The 2009 Beaufort International Film Festival (March 5-8th)

With 100 entries from more than 24 countries worldwide, from Cambodia to Russia, 21 film Finalists have been chosen for competition in the 2009 Beaufort International Film Festival. " This is definitely the best slate of finalists we have ever had, I am very proud of the offerings. Our finalists represent the finest in filmmaking talent" says Film Festival Director Ron Tucker.

The documentary category has five finalists that include the full political spectrum from the left leaning anti vaccine 'Michael Moore' style film 'Vaccine Nation' to a powerful right leaning anti-abortion student film 'Bresson &Adeline' that is subtly and artfully done. Winners in all categories will be announced Saturday March 7th at the Awards Ceremony. This year Tom Berenger (The Big Chill, ) will receive The Ribaut Excellence in Acting Award. There will also be several exciting panels and workshops. On Saturday morning March 7th, Masters Behind the Movie Magic will feature a panel of Beaufort based film specialists who work all over the world on top films. And they will take questions from the audience. Other workshops include a Screenwriter's Workshop and an Animation Workshop.

Countries represented by the finalists are: South Korea, Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, and the United States. Regionally, one finalist, Pete Stone, is from Chester, South Carolina ('To Fetch a Pale of Water') and two of the student finalists are from the University of North Carolina, School of the Arts, Jesse Pilkes ('Asphyxia') and Marco Garcia ('1915').

All Access Passes for the festival are just $65 dollars and include all screenings, VIP parties, and Awards Ceremony. It's a great time to visit Beaufort for a romantic warm weekend getaway as both the winter flowers (camellias) will still be abundant and the early blossoms of the spring azaleas will be here. Several hotels in Beaufort will be offering special discounted packages for the three nights, including the top ranked Bed and Breakfast's : The Rhett House Inn and Beaufort Inns, and the new Beaufort Holiday Inn. Make plans now to visit Beaufort for this exciting International event for film lovers.

Beaufort, South Carolina, which has been the filming location for over 20 major motion pictures (Forrest Gump, The Big Chill, Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, G.I. Jane, to name just a few) will also be featuring special tours to locations where these films were shot on Sunday, the last day of the festival, March 8th.

For further information on each film, please see the following pages with contact information for your area's finalists.

Watch us on YouTube: Beaufort Film Festival PSA on You Tube.