Produced by The Cary Theater, the sixth annual BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival will include workshops, industry talkbacks, and independent films in competition, Sept. 21-24, 2023.
CARY, N.C. (August 14, 2023) – BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival returns Sept. 21-24, 2023, for its sixth year celebrating the art of short films from independent filmmakers from around the world. Produced by The Cary Theater, BEYOND received short films and screenplay submissions from independent filmmakers worldwide that will compete for more than $6,000 in prizes. All festival events take place at The Cary Theater in downtown Cary, N.C.
“This year’s lineup includes outstanding short films from the U.K., France, Israel, the U.S., and more,” said Lani Simeona, festival director and operations and program supervisor at The Cary Theater. “Cary’s hometown film festival is an opportunity for audiences and filmmakers of all experience levels to see great short films and explore the filmmaking process.”
Feature Film
In the Bubble with Jaime, directed by filmmaker Emily Harrold, will screen at 7 p.m. on opening night, Thurs., Sept. 21. The film follows Jaime Harrison in his run for U.S. Senate in S.C. against Republican incumbent Lindsey Graham amidst a global pandemic and legacy of racial injustice. This film is presented in partnership with Southern Documentary Fund. A Q&A with Harrold and opening night reception at BREW follow the screening.
The festival includes programming and workshops for all experience levels. Dates and times for each event listed below will be announced prior to Aug. 24 when tickets go on sale online and at the theater box office.
Special Programming
- The Stones and Brian Jones (UK | 2023 | 93 min), directed by: Nick Broomfield.
- Sloane: A Jazz Singer (USA | 2023 | 96 min), directed by: Michael Lippert.
- Memories of You: Songs and Letters from Carol Sloane, featuring: Kate McGarry, Shana Tucker, Natalie Douglas, and musical director/pianist: Christian Tamburr.
- Infinity Care (USA | 2023), Live Table Read of Grand Jury Screenplay Winner, written by: Autumn Karen.
Films In Competition
- Babyface (USA | 2023 | 20 min), directed by: Sannah Kim.
- Bite of Benin (USA | 2023 | 36 min), directed by: Brad Herring, Adé Carrena.
- Curtsy (USA | 2023 | 27 min), directed by: Nicole Triche.
- Distant Conscience (Israel| 2022 | 11 min), directed by: Sam Henselijn.
- Fatih the Conqueror (France| 2023 | 15 min), directed by: Onur Yagiz.
- Fireflies Save the Night (USA| 2022 | 11 min), directed by: A.J. Riggins.
- I was born in 1988 (USA | 2022 | 9 min), directed by: Yasaman Baghban.
- In the Matchbox (USA | 2023 | 11 min), directed by: Mike Rae Anderson.
- Lovestruck (USA | 2022 | 8 min), directed by: Zachary Echols.
- Lungs (USA | 2022 | 11 min), directed by: Kieran Moreira.
- Ma’s Kitchen (USA | 2022 | 12 min), directed by: Debbie Vu.
- Orient (USA | 2023 | 10 min), directed by: Fatima Wardy
- Processing Magic (USA | 2022 | 4 min), directed by: Vale Stanley, Jo Knorpp.
- Run Amok (USA | 2023 | 12 min), directed by: Nitzan Mager.
- Sammy, Without Strings (USA | 2022 | 16 min), directed by: Ralph Parker III.
- Scotty’s Vag (USA | 2022 | 15 min), directed by: Chaconne Martin-Berkowicz.
- Sell the Girl (USA | 2022 | 11 min), directed by: Natalie Burchert.
- Sonata (USA | 2022 | 7 min), directed by: Madison Crisp, Abby Davenport, Fern Singleton, Vic Sosa.
- Suga Brown (USA | 2022 | 18 min), directed by: Clarke Phillips.
- Sunkist + Ninth (USA | 2023 | 4 min), directed by: Jonathan Kemp.
- A Twistful of Dollars (USA | 2023 | 18 min), directed by: Kevin Murray.
- The Voice in Isabel Fleiss’s Office (USA | 2022 | 6 min), directed by: Jim Haverkamp.
Workshops
- Crash Course In Scenes, with instructors: Joy Goodwin and Ron S. Thompson.
- How NOT To Write A Screenplay, with instructor Ron S. Thompson.
- Kids Screenwriting Workshop, presented with Lune Spark Center for Creativity.
Industry Talks
- The Pitch & Funding Your Film, with panel: Christopher Everett, Erika Arlee, Kristi Ray, Doug McKeon.
- Building Your Crew & Fair Pay, with presenters: Erika Arlee, Kristi Ray, and others.
- How To Make Money With Your Film, with presenter Christopher Everett.
Tickets will go on sale Aug. 24 at noon. The 2023 festival is presented by: InkTip, Slated, Cary, N.C., Cary Magazine, Lune Spark, The Mayton Inn, Misner Public Relations, Digital P Media, N.C. Humanities, Southern Documentary Fund.
Located at 122 E. Chatham St., The Cary Theater lights up downtown with its mission to provide a unique setting for the community to experience art house cinema and live performances that enhance the cultural arts experience in Cary, N.C. Originally constructed in 1946 to serve as the Town’s first indoor movie theater, The Cary was restored in 2014 to create a vibrant space downtown that offers independent film, live music, comedy and improv, and other performances. The theater is owned and operated by Cary’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources.
Media Contacts:
Lani Simeona, The Cary Theater, Operations & Program Supervisor, (919) 319-4549
Scott Misner, Media Relations, (919) 412-3886
William Lewis, Cultural Arts Manager, (919) 462-3861
