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Real to Reel returns to KM July 26-29, 2017
Linda Pandolph (third from right), executive producer of the 2016"Best of Fest" film, "Last Man Club," receives her award during the wrap party last year.

When you think of film festivals, Cannes or Sundance may come to mind. But Cleveland County residents can boast about their own film festival, one that has been going strong for 18 years - Kings Mountain's Real to Reel International Film Festival, taking place this year July 26-29, 2017 at the Joy Performance Center, 202 S. Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain.
"The Real to Reel Film Festival's mission is to offer a forum for independent film, video and multimedia artists to showcase their talents and garner award-winning name recognition," says Shearra Miller, president of the Cleveland County Arts Council. The festival will feature films of all genres from 30 different countries and from all over the U.S., including 10 from North Carolina.
"Real to Reel is a competitive film festival with monetary awards presented to the winners in both the professional and amateur categories," says Miller. The prestigious "Best of Show Award" earns $1,000. Professional winners receive a $500 award, while amateur winners will win $250. The "Best of North Carolina Award" is worth $300.
"Audience members will be allowed to vote on their favorite film each night with one winner selected at the end of the festival," says Miller.
New this year to the festival is the "Real to Reel Kids Fest" sponsored by KidSenses Children's Interactive Museum. This special screening will take place on Saturday morning, July 29, 2017, at 10 a.m.
"It will feature films made for kids and by kids," says Miller. Special concessions will include cotton candy and candy apples plus all the traditional "movie food favorites." Tickets for the Kids Fest are free for children 12 and under and $4 in advance and $5 at the door for everyone else.
One popular feature of the festival is the silent auction, which will feature items such as scripts from movies, trips to famous movie locations, movie passes and unique movie memorabilia.
"All of these - and more - will be available to the highest bidder at the end of the festival," says Miller. Question/Answer sessions with all visiting filmmakers and special giveaways will also be held throughout the festival.
For more information about ticket prices or about any of the activities associated with Real to Reel, or to view the complete schedule of the 48 films that will screen this year, call the Arts Council at 704-484-2787 or visit the website
www.realtoreelfest.com.

By April Hoyle Shauf

Special to Community First Media


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