2008 Festival Schedule

2008 Film Screening Schedule

Synopsis of 2008 Films by Category

Bios for 2008 panel and workshop participants

About the Festival

Southern hospitality at its best - best describes the festival!!!

Florence, Alabama, located on the Tennessee River, is one of the four cities which comprises the Shoals.  The Shoals is literally an entertainment Mecca with long roots which reach to the heart of rock and roll, southern rock, the blues, etc.  Oh!  It is the birthplace of Helen Keller, "America's First Lady of Courage," W. C. Handy, "The Father of the Blues," and legendary Sam Phillips, "The Father of Rock and Roll," who first recorded the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the list goes on.

The Festival receives national and international entries and awards a $3,000 prize to the "Best of Show" winner.  An award of $2,000 is given to the "Clyde 'Sappo' Black Sweet Home Alabama" winner which is the best film shot at least partially in Alabama.  All first place winners in each of the categories receive the minimum of a $100 cash prize or its equivalent in equipment or merchandise.

The list of previous festival guests includes Oscar winner Ernest Borgnine, "Sling Blade" star Lucas Black, character actor Stephen Root ("O Brother, Where Art Thou?") and actor-songwriter Donnie Fritts ("Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia") to makeup-effects artist Robert Hall ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), actor Cedric Pendleton (The Shield"), radio personality Mark Thompson (of "Mark & Brian" fame), photographer David Lee, recording-industry executive Mike Curb and music-video artist Ray Stevens.

Outstanding student films are recognized alongside such recent best-of-show winners as Shane Acker's Oscar nominated "9," Steve Guttenberg's "P.S. Your Cat is Dead," Hall's "Lightening Bug" and the Kathryn Tucker Windham documentary "Kathryn: A Story of a Teller." 

The Shoals area has always been known for its creative people, maverick spirit and energy.  It is now building on its rich musical heritage by devoting many of its resources toward enhancing its emerging film industry.  In addition to Mr. Lindsey, the area has produced screen actors Lucas Black ("Sling Blade"), Michael Jeter ("The Green Mile"), Pat Buttram ("Green Acres"), Dewey Martin ("The Big Sky") and Glenn Shadix ("Beetlejuice").  These individuals have followed/are following in the rich cultural history of those who have found fame with the "Muscle Shoals Sound."  Among the artists that have recorded locally are:  Aretha Franklin, Duane Allman, Backstreet Boys, Lou Rawls, Little Richard, Andy Williams, Wayne Newton, Lisa Minnelli, Tom Jones, Wilson Pickett, The Drifters, Ray Stevens, Otis Redding, Alabama, Marty Stuart, Bill Haley & The Comets, Wet Willie, Dobie Gray, and many more.

University of North Alabama's library houses all of Lindsey's film and TV scripts as well as Borgnine's complete collection of scripts.  Other Hollywood celebrities - including "Fahrenheit 451" author Ray Bradbury, archivist and enthusiast Forrest J. Ackerman and film historian David J. Skal - have donated rare scripts and one-of-a-kind memorabilia from their personal collections.

We encourage you to submit your film and experience SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY AT ITS BEST!

Dr. George S. Lindsey - Festival Founder

For years, George Lindsey's classic portrayal of "Goober" has filled hearts with love and laughter. While he may be best known as the "simple" gas station attendant on The Andy Griffith Show, Lindsey's talents extended well beyond the city limits of Mayberry. In fact, Lindsey is an established veteran character actor of tremendous range.

After graduation from the prestigious American Theatre Wing in New York and the landing of co-starring roles in Broadway musicals, including All American and Wonderful Town, the Jasper, Alabama, native headed for Hollywood in 1962. He was immediately cast for the film Ensign Pulver directed by Josh Logan. Within the next two years, Lindsey appeared in more than 40 television shows.

His introduction to Andy Griffith in 1964 inspired the creation of the Goober character. Lindsey co-starred on both The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry RFD for more than seven years, firmly endearing himself to an entire nation of viewers.

The Andy Griffith Show was never out of the Nielsen top ten during its original airing on CBS from 1960-68 and was the top-rated show on television during its last season. Now celebrating its 39th anniversary, the show currently airs in more than 100 U.S. markets. Its longstanding following is evidenced by The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC), which is one of the most loyal and active fan clubs today, boasting such illustrious members as country superstar Randy Travis and college favorite R.E.M. Mayberry RFD ran for three seasons (1967-71) and was a Top Ten program while on the air.

Obviously, a television viewer's favorite, judging by the syndication popularity, the "Mayberry Fever" still runs rampant today supported by a multinational fan club that maintains more than 500 chapters.

In 1971, Lindsey stopped by the Nashville studios of Hee Haw to say hello to friends. The show's producer asked Lindsey to do "a couple of lines" for the taping and a 20-year role on the series was spawned. In May of 1994, Lindsey starred in the stage production of Hee Haw Live at Opryland.

Some of his television appearances include: M.A.S.H., Flo, Laugh-In, The Tonight Show, Merv Griffin, David Frost, The Wonderful World of Disney, Twilight Zone, Jack Parr, Gunsmoke, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Banachek, CHIPS, Hollywood Squares, Kraft Music Hall, Herbie the Love Bug, Mike Douglas and The Tulsa Music Festival. Dr. Lindsey is currently hosting the fourth season of Liars and Legends on Turner South, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour regional entertainment network. Southern stories almost too good to be true, the Emmy-winning Liars and Legends explore the larger-than-life heroes, histories, mysteries and colorful events that shaped the south's rich history. It airs on Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. (CST).

Lindsey's motion picture credits include: Cannonball Run II, The Rescuers, Take This Job and Shove It, Robinhood, Snowball Express, The Aristocats, Charlie and the Angel and Treasure of Matacumbe.

A peek into the private side of George Lindsey reveals a bright and compassionate humanitarian. He has raised more than 1.7 million dollars for Alabama Special Olympics through the George Lindsey Celebrity Golf Tournament which was held in Montgomery, Alabama, that raised funds to assist thousands of mentally retarded children for 17 years. The George Lindsey Aquatic Center at the Alabama State Hospital for the Mentally Retarded is another of his accomplishments. In 1996, Lindsey was awarded the prestigious Minnie Pearl Award for his humanitarian contributions.