BestFilmFests.com

2nd Annual
Asheville Film Festival Presented by
The Grove Park Resort & Spa
Nov. 4-7, 2004

Actress Andie MacDowell, Honorary Chairperson and resident of Asheville, was on hand for the 2nd annual Asheville Film Festival.

The 94 films screened at the festival included several world premieres, and numerous films produced in the state of North Carolina, competing in the categories of documentaries, feature length films, shorts and student films.

The Festival Film Judging Committee screened 240 films, up from 178 in 2003. Films were submitted from all over the United States and Canada, as well as from Israel, Iran, Australia, France and Germany. Of the submitted films, 49 came from North Carolina; 16 of them from Western North Carolina.

In addition to films, the festival sponsors educational seminars for filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers. Also, Pack Place hosted a technical show where film industry pros showcased the latest in film making technology. Apple Computer made the scene with their hottest gear, as did Kodak and a swarm of others.

Festival Highlights

Besides all the films entered to compete for prizes, the 2004 Asheville Film Festival included a number of major motion pictures that are not actually in competition.

These include:

Opening Night Film
Imaginary Heroes

Where the Lilies Bloom (1974)

Darkness

The Closest Thing to Heaven

Being Julia

Closing Night Film
Kinsey (2004)

Where the Lilies Bloom, filmed in Western North Carolina in 1974, screened on Friday in the Diana Wortham Theatre, followed by a question and answer session with cast members Rance Howard, Jan Smithers, Julie Gholson, Matthew Burril and Helen Harmon, along with producer Terry Nelson. A cocktail party followed the 30th anniversary screening of the film. ($20/person)

The Moog Movie, a documentary profiling keyboard synthesizer pioneer and Asheville resident Bob Moog, competed in the Film Festival. Director Hans Fjellestad attended the festival, which took place in the 50th anniversary year of Moog’s entry in the musical instrument business.

The feature film Killer Diller, is based on North Carolina novelist Clyde Edgerton's book. Directed by Tricia Brock, the film includes music by blues legend Taj Mahal and a score by Grammy-winner Keb' Mo.

After 56 years in the business, actor Rance Howard received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2004 Asheville Film Festival presented by The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa on Saturday, November 6.

Howard’s career spans five decades with many crowning achievements. From his seventh grade acting debut during Little Beaver School’s Christmas Program to the more recent blockbusters Spiderman, Independence Day and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Howard has shown versatility through his character acting roles.

 

 

 

Reviews

Full Frame Documentary Fest 2004

> Overview of the Festival (plus celebrity pix)

> Boxing Theme Films at Full Frame

> Reviews of the Winners

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Allan Maurer Reviews:

> The Control Room

> Startup.com

Correspondent Reviews:

> Music From the Inside Out

> Andy Warhol: Screen Tests

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Full Frame Documentary Fest 2003

>Divining Mom

>Bright Leaves by Ross McElwee

>The Blues

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The Nevermore Horror Fest 2004

>Bubba-Hotep

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Dragon*Con International Short Film Fes tival 2004

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Escapism Film Festival 2004

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Leaving LA: Two Actors Leave Hollywood for Charlotte, NC

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Links to more reviews...