What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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March 5-11, 2023 What's up! 9 "Seeing people react so positively to it has been nothing short of magical. The film tackles some really weighty themes like the constant juggling act of balancing work and family, and the inner battles we all face as we try to confront our fears and flaws," he says. "To me, it's so important that these messages are heard, and every time I get to share the film with a new audience, I feel like I'm doing my part to spread a little bit of light and love in the world. It fills me with so much pride and happiness to know that something I created can make people feel that way." Mere's love of filmmaking started with his father. "When I was a little tyke, I dreamed of becoming a paleontologist — I was only 7 years old! But as I grew a bit older, I started making little dinosaur cartoons with my dear old dad. We'd use his fancy new video camera to bring my sketches to life, playing them back in fast forward to watch the magic unfold," Mere says. He was further inspired when "Jurassic Park" hit the big screen. "I knew then that I wanted to make movies more than anything else in the world," says the 30-year resident of Northwest Arkansas. Another family story with a sci-fi twist will be "Flight" by Tyler Horne. "I grew up in a little town just north of Hot Springs called Jessieville, which is in the middle of nowhere. So I'd say the main influence Arkansas has on me creatively is its natural mysteries and folklore. As a kid, I would hear a lot of 'ghost stories' about the woods, hills and rivers, and some of that folklore still resonates with me today," he says. His love of movie magic started at home with his twin brother and a camcorder his parents bought in the 1990s. "We had no idea what we were doing but quickly found out that my brother preferred to be in front of the camera, and I enjoyed operating it." His film, "Flight," deals with a boy who is struggling to come to terms with his parents' marital problems and must face his worst nightmare and make a choice that he never wanted to make. His brother plays the dad in the movie. "This film may be creepy to some, but it's really about family, how we all communicate the same feelings differently and facing your fears. If anyone is feeling trapped, scared, or misunderstood, you're not alone." See Filmmakers Page 38 Faq Arkansas Filmmakers' Showcase WHaT — Curated by Fayetteville Film Fest, the night will feature a showcase of films made in Arkansas by Arkansans and includes an eclectic mix of stories and formats. WHEN — 8 p.m. March 11 WHERE — Starr Theater at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville COST — $15 INFO— waltonartscenter.org FYI — Also showing are "For a Few Dollars Fewer" by Nick Loper of Siloam Springs, a Western about an amateur bandit who tries to make a name for himself after finding out his bounty is just $10; and Ethan Gueck's "Boppie," about a man's attempt to re-create some of his grandfather's memories to avoid grief. Ethan Gueck of Conway presents "Boppie," about a man's attempt to avoid the harsh realities of his grandpa's imminent death by recreating his memories. (courtesy Image) 5x5 Five Minutes, Five Questions Cassie Haley MONICA HOOPER NWA Democrat-Gazette Cassie Haley, executive director of Fayetteville Film Fest, answered a few quick questions about the Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase curated by the Fayetteville Film Fest at 8 p.m. March 11 at Walton Arts Center. Submissions for the Fayetteville Film Fest this fall are open until May 31 at fayetteville- filmfest.org. q. How did you find all of the talented arkansas-based filmmak- ers? A. The Fayetteville Film Fest is currently in its 15th year. We work very hard to serve our local film- makers by providing fee waivers as well as having an entire category of competition for films with an Arkansas connection. We've made a lot of strong connections over the years. We have also developed relationships with the University of Arkansas, John Brown Univer- sity and the University of Central Arkansas to provide internship opportunities on film sets and showcases for their films. q. are all of the stories based in arkansas? What types of films (mediums) will be shown? A. Out of this creative lineup, only a couple of them will reflect "Arkansas" as a location or setting. Although all of the films were created here, there are sci-fi, cross medium animation, old western, comedy, dark drama and documentary styles. q. What inspired Fayetteville Film Fest to do these smaller exhibitions throughout the year? A. We want to provide as many opportunities for filmmakers to showcase their work as possible. This helps them get feedback and keep creating within their craft. We also want as many opportunities to educate the local community about the art of filmmaking and how to support the talent here in the region and the state. q. What other events, screenings, etc. does the Fayetteville Film Fest have coming up this year — aside from the film festival in fall? A. We are co-hosting a screening with Arkansas Cinema Society of "House of Darkness" that was filmed here in Fayetteville in 2022 and produced in part by Rockhill Studios, a local studio here in Fayette- ville. We also have our technical director and founder of New Harvest Creative, Dan Robinson, hosting an event at the Fayetteville Public Library on March 23 on orchestrating and scoring for film. q. Is there anything else you'd like to mention about the arkansas Filmmakers' Showcase or Fayetteville Film Fest and Walton arts Center? A. The Fayetteville Film Festival sponsors an annual film prize compe- tition where the winner walks away with $2,000 to put toward their project and then screens the following year. FFF has also sponsored the Micheaux Award, which distributes funds annually to Arkansas filmmakers of color; and the Micheaux Film Labs, which facilitates year-round educational and networking opportunities to strengthen the Arkansas-based creative communities of color. Learn more at: fayettevillefilmfest.org. Cassie Haley is executive director of Fayetteville Film Fest. (courtesy photo)