Southern Circuit Film Series

Hapeville Hosts Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers

The City of Hapeville proudly presents the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. The 2023-24 series screenings will continue beginning February and run trough March 2024 with free admission and access to each film screening! Join us at Christ Church & Carriage House for a reception at 6pm followed by the film screening at 7pm.

Butterfly in the Sky | February 9, 2024 | Runtime: 87 min

Directed & produced by Bradford Thomason & Brett Whitcomb

Butterfly in the Sky_LBurton

Butterfly in the Sky tells the story of the beloved PBS children’s series "Reading Rainbow," its iconic host LeVar Burton, and the challenges its creators faced in cultivating a love of reading through television. Two seconds into the bubbling synth sounds of its theme song will have a child of the 1980s or ‘90s exclaiming “Reading Rainbow!” Such is the beloved nature of the classic children’s literary television show that introduced millions of kids to the wonder of books. Not only did the series insist on having kids speak to kids about their favorite stories,Reading Rainbow introduced the world to one of the most adored television hosts of all time, LeVar Burton. Thanks to his direct, non-patronizing and, most importantly, kind delivery, Burton became a conduit to learning for children of every background - delving behind the pages to the people, places, and things each new story explored. 

Bridge Builders Series | March 8, 2024 | Runtime: 29 minBridge Builders Series_Promo

Directed & produced by Zac Manuel (Producer and Director), Lauren G. Cargo (Producer), Adamu Chan (Director), Alex Flores (Director), Robie Flores (Director), Cai Thomas (Director), and Travis Wood (Director)

Bridge Builders Series - Across the United States, community leaders of different ages, backgrounds, and geographies are fighting for criminal justice reform. Their work has tangible impacts on the lives of those around them, and together they look toward a future where no one is left behind. Independent Lens Bridge Builders is a series of short documentaries highlighting these changemakers and their communities, collectively crafting a picture of the reform landscape nationwide.

We Will Speak | April 12, 2024 | Runtime: 94 min

Directed by Schon Duncan and Michael McDermit and produced by Keli Gonzales and Laura Heberton

We Will Speak_PromoWe Will Speak - The Cherokee language is deeply tied to Cherokee identity; yet generations of assimilation efforts by the U.S. government and anti-Indigenous stigmas have forced the Tri-Council of Cherokee tribes to declare a State of Emergency for the language in 2019. While there are 430,000 Cherokee citizens in the three federally recognized tribes, fewer than an estimated 1,500 fluent speakers remain—the majority of whom are elderly. The covid pandemic has unfortunately hastened the course. Language activists, artists, and the youth must now lead the charge of urgent radical revitalization efforts to help save the language from the brink of extinction. This feature-length documentary was shot on-location in Oklahoma and North Carolina throughout 2019-2022; through intimate interviews, vérité footage of community gatherings, and extensive archival materials, the film explores the nuanced ways the Cherokee language is vital to maintaining a unique cultural identity and relationship with the world. The collaborative project is also meant to act as an empowering agent of hope for Indigenous voices despite enduring inequity and oppression. See film website for more information and to view the trailer.

Southern Circuit 2023 LogoNEA Logo