FilmFest lineup announced

BATESVILLE — The 17th annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest has released the schedule of screenings and activities for the festival, set for April 19-21 and 27-28. All screenings will take place in Independence Hall at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, 2005 White Drive, except the opening-night event, which will be at the Melba Theater, 115 W. Main St.

The FilmFest will screen 45 films, most of which are Arkansas premieres. Several of the filmmakers will attend and conduct post-screening Q&As. Admission for individual screenings is $5 for adults, $4 for students and seniors, and $3 for Foothills Film Society members. A “Red Eye” allmovie pass is available for $30 for adults, $25 for students and seniors, and $20 for Foothills Film Society members.

The FilmFest will include Reel Rural: Rural America in Independent Film, a series of films accompanied by a free filmmaker panel discussion. The Reel Rural program will take place April 28, with the panel discussion at 10:30 a.m., followed by screenings of the three narrative and one documentary feature-length films directed by the panelists.

This year’s Opening Night event, on April 18, will be a feature-length silent film with live music accompaniment:

The Lost World, released in 1925, the first feature-length film to combine stop-motion animation and live actors and the first dinosaur-oriented film sensation. The film will be presented with live music by the Lyon College Jazz Band from an original score composed for the screening.

For the complete schedule of screenings and related activities, visit www.ozarkfoot hillsfilmfest.org.