• For the fourth consecutive year, MountainTrue will host the Asheville screening of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, this time on Tuesday, June 23, from 6:30-9 p.m., at Asheville Community Theatre.
One of the nation’s premiere environmental and adventure film festivals, the 2015 lineup features works juried by event founders the South Yuba River Citizens League showcasing films focused on “A Wild Life.” According to MountainTrue’s website, attendees “can expect themes of wildlife and nature, land preservation, water and fish conservation, energy and climate change and adventure with a purpose intermingled with charming, child-friendly short films.”
Screenings start at 7 p.m., and tickets are available online or by calling 254-1320. $15 general admission/$10 MountainTrue members or students with ID/free for children 10 and younger. avl.mx/prr3
• Members and fans of Asheville’s hip-hop community will gather Friday, June 19, at Timo’s House to celebrate the local music scene and the many films of Andrew Anderson (aka Double A).
According to the event’s Facebook page, Double A “has been helping Asheville artists put out high-quality music videos for quite some time now. From the groundbreaking video for Chachillie‘s ‘5150’ all the way to Hunter‘s brand-new visuals for ‘Musick,’ Double A’s touch has been a vital force in the way that music and art are presented in Asheville.”
The evening begins at 10 p.m. with a screening of “a special Double A edit,” followed at 11 p.m. by performances from local hip-hop artists Free The Optimus, Colston, Hunter, Martin Snoddy Music & Alpha Lee and SK, The Novelist. 21 and older, $5 cover. avl.mx/16n
• As part of Asheville’s Pollination Celebration! week, the Fine Arts Theatre presents a special screening of Wings of Life on Thursday, June 18, at 7 p.m. as a benefit for Bee City USA. The gorgeously photographed Disneynature documentary is directed by Louie Schwartzberg, who spent more than 30 years capturing the wonder of pollination. It’s narrated by Meryl Streep. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door. beecityusa.org/pollinator-week.html
• Florida State University film and theater student JT Timmons is bringing his Red Eye Productions team to Asheville, Gerton and Lake Lure from Aug. 8-18 to shoot a feature-length film based on a famous figure in local folklore.
Stinging Nettle is a loose telling of the “Siren of the French Broad,” about a woman who lurks the Western North Carolina river, seducing men with song and luring them to their deaths. The film’s story takes liberties with the legend by exploring the siren’s true purpose for killing.
Timmons’ family has owned a mountain house in Gerton for much of his life and both his interest in filmmaking and the name of his production company have roots in the Asheville area. As a child, Timmons’ father would tell him bedtime stories about a pair of red eyes visible in the woods at the edge of their property, tales that fostered a love of horror movies and inspired Timmons to shoot his first short film at the cabin. Red Eye Productions won the Audience Choice award at the Tally Shorts Film Fest in February for 10-minute low-budget thriller Dammit Sugar!
Send local film news to ae@mountainx.com
Edwin, Thanks for mentioning the screening of The Ridge at Asheville Community Theatre on June 23. This film about mountain biking up a ridge in Scotland was one of the most terrifying, beautiful, awesome films I have ever seen. I hope everyone can get a chance to see it on a big screen. You will never forget it.
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