Joedance Film Festival, which is riding a wave of expansion in Year 10, will add a third night of film showings and has expanded the film submission territory beyond Charlotte’s borders to include both North Carolina and South Carolina.
The 10th annual Joedance Film Festival will run Thursday-Saturday nights, August 1-3, 2019 at Charlotte Ballet, which will host the event for the second consecutive year. Joedance has been traditionally held Friday and Saturday nights. The expansion positions Joedance to participate in the North Tryon Street renaissance and contribute to Uptown Charlotte’s continued growth.
Thursday night will be the Cultural Arts Evening Showcasing Arts+, a non-profit organization that serves 4,500 students in the region, half of whom receive free or reduced programs.
The territory expansion is designed as a first step to position Joedance as a major film festival in the Mid-Atlantic region, and to mirror the service footprint of the organization it benefits, Atrium Health and Levine Children’s Hosptial.
Diane Restaino, Joedance Film Festival Founder and President, looks forward to the double expansion.
“We believe that using a multicultural festival incorporating the power of cinema and performing arts to raise funds for pediatric cancer research at Atrium Health Levine Children’s not only supports our mission, but also the artistic talents of communities throughout North and South Carolina,” Restaino said.
Joedance Film Festival, including related events year-round, honors the late Joe Restaino by raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research at Atrium Health Levine Children’s through an annual film festival featuring directors, producers, writers and actors who share a North Carolina or South Carolina connection. Joedance supports research and clinical trials for pediatric sarcomas, blastomas and brain tumors.
Joedance is also committed to raising awareness of the regional film industry by showcasing films from North and South Carolina. The family chose a film festival to honor their son because of his love of movies.
To date, Joedance has donated more than $170,000 for Atrium Health Levine Children’s in nine years, including $20,000 in 2018.
Joedance ushered in a new era in 2018 with a larger venue and new event management consultant, giving Joedance an opportunity to double attendance and ensure the organization’s future and legacy.
In addition, Joedance contracted with Third Rock Events to manage the Film Festival and move beyond a mostly volunteer Festival operation. One of Third Rock’s specialties is non-profit event turnkey management.
Said Shawn Cosner, Founder and President of Third Rock Events: “2018 was an exciting year for Joedance as they were welcomed into their new home at the Charlotte Ballet. We here at Third Rock Events were moved by the talent of the filmmakers and by the passion of those who support the mission of Joedance. 2019 will be another exciting year for the festival with the addition of a third festival evening along with an expanded film submission footprint.”
Joedance Film Festival Submissions
Joedance Film Festival annually showcases short and feature-length films. Eligible filmmakers have to:
*reside in North Carolina or South Carolina;
*be originally from North or South Carolina
or
*be connected to North or South Carolina (films, cast or crew)
To submit a film, follow the link, https://joedance.org/film-submissions/.
