On April 17-27 the BAREBONES INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL will host the largest gathering of indendent actors, movie producers, screenwriters and directors in Oklahoma history. Over 140 movies will be exhibited during the eleven day film and music festival being held in Muskogee Oklahoma.
Home of the THE CASTLE, (location of the states largest Renaissance Fair), The Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame and the world famous Azalea Festival, the City has recently been dubbed "Movie City Oklahoma" due to the amount of movie producers that have begun making their annual trek to what has become known as the "worlds largest little film festival".
While the festival will feature screenplay readings, movie auditions, workshops and panels,
it will also be the location of several live motion picture filmings and music video productions.
Open to the public, it is one of the few film festivals in the entire world to arrange for attending movie producers, directors and actors to visit local schools to speak with youth about the movie industry, literacy and life during the festival run. The festival will also feature location tours for film makers,screenwriters and any interested person to encourage them to return to the state to produce or write their project. "We don't care how small or how large their budget is, we want to create an atmosphere that encourages them to return to Oklahoma to film here." says ShIronbutterfly the Founder and Executive Director. "Our state has the potential to be a visual and performance art Mecca and we are going to do everything in our power to make that happen."
She says the festival came into existence for that "precise reason". "To encourage independent film production in Oklahoma and to provide an additional low cost opportunity for individuals interested in learning and better understanding the industry as well as to meet and network with industry professionals and students from around the world".
The festival expanded its movie soundtrack competition and will feature a number of live performances at festival venues and local pubs during the event. This expansion she says is due to the "joined at the hip reality" of movies and music. Movie soundtracks and videos will play continuously throughout the festival and at all four of the venues set to show(screen) movies. Those screening venues are at Muskogees' Historic Roxy Theatre, the Muskogee Civic Center, the Muskogee Public Library, Maxs' Garage and Restaurant and the Arrowhead Mall. The festival will open April 17 in Tulsa at the Circle Cinema featuring a special night of powerful documentaries and docu-dramas..All venues are open to the public and pricing can be found online at http://barebones.bside.com. For more information call 918-616-1264.