Independent Films in Ruston

By Tori Ward, Marketing/PR Assistant

September seems to be the month of films in Ruston, La. There are three different film events taking place in Ruston over the next few weeks, including an indie film series, a touring film festival, and a showing of several short films by a local filmmaker. Read more about each of these incredible film events below. 

Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers

September 15: Agents of Change

Image via agentsofchangefilm.com

7pm | Dixie Center for the Arts

Agents of Change will be the first film to kick off NCLAC's Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers in Ruston, La. We're beyond excited that NCLAC was chosen as 1 of 21 screening partners for the 2016-2017 Southern Circuit Tour, a tour of independent films and filmmakers in which filmmakers participate in community screenings and audience engagement activities. 

NCLAC will present six of the Southern Circuit films over eight months at the Dixie Center for the Arts. These selected films have been screened at major film festivals, winning awards and gaining national recognition. If you haven't caught on yet, let me be blunt: THIS IS A BIG DEAL. Ruston has never seen an event like this, so you absolutely will not want to miss this series of films. 

Not only do viewers have the opportunity to see these films on screen at the historic Dixie Theatre, but they will also have the chance to participate in a Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening. Find more information and a link to purchase tickets here. 

Reel Paddling Film Festival

September 22 

6-8pm | Louisiana Tech Planetarium 

image via reelpaddlingfilmfestival.com

Louisiana Delta Adventures is bringing the World Tour of the Reel Paddling Film Festival to Ruston, La.! The Reel Paddling Film Festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year. There are 21 inspiring paddling films shortlisted for the World Tour, including the ten festival category winners. 

Audiences will see gripping whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, northern river canoe expeditions, international river travel films, motivating environmental documentaries, intense kayak fishing battles, and hilarious short films capturing the lighter side of paddling life.

This is a free event, although seating is limited to the first 100 attendees. Each participant will be able to vote for their "People's-Choice Favorite" and will receive a free subscription to a paddling magazine. In addition, a kayak will be given away to one lucky winner. This showing is only one of two tours held in the the South so far this year, so be sure to take advantage of this unique opportunity! Find more info here.

A Night of Shorts by Matthew Ramsaur

September 24

7:30-9:30pm | Celebrity Theatres in Ruston 

image via facebook.com/events/603169083189226/

A Night of Shorts provides another unique opportunity to view four short films created by Matthew Ramsaur, local filmmaker/videographer of Ramsaur Films. These four shorts have a Christian theme, but please be aware that most of these films are not suitable for children under the age of 13. This event will be held at Celebrity Theatres in Ruston and is free to the public. 

The four films being shown are In Between, Shadows Aglow, Freedom, and Divert. In Between was recently screened at the Great Lakes Christian Film Festival in Buffalo, New York and was nominated for four awards, winning Best Short Film and Best Director. Following the films, there will be a Q&A session with cast and crew of each film. Don't miss this great opportunity to support an incredibly talented local filmmaker. Find more info here.

We hope you get a chance to experience this diverse and unique series of film events taking place in Ruston, La. this fall! Please comment below if you have any questions regarding these events. For more event listings visit experienceruston.com.  

Tori is a proud Louisiana native and social media nerd. She has a passion for travel, food, and all things related to tourism promotions. Tori is an avid movie watcher, coffee fanatic, and lover of the outdoors. Still want to know more? Head over to her website.