Columbus, Georgia is on the path to becoming the state’s third major film hub. As a camera ready community, local liaisons make it easier for film productions to scout locations and secure filming permits. In addition, the Columbus Film Commission helps bring productions to the area by providing local crew, resources and incentives. Local schools like Shaw High School, Rainey McCullars School of the Arts and Columbus State University are preparing the filmmakers of tomorrow with various film programs and certifications. The city’s relationship with film is further demonstrated via our film festivals. You may be familiar with The WayDown and Wild & Scenic Film Festivals, but as of March 30, 2024 our city will get to experience something shamelessly fun and new. No Shame Theater, of The Springer Opera House, and Last Caress Productions have partnered up to bring you the first ever No Shame Film Festival.
This event aims to bring attendees the experience of No Shame Theater with higher production values. If you aren’t familiar with No Shame, it is a late-night, uncensored event in which performers get five minutes to express themselves through music, poetry, sketch comedy, prose, rap, improvisation, dance, rants, stand-up comedy – almost anything goes! The rules for a regular night of No Shame are almost identical to the ones for film submissions except for the duration of performance slots. The rules are thus: no hate speech, must be original material, between 5 and 10 minutes long, and last but not least- don’t break the law or yourself! If you already love No Shame or have never had the privilege of attending and want to help grow our local film community, you won't want to miss this event.
Last Caress Productions, owned and operated by Paul Rowe, is an independent production company that specializes in horror films. Rowe is an award-winning screenwriter, director, and producer local to Columbus. He’s an enthusiastic supporter of the local filmmaking community, founding member of Columbus State University's Rankin Screenwriter's group and co-founder of Fountain City Fright Fest, a genre film festival hosted in Columbus, Georgia.
For the line up you can expect a screening of 14 short films. Kevan Baxley of No Shame Theater told us that audiences can look forward to seeing “a couple of horror films, comedy, a short documentary about Hal and Julie Moore, the namesakes of Fort Moore, and a really beautiful animated piece!”
Just like any other night at No Shame, the list of film titles and the viewing order is a secret till the start of the event. Despite the secrecy, we are able to share the names of our local filmmakers who will be participating in the festival. You can look forward to films from Jatil Tillman, Andrew Grey, Luke Kraemer, John Houzer, JC Harris, Nick Lynn-Rulon, Payton King, Braxton Lee, Erin Walsh, Lars Smallwood, Jose Velez, Zeke Weldon, Erin Aler, Ma'Lon Lane!
If You Go:
When: March 30, 2024 7:30 PM
Where: Foley Hall at the Springer Opera House