Magnolia Film Festival Returns to Starkville for 29th Year, Showcasing Independent Cinema
The Magnolia Film Festival, affectionately known as “The Mag,” will once again illuminate the screen at UEC Starkville Theater next week, bringing a diverse collection of independent films from Mississippi and around the globe to the Golden Triangle. Now in its 29th year, the festival has become a cornerstone of the region’s arts scene, celebrated for its commitment to showcasing emerging filmmakers and fostering a vibrant community around independent cinema.
The festival’s enduring success, particularly in a landscape where many independent film festivals have struggled, speaks to a dedicated local audience, according to festival board president Thomas Easterling. “I think that it survived the pandemic, and that it’s managed to stick around when a lot of other independent film festivals have not, shows that people in this area really want to go and see things like this,” Easterling stated on Wednesday. “Not every movie has to be a superhero movie.”
This year’s lineup features a total of 32 films, comprised of 29 short films – ranging in length from 15 to 30 minutes – and three feature-length productions. Screenings will commence at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, and continue through February 21. A family-friendly showing is scheduled for 11 a.m. on February 21, followed by a workshop and panel discussion at 1 p.m. The festival will culminate on February 21 with film presentations beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at magnoliafilmfest.com.
A significant portion of the festival’s programming will highlight local talent, with six films originating from Mississippi. These films explore a wide range of themes, from narratives centered on aging characters to a documentary titled “Not Your Negroni,” which profiles an African American bartender and the creation of his signature cocktail.
The February 21 workshop will be led by Marty Lang, an assistant professor of communication, media and theater at Mississippi State University, and will focus on the crucial topic of fundraising for independent films. Festival Director Chris Misun explained that the workshop will be followed by a panel discussion featuring indie filmmakers sharing their insights into the art of storytelling. “Last year was kind of focusing on music and sound, and then the year before, it was art,” Misun said. “So this is kind of closing the loop on what I wanted to do … between the 25th and the 30th (festival).”
Misun emphasized the festival’s unique, approachable atmosphere. Following each film presentation, filmmakers will be readily available to engage with audience members, fostering a direct connection between creators and viewers. “It’s such a casual festival that you wouldn’t even know sometimes that you’re talking to a filmmaker unless you look at their badge,” Misun noted. “Everybody’s just so easy going and just enjoying the process. There’s no divide between any of that kind of stuff.”
Films will be evaluated across 13 categories, with awards including Best Cinematography, Best Feature, and the prestigious Ron Tibbett Award, honoring the festival’s founder. The diverse range of genres represented this year includes documentary films, music videos, and even “a really cool, sci-fi western” scheduled to screen on February 20.
Misun believes the festival’s single-screen format offers a distinct advantage. “This is one of the best opportunities to (check out what independent film is about) because we are a single-screen festival, and that’s kind of an abnormality in festivals,” he said. “… I want everybody to see everybody’s projects.”
Easterling echoed this sentiment, highlighting the strong sense of community that defines the Magnolia Film Festival. “The other thing that always makes me happiest is when I go to the theater and I turn around and I watch other people watching the movies and I see that they’re just in love with what they see as I am,” he said. “There’s a sense of community that’s undeniable. The people who come are people who respect the work that goes into each one of these films.” He encourages local residents to attend and experience the festival firsthand. “When people put together these films, they are sweating every penny, and there is absolutely no good reason to put these films together except the most important reason of all, which is that they represent the dreams of the people who are making them,” Easterling concluded. “It’s just magic to watch it all come together in the theater with popcorn and coke and other people who are falling in love with the very same thing.”
