Join Longleaf Film Festival for a special First Fridays at the Museum fund-raiser to help keep admission to Longleaf free. Before the Talkies: North Carolina’s Silent Films will feature a free evening of Tar Heel–made silent films—some entire length shorts; some excerpts of longer features—all hosted by author Frank Thompson, an expert on the state’s early film history.
As part of the Museum of History’s First Fridays program, lobby-level exhibits and the Museum Shop will be open, craft beer from Brüeprint Brewing Company in Apex will be available (free samples and pints for purchase, with proceeds going to Longleaf), and the food truck Lost Boys will be parked outside on Edenton Street. First Fridays at the Museum runs from 5 to 9 p.m. (beer available while supplies last; the Museum Shop closes at 8 p.m.).
Before the Talkies: North Carolina’s Silent Films
Friday, October 6, 6–7 p.m.
Longleaf’s night of silent film starts at 6 p.m. with a meet-and-greet opportunity and book-signing session with Thompson. Thompson’s background includes more than 40 books—including the Asheville Movies series and his forthcoming “North Carolina Silent Film: Rediscovering the Lost Era of Tar Heel Movies from the Blue Ridge to the Outer Banks”—as well as podcasts, commentaries, and writing, directing, producing, and acting. He now calls Asheville home and is an instructor at the Asheville School of Film. The film historian and author will be signing copies of Asheville Movies Volume I: The Silent Era.
Friday, October 6, 7–8:30 p.m.
The real fun starts in Daniels Auditorium at 7 p.m., with screenings of some of the earliest films ever made—and made here in North Carolina! Because many of the films have not yet been digitized, titles may (or may not) include
- The Gateway to the West (1924),
- The Masked Rider (1916), and
- Thunderbolts Of Fate (1919).
Follow our social media outlets for more definite titles. The evening will be hosted and narrated by Thompson.
Please, join us Friday evening, October 6, 2017, and celebrate the beginning of our state’s rich film history: 100+ years, 3,000+ films!
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