Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) celebrated its 45th Anniversary this week with an incredible week of film in two locations. For the first time ever, the festival presented more than 250 films from over 50 countries, further cementing its record-breaking year.
“This has truly been a spectacular year for the Nashville Film Festival presented by Nissan. It was our first year with 10 days of film at Regal Cinemas Green Hills and 9 days of events at our outdoor NaFF Cinema at Walk of Fame Park in Downtown Nashville”, shared Ted Crockett, Executive Director of the Nashville Film Festival.
With over 42,000 in attendance between both locations, the festival has exceeded last year’s total festival attendance by over 40%. The free NaFF Cinema at Walk of Fame in Downtown Nashville presented films for 9 days throughout the festival on its brand new 30′ outdoor screen. “We are already planning new and exciting ways to feature films to the public in outdoor settings in the months and years to come,” said Crockett.
Film submissions also broke records this year, with over 3100 entries from 125 countries. NaFF Artistic Director, Brian Owens, had the thrill of working with some of the world’s leading directors and production houses, to bring over 15 World and North American Premieres, along with 17 Southeast Premieres to NaFF this year.
Of the more than 250 competition films, Owens said, “There were so many great films in our competition this year, that the juries had a difficult time picking the Grand Jury Prizes in each division.”
Major award winners included, the beautiful and moving documentary, Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me, by award winning Director, James Keach and The Ballad of Shovels and Rope by Jace Freeman and Sean Clark of Nashville-based production house, The Moving Picture Boys. The Freedom to Choose Southwest Airlines Audience Award for Best U.S. Narrative went to The Identical by first-time Director, Dustin Marcinello starring Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd and newcomer Blake Rayne. 
The NaFF Red Carpet was an active scene nearly every night of the festival with stars of film, television, and music. Throughout the festival, appearances were made by Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, Seth Green, Sharon Lawrence, Beth Grant, Béla Fleck, Naomi Judd and the family of Country music legend, Glen Campbell, among other notables.
Academy Award winning Director, Daniel Junge, notable independent film director Megan Griffiths, award winning director James Keach, and provocative filmmaker Dito Montiel also made appearances in support of their films screening at NaFF.
In addition to the competition films and the many special presentations, the first annual Screenwriters Competition garnered more than 1500 entrants. “Our First Annual Screenwriters Competition was such an incredible success and we look forward seeing some of these incredible artists’ works on the big screen soon,” shared Crockett.
After more than 300 different screenings over the past 10 days and record attendance, the 45th Anniversary festival marked a pivotal year of success that will continue to allow the festival to bring films to the big screen that celebrate the visions and voices of the human spirit. Plans for the 2015 Nashville Film Festival are already underway, with dates scheduled to be announced in June 2014.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.
Nashville Film Festival (NaFF), April 17 – 26, 2014, presented by Nissan North America, brings the world to Nashville in a 10-day celebration of film. NaFF celebrates the diversity of the human voice and vision by curating program segments to include Latino, Black, GLBT, and Jewish films. Founded in 1969 by Mary Jane Coleman, it is one of the oldest (45-years) film festivals in the U.S. As an Academy Award Qualifying Event, NaFF draws filmmakers and celebrity guests and the Festival annually garners notice from the Associated Press, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal online, MovieMaker Magazine, IndieWire, Variety, Billboard, New York and Script Magazine.
www.nashvillefilmfestival.org
