit; many are Tennessee or regional premieres. Whatever is screened, the only agenda is to create a space for cinema as an art form and to promote discussion among discerning moviegoers. Additionally, The Public Cinema hosts a free monthly screening series in partnership with FILM FEST KNOX at the Regal Riviera. For more information visit publiccinema.org.
ABOUT THE VISIT KNOXVILLE FILM OFFICE
The Visit Knoxville Film Office serves to strengthen Knoxville’s economy through the promotion of the city as a premiere filming location. By attracting motion media companies to Knoxville through the marketing of its locations, accommodations, services, crew, and talent, the Film Office fosters the creation of jobs in the area, stimulates business opportunities, and generates exposure. Knoxville has four times been named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker. For more information visit filmknoxvilletn.com and follow on Facebook.
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Kristen Combs
Director of Communications
Visit Knoxville
865.342.9127 o
865.306.4341 c
kcombs@knoxville.org
