Black Keys, Jelly Roll, more featured in docs for 2024's Nashville Film Fest lineup
An impressive multi-genre slate of intriguing stories impacting Music City's musical traditions of the past, present and future are among the films highlighted on the schedule of the forthcoming 55th Nashville Film Festival.
The week-long celebration of more than 150 films from around the world takes place at several Nashville arts venues — including the Belcourt Theatre, Regal Green Hills, Franklin Theatre and the Hilton Green Hills — from Sept. 19 – 25, 2024.
Post-film Q&As, in-depth discussions with attending filmmakers, professional development industry panels, social networking events and more are also scheduled. These include a screenwriting competition and "Creators Conference," among numerous live events and musical performances scheduled throughout the week.
Tickets for individual screenings will be available in August. However, VIP attendance badges — which provide exclusive access and additional benefits — range in price from $156-$330 and are now in limited quantities for purchase via https://nashvillefilmfestival.org/vip-badges.
Musical fare dominates lineup at 2024 Nashville Film Fest
A sextet of music-related films has already been announced for Sept. 16-25.
"The Jackie Shane Story," executive produced by Elliot Page, highlights the life of Jackie Shane, a Nashville-born, transgender, Black soul singer whose Chitlin' Circuit era performances alongside artists including Etta James and Little Richard, were barrier-breaking showcases.
The prolific career of legendary songwriter Diane Warren is celebrated in the Bess Kargman-directed "Diane Warren: Relentless." The documentary features her four decades of iconic collaborators, including Cher, Common and Gloria Estefan, executives and producers like Clive Davis and Quincy Jones, film director Jerry Bruckheimer and more. As noted in a press statement, the film offers a "rarely-seen glimpse into Diane's life and underdog journey that led her to remarkable collaborations and the unparalleled track record of mega-hits she is known for that showcase her creative genius."
Singer-songwriter legend Linda Perry is the focus of "Linda Perry: Let It Die Here," which, alongside featuring artists including Dolly Parton, Christina Aguilera, Kate Hudson, Sara Gilbert, P!nk and Brandi Carlile, offers a look at her as a statement notes, "(navigating) life-altering personal circumstances amidst gnawing career decisions."
As well, an eponymously titled "Devo" feature will chronicle the new wave favorites and "Whip It" performers "delving into the creativity and philosophies that have cemented the group's unique legacy."
How mainstream country's timeless legacy is evolving is the focus of "Rebel Country," which features Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, BRELAND, Blanco Brown, Sam Williams, Brooke Eden and Frank Ray navigating the genre's "seismic shifts" and "how art and music reflect the times we live in."
The Jeff Dupre-directed "This Is A Film About The Black Keys" also chronicles the band's journey from Akron, Ohio and "the complex bond that has kept them together through decades of relentless touring and personal challenges."
"We are excited to be (showcasing) powerful documentaries about renowned bands and artists that have shaped pop culture and our city," said Nashville Film Fest's Lauren Thelen via a press statement. "These films offer an intimate look into the journeys and trials of fame, and we are eager to see how Music City audiences rally around the reflections and messages vibrantly crafted from the familiar tunes."
"(2024's Nashville Film Fest offers) numerous impactful, personal and fun stories. We continue to be in awe of the exciting new talent in our industry and are grateful for the filmmakers who trust us to share their work with the Nashville community and beyond."
For nearly six decades, The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) has highlighted works from developing, veteran and world-renowned filmmakers alike, celebrating what festival organizers note is the "innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film."
For more information on the 55th Nashville Film Festival, visit www.nashfilm.org.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Film Festival lineup: Black Keys, Jelly Roll, more featured