Theatre Centre Becomes New Home of Chattanooga Film Festival

Chattanooga, Tenn. (February 6, 2018) – The Chattanooga Film Festival (CFF) is proud to announce opening night films ROCK STEADY ROW and SUMMER OF ’84, as well as its partnership with the Chattanooga Theatre Center (CTC) which will serve as hub of its 5th annual weekend of films, panels and workshops. This year’s CFF, slated for April 5 – 8, will also screen the world premiere of the highly anticipated documentary LIFE AFTER FLASH.

Put Mad Max, John Wick, The Warriors and even a bit of Animal House into a blender and then add BMX bikes and what you get probably still won’t be as much fun as ROCK STEADY ROW. Rad, funny, and a kinetically paced blast, this film perfectly sets the tone for CFF 2018. Director Trevor Stevens will be on hand to help kick things off.

If you fell in love at first watch with RKSS Films’ TURBO KID than you’ll get a sense of why CFF is so excited to share their follow up, SUMMER OF ’84. Centering around a group of young friends that spend their summer on a quest to prove that their neighbor is a serial killer, this film is for fans of everything from STRANGER THINGS to THE GOONIES, offering a lot to love with style and a bit more darkness than you might expect. Lucky for the CFF audience, RKSS Films, made up of François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell will be present to answer any burning questions.

CFF is honored to hold the world premiere screening of LIFE AFTER FLASH, an inspiring and moving feature documentary that celebrates what makes that Mike Hodges enduring classic FLASH GORDON so iconic with audiences to this day. This film takes a looks at the real man behind the heroic mask, Sam J. Jones, including his successes, his battles, and his ultimate struggle for redemption. Director Lisa Downs, along with star Sam J. Jones and producer Ashely Pugh, will be in attendance for this once in a lifetime screening.

“The Chattanooga Film Festival has quickly grown over the last four years,” says festival executive director Chris Dortch. “Last year was our biggest, and for our fifth anniversary we weren’t going to settle for anything less than our best, most insane year yet.”

Adding to the excitement of the opening night films and LIFE AFTER FLASH is CFF’s new partnership with the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. The 44,000 square foot premises that makes it fit for multiple events, the beautiful river view, and the organization’s role as a pioneer in the Chattanooga arts scene made it the perfect home for the festival’s fifth year. Dortch says, “Not only will CFF be holding the event in a place that feels like Chattanooga through and through, but we’ll also have the opportunity to creatively fill the entire building with film, education and movie related mischief.”

CTC executive director Todd Olson carries the same enthusiasm, elaborating, “The Chattanooga Theatre Centre becoming the new home of the Chattanooga Film Festival represents a win-win for all, especially the arts going community. Arts groups should hold hands for a greater good, and CTC is committed and ready to embrace such partnerships wherever we can find them.”

“For almost 100 years the Chattanooga Theatre Centre has provided programming that enriched the cultural, intellectual, and emotional development of all people in the greater Chattanooga area by providing high-quality theatrical experiences and creating opportunities for the community to engage in them. We are very excited to have the opportunity to welcome the Chattanooga Film Festival to the CTC.” adds CTC’s group sales and events manager Ric Morris.

Badges for CFF’s full weekend are now on sale at chattfilmfest.org. Individual tickets to films, workshops and events will be available closer to April. Volunteer sign up can also be found on the website. Corporate badge packages are available for purchase. For more information on these packages, please email Chris Dortch, Sr. at [email protected].

OFFICIAL FILM SYNOPSES:

ROCK STEADY ROW | Director Trevor Stevens

Rock Steady Row centers around a young college freshman who, after his bike is stolen, lands on a college campus and is compelled to take action against the reigning fraternities and ultimately the dean. | Trailer

Q&A with Trevor Stevens

SUMMER OF ’84 | Directors François Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell

After suspecting that their police officer neighbor is a serial killer, a group of teenage friends spend their summer spying on him and gathering evidence in, but as they get closer to discovering the truth, things get dangerous. | Trailer

Q&A with François Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell

LIFE AFTER FLASH | Director Lisa Downs

*WORLD PREMIERE

LIFE AFTER FLASH explores the life of Sam J Jones since his iconic performance as ‘Flash Gordon’ in the 1980 classic of the same name, and the aftermath of the young stars’ clash with one of Hollywood’s biggest legends, producer Dino De Laurentiis. 

Q&A with star Sam J. Jones, Lisa Downs, and producer Ashley Pugh

ABOUT THE CHATTANOOGA FILM FESTIVAL

The Chattanooga Film Festival loves everything about cinema: the films, filmmakers and audiences; the critics, collectors and curators; and most especially the popcorn. The first ever Chattanooga Film Festival was held in 2014, and has been quickly making a name for itself among film-lovers, filmmakers and the film industry. The festival’s record-breaking fourth year drew more than 12,000 people to its films, workshops and special events.

We share films and events that are unique, challenging, critically significant and a helluva lot of fun. Our ultimate goal is to remember, discover and cultivate cinema worthy of everyone’s love and respect. As always, CFF is proudly continuing its mission to “Respect Cinema,” in hopes of increasing film exhibition, education and production in the state of Tennessee.