The Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival will present nine feature-length films, two extended short films and 56 short film projects for its sophomore event Aug. 27-30 at the Manship Theatre.
The nonprofit festival whittled down the final lineup from more 400 independent submissions from around the country and the world.
“Louisiana has always played an important role in the legacy of independent cinema," says BRUFF Creative Director Nathan Hall. “Our festival ensures that the Capital City continues that legacy, remaining a film-friendly destination for filmmakers and moviegoers alike. If you love movies, you’ll love BRUFF.”
In addition to the screenings, BRUFF will host seven panels, ranging in topics from financial knowledge to fundamentals of filmmaking. Attendees have the opportunity to win prizes, engage directly with industry professionals, and discover topics that are specific to their careers.
Alongside these panels will be five hands-on workshops where filmmakers can get industry-level training from local organizations.
BRUFF also will host InDepth Live! as part of their workshop series. Here, attendees can learn from Mike James Gallagher and Mark Mangini about the intricacies of sound design on Hollywood productions like "Dune" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
“The Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival returns as a focal point for crew training for the Louisiana film industry, says BRUFF Financial Director Joe Carleton. “In year two, the festival has already expanded to include more workshops and panels than in its first year. Education is a clear focus for this organization, and we look forward to seeing our filmmakers grow as a result.”
The full festival schedule is available at .
Tickets are on sale now at . Cost is $75 for the full event pass, and $30 for a day pass, with discounts available for students.
Call for volunteers
Join the ranks of the Underdogs by volunteering to take tickets, set up and tear down, workshop assistance, monitoring panels and more.
All volunteers will receive a badge for the festival. In order to receive a badge, at least two time slots will need to be registered for via the BRUFF Volunteer Application on the fest's Instagram page and at .
Library forum
In advance of the main event, the Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival will host a satellite event along with the East Baton Rouge Public Library. A filmmaker forum is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at the Main Library at Goodwood.
A panel of filmmakers from Louisiana will speak about their experience, how they got into the industry, and best tips for new and current filmmakers alike. The forum will also double as a networking event where artists can get to know each other and find like-minded members of their community.
“Attending community events is pivotal for growing your career and network. BRUFF’s filmmaker forum is one great example of the festival’s robust education impact on the filmmaking community in Baton Rouge,” says BRUFF Events Director Kelly Swift. “Whether it’s to meet fellow filmmakers, people in the industry, or to simply share ideas about the community, attend the forum to broaden your reach and connect with like-minded creatives in the industry.”
Sponsors, grants and donations
With support from sponsors, the festival will be able to provide three grants to young filmmakers. The Shoestring Grant will award $5,000 cash to a filmmaker to use on a new project. The LBLE Pictures Gear Grant will award a director or cinematographer with one week's rental of a 1-ton grip and electric package. The Celtic Studios Grant will award a filmmaker with five days of stage space.
A list of sponsors can be found at . Individuals can donate to support the nonprofit organization on BRUFF website and at .