More Than Movies
A COMMUNITY UNITED BY STORY
story by JENNIFER BROWN CARPENTER
photos by SUSAN DELOACH and courtesy of BIFF
It is the most wonderful time of the year in the Lowcountry: time for the Beaufort International Film Festival! For the past 20 years, Ron and Rebecca Tucker have been providing the community with a week of arts exposure in a way few small towns can boast.
From the very beginning, BIFF has held a standard of excellence in both the event and the films they select. Dr. Candace Bruder, who has her MFA in Screenwriting and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, has been working with BIFF since the beginning, when Ron Tucker saw a story about one of Candace’s scripts that had done well in other film festivals. Ron reached out to Candace and asked her to be a screenplay judge for the festival that he was kicking off. Even when Candace moved overseas because of the military, Ron would mail her the scripts, all the way to Argentina. “I would get boxes of hard copy scripts. It is funny how even technology has changed since the inception of BIFF.”
Candace has consistently been a screenplay judge every year of the Film Festival since the beginning. “It is nice to see something so successful happen in Beaufort. It is great to be part of something that is genuinely good and brings so much happiness to people.” Candace credits Ron and Rebecca for doing such an amazing job when it comes to making everyone feel special and also gives a nod to the number of volunteers it takes to make the event extra special for the filmmakers. “It is hard when you are an artist and you are trying to do something where the odds can be against you. This is an opportunity for these artists to feel really supported, and honestly, walk away feeling like a million dollars.”
“The first year of the Film Festival, the script that won, wow. It set the standard for every other script since. It was such a great script, The Carolina Storyteller. Although things change over time, a well-crafted story is something that you always need. That is timeless.”
For Beaufort Lifestyle magazine, the Beaufort International Film Festival has always been a highlight to write about. Mary Ellen Thompson became aware of BIFF while she was a writer for the magazine in 2011. “We were given all-access passes to the event. The first story I wrote about BIFF was about a documentary called Sea Island Secrets: A Journey Through Time. We were still in the theater on Lady’s Island at the time.” Every year after that, Mary Ellen was drafting stories about either the films or the film writers.
Mary Ellen would not classify herself as being a “film buff,” but she absolutely loves BIFF. “It is close and convenient, which is helpful. I watch an average of 50 films during the festival. There are so many fabulous films, but it is also an opportunity to meet the filmmakers and compliment them, or the director or the actor. It is all just a lot of fun.”
BIFF provides Beaufort with access to films that they would never otherwise see. Mary Ellen believes that throughout the event you have opportunities to meet people you would never cross paths with. “There are so many distinct parts to the festival. The ability to connect with something you would not have an opportunity to connect with in any other way — that is special. It is amazing what they have created and how it has grown over the years.” It started as a work opportunity for Mary Ellen, and she has continued to attend every year since then. “I cannot give Ron and Rebecca enough credit for how they have, with such dedication, grown this festival to this level.”
Mike McFee is a Beaufort name that is always strongly associated with BIFF, having been involved in some form or fashion since the very beginning. “Sponsorship for many years, presenter for many years, volunteer for years. I have always felt it is an amazing opportunity that Ron and Rebecca have brought into the community. There is always phenomenal art that comes through the festival. From the standpoint of what it brings to the community culturally, it is just unfathomable. I do not believe there is another town our size that can tout the kind of individual, quality films that we bring in, the personalities that come with it, the talent behind all of it, everything from student films up to the most professional level films … it is just an amazing thing that Ron and Rebecca have done over the last 20 years.”
For Mike, having the opportunity to meet so many talented individuals is one of the main rewards of being involved year after year. “Every single year gets better. There have been so many amazing films, heart-wrenching films that bring up social issues, and incredibly touching and just human stories.” One of the years that Mike was helping with ushering, they kept track of zip codes to see where people were traveling from. “It virtually covered the entire United States and even outside of the country. People make plans to be at the Film Festival every year, it is very cool to see.”
BIFF is a labor of love, and Mike gives kudos to Ron and Rebecca for being so persistent over the years. “They set a standard when it comes to selections, presentations, and the event in general. It has always been a professional experience. Filmmakers get to see people really wanting to enjoy their films. It makes it a terrific event that I look forward to every year.”
Edie Smith and Gene Rugala have been faithful attenders for over a decade now, with Gene working as a presenter. “For years now, my sister, a good friend, and I would walk downtown and put our pashminas on chairs because we knew we wanted to be in a certain spot,” Edie says, laughing. “We would be there every day, watching films from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and then coming back for the two films in the evening. We always gave away any extra tickets we had from sponsoring; we wanted our friends and family to be able to attend.” Edie continues to watch every single film that is presented at BIFF, over 50 films each year. “It is so fun to spend that week in February watching so many amazing films. It is an amazing thing that happens in our town every year. Not only is it good for our town, but it is good for the filmmakers and directors to see what a wonderful community we have here. They all feel so welcomed and supported. It feels like a big hug.”
Kate Zalusky has always loved movies. “It is a good escape. One of the reasons I wanted to move to Beaufort from New Jersey was because I knew about Pat Conroy and his contributions to books and films.” BIFF has always been a perfect fit for Kate. From the very first year, she could see the potential of what the Film Festival would be. Kate has attended every single screening since BIFF began. “Initially, I always went with someone. But because I attend every screening, I will often just go by myself. I am a big cat rescuer, I work with the Humane Association of the Lowcountry, so I always sit in row C for Cat. That is where people know to find me.” Kate loves the opportunity to see so many independent filmmakers; specifically, she has come to enjoy the documentaries, and how they are not afraid to touch on hard and difficult topics. “I have so much respect for what they have managed to accomplish. I might forget the name of a film or a filmmaker, but I never forget the experience or the intimacy of so many people watching a movie together.” For anyone who is nervous about attending the Film Festival alone, Kate says, “If you like to have a date to things and you aren’t able to find one, come to row C for Cat and I’ll be your date.”
It is impossible to discuss frequent BIFF attenders without mentioning Ms. Liz Entwistle. Liz had moved from New Mexico to the East Coast in 2006 and was looking for opportunities to attend events that interested her. When the Film Festival started in 2007, Liz decided to attend because she loved music and art. Liz has attended every year since and has often won Gold Ticket events; so often in fact that Ron once told her she was not allowed to enter anymore! “The Film Festival brings together happy people who love the arts. The creativity is awesome; it is very inspiring. I have always been impressed with the writers and the documentaries. They get the best, the cream of the crop.” Liz started out attending as a spectator and then became a volunteer, before eventually becoming a sponsor.
Liz is 90 years old, and Ron and Rebecca attended her 90th birthday party at Sprenger Assisted Living. They put on a special film for Liz’s guests, which included the mayor, councilmen, and more members of the community. “There were a lot of lovely people from the area that came.” To those in Beaufort who have yet to start attending BIFF, Liz says, “You are missing out.”
