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TRYON–Electric Jesus, an award-winning film by Greenville director Chris White, will premiere in Tryon this month.

The Polk County Film Initiative will host the premier as a fundraiser for the Tryon International Film Festival at Tryon Theatre, a TRIFF partner, on Sunday, June 11. The film starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Carri Bass Photography Studio and The Nest, both on Trade Street in Tryon, or at tryoninternationalfilmfestival.org. A pre-reception with appetizers and a cash bar will be held at The Nest and The Bottle from 6–7 p.m. with White, who also wrote the film. 

The film stars a flashy promoter (played by Brian Baumgartner of The Office) who sells soundman Erik (Andrew Eakle) and his favorite local Christian hair metal band, 316, on the promise of a bus tour in the summer of 1986. Their desire to “make Jesus famous” meets the complexities and confusion of personal ambition, religious conviction, youthful zeal, lifelong friendships and first love. 

“We are expecting many of the film’s cast and crew to join us live for this special premiere,” says TRIFF co-founder, Beau Menetre. “It’s always great to have Chris White back in Tryon as he brings his own electric energy to town”

TRIFF 23 will be held October 6 – 8 in Tryon. This year, TRIFF will add a Media Arts Education & Career Fair for college and high school youth, a Vendor Expo and an expanded Education Institute. For more information,  contact PCFI Executive Director Debra Torrence at directorpcfi@gmail.com. 

Over the past 8 years, PCFI has focused on offering its signature event, the Tryon International Film Festival, reaching more than 4,300 people who have attended the weekend-long event and/or online offerings. In 2022, a total of 58 countries were represented by the 388 films selected and screened in Tryon, including two World Premieres. 

Submitted by Debra Torrence