WUSSY Picks for the 42nd Atlanta Film Festival

Arts

Apr 12

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On April 13th, Y’allywood will again be home to an Academy Award-qualifying festival. The beginning of the 42nd annual Atlanta Film Festival is upon us! The amount of film production in the city has been steadily growing in the past few years, and this celebration of cinema will be just as large and exciting for Atlantans. This highly anticipated event expects over 25,000 attendees, 10 marquee screening events, 35 creative conference events, and more than nine special presentations between opening night and closing night on April 22nd.

The festival received a record 7,600 film submissions, and the final lineup for the festival has been narrowed to 58 feature-length films and 150 short films from 56 different countries. This year’s film festival will be the most diverse, by number of countries represented, and the largest, by number of films, in Atlanta history. There is more than plenty to do throughout this grand festival, so here’s some things to look out for while navigating these 10 days of film.

Once again, the Pink Peach Track is Atlanta Film Festival’s destination for films featuring LGBTQ narrative features, documentary features and short films. This year the four feature-length Pink Peach films include VENUS, ABU, MERMAIDS and the world premiere MAN MADE. This track will also include 17 short films and even a music video.

Do you enjoy shameless celebrity-spotting? Comedian and director Bo Burnham will be in attendance for the screening of his film EIGHTH GRADE at the closing night presentation.

A friend to the WUSSY Community, the Plaza Theatre will be a featured venue. This iconic theatre embraces the community spirit of Atlanta, and will be celebrated as home to several of the events and presentations during the festival. Other official venues include Dad’s Garage as well as new locations Hilan Theatre and the Rich Auditorium at the Woodruff Arts Center.

Check out some of WUSSY’s picks for must-see films this year --

Blindspotting

Friday, April 13, 2018, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre

Co-written by lifelong friends Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal, BLINDSPOTTING is a wildly entertaining story about friendship and the intersection of race and class set against the backdrop of Oakland. Both Diggs and Casal are scheduled to attend the screening, and Diggs will receive the inaugural ATLFF Innovator Award.

Miss Richfield 1981 “Born Again”

Thursday, April 19, 2018, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre

Logo Founder Matt Farber presents Miss Richfield 1981 "Born Again" at Plaza Theatre. In her all-new show, Miss Richfield 1981 is “Born Again” finding new religion to bring our divided world together. With all new songs, videos, and unique audience activities, Miss R brings all faiths together in 2018. Atheists welcome!

RBG

Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 6:30 PM — Plaza Theatre

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg has created a breathtaking legal legacy for women’s rights while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. The personal journey of this diminutive, quiet warrior’s rise to the nation’s highest court during a hostile time for women, is revealed in this inspiring and multidimensional portrait. Now 84, Ginsburg refuses to relinquish her passionate duty, continues to have vigorous dissenting opinions and her exercise workouts.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Saturday, April 21, 2018, 5:15 PM — Woodruff Arts Center: Rich Auditorium

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (“20 Feet from Stardom”), “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” takes an intimate look at America’s favorite neighbor: Mister Fred Rogers. A portrait of a man whom we all think we know, this emotional and moving film takes us beyond the zip-up cardigans and the land of make-believe, and into the heart of a creative genius who inspired generations of children with compassion and limitless imagination.

Tully

Sunday, April 15, 2018, 7:15 PM — Plaza Theatre

A new comedy from Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman (“Up in the Air”) and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody (“Juno”). Marlo (Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron), a mother of three including a newborn, is gifted a night nanny by her brother (Mark Duplass). Hesitant to the extravagance at first, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully (Mackenzie Davis).

If you’re a cinephile, want to participate in this city-wide event, or just looking for a excuse to eat a bunch of popcorn, don’t miss out on this year’s festivities! Tickets are available here. More information and festival updates are available on facebook, on twitter @AtlantaFilmFest #ATLFF, Instagram @AtlantaFilmFestival and their website here.

*Film descriptions as described on Atlanta Film Festival Website

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