Friday, August 3rd Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson, Oldham County Judge-Executive Duane Murner and Todd Cassidy, Director-Kentucky Film Office officially kicked-off the Bluegrass Independent Film Festival at Artemisia Restaurant & Gallery with their joint support of the Arts and Regionalism.

In these days of full contact politics, it’s rare to see government leaders agree. But on Friday, August 3rd, Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson and Oldham County Judge-Executive Duane Murner joined together to promote the upcoming Bluegrass Independent Film Festival as part of downtown Louisville’s 1st Friday Trolley Hop.

Held at Artemisia Restaurant and Gallery, an establishment owned by dual Oldham and Jefferson County resident, Ann Hargis, the festive celebration gave local art lovers and independent film fans a taste of what to expect at the 3rd Annual Bluegrass Independent Film Festival being held in LaGrange at Great Escapes Oldham 8 Theatre the weekend of September 7-9, 2007.

“It is exciting for the 3rd Annual Bluegrass Independent Film Festival to be a part of the Trolley Hop,” said Abramson, “to raise the level of awareness of the importance of all areas of the arts and culture in our region.”

Oldham County Judge Executive Duane Murner also spoke of the need for regional cooperation in the arts. He cited the Bluegrass Independent Film Festival as an example of how neighboring communities can work together.

“Seventy-nine films,” Murner told the crowd of supporters. “Sixty-two hours of filmmaking that begins the weekend of September 7th, 8th and 9th. I think the arts are a fundamental area [of cooperation] because the arts are the heart of regionalism.”

The Bluegrass Independent Film Festival was launched in 2005. This year’s festival received 182 entries from around the world, giving area residents a rare opportunity to see innovative works and emerging cinematic talent. Promoting it during the 1st Friday Trolley Hop brought the Oldham County-based Festival to the attention of Louisville residents.

State government was represented at the event by Todd Cassidy, Director of the Kentucky Film Office in Frankfort. Cassidy discussed the importance of promoting our communities and what they have to offer filmmakers. “You are not only supporting the arts and building the local film industry, but you’re also bringing people in to visit the area. Filmmakers in particular are driving around, seeing the communities while they’re here, and they’ll realize there are locations in Kentucky that are not all horse farms,” said Cassidy. “They will come back and they’ll put money back into the community. That’s the key to the film industry. It’s the arts but it’s also the economic impact.”

The event continued that evening outside Artemisia with promotion of the Film Festival during the 1st Friday Trolley Hop. While independent film clips were shown on a large screen TV on Market Street, popcorn and film festival information were passed out to trolley hoppers and passionate conversations with independent film buffs grew to pure excitement for the festival!

Among many dignitaries also on hand were Tamara Lee Fulkerson, 2007 Festival Director and Kim Buckler, Director of Oldham County Tourism. According to Buckler, “The Bluegrass Independent Film Festival has developed the reputation for true southern hospitality and quality independent films. We have not only earned our place among older, more established film festivals, we’ve earned our place in the minds of top independent filmmakers in the industry. Our festival stands on its own merits. The film festival is a program of the Arts Association of Oldham County and we’re very proud of it.”

Filmmakers from all over the country and abroad are expected to attend the 3rd Annual Bluegrass Independent Film Festival on September 7-9, 2007. For more information about the Bluegrass Independent Film Festival, visit www.bluegrassfilmfest.com or call the Arts Association of Oldham County at (502) 222-3822. For media inquiries, call Kim Buckler, Director n Oldham County Tourism at (502) 243-9353.

The Oldham County Arts Association is proud to continue with its history of being the best film festival in this region with hospitality not shown anywhere else as attested to by the many filmmakers who attended BIFF 2005 and 2006. The festival pays homage to D. W. Griffith’s innovative film making techniques he developed with his first feature film, released just over 90 years ago. His birthplace is located here in Oldham County in the city of LaGrange, KY. Come view independent films in an AIR CONDITIONED MOVIE THEATER…films likely to be shown at Cannes and Sundance and have fun at two fabulous festival parties on Friday and Saturday nights. See www.bluegrassfilmfest.com for more information!

Bluegrass Independent Film Festival

Great Escape Oldham 8 Theater, LaGrange KY 40031

Tamara Fulkerson, BIFF Director

(502) 222-3822

biffdirector@oldhamcountyarts.org

sept 7-9