Films Premiere In Franklin As Part Of Nashville Film Festival

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (Oct. 3, 2022) — The 53rd Annual Nashville Film Festival kicked off Sept. 29 and continues this week at venues across the city, including the Franklin Theatre.

Several weekend screenings featured local connections, including South Nashville-set “I Can Feel You Walking” and modern western “Alta Valley,” which played to a sold-out crowd Saturday night. Cast members Briza Covarrubias, Allee-Sutton Hethcoat, Paulette Lamori, Harold Skow were in attendance for the world premiere in Franklin, alongside writer-director Jesse Edwards.

Both films are still available to watch through the festival’s virtual cinema platform.

Informative documentary “Still Working 9 to 5” celebrates the iconic feminist film more than 40 years after it was released, featuring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton, whose company helped the film get made.

Producers Gary and Larry Lane were in attendance Sunday at the Franklin Theatre, along with several others involved with the project. The creators shared a special video message from Parton, who told the crowd, “My heart is with you.” Executive Producer and Dolly Parton Enterprises Creative Director told the crowd he got involved because gender pay inequity in the U.S. remains “alarming.” He encouraged the audience to vote and be vocal in a post-show Q&A, which included a heartfelt exchange with a Vanderbilt University theatre group doing a production of “9 to 5.”

Producers Patricia Heaton and David Hunt attended the Sunday premiere of “Unexpected,” their feature dramedy about a married couple struggling to conceive. The offbeat, heartfelt story stars Joe Mazzello and Anna Camp, who visited the Franklin and participated in a post-film Q&A with festival director Lauren Ponto.

Heaton told the crowd of nearly 200 that she hopes “Unexpected” leaves audiences feeling hopeful.

“Right now, sometimes it’s hard to see hope in the world,” she said. “But [this film] doesn’t shy away from the difficulties, the struggle, the pain. We go through these things as human beings in this life…but we are being watched over, there’s a purpose and a plan. There’s a plan and we just don’t see it yet, so I just want people to hold onto that.”

Also in attendance this weekend were cast and crew members from “Spirit Halloween: The Movie,” which is playing in theaters nationwide. Other Franklin Theatre selections included a retrospective screening of “Dirty Dancing,” the music documentary “Immediate Family” and “Seriously Red,” a drama about the life of a Dolly Parton impersonator. “The Lost King,” “Follow Her” and “The Integrity of Joseph Chambers” were also screened.

Several festival titles are still available to watch through virtual cinema. Screenings will continue through Wednesday at Soho House, the Belcourt Theatre and TPAC. Find the full schedule here.