Oxford Film Festival May Bring National Attention to Budding Filmmakers

Story contributed by broadcast journalism students Maddy Bierster (mabierst@go.olemiss.edu) and Ashley Muller (anmulle1@go.olemiss.edu)

For the sixteenth year in a row, movie lovers in Oxford will head to the town’s annual film festival to celebrate the art of independent cinema. 

With hundreds of people viewing these films, Assistant Director Kaleigh Graham says a showing here could lead to national exposure.

“We’ve had success stories,” she said. “Last year we had a film called Forever Be, and now it’s on Netflix. It’s called Abducted in Plain Sight, which, everyone’s freaking out about. We had it last year.”

The festival will showcase more than 200 films and introduce filmmakers from around the world who are eager to gain a wider audience. 

“If you don’t have any direct distributions… or something that’s going to go to Netflix, it is a great way for people to see your film,” said festival volunteer Withrow Newell.

The Oxford Film Festival features narratives, documentaries, shorts, Mississippi films and those with an LGBTQ focus.

To add to the fun, organizers try to bring some star power to town, too.

“One year we brought James Franco. This year we’re bringing Roger Bart, who was on “How I Met Your Mother,'” Graham said.

The event is sponsored by the Chancellor’s House, the Local Voice, MaxxSouth, Artist Vodka, and the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, to name a few.

The Oxford Film Festival began Feb. 6 and will wrap up Sunday, Feb. 8. Films will be shown at different venues like the Powerhouse, Ford Center, and Malco Oxford Commons Cinema Grill. Tickets are available online or at the box office. VIP passes are also available.

If you are a student, sponsor or senior, use online code: Sixteen, for a 16 percent discount on any type of ticket or pass.

For the full event schedule click here.