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Ready for takeoff? Here's your first look at the 2019 Flyover Film Festival in Louisville

Kirby Adams
Courier Journal
Offical 2019 Flyoer Film Festival poster

The 11th Flyover Film Festival is set for takeoff. The annual celebration of movies with ties to the Bluegrass State will feature six films, and for the first time, each is helmed by a female director.

"This year's program consisting of films entirely directed by women was not the result of a gender mandate," said Soozie Eastman, president of the Louisville Film Society, "but instead a reflection of the quality of work submitted."

Films are selected for the festival after they are curated and screened by the Louisville Film Society board. After the screenings, each member votes for their favorites. This year, when the final tally came in, all of the top films were directed by women.

This small Kentucky film festival may be a glimpse into the larger changing tide of feature filmmaking, which traditionally has been a male-dominated business. 

According to the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, on the "Celluloid Ceiling” of the top 100 films of 2018, 96.4% of the directors were men and only 3.6% of directors were women.

That's a gender ratio of 27 to 1.

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This year's festival takes flight on July 21-26 at the Speed Cinema at the Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. 3rd St., and Kentucky Science Center, 727 W. Main St. It offers film lovers and filmmakers a chance to view big screen work with a Bluegrass connection, plus the opportunity to meet and mingle with many of the directors.

"Louisville Film Society takes great pride in celebrating films that have connections to our state whether they were shot here, star a Kentucky-born actor, or were directed, written, or produced by a native," said Stu Pollard, chairman of the board of the Louisville Film Society. "We are thrilled to recognize these inspiring and gifted filmmakers."

Here's everything you need to know about the 2019 Flyover Film Festival, from movie descriptions to dates and times: 

2019 Flyover Film Festival movies

"A Destruction"

Website: ADestructionFilm.com

What the film is about: Humera, an 11-year old girl from a remote village off the coast of Karachi, Pakistan, dreams of becoming a doctor. When the only school in her community comes under threat of closure, Humera faces intense pressure to forego her education for an arranged marriage. "A Destruction" follows the trajectory of Humera's life as it reaches a critical point: when she must maintain the determination to stay in school or risk falling prey to the cycle of poverty.

Connection to Kentucky: Director/Producer Urooj Yazdani grew up in Columbia, Kentucky. After graduating from high school in Adair County, she studied biology at the University of Kentucky. She then attended graduate and medical school out of state before returning home to complete post-graduate training at the University of Louisville, where she is currently a resident in the Department of Psychiatry.

Festival history: Developed as part of the Tribeca Film Institute.

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"Burning Kentucky"

Website: burningkentuckymovie.com

What the film is about: In the foggy mountains of Eastern Kentucky, a young woman searches for the missing pieces of a mysterious event that killed her family. When the truth is revealed, she must choose between the love of a man ... or avenging her family.

Connection to Kentucky: Bethany Brooke Anderson is a native Kentuckian, and more than 75% of the cast and crew are also from Kentucky. The Louisville Film Society was the fiscal sponsor of "Burning Kentucky," with 80% of the funding coming from Kentucky

Festival History: Won Best Feature and Best Actress at Mammoth Film Festival. Won Best Feature Chattanooga Film Festival and Garden State Film Festival. Won Best Supporting Actress at Richmond International Film Festival.

"Butterfly Trees"

Butterfly Trees from Director and Producer Kay Milam.

Website: butterflytrees.com

What the film is about: A documentary that captures the transcontinental journey of the eastern monarch butterflies on their epic migration from the forested shores of Southern Canada to the rare and ancient oyamel fir trees of Central Mexico. Part science, part adventure, and part love story, the film is a reflection on the profound mysteries of the natural world and the ties that irrevocably connect us all. 

Connection to Kentucky: Director and Writer Kay Milam is a longtime Louisville resident who has worked in the film industry for many years. Narrated by Louisville musician Will Oldham. "Butterfly Trees" was a fiscally sponsored project of the Louisville Film Society.

Festival History: Won Best Documentary at Festival Sayulita, Best Feature Film at Colorado Environmental Film Festival, Audience Award at Cinema Verde, Platinum Award at Worldfest Houston, Award of Excellence and Impact Doc Awards, and Official Selection of Sedona International Film Festival, Valle Festival, Santa Cruz International Film Festival and Over the Rhine Festival.

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'Overload: America’s Toxic Love Story'

Overload: America’s Toxic Love Story by  Director and Producer Soozie Eastman.

Website: overloadfilm.com

What the film is about: Before starting a family, Soozie Eastman, daughter of an industrial chemical distributor, embarks on a journey to find out the levels of toxins in her body and explores if there is anything she or anyone else can do to change them. With guidance from world-renowned physicians and environmental leaders, interviews with scientists and politicians, and stories of everyday Americans, Eastman uncovers how we got to be so overloaded with chemicals and if there is anything we can do to take control of our exposure. Can we hit the reset button, or is it too late?

Connection to Kentucky: Director and Producer Soozie Eastman is a born and raised Louisvillian who, after more than a decade of living in Los Angeles, returned to Kentucky to make her first feature film after the tax incentives passed utilizing local crew.

Festival History: Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival. Fall distribution with Bullfrog Films.

'Perception'

Perception (drama)  by Director, Co-writer and Producer Ilana Rein.

Website: perceptionamovie.com

What the film is about: When Daniel, a successful real estate developer, must evict Nina, a mysterious small-time psychic struggling to provide for her young son, the last thing he expects in return is a free reading. But when Nina senses the spirit of Daniel’s dead wife, a once-promising artist, his desire to reconnect with her quickly becomes an obsession. Haunted by memories, Daniel is determined to reunite with his wife — who may have designs of her own. Soon, Daniel and Nina must each decide how far they’ll go to get what they want in this supernatural, psychological thriller.

Connection to Kentucky: "Perception" was filmed entirely in Louisville with a local crew and supporting cast. Native Louisvillian Wes Ramsey stars. The soundtrack includes a song by local group The Pass.

Festival History: DTLA Film Festival. To be distributed by Gravitas.

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'The Short History of the Long Road'

The Short History of the Long Road (drama)  from Director and Writer Ani Simon-Kennedy.

Website: shorthistorylongroad.com

What the film is about: Teenager Nola grew up living out of a van with her charismatic father, Clint; two nomads against the world. When tragedy strikes, Nola must confront the reality of life on the road alone. She'll need to take the wheel for the first time learning to own her grief, her past and her new destination.

Connection to Kentucky: Executive Producer Stu Pollard is a Louisville native.

Festival History: Tribeca Film Festival, Bentonville Film Festival, The Chicago Critics Film Festival, Berkshire International Film Festival.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/kirbya.

2019 Flyover Film Festival Schedule

All films take place at the Speed Cinema, 2035 S. 3rd St., unless otherwise noted.

July 21

  • 6 p.m.: Kentucky premiere of  "Butterfly Trees" followed by Q&A with director and producer Kay Milam.
  • 8 p.m.: Kentucky premiere of "Burning Kentucky" followed by Q&A with director, writer and producer Bethany Brooke Anderson and cast members Augie Duke, Dara Jade Tiller, Emilie Dhir and John Pyper Ferguson.

July 22

  • 6 p.m.: "Burning Kentucky" followed by Q&A with director, writer and producer Bethany Brooke Anderson and cast members Augie Duke, Dara Jade Tiller, Emilie Dhir and John Pyper Ferguson.
  • 8 p.m.: Kentucky premiere of  "Perception" followed by Q&A with director, co-writer and producer Ilana Rein, producer and co-writer Brian Smith and lead actor Wes Ramsey.

July 23

  • 6 p.m.: "Perception" followed by Q&A with director, co-writer and producer Ilana Rein, producer and co-writer Brian Smith and actor Wes Ramsey.
  • 8 p.m.: Work-in-progress screening of "A Destruction" followed by Q&A with director and producer Urooj Yazdani and cinematographer Omar Nabulsi.

July 24

  • 6 p.m.: Indie Directors Panel with Kay Milam, Bethany Brooke Anderson, Urooj Yazdani, Ani Simon-Kennedy and Soozie Eastman.
  • 8 p.m.: Kentucky premiere of  "The Short History of the Long Road "followed by Q&A with director and writer Ani Simon-Kennedy.

July 25

  • 6 p.m.: "Butterfly Trees" followed by Q&A with director and producer Kay Milam.

July 26

Kentucky Science Center, 727 W Main St.

  • 7:30 p.m.: Kentucky premiere of "Overload: America’s Toxic Love Story" followed by Q&A with director and producer Soozie Eastman.

Admission to Flyover Film Festival

Tickets to all screenings are $7 for Louisville Film Society and Speed members and $9 for general admission.

Tickets to the Indie Directors Panel are free for Louisville Film Society and Speed members and $5 for students and filmmakers. Tickets to the panel are also $5 with the purchase of the 8 p.m. "Short History of the Long Road" screening.

To purchase tickets or for more information on the Flyover Film Festival, visit louisvillefilmsociety.org.

Other Flyover Film Festival events

A Pre-Flight Reception will be held July 10 at the 21c Museum Hotel, 700 W. Main St, from 6-8 p.m. In addition to meeting the filmmakers, you'll enjoy free light bites. The first 50 arrivals will also receive a complimentary drink ticket and other cocktails will be available at a discounted price.

A closing night celebration with complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and drinks for attendees of that night’s screening will be held at KMAC, 715 W.  Main St., after the 7:30 p.m. screening on July 26 from 9:30-10:30 p.m.

In addition to the regular Flyover Film Festival screenings, an Indie Directors Panel will be held July 24 at 6 p.m. at the Speed Cinema, 2035 S. 3rd St.

The discussion will focus on the directors' personal journey within the film industry, as well as explore the broader aspects of representation in film, including the range and available roles for women both in front of and behind the camera.