Events

Nov
4
Fri
First AfroSouth Film Festival celebrates S.C. talent @ Charleston, SC
Nov 4 – Nov 6 all-day

When filmmakers Lauren Waring Douglas and Ricky Taylor crisscrossed the state for the S.C. Educational Television network, they unwittingly compiled a list of people in the movie and television industry with ties to the Palmetto State.

As Douglas and Taylor drove from one small town to the nex, he asked: “Hey, did you know Phylicia Rashad has roots in Chester?” Douglas answered: “No. But did you know Dana Campbell, who got an Emmy for costume work on Dancing with the Stars, has roots in Charleston?”
Taylor

Those conversations over 20 years grew into an idea that became the genesis for the inaugural three-day AfroSouth Film Festival, which begins Nov. 4 in Charleston. It will feature interactive panels, workshops, youth programs, networking opportunities and the screening of a dozen films on the Harborwalk at 360 Concord St.

The lineup also includes the opening night screening at 6 p.m. in Marion Square of Get on Up, starring the late Chadwick Boseman, an Anderson native.

The festival is a celebration of African American and Southern cultures, said Taylor, the festival’s founder. “You can’t have African American history without being connected to Southern history,” he said. Taylor, a Columbia resident, said he has often wondered why the MOJA Arts Festival in Charleston does not market the event in the capital city.

“I never hear anything about it in the Columbia area,” said Taylor, a senior producer and director at SCETV. “I always thought that with our [Black] history and Charleston being our … [entry to] this country, why Charleston does not have a national event that would draw people back to their roots to celebrate the journey we’ve been on.”

Blood of the Lamb is one of the featured films produced and directed by Konate Hendricks, a graduate of Trident Technical College, Douglas said. Another South Carolina connection, she said, is Austin James, producer of the short film My Nephew Emmett. James is from Hartsville, Taylor’s hometown. The film, which stars Jasmine Guy, was nominated in 2018 for an Oscar.

Taylor hopes AfroSouth becomes that event to bring people from around the country to Charleston, just as the Essence Festival attracts visitors to New Orleans. Douglas envisions an AfroSouth festival as the portal to get the work of young filmmakers to larger festivals at Tribeca and Sundance.

Douglas said, “So many people in South Carolina’s Black community have made fruitful careers for themselves in front of the camera and behind the camera.” The festival is a way to “come back and celebrate those of us who’ve worked in film and television that have gone off to make a career in New York or L.A.,” said Waring, an AfroSouth board member and founder of Catfish Row Productions in Charleston.

She acknowledged that South Carolina has not supported the film industry as Georgia.

“When you are a media professional in South Carolina you are intentionally making a choice, and it is a very brave choice,” she said. “You know you can get more opportunities and more money outside of the state, but you choose not to because you really believe in the cultures that are here and the environment that inspires you.”

Feb
17
Fri
Reedy Reels Film Festival @ South Carolina Children's Theatre
Feb 17 @ 5:00 pm – Feb 19 @ 10:00 pm
Reedy Reels Film Festival @ South Carolina Children's Theatre | Greenville | South Carolina | United States

The festival will take place at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre in Greenville, SC. We will kick-off on Friday February 17 and have a celebratory weekend of film through Sunday February 19. For more information visit Reedy Reels website

Reedy Reels Film Festival promotes the appreciation of the art of filmmaking while generating support for independent filmmakers especially in the Upstate of South Carolina. The festival will engage the community and create exposure for local filmmaking while building inspiration and new opportunities for local artists.

Feb
21
Tue
Beaufort International Film Festival 2023 @ Beaufort, SC
Feb 21 – Feb 26 all-day
Beaufort International Film Festival 2023 @ Beaufort, SC | Beaufort | South Carolina | United States

2023 Beaufort International Film Festival (BIFF), takes place Feb. 21-26, 2023 in Beaufort, S.C. Judges selected 58 films and 5 screenplays from nearly 500 submissions from all over the world. The Official Selections span the genres of feature films, documentaries, short films, student films, animation and screenplays.

Apr
30
Sun
CFA General Meeting – April 30th @ Crowne Plaza Hotel
Apr 30 @ 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Carolina Film Alliance 25th Anniversary General Meeting

Sunday, April 30th
3:00pm – 5:30pm
The Crowne Plaza Ballroom
4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29418

Join us for our 1st Annual Membership Meeting of 2023, and 25th Anniversary Celebration of CFA’s Advocacy for the Film, Television & Digital
Media Industry in South Carolina!

Presentations to Include:

and much, much more!Light Hors D’oeuvres, Cash Bar, and the 25th Anniversary Cake will be served.For anyone in need of renewing their CFA membership for 2023,

see link below:
https://carolinafilm.com/join/

This is our first in-person meeting of the year.
Please plan to join us for this exciting event and meet our Board of Directors.
Masks are optional.


The Carolina Film Alliance is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to building the motion picture, television and creative digital media industries in South Carolina. The CFA is focused both on,A) the expansion of effective South Carolina Film incentives to attract film, television, and commercial projects to our state, andB) providing its membership networking and professional development opportunities with which to build their skills and careers.

May
5
Fri
AtomaCon Film Festival @ Hilton Garden Inn
May 5 – May 7 all-day

AtomaCon is an annual 3-day media convention held in Charleston, South Carolina. Atomacon Film Festival has had a successful first three years, we’re happy to return for 2023!

In addition to 3 days of films, enjoy our Media Arts programming track. Meet and greet with industry veterans and media experts with over 20 hours of panels, screenings, and Q+As.

May
20
Sat
Young Filmmakers – Finalists showing – May 20th @ Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8
May 20 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Young Filmmakers - Finalists showing - May 20th @ Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8 | Columbia | South Carolina | United States

Looking for the next Spielberg? Scorsese? Gerwig? Then the Young Filmmakers screening on May 20 in Columbia is the place to be.

The South Carolina Young Filmmakers Project is an annual high school filmmaking competition where students from across the state submit two-minute short films. Each piece was required to incorporate a specific prop – playing cards.

After a record number of entries and thorough judging process, the Top Ten finalists have been named. They’ll screen at a special program at Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8 in Columbia at 2pm on Sat., May 20 (201 Columbia Mall Blvd.).

The event is FREE and the public is encouraged to attend. It will include Q&A with the high school filmmakers, announcement of winners, and a brief reception on-site afterwards. Winners receive cash prizes and trophies.

Secure your spot by RSVP’ing here:
2023 YOUNG FILMMAKERS SCREENING RSVP

“The contest has proven to be a great thing for young South Carolina filmmakers,” said Matt Storm, Director of the South Carolina Film Commission. “It’s an opportunity to practice the craft of video storytelling, which is a major driver for all industries at this point, and show it to statewide audiences.”

“We continue to be impressed with the skill and talent Young Filmmakers brings out,” said Glenn Seale, Dean of Film, Media and Visual Arts at Trident Technical College in North Charleston, one of the contest’s main partners. “We encourage everyone to come and see what these filmmakers have cooked up.”

Check out the full list of finalists here.

Jul
29
Sat
Crews, Brews & Comedy @ Holy City Brewing, The Porter Room
Jul 29 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Crews, Brews & Comedy @ Holy City Brewing, The Porter Room | North Charleston | South Carolina | United States

Join us for an afternoon of brews and comedy. Bill Davis opens the show with headliner Jasoon Allen King and hosted by Robert Hopkins.

Doors & Cash Bar open at 3pm. The performances start at 4pm.

The comedy show is for ages 21 & up.

Admission is free for CFA members – guest.

$10 for non-affiliated guests.

Presented by the Carolina Film Alliance, Holy City Brewing with Roti Rolls and The Porter Room

Sep
23
Sat
INDUSTRY HAIR STYLING @ ETV Upstate Studios @ USC-Upstate
Sep 23 – Sep 24 all-day

INDUSTRY HAIR STYLING
Sept. 23-24
ETV Upstate Studios @ USC-Upstate
Spartanburg, SC

The South Carolina Film Commission and Urban League of the Upstate have partnered up for a two-day PRODUCTION INDUSTRY HAIR STYLING workshop, hosted by ETV Studios and USC-Upstate in Spartanburg, SC.

Led by noted Hair Department Head Joyce Gilliard (Rise, Women of the Movement, Genuis [season 4]), the training is for current hair professionals seeking careers in the professional production industry. It will focus on an industry orientation, Hair Department overview, wigs, period hairstyling, laying hair techniques for character development, and other info.

The training will include hands-on elements. Trainees should be licensed cosmetologists and will be required to bring tools and supplies. See application below for more details. Meals and some supplies for in-class use will be provided.

Applicants selected for the training will be informed by Sept. 15 and will receive additional details then.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK ELIGIBILITY AND TO APPLY

Applications due by Sept. 15.

Oct
7
Sat
SET DECORATION / SET DRESSING @ Trident Technical College
Oct 7 – Oct 8 all-day
SET DECORATION / SET DRESSING @ Trident Technical College | North Charleston | South Carolina | United States

SET DECORATION/SET DRESSING
Oct. 7-8
Trident Technical College
North Charleston, SC

The South Carolina Film Commission and Trident Technical College will host a two-day SET DECORATION/SET DRESSING workshop Oct. 7-8 at Trident Technical College in North Charleston, SC.

The program is free for eligible South Carolina residents. Led by Set Decorator Missy Ricker and Lead Man Stephen C. Peterman, participants will receive a comprehensive introduction to the workings of a Set Decoration Department for Film and Television. Trainees will explore the process of Visualizing, Sourcing and Shopping, Budgeting, and Physically Dressing a Set in this hands-on intensive workshop.

Some direct or related experience or understanding of filmmaking is required, as the workshop will dive right into the workings of the Set Decoration department.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK ELIGIBILITY AND TO APPLY.

Applications due by Sept. 30.

About Missy Ricker
Missy is a South Carolina based Set Decorator for the Film and Television Industry. With a MFA in Photography and Filmmaking, Missy began her career as a stagehand at the Virginia Opera and various venues, also working as an Art Director for commercials and television series. She now has dozens of credits as a Set Decorator, including Halloween (2018), Outer Banks Seasons 1-4, and Army Wives.

About Stephen C. Peterman
Steve is a Leadman for the Film and Television industry based in Wilmington, NC. After starting in LA, Steven ended up in Wilmington while working on the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Since then he’s worked on a variety of Film and TV projects, including Betsy’s Wedding, Shanghai Noon, Black Knight, One Tree Hill, and Outer Banks.


Oct
28
Sat
COSTUMING with The Costuming Academy @ ViRTUAL COURSE
Oct 28 – Nov 11 all-day
COSTUMING with The Costuming Academy @ ViRTUAL COURSE

COSTUMING with The Costuming Academy
Oct. 28: Virtual Start-up (approx. one hour)
Oct. 28-Nov 10: Independent Completion of Five Virtual Courses
Nov. 11: Wrap-Up/Q&A/Mentoring (approx. two-hours) 

The South Carolina Film Commission has teamed up with The Costuming Academy for a comprehensive, virtual training on the production industry Costume Department. Upon completion, trainees will leave with first-day confidence, knowing the language of a Costumer and understand the skills being used, whether they’re starting as a PA or an Entry-level Costumer. 

The curriculum has been created by Costume veterans Donna Schultz and Sharon Sampson, opening a window into the wealth of knowledge available from industry professionals like themselves. Donna and Sharon will lead participants throughout the process, with a live orientation at the start of the course (via Zoom), a live Q&A/Mentor session at the completion of the modules (via Zoom), and six months of access to the TCA community, where they can continue to ask questions and network.

The five courses cover:

  • Unions & Productions (full overview of every production department and how costumers works with each one)

  • Entry Level Costumer (what you need to know to get started)

  • Set Protocol for Costumers

  • Shopping and Returns

  • Tools of the Trade

CLICK HERE TO CHECK ELIGIBILITY AND TO APPLY

Applications due Oct. 20.

About Donna Schultz
Donna Schultz has led a distinguished career in key positions within the Costuming world on projects such as Big Little Lies, Westworld, Mrs. Davis, and Shazam 2. Beginning in theater 35 years ago, she focused her talents on such specialties as costume manufacturing, touring globally with Michael Jackson and Sheryl Crow.

About Sharon Sampson
In her 38 year career, Emmy-nominated Sharon Sampson has worn every hat in Hollywood’s costuming industry. Her resume includes Cheers, Family Ties, Westworld, Glow, and Mrs. Davis, Costume Designing Becker and feature films Drop Dead and LA Blues. Her unparalleled understanding of the costuming process and seamless understanding of the various roles within the costume department makes her an expert resource for those wishing to gain employment within this rewarding industry.