The second annual film festival February 2023!

The Appalachian Theatre’s Second annual BOONE DOCS FILM FESTIVAL 2023 will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2023 @ 2PM.

The film festival will feature short-form documentary films celebrating life in the Appalachian region. Films will be screened, followed by brief filmmaker Q&A, with awards presented for “Judges’ Choice” and “People’s Choice”.

The inauguaral winners for 2022 were: Judges Choice Award was “Bright Morning Stars: The Johnsons of Hemphill” by director: Ethan Payne. The Audience Choice Award went to “Alchemy” by director Bridget Fitzgerald.

The festival is a collaborative project between the Appalachian Theatre and the Appalachian State University faculty with a shared goal of providing a creative platform for authentic stories about the beauty and complexity of Appalachian life and culture that extends beyond common stereotypes. Festival organizer Beth Davison said, “the stories in these documentaries showcase exciting new voices from a diverse range of mountain communities.”

In 2022, there were 11 short films by filmmakers from six different states were selected to screen at the festival.  Film submissions are currently being reviewed and the judging process is underway. The documentaries range from four to 24 minutes in duration and explore both the joy and the pain of life in these mountains. A wide range of topics from the serious issues impacting lives and communities today to stories exploring art and talent in the Appalachian region.  Mountain landscapes, music and art are woven through each film, allowing the beauty of the region to shine through.

 2022 Filmmaker and festival juror Anne Ward summarized the selections saying “I was so impressed with the quality of the work that was submitted. The films we selected offer a great representation of the visions and voices in the Appalachian region today.”