In addition to a host of Georgia-lensed SCAD student work, this year's Savannah Film Festival screened an assortment of Georgia productions. James Ponsoldt's "The Spectacular Now," both set and shot in Athens, already closed out the Atlanta Film Festival earlier this year and went on to a successful theatrical run over the summer, but Savannah hosted a special screening of the film with director Ponsoldt, writer Michael H. Weber and star Miles Teller (a frequent attendee and former Discovery Award recipient) in attendance for a Q&A. Jon Turteltaub's "Last Vegas" served as one of the special gala presentation films and despite not being set anywhere near the Peach State, most of the movie was shot here. Horror film dynamo Ti West filmed his latest, "The Sacrament," in the Savannah area during the duration of last year's film festival, so it only made sense for him to come back to the Hostess City for a special premiere. Plenty of cast and crew members were on hand for the unveiling. In addition to these narrative features, documentary jury contender and Audience Award winner, "Mayan Blue," has Georgia ties as well. The film showcases Mayan ruins beneath Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, but comes from Athens-based Standoff Studios. (A review for "Mayan Blue" will be featured later.)
