THE DARK SIDE OF CLAYMATION: In this still from Tim Burton's stop-motion animated short 'Vincent,' a young boy expresses his macabre side while trying to emulate horror icon Vincent Price. Film historian Frank Thompson will screen and discuss the film on July 2.

Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on June 25, 2017June 23, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

Film historian Frank Thompson displays his versatility, Asheville School of Film teaches the unspoken rules of working on a movie set and more.

OLD-TIME TRADITION: Local filmmaker David Weintraub's new documentary, 'A Great American Tapestry,' delves into the multicultural roots of old-time music and dance, from early African and indigenous influences to present-day performers like Rhiannon Giddens, pictured.

New film explores the multicultural roots of traditional music and dance

Posted on June 19, 2017June 19, 2017 by Max Hunt

The film’s world premiere is set for Thursday, June 22, at Blue Ridge Community College. Subsequent screenings will take place at the Fine Arts Theatre on Thursday, June 29, and at White Horse Black Mountain on Friday, June 30.

COMPLICATED SMOKE: The Colstrip Power Plant in Montana, as featured in the documentary 'From the Ashes,' is pictured. Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina hosts free screenings of the environmental advocacy film.

Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on June 18, 2017June 15, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

Creation Care Alliance of WNC hosts two screenings of a new coal documentary, Transmission presents a film on transgender elder and activist Miss Major Griffin-Gracy and more.

Smart bets: 48 Hour Film Project

Posted on June 14, 2017June 6, 2017 by Emily Glaser

The public will get a chance to view the final films Tuesday, June 20. through Thursday, June 22, at Asheville Brewing Co.

Photo courtesy of E. M. Ball Collection, Special Collections, UNC Asheville

Film historian Frank Thompson uncovers Asheville’s storied movie past

Posted on June 12, 2017June 9, 2017 by Laurie Crosswell

Local movie expert Frank Thompson has resurrected a largely forgotten but important piece of Asheville history in his latest book, Asheville Movies, Volume 1: The Silent Era. “It’s definitely a subject that literally nobody has ever written about,” says Thompson. But Thompson’s book reveals a real tragedy – almost all of the dozens of movies […]

PROFESSIONAL HELP: Co-director Michael Galinsky, left, listens to Dr. John Sarno in a still from All the Rage. Galinsky will introduce his documentary — about Sarno's successful mind-body approach to treating chronic pain — at Grail Moviehouse.

Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on June 11, 2017June 8, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

The Grail screens a documentary on rehabilitation specialist Dr. John Sarno, registration closes for the 48 Hour Film Project and more.

DRESSED TO IMPRESS: Three gay Palestinian friends confront their national and sexual identities in modern-day Tel Aviv in this still from 'Oriented.' The 2015 documentary is the latest selection in the monthly Israeli Film Series.

Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on June 4, 2017May 31, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

A new online resource for the local independent filmmaking community debuts, June’s Israeli Film Series selection follows a trio of gay Palestinian friends and more.

TRAMPTASTIC: Charlie Chaplin deals with a disgruntled customer in this still from 'The Rink.' The 1916 short comedy is one of four that will be screened in the latest installment of Grail Moviehouse's Silent Sundays series.

Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on May 28, 2017May 25, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

The Grail’s Silent Sundays series highlights comedy shorts, FierceFlix holds a pair of fundraisers and more.

PADDLE PEOPLE: Charlotte, Isabel, Bill and Megan Torgerson pause for a snapshot on the French Broad River. Bill's documentary about their summer 2016 rafting adventures and the river's environmental concerns screens May 24, 27 and 28 at Grail Moviehouse.

Grail Moviehouse screens Torgerson family’s French Broad River documentary

Posted on May 22, 2017May 22, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

Bill Torgerson’s latest Asheville documentary is part family adventure, part environmental advocacy.

PLANTS' BEST FRIEND: Butterflies' vital role in nature will be celebrated throughout June as part of National Pollinator Month. The Collider kicks off the festivities with a screening of the documentary Wings of Life on May 30.

Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on May 21, 2017May 16, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

The Collider kicks off National Pollinator Month with a screening of Wings of Life, the Friends of the WNC Nature Center debut two promotional films and more.

RARE AIR: Women mountain bikers traverse challenging terrain in this still from The Sisterhood of Shred. Grail Moviehouse hosts three screenings of the documentary.

Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on May 14, 2017May 11, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

Grail Moviehouse hosts multiple screenings of a women’s mountain biking documentary, High Hampton Inn celebrates the Dirty Dancing remake and more.

FLAG DAY: Protesters take to the street in this still from 'Disturbing the Peace.' The documentary, about former combatants on both sides of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, will screen May 11.

Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on May 7, 2017May 3, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

Just Peace for Israel/Palestine’s Stories of Struggle, Conscience and Spirit film festival continues, UNCA students, faculty and alumni screen their collaborative film and more.

GET OUT: Last year, MountainTrue moved its Wild and Scenic Film Festival to Sierra Nevada, and attendance grew to about 300 people.

Conscious Party: Wild and Scenic Film Festival (SOLD OUT)

Posted on April 30, 2017April 28, 2017 by Kat McReynolds

The 10 environmentally-themed short films featured in MountainTrue’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival range from inspiring to educational. The event takes place at Sierra Nevada’s outdoor amphitheater on Thursday, May 4.

LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN: Buster Keaton stars as a man on a desperate quest for a bride in order to receive a $7 million inheritance in Seven Chances. The 1925 comedy screens May 7 at the Grail Moviehouse.

Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on April 30, 2017May 1, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

The Grail’s Silent Sundays series continues with a Buster Keaton comedy, Hickory Nut Gap Farm hosts a Family Movie Night and more.

MILLER TIME: Breanna Foister stars as Ferrari Thunderbird “Ferra” Taylor in The Girl From Carolina. The comedy-noir web series' second season debuts in its entirety on May 1.

Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on April 23, 2017April 19, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

The second season of The Girl From Carolina debuts online, YWCA of Asheville screens a documentary on women’s body image and more.

SHORT AND SWEET: Local artist Colette Russ films her adaptation of Cece Bell's El Deafo for the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. Russ' movie and 12 other local works will screen alongside favorites from around the country.

90-Second Newbery Film Festival makes its Asheville debut

Posted on April 17, 2017April 18, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

Local youth filmmakers’ brisk adaptations of award-winning children’s literature will be screened at Pack Library on Saturday, April 22.

TRULY COMEDIC: The cast of the Asheville-based web series When Fact Met Fiction goofs off after wrapping the show's first season. To help fund production of eight new episodes, the series' creators have launched an Indiegogo campaign.

Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on April 16, 2017April 14, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

The local web series When Fact Met Fiction seeks funding for its second season, Frank Thompson’s book on silent films shot in Asheville is published and more.