by: Rachael Camp

It's easy to misunderstand filmmaking aspirations in a place like Jackson, Tennessee. After all, movies are manufactured for millions of dollars by a small army of highly specialized technicians who work only in major metropolises, right? Why would anyone who is serious about this art form plant their flag anywhere other than LA, New York, or Atlanta?

However, with filmmaking technology becoming increasingly affordable and accessible in the past few decades, there has been a surge of independent filmmakers from all walks of life. I find this incredibly exciting because it means we get to experience unique stories told by diverse voices and expressed through this beautiful medium many love. And many of those new voices will be recognized at the first-ever Hub City Film Festival this weekend.

This local film festival is the brainchild of festival director, Shelby Tyre. She shares, "West TN is home to me so after going off to school and then to LA for a while and now being back I knew something was missing. Something I wish had been here when I was younger: a film community." So, she set to work making the Hub City Film Festival a reality. As she searched to find a film community in Jackson, she was pleasantly surprised.

"Admittedly, I was surprised at how big the community is, 30 films? That was very unexpected! But I’m thrilled and so excited to help bring these artists' works to the screen. And hopefully, to continue doing this yearly!" she says.

Over two days on August 5 & 6, the Hub City Film Festival will screen 30 short and feature films, host Q&As with the filmmakers, and offer four workshops with industry pros. Tickets are available now at hubcityfilmfestival.org.

"Film is an art I think we take for granted, but it’s more than just entertaining. It can be healing and joyful for both the filmmaker and the viewer. For me, there is just something about when the lights go down in the theater, no one else but you and the screen. Who you are is acceptable here no matter what.”

Expression through the filmmaking medium is not limited to a particular zip code. Historically, the choice to establish film studios in a place like Hollywood was based more on finding year-round sunshine to expose their primitive film stock and allow them to make more films, as the east coast's weather made outdoor filming unfeasible for most of the year. These technological and economic factors no longer apply today. So, why not Jackson?

RIFA has a beautiful mural that reads, "Love the One In Front of You," and I feel that this sentiment applies to our city as well --"Love Where You Are Right Now." The unique way you can invest in the life and culture of this place is love. Filmmaking is for everyone, everywhere, and Jackson has taken note.

Learn more and buy tickets at https://hubcityfilmfestival.org.

Rachael Camp is an independent filmmaker and film professor. Since 2007, she has directed 10 short films, a number of which were selected to screen at the Nashville Film Festival and the Indie Memphis Film Festival. Camp lives in Jackson with her husband, Austin, and their two daughters.

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