Two days of celebrating “Film, Fun, and Community!”—see for yourself, and plan to be a part of it next year . . .
All photos ⒸNorth Carolina Museum of History.
#Free popcorn might be an initial draw, but a day of stories shown through independent film on three screens is the main attraction!
Daniels Auditorium in the Museum of History is our largest screen and the setting for Saturday’s awards ceremony.
A small group of “Longleafers” gathers outside Daniels Auditorium between film blocks, for concessions, directions—and some critiquing?
Popcorn, candy, and soda. Oh, and films! Proceeds benefit the festival.
Individuals associated with relevant films gather to answer questions from audience members during short discussion sessions that end each film block.
Randy Lewis, The Last Barn Dance, responds during a Q&A/discussion session at the end of his film block.
Longleaf Film Festival fans are happy film fans! Or so it would seem from a glance at this audience in the museum’s Daniels Auditorium—the main screening room for Longleaf Film Festival.
Actor Eric Hartley (with beard), from Son of Clowns, and some friends wait for another film block to begin.
Leah Welsh, one of many extraordinary volunteers for Longleaf, offers assistance with the BIG program.
Robby Goodman, 1978 junior winner of the National Hollerin’ Contest in Spivey’s Corner (Sampson County), and Camille Hunt, registrar at the Museum of History, enjoy the Friday night reception for filmmakers.
Jason Hutchens, Voices of the Lumbee, mingles at the filmmakers’ reception.
Yearning to holler? Robby Goodman, The National Hollerin’ Contest at Spivey’s Corner, and Camille Hunt, registrar at the Museum of History, are flanked by Longleaf workers Stephen Evans (left) and Cassandra Bennett (right).
Museum staffer Cassandra Bennett introduces filmmaker and actor Estes Tarver, who led the festival’s free “Acting for the Director” workshop.
Filmmaker and actor Estes Tarver asks if any directors in the room want to audition. They did not.
Filmmaker/actor Estes Tarver shared how experiences acting on television and stage can benefit directors in their efforts during the festival’s free “Acting for the Director” workshop.
Thomas Varnum (left), entertainment and intellectual property attorney with Brooks Pierce in Wilmington, and filmmaker Vernon Rudolph led “How to Get to Distribution”—the festival’s first-ever lunch-n-learn panel discussion for filmmakers.
Vernon Rudolph (far right), one of two presenters in the “How to Get to Distribution” lunch-n-learn panel, is a filmmaker and director who knows the distribution process firsthand. He and attorney Thomas Varnum both contributed suggestions for helping producers and directors work through the entire filmmaking-to-distribution process.
Many valuable lessons came out of the workshop and the lunch-n-learn panel—at least for one attendee.
A crowd slowly gathers for the Longleaf Film Festival’s annual filmmakers’ reception.
Film, Fun, and Community—the Friday evening reception allows filmmakers from across the state to share lessons, stories, dreams, and plans.
An array of posters from Longleaf’s official selections provides suitable decor in the Museum of History’s Demonstration Gallery, site of the Friday afternoon filmmakers’ reception.
A group of high school filmmakers enjoys the Friday night reception in the Museum of History lobby. The reception followed an afternoon of two film blocks in Daniels Auditorium.
Bits and pieces of the museum’s Starring North Carolina! exhibit, which gave rise to the Longleaf Film Festival in 2014–2015, made appearances as props for the second annual celebration of film.
Marsha Gordon (center), one of three Longleaf Film Festival judges, enjoys visiting with filmmakers who attended the private reception.
Filmmaker and panelist Vernon Rudolph no doubt talked a lot of shop—even at the festival reception.
Bob Celli, Figs for Italo, and the inimitable Charlie share a moment during the filmmakers’ reception!
Dylan Crumpler (left), Silly Honest Kind, one of several high school filmmakers with entries in Longleaf 2016.
Sally Bloom, co-organizer of the film festival, opens the awards ceremony with words of thanks to filmmakers, sponsors, and volunteers.
Guy Gaster, director of the North Carolina Film Office, served as emcee for the Longleaf Film Festival awards ceremony.
Guy Gaster, North Carolina Film Office, thanks filmmakers for participating in the Raleigh festival. “North Carolina still has a lot to offer,” he encouraged.
Many people who worked on the 39 films that received Tar Heel Tie-In awards were present to receive their recognition at the Saturday night ceremony.
Jim Haverkamp and Ellen Hemphill, It Had Wings, won the 2016 Best Drama, Narrative Short category.
Evan Kidd, Son of Clowns, accepts the 2016 Best Comedy, Narrative Feature award.
Anna Jones accepted the 2016 Best Historical, Documentary Feature award for Chairman Jones—An Improbable Leader.
Michael Davis, Union Bound, received awards for 2016 Best Drama, Narrative Feature and 2016 Best Overall, Narrative Feature.
Andrew Stay Huggins, Civil, won the 2016 Best Drama, Narrative Short category.
Peace in Our Pockets received recognition as the 2016 Best Overall, Documentary Feature selection.
David Puckett accepts the winning plaque for Clyde’s Place, 2016 Best Historical, Documentary Short.
Ellen Hemphill and Jim Havercamp returned to the stage when It Had Wings received a second award: 2016 Made-in-NC Winner.
After winning 2016 Best Overall, Documentary Short, The Last Barn Dance returned to the stage to be recognized as the 2016 Judges’ Choice Winner.
With the final award passed out, festival co-organizer Sally Bloom sighs and declares, “THAT’s a WRAP!” Preparations for the 2017 Longleaf Film Festival won’t start for a few weeks!
Did you remember to pick up your must-have 2016 souvenir T-shirt? If not, watch to purchase them online—or visit the Museum Shop in person!
