Still from IM 2020 World Premiere ‘What Do You Have to Lose?’

Indie Memphis Film Festival, presented by Duncan-Williams, Inc., is pleased to announce the full slate of films for its 2020 incarnation, spanning from October 21st – October 29th, 2020. Adjusting to the changing landscape, this yearโs festival will be โOnline and Outdoorsโ as film lovers from all over the world will participate in the virtual screenings and events. The 2020 festival will screen over 230 feature films, shorts, and music videos, with most screenings followed by filmmaker Q&As. Memphis audiences will also enjoy in-person screenings at the Drive-In and outdoor lawns.
This yearโs festival will give focus to BIPOC and women filmmakers. This year, especially, there is a focus on politics, but with a myriad of approaches to what that means and how someone can engage. There are films about aging, weed legalization, electoral politics, activism, unhoused LGBQT+ youth, and more. In this difficult moment, the festival seeks to reflect the community and the world, with a wide range of filmmakers tackling themes that matter to their communities.
More talks and events will be announced in weeks to come, including Indie Talks and new events for the digital edition of the festival. Festival Artistic Director Miriam Bale says, โWe hope to bring people together, in person and online, and provide inspiration and an outlet. In order to counter Screen Burnout, weโll be offering a series of what we call โGroundingsโ throughout the digital festival, including a meditative film called โA Still Placeโ by festival alumnus Christopher Yogi.โ
This year also marks the final year that Executive Director Ryan Watt will be at the festival. Watt says of stepping down from his role, “This year is a truly unique festival experience to keep our audience safe and entertained while online and outdoors. My sixth and final festival at the helm is bittersweet, I’ll be soaking in every bit of the incredible program our team has assembled.”
The festival also features many film premieres including the World Premiere of Trimiko Melanconโs documentary What Do You Have to Lose?, which explores the history of race in America and the U.S. Premiere of Anthony Banua-Simonโs documentary Cane Fire, which examines the past and present of the Hawaiian island of Kauaโi. This yearโs Opening Night film will be Memphis-born Lynne Sachsโ celebrated documentary A Film About a Father Who, comprised of 35 years of footage that Sachsโ captured of her father as she attempts to uncover his secretive past.
In addition, the festival features a host of festival favorites including Mario Furloni and Kate McLeanโs Freeland, starring Krisha Fairchild (Krisha) as an aging pot farmer facing extinction and Emma Seligmanโs culture clash comedy Shiva Baby. The Retrospective section will include a new restoration of Joyce Chopraโs Smooth Talk in Laura Dernโs breakout role, and classic titles such as Sidney Lumetโs The Wiz starring Diana Ross and the Richard Pryor comedy Car Wash, in tribute to filmmaker Joel Schumacher, who died earlier this year and wrote both films.
Passes to the public are available on the Indie Memphis websiteย hereย and new programming additions will be announced in the coming weeks leading up to the festival!ย
ย