Inaugural Athens Film Festival features MFA Film students, faculty

Several UGA faculty, alumni, and MFA Film students will screen films and lead discussions during the inaugural Athens Film Festival which takes place at downtown venues in Athens Aug. 15-17.  As the local film industry grows, the UGA MFA in Film, Television, and Digital Media is right in the thick of making this creative engine go:

For Alex Thomas (MFA ‘23), coming back to Athens to premiere his MFA thesis film, “The School Mistress,” is a full-circle moment.

“I think it’s so cool,” Thomas said of the invitation to participate. “I think the most impactful time I had during the MFA Film program was the year that we spent in Athens, and I feel really connected to the Athens community.”

Thomas believes this film festival is one more example of how Athens is growing into a filmmakers hub.

“Athens has a very dedicated arts community that has not yet had its moment in the spotlight,” Thomas continued. “I think it’s tremendous they are finally building this community and getting their moment to showcase it.”

The start of a film festival in Athens means a lot to Clare Methe (MFA ‘22), an alumna of the MFA Film program and an Athens, Georgia, native.

“I am happy that I have local friends who can come see my film on a big screen, especially at Ciné,” Methe said. “I love that theater. I worked there and my brother works there now, so that’s pretty special.”

Methe will screen her thesis film, “Our Beloved,” at Ciné at 2:15 p.m. on Aug. 16. “Our Beloved” follows the story of a surviving twin’s first birthday after losing his brother in a car accident.

Read the whole article and visit Athens Film Festival for more information.

Image: Alex Thomas (far right) directs his MFA Film thesis production, "The School Mistress." (Photo: Brian Bates Photography)