Residents along Scenic Highway 30A in the Florida Panhandle have new cause for celebration. The rich and stimulating world of independent film soon will be coming directly to them through a new partnership with the Florida State University Film School’s Torchlight Program.

The partnership was made possible thanks to more than $100,000 in philanthropic support provided by community leaders in Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach and Seaside, as well as the St. Joe Community Foundation.

The Torchlight Program, which was designed to give film students hands-on experience in the distribution and marketing of feature films, also includes in its mission the goal of creating a culture of cinema appreciation in Florida through community interaction. The program’s director, Paul Cohen, a veteran motion picture executive, producer and distributor, attends the best film festivals all over the world, seeking films that contribute significantly to the dialogue of independent cinema. He has shared some of his finds with the Tallahassee community over the past few years, often screening films before their national release.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to increase our sphere of influence in the state, and share some truly ground-breaking films with the very people who constitute their ideal audience, even if they aren’t living in a major metropolitan area,” Cohen said of the new initiative.

Starting in October and continuing for a full year, the Torchlight Program will screen exciting contemporary feature films in partner communities, and bring in guest filmmakers and cinema experts to talk about film. The idea was first hatched in a meeting that Frank Patterson, dean of The Film School, had with Robert Davis, Seaside’s founder and the father of the New Urbanism design movement, as well as leaders of the St. Joe Community Foundation.

“The goal was to find a way for the 30A communities to work together to bring cutting-edge art into their own backyards, and to help introduce this beautiful place in Florida to visitors from around the world,” Patterson said. “This is a really exciting initiative, and the Torchlight
Program, with its ever-growing roster of fabulous films, seems to fit the bill perfectly.”

Funding for the project came from the leadership of each community and the St. Joe Community Foundation. Jane McNabb, executive director of the foundation, said that “this fits perfectly with our mission to enrich the quality of life of the people who live, work and play in Northwest Florida. We’re proud to be involved.”

“From architecture to art to music to film to the live theater, the communities of 30A have always worked together to support and foster creativity,” added Jason Comer, town founder of Alys Beach. “We’re very excited to welcome FSU’s Torchlight Program into our growing town.”

Rosemary Beach will host the first screening on Saturday, Oct. 10. Jim Bagby, the town manager, said he was “thrilled to be partnering with our state’s nationally renowned film school and the neighboring communities. I’m looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership with our friends along 30A, Florida State and the Torchlight Program.”

The initiative also provides for the funding of writers-in-residence in the participating communities. Students enrolled in The Film School’s prestigious MFA writing program will work on their own plays and screenplays while also helping to coordinate the monthly screenings.

“We feel certain that we will one day see these writers find their way back to these very communities that helped launch their careers,” Patterson said.

CONTACT: Frank Patterson
(850) 980-5495
fpatterson@film.fsu.edu

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Our wonderful arts community continues to grow.......

what a treat. FSU Film School is the best

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"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

This is very exciting news!

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"My life has been a huge adventure, always. I like them bold, I'm done with creepy." - Seagrovegirl

thanks to Seaside & St Joe! and thanks to Alys Bch and Rosemary Bch!

Torchlight Film Series
October 10, 2009
7:45pm
St Augustine Green, Rosemary Beach

The rich and stimulating world of independent film will soon be coming directly to Rosemary Beach and other 30-A communities through a new partnership with the Florida State University Film School’s Torchlight Program. Starting in October and continuing for a full year, the Torchlight Film Series will screen exciting, contemporary feature films and bring in guest filmmakers and cinema experts to talk about film.

On-lawn seating. Sponsored in part by the Rosemary Beach Property Owners Association and the Rosemary Beach Foundation.

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Daily News article about the Torchlight Film Series

If you like independent films — and surprises — Florida State University is planning a treat for you.

In October, FSU’s film school will launch the Torchlight Film Series in the beachside communities along County Road 30A in South Walton.
The first screening is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Oct. 10 on the St. Augustine Green at Rosemary Beach. And that’s where the surprise comes in.

“They aren’t going to announce which film is showing,” says Kathy Kemp, Town Center marketing director for Rosemary Beach.
“You won’t know until that night. It’s a surprise. It will add excitement and help create buzz about the event.”

So there’s no misunderstanding, don’t go expecting child-friendly fare. Kemp says the movies are likely to be more adult oriented in theme and subject matter.

According to a press release, the Torchlight Program is designed to give film students hands-on experience in the distribution and marketing of feature films. It also strives to create a culture of cinema appreciation through community participation.

Director of the program is Paul Cohen, a veteran motion picture executive, producer and distributor, the release says. He attends film festivals all over the world looking for films that contribute in meaningful ways to independent cinema.

The local film series starts in October and will continue for a year. The idea for having it in South Walton originated during a meeting between Frank Patterson, dean of the film school, and Robert Davis, founder of Seaside, as well as leaders of the St. Joe Community Foundation.
Alys Beach is also involved.

Admission to the screenings is free and open to the public. Funding for the project came from each community and the St. Joe Community Foundation.

Guest filmmakers and other cinema experts will be brought in to speak about the movies shown.

You may find out much more about the FSU Film School online at film.fsu.edu. The Rosemary Beach Web site is rosemarybeach.com.

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Hope to see you all this weekend in Rosemary Beach!

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On the heels of the well-attended launch of the Torchlight Film Series on October 10th, Torchlight Program Director Paul Cohen announced today that residents in the 30-A corridor will have the opportunity in November to discover two more feature films that are as unique as they are compelling. Cohen plans also to present a collection of short films created by up-and-coming filmmakers who are highly regarded by film industry members.

The two feature films screening in November are more specialized in their content, and rely less on popular story conventions than the traditional fare available in local commercial movie theaters. The gripping subject matter and bold filmmaking techniques will afford South Walton County residents a rare opportunity to enjoy cutting-edge independent cinema at the same time that the films are running in theaters around the nation. Because both films were created for mature audiences, they will be screened indoors, thanks to the cooperation of the Seaside Repertory Theatre.

Borrowing from the tradition of early film festivals, The Torchlight Film Series keeps the title of each film a secret until moments before it is screened, allowing audiences to directly experience new entries into the dialogue of contemporary independent cinema. “I often reminisce about a time when audiences enjoyed the opportunity to truly discover a film, to viscerally engage in picture and sound the moment the projector lights up, unencumbered by studio hype,” said Paul Cohen, director of the Torchlight Program and an independent motion picture executive who has distributed a wide range of successful films. “The series is based on that sense of discovery.”

On November 14th at 7:30pm, Torchlight will present a 2009 Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated film that is receiving remarkable critical acclaim during its current national theatrical release. Based on a true story, this intriguing film is about murderous evil that is also human and comprehensible. The film stars some of Europe’s finest actors, who provide a peek into the horrors of vanity and self-delusion. (Please consider that the film is subtitled and contains full frontal nudity, strong language and violence.)

On November 21st at 7:30pm, Torchlight will present another nationally recognized film that is making international news. It is a chilling story of filmmakers who take great risks to capture visual collateral that reveals to its audience undeniable truths about previously denied events. The filmmakers and distributors of the film are allowing Florida State University’s Torchlight Program to screen this remarkable feature in the 30-A area to a limited audience during its current theatrical release. (Please consider that the film contains violence.)

Though admission is free, seating for both feature films is limited, on a first-come-first-serve basis. Tickets are required and must be picked up in advance from the Seaside Repertory Theatre. They will be available beginning Saturday, October 31st, from 4:00pm – 6:00pm, and again on Wednesday, November 4th, from 6:30 – 7:30pm. For ticket information, visit www.seasiderep.org, or call the box office at 850-231-0733.

On December 5th at 7:30pm, Cohen will present the “Torchlight Emerging Filmmakers Program” at the WaterColor Boat House that will include three short films created by new writers and directors whose work is regarded as exceptional by film industry professionals. Valerie Scoon, former Director of Development for Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Pictures, whose credits include The Great Debaters and Beloved, will join Cohen to moderate a discussion with the filmmakers after the screening. Ms. Scoon mentored all three filmmakers through the creative development process of their films. Admission is free.

At the launch of the series on the evening of October 10th everyone in the 30-A area had the opportunity to discover the feature film Adopt A Sailor, and to meet its writer-director, Charles Evered. Mr. Evered joined Paul Cohen and Tallahassee Democrat film critic, Mark Hinson, after the screening to discuss the film and to answer questions from the audience. “The enthusiastic, lively and provocative discussion following the launch inspired me to continue the discovery aspect in the film series,” said Cohen.

Created by The Torchlight Program at Florida State University’s Film School, The Torchlight Film Series screens contemporary feature films throughout the year to residents who live along Florida’s scenic highway 30-A, and brings in guest filmmakers and cinema experts to talk about film.

For more information about the series, visit: www.torchlightfilmseries.com.

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"Though admission is free, seating for both feature films is limited, on a first-come-first-serve basis. Tickets are required and must be picked up in advance from the Seaside Repertory Theatre. They will be available beginning Saturday, October 31st, from 4:00pm – 6:00pm, and again on Wednesday, November 4th, from 6:30 – 7:30pm. For ticket information, visit www.seasiderep.org, or call the box office at 850-231-0733."

Tickets for both evenings are aparently all gone already ... I went to the Rep on 11/4 and they had none left.

Yes, unfortunately, we sold in out in about an hour. However, there will be a waiting list opening up at 7pm on the evening of the event... we do expect there to be a bit more seating available on the night of the event.. .

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Seaside Rep Theatre
Located at 215 Quincy Circle
Box office: 231.0733
www.seasiderep.org

Saturday, November 21 @ 7:30pm

5pm SCREENING ADDED




Meeting Hall Theatre

HOW TO GET TICKETS

HOW TO GET TICKETS
While tickets to the 7:30 screening are sold out, the 5:00 tickets does have a few seats left. To pick up tickets, you must come to the Seaside Meeting Hall Theatre on Wednesday night, November 18, between 7:00pm and 7:30pm (prior to the staged reading) and get your reserved tickets. This is the only opportunity to get reserved seats, but signups for the waiting list will begin at 4:30pm on Saturday for the 5pm screening, and 7pm for the 7:30 screening. Signups will be outside the Meeting Hall Theatre.
Read below for more information on the screenings and the special guest!
Letter from the Director

Dear 30-A Community Members:
I am happy to announce an additional screening to our Saturday, November 21 event. In addition to the sold-out screening at 7pm, there will be a screening at 5pm, also at the Seaside Rep Theatre. Seating for the additional screening will be limited, on a first-come-first-serve basis. Tickets must be picked up in advance from the Seaside Repertory Theatre on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00pm. For ticket information, visit Seaside Repertory Theatre, or call the box office at 850-231-0733.
Also, I am thrilled to announce that I have arranged to have a very special guest join the community at both screenings. The director of the film – who is in the middle of a tour around the world with his internationally recognized movie – will attend the screenings and discuss with us his remarkable project. This is a do-not-miss opportunity for the community to engage in a relevant and compelling discussion with a filmmaker who took great risks to make an important film, one that reveals to the world truths previously denied. More information about the screenings can be found on The Torchlight Film Series website at The Torchlight Film Series - Cinema 30A.
After the screenings, Robert and Daryl Davis will join the Torchlight team in welcoming the director of the film in a reception to be held at 10pm at Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant, 2236 East County Road 30-A in Seaside. This will be a unique opportunity to meet the filmmaker and learn more about his most important cause. You are all welcome to join us for champagne and celebration.
Remember to keep an eye on our website for information about the series: The Torchlight Film Series - Cinema 30A
See you at the movies,
Paul Cohen
Director
The Torchlight Program
College of Motion Picture Arts
Florida State University
The Torchlight Film Series - Cinema 30A

Curious, is this an outdoor event?

G

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Gidget-
The venues change- last week and this week, the films are shown inside the Rep's Meeting Hall Theatre. Ticket info follows:

We have access to tickets - didn't know if Seaside Rep theater was outdoor theater - so it is indoor seating - sweet!

Thanks
G

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