Close-Up with Macon Film Festival
Allow me to state the obvious. Summers in Macon are hot and this Summer is shaping up to be one of the warmest yet.
![](https://macon.imgix.net/images/Film-Fest-Blog-Update.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=56ecd655a314b903510f8745c17405e2 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Film-Fest-Blog-Update.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=5f12dec598ac73bfba23f462f6517e67 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Film-Fest-Blog-Update.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=394feb94e6366ddcccaa427595de0fe6 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Film-Fest-Blog-Update.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=0c5cd8fafbecbb5ca46b3f10b3ae19f5 810w)
![red record](https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-red.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=f82dc6bf8d2e5cec883572049b2b6f17 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-red.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=0d0ad9820b49935db6fe8c6517e6a6dd 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-red.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=a14c68d212ec3d75d771c2c03508bba8 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-red.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=fdd12f209b64bcb519237b2a36f7ce74 791w)
August 15 -18, 2024
With that in mind how does sitting in a quiet, dark, super air-conditioned room surrounded by the smells of popcorn sound to you? Pretty perfect right? I couldn't agree more which is why grabbing a ticket to this year's Macon Film Festival is the smartest way to wrap up your Summer.
This year the festival is celebrating 19 years of bringing independent film to Macon! The festival offers a little something for everyone with narrative to documentary films, Georgia-made films, LGBTQ films, student films, and incredible full-dome immersive content like you've never seen before.
![Popcorn and buttons made for the Macon Film Festival](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_7_cdc28c97-ede9-43c3-b9eb-482c9b962000.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=09b75fed79924ea3524b4084755a0979 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_7_cdc28c97-ede9-43c3-b9eb-482c9b962000.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=f3ce1dabaa44a25c8689276cd4cbd504 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_7_cdc28c97-ede9-43c3-b9eb-482c9b962000.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=cfb1e33dcb4bed98d8c42021092dcdb5 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_7_cdc28c97-ede9-43c3-b9eb-482c9b962000.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=a55e9d22919f0c65579fe8bf73e2f550 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_7_cdc28c97-ede9-43c3-b9eb-482c9b962000.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=d04a9bf23d1fe621d4d6bdcdcd071d86 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_7_cdc28c97-ede9-43c3-b9eb-482c9b962000.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=7ef78b8ad7a6cdb07306d1cee3bd0dfe 1440w)
Where to watch:
- Historic Douglass Theatre
- The Grand Opera House
- Theatre Macon
- Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
- Museum of Arts & Sciences
- Mercer Music at Capricorn
Expect after-parties and workshops popping up throughout downtown. With close to 100 films being screened at this year's event you're sure to find a title or two that sparks your interest!
For those of you that have been before you know that there is more to the film festival than just the films. Attendees not only get to see independent films they wouldn't have a chance to see anywhere else but they also get a chance to meet the filmmakers and learn more about their favorite films. Filmmakers travel from around the country during festival weekend to share their work and tell their stories.
The festival weekend also serves as the perfect time to visit some of your favorite Macon restaurants for a bite between films, to do some shopping at one of our locally owned stores, or grab a drink at one of downtown's bars/breweries before you line up for an evening's special screening film.
After attending one of the festival's after-parties, consider checking in with our friends at Hotel Forty Five to rest up for the next day's activities. Hotel Forty Five is offering an exclusive rate for a limited time for Macon film festival attendees. Book your room today by clicking here or below! You don't want to miss out on staying at this vibrant downtown hotel that's within walking distance to many of the screening venues!
![Macon Film Festival Panel](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_5_8fa9be49-ec25-4b31-8020-94a32d7aa32a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=e4fd822159dbd136f67b4a93736a52e6 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_5_8fa9be49-ec25-4b31-8020-94a32d7aa32a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=1ecc30c120439d327b8d9bdb2e2b1509 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_5_8fa9be49-ec25-4b31-8020-94a32d7aa32a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=d7fffd4b415ab12246e363e5c5e5caae 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_5_8fa9be49-ec25-4b31-8020-94a32d7aa32a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=0ae3274ca06b23ef89fe06be274e3955 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_5_8fa9be49-ec25-4b31-8020-94a32d7aa32a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=4a63e11316ddb37b0cb48397c5492d6a 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_5_8fa9be49-ec25-4b31-8020-94a32d7aa32a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=81214c98467c5355837bbc4ee6746580 1440w)
Fire Starters Film Festival Special Opening Night Screening
Alongside an amazing lineup of official selection film titles that screen throughout the day Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday each festival evening offers a special screening event that you won’t want to miss.
In partnership with the Fire Starters Film Festival, this year's special screening opening night film is a documentary called Red Fever, that looks at indigenous influences on Western culture and is directed by Catherine Bainbridge & Neil Diamond. The film follows Cree co-director Neil Diamond as he asks, “Why do they love us so much?” and sets out on a journey to find out why the world is so fascinated with the stereotypical imagery of Native people that is all over pop culture. This screening will be hosted at the Douglass Theatre.
The Fire Starters Film festival launched in 2023 and focuses on featuring film and visual art made by Indigenous filmmakers with a particular focus on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation experience. The festival grew from the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative (ONPPI) which is a community-based group of Middle Georgia and Muscogee (Creek) citizens working together to expand the current site of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park (located in Macon) into Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve.A moderated question and answer will follow after the screening.
![Macon Film Festival showing](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_2_62d61849-cc6b-4315-ad20-044694c62a32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=ece8a3bd18e2f8615aae68dbb38e8abb 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_2_62d61849-cc6b-4315-ad20-044694c62a32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=4c7c8ae5e77f443a111c073242941cf0 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_2_62d61849-cc6b-4315-ad20-044694c62a32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=5a24e8eff7a2e7e3c7e08c84746fd9f2 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_2_62d61849-cc6b-4315-ad20-044694c62a32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=422d45d08108a33110fa582f86824583 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_2_62d61849-cc6b-4315-ad20-044694c62a32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=30f7615ad460bb4ac6209c65c4e9c2c7 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/MaconFilmFest_CreditStephenCook_2_62d61849-cc6b-4315-ad20-044694c62a32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=680a1407ae46c5d692ed66d568067ba6 1440w)
Learn more about our films and curate your festival experience by visiting us online at maconfilmfestival.com.. We hope to see you at the movies!