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Screenings, Gala, workshops, awards ceremony and more to take place November 22-24 

 

TRYON—The Polk County Film Initiative recently announced its 10th annual Tryon International Film Festival schedule. The event will take place Friday, November 22, through Sunday, November 24, powered by Title Sponsor New View Realty. 

TRIFF offers a rich lineup of activities promising an unforgettable experience for film enthusiasts of all ages. Dan Lauria, most recognized as the Dad on the highly acclaimed Emmy-winning ABC television show The Wonder Years, will be in Tryon this year for the event. The full TRIFF24 schedule of events is available at tryoninternationalfilmfestival.org.

The festival lineup starts on Friday morning with programming for next-gen filmmakers, as it did when it was founded in 2013. A Production Assistant Academy hosted at Isothermal Community College in Columbus will provide middle-college-age students with a starter course on the first step in a career on a film set, led by Linda Burns of the PA Academy & Atlanta Film Society. Contact Ashley @ triffeducation@gmail.com for registration information.  

The Fitzgerald will serve as the ticket location of TRIFF24 on Friday and host the semi-formal Old Hollywood-themed opening gala reception sponsored by Clayton Smith from 5:30 – 11 p.m. The Gala will be followed by feature films at the historic Tryon Theatre, a TRIFF sponsor. The feature film Just Like Me, by Andreas Thelander, is a heart-warming Swedish film that will take you on a journey of laughter and tears. Opening night sponsor Clayton Smith shared, “I was completely fascinated while watching this film…it is funny, clever, and a front-runner for attention.” Thelander’s participation is supported by the Embassy of Sweden Washington. The opening feature film will be preceded by Come and Save Me, starring Fred Armisen, by Greenville, SC, filmmaker and TRIFF partner Chris White.  

Tickets on Saturday and Sunday can be purchased online, as well as at the Tryon Fine Arts Center, as the weekend continues with a diverse menu of films carefully chosen by the festival film selection committee. Attendees can choose from shorts, animated films, documentaries, feature-length films, equestrian films, and more, all available at partner locations.

A menu of education workshops will be available all day on Saturday and Sunday at TFAC, a TRIFF partner. This crafted lineup of short workshops is available to all pass holders and free to Polk County and Landrum residents, with support from the Polk County Community Foundation’s Mary Kessler Fund. Contact Ashley @ triffeducation@gmail.com to get a passcode for locals.

On Saturday at 9:30 a.m., Thelander will host a Morning Kaffi (coffee in Swedish) at The Fitzgerald. TRIFF partner Tryon Painters and Sculptors will host a downtown progressive plein air. Saturday evening’s spooktacular feature is Are You There, which was filmed at Green Life Inn at the Mimosa in Tryon, a TRIFF partner. The Green Carpet Event, sponsored by Tito’s, celebrates eco-cinema from 6 – 10 p.m. at The Fitzgerald with appetizers, a cash bar, live music by Flea Marketeers, and two eco-focused partners.

On Sunday, two feature films will be showcased at Tryon Theatre. The films by Jeff Lieberman, The Amazing Nina Simone and Bella!, will be accompanied by a Q&A with Lieberman and be preceded by a reception for invited guests hosted by the Urban League of the Upstate. The weekend closes with the Awards Ceremony open to the public at the Tryon Theatre at 8 p.m. with custom awards created by Night Owl Ironworks.

CoriAnna Klepac’s artwork, which won a $500 prize, is featured on the TRIFF24 program and t-shirts. Hats and TRIFF posters will be for sale at TRIFF HQ. 

To learn more about the festival, visit tryoninternationalfilmfestival.org or email directorpcfi@gmail.com.

 

Submitted by Debra Torrence