Atlanta Film Festival Announces First Wave of 2021 Films

By Kip Mooney • On • In Atlanta Film Festival, News Atlanta Film Festival, News Comments Off on Atlanta Film Festival Announces First Wave of 2021 Films

Like nearly all film festivals last year, Atlanta Film Festival had to adjust on the fly. Their 2020 slate was delayed until September, and all screenings were either virtual or drive-ins. But they rose to the challenge, putting some screenings in interesting locations (like Pullman Yard) and offering food from local restaurants. It wasn't quite the same as sitting in the Plaza Theatre, but it still felt special.

For 2021, ATLFF is back on schedule, running April 22 through May 2. Out of more than 7,000 submissions, more than 150 works were chosen for exhibition this year. The first three have been announced, including two documentaries and one narrative feature. See below for titles and official descriptions.

Carterland
Directed by Jim & Will Pattiz
USA, English, 120 Minutes
In their feature film debut Carterland, the Pattiz Brothers examine the tragic, yet inspiring story of America's most misunderstood president. While leading the nation through a series of unprecedented crises, Carter also confronted climate change and fought for social justice at home and abroad. This groundbreaking film draws on archival footage, experts, and insiders to reveal how Carter's selfless leadership and moral integrity ultimately cost him the presidency.

Off the Road
Directed by Jose Permar
Mexico/USA, Spanish, 77 Minutes
A group of young musicians sing the deeds of three men who live in the most isolated region of the Baja California Sur desert. As the “Baja 1000,” the world’s largest annual all-terrain car race, takes place crossing the Mexican-U.S. border, these men look for an opportunity to be a part of it and escape the apparent monotony of their small communities.

See You Then
Directed by Mari Walker
USA, English, 74 Minutes
A decade after abruptly breaking up with Naomi, Kris invites her to dinner to catch-up on their complicated lives, relationships, and Kris' transition. Over the course of a one night encounter, they engage in a series of increasingly intimate and vulnerable conversations, before a shocking revelation is unveiled. See You Then focuses on the universal truth that no matter how much you change, a part of you will always stay the same.

Facebooktwitterredditmail

About Kip Mooney

Kip Mooney
Like many film critics born during and after the 1980s, my hero is Roger Ebert. The man was already the best critic in the nation when he won the Pulitzer in 1975, but his indomitable spirit during and after his recent battle with cancer keeps me coming back to read not only his reviews but his insightful commentary on the everyday. But enough about a guy you know a lot about. I knew I was going to be a film critic—some would say a snob—in middle school, when I had to voraciously defend my position that The Royal Tenenbaums was only a million times better than Adam Sandler’s remake of Mr. Deeds. From then on, I would seek out Wes Anderson’s films and avoid Sandler’s like the plague. Still, I like to think of myself as a populist, and I’ll be just as likely to see the next superhero movie as the next Sundance sensation. The thing I most deplore in a movie is laziness. I’d much rather see movies with big ambitions try and fail than movies with no ambitions succeed at simply existing. I’m also a big advocate of fun-bad movies like The Room and most of Nicolas Cage’s work. In the past, I’ve written for The Dallas Morning News and the North Texas Daily, which I edited for a semester. I also contributed to Dallas-based Pegasus News, which in the circle of life, is now part of The Dallas Morning News, where I got my big break in 2007. Eventually, I’d love to write and talk about film full-time, but until that’s a viable career option, I work as an auditor for Wells Fargo. I hope to one day meet my hero, go to the Toronto International Film Festival, and compete on Jeopardy. Until then, I’m excited to share my love of film with you.