With just over two months until the Chattanooga Film Festival’s sixth installment, organizers have got some cat filled bags and are hankering to let a few of those cats out.
First up, the triumphant return of Everything Is Terrible. Every time they come to Chattanooga their show has sold out and folks have had to be turned away. Get ready to laugh, cry and stare directly into the abyss only to realize “OH SNAP, it’s staring back and it feels kinda nice.”
The film Creature from the Black Lagoon has long been near and dear to CFF executive director and lead programmer Chris Dortch II, but it turns out that there’s more to the story behind the film’s iconic monster and the talented woman who designed it. Not only will CFF present a special screening of Creature from the Black Lagoon, but will also host a presentation by author Mallory O’Meara, whose new book Lady from the Black Lagoon sheds light on the legacy of a forgotten and overlooked cinema hero.
As a teenager, Mallory O’Meara was thrilled to discover that one of her favorite movies, Creature from the Black Lagoon, featured a monster designed by a woman, Milicent Patrick. But for someone who should have been hailed as a pioneer in the genre, there was little information available. That’s because, as O’Meara soon discovered, Patrick’s contribution had been claimed by a jealous male colleague, her career had been cut short and she soon after had disappeared from film history. No one even knew if she was still alive.
As a young woman working in the horror film industry, O’Meara set out to right the wrong, and in the process discovered the full, fascinating story of an ambitious, artistic woman ahead of her time. Patrick’s contribution to special effects proved to be just the latest chapter in a remarkable, unconventional life, from her youth growing up in the shadow of Hearst Castle, to her career as one of Disney’s first female animators. And at last, O’Meara discovered what really happened to Patrick after The Creature’s success.
At last year’s festival they came, they saw and consumed enough whiskey that they are now a part of CFF’s extended family. Now bonded by blood, vomit, and love for spooky cinema, CFF has also announced the Shockwaves Podcast is back. Hosts Rob Galluzzo, Elric Kane, Ryan Turek, and Rebekah McKendry will return to record a live episode of their beloved podcast, and also bring their popular Dead Right Film Trivia Contest to CFF 2019!
If you haven’t noticed after five years of drunken script readings and whiskey-fueled hot wing eating contests, CFF loves fun almost as much it loves movies. This year, organizers are taking things to a whole new realm (literally y’all) with a special live Dungeons and Dragons game, made even more special with dungeon master C. Robert Cargill (Sinister, Doctor Strange) leading the way. The icing on this fantasy-filled cake? A special screening of the new Dungeons and Dragons documentary Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons. Dungeon master Cargill will also be on hand with co-host Brian Salisbury to present a live episode of their popular Junkfood Cinema Podcast, a shame-free celebration of cult cinema.
In addition to working on CFF 2019, festival organizers have revamped their funding page, announcing individual donor tiers with rewards ranging from naming a festival award, a private film screening at the CFF offices, a batch of fresh baked cookies, and even access to their annual filmmaker field trip. As a nonprofit, CFF aims yearly to make a cultural contribution to the Chattanooga community, bring key film industry folks to the city in hopes of increasing film production in the state of Tennessee and create internship and mentorship opportunities in film production. Details on tiers and rewards can be found HERE.
Badges for CFF 2019 are on sale now via chattfilmfest.org, with prices ranging from $40 - $200. Volunteer applications are open through February 28th and press who are looking to cover CFF this year can apply for a credential through the website as well.