Fairhope, Ala. – The Fairhope Film Festival returns Thursday for a four‑day celebration of independent cinema, now under the leadership of longtime festival volunteer Stephen Savage, who has been named chairman and CEO.
New leadership, same community focus
Savage, involved with the festival since its inaugural year, said founder Mary Riser asked him to take the helm earlier this year. “She built a very, very good automobile. And I just have to drive it and keep it safe going forward,” he explained, emphasizing his commitment to preserving the festival’s community spirit.
Film lineup highlights
The 14th edition will present 25 feature films and 35 short films at venues throughout downtown Fairhope. Highlights include the U.S. premiere of the Singapore comedy Luck My Life, discovered by a steering‑committee member while researching a story about the traditional game mahjong. Other selections feature Warriors, a documentary about Mobile’s 2009 Davidson High School football team; a quirky documentary on professional Santas; a winemaker’s personal story; and a five‑minute horror short from Huntsville.
Industry veterans judge the competition
A nine‑member jury of industry veterans will select award winners. Longtime producer Gerry Byrne, known for credits such as “Amadeus,” noted, “The difference I’ve noticed this year from the previous two years that I’ve participated, is the films have got so much better.”
Community impact
For Savage, the festival is more than a film showcase. “The film festival belongs to Fairhope,” he said. “It’s something that makes our community better. It’s something that makes our life more rich. And it’s something we can say we’re proud of.” Free filmmaker coffee talks are scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday at Page & Palette, and Sunday will feature encore screenings of the festival’s top award winners.
Practical details
The festival runs Thursday through Sunday. Single tickets are $15, and full passes start at $60. Visitors can find tickets and the complete schedule on the Fairhope Film Festival website.
Original reporting: FOX10 WALA Mobile (news) — read the source article.
