RiverRun Announces Lineup, Focus on North Carolina

The RiverRun International Film Festival has announced its lineup of 166 films from 44 countries.

The festival received more submissions than ever this year - 1550, to be exact. There are animated shorts, documentaries, and a spotlight series that will focus on fashion in the movies.

Some highlights include:

• HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE – New Zealand / Director: Taika Waititi

  A national manhunt is ordered for a rebellious orphan and his foster uncle (Sam Neill) who go missing in the wild New Zealand bush.

• MAYA ANGELOU AND STILL I RISE – USA / Directors: Bob Hercules & Rita Coburn Whack

  A tribute to the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, poet, actress, activist and icon Maya Angelou.

RiverRun has plumbed the archives for some special screenings including:

• THE DARK CRYSTAL – USA / UK / Director: Jim Henson & Frank Oz

  The 1982 masterpiece about a creature called a Gelfling who embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal to restore order to his world. Film to be screened from a 70mm print out of UNCSA's Moving Image Archives.

• THE PUNK ROCK MOVIE FROM ENGLAND (1978) – UK / Director: Don Letts

  Assembled from Super 8 footage shot by Don Letts, the disc jockey at London's The Roxy during the early days of the UK punk rock movement, the film features performances by The Clash, Sex Pistols and Siouxsie and the Banshees.

There's always a strong showing of North Carolina filmmakers at RiverRun, but according to Program Manager Mary Dossinger, this year there's more than ever.

“Not only will we have North Carolina shorts, but we will have a section on North Carolina features. We have North Carolina filmmakers represented as either alumnus of UNCSA, or other North Carolina filmmakers in six other sections of the festival. We're really excited to highlight some of the fantastic work coming out of the state.”

Some NC Highlights:

• WINSTON'S GHOST– Documentary Short/ Directors: Daniel Spiller, Brian Binder, Brian Mizerski

  Ryan Gustman, who struggles with autism, combines his photography skills and love of urban exploration to document abandoned buildings in Winston-Salem.

• EUDAIMONIA – Documentary Short/ Director: Tom Green

  Often creative instincts become buried within day-to-day demands. This film follows four individuals pursuing creative passions within the context of work, family, and society.

This year's lineup includes 27 films with North Carolina ties.

RiverRun takes place at several venues across Winston-Salem. The festival spans April 7th - April 17th.