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Tag: Doko Film Fest

  • Hometown Oscar winner to headline Doko Film Fest April 26-27

    Doko Film Fest organizers Andrew Smith and his father Raymond Smith, owners of Modus Media.

    BLYTHEWOOD – Two-time Oscar winner Michelle Eisenreich will be returning home to Blythewood this weekend as a judge, presenter and patron of the inaugural Doko Film Fest on April 26 and 27.

    Michelle Eisenrich with her latest Oscar.

    The festival, produced by local film maker Raymond Smith and his son Andrew, is the first of its kind in South Carolina and is dedicated to developing the skills, knowledge and confidence of young filmmakers in the state and beyond.

    Eisenreich, the visual effects producer for film company Double Negative in Vancouver, and her team won their second Oscar in February for their work on the film, ‘First Man.’ Her team also won an Oscar last year for ‘Blade Runner 2049.’

    As a result of her success on ‘First Man,’ Eisenreich has been asked to pull together and oversee a new TV division for her company.

    “We just finished work on Star Trek Discovery for CBS, which is in its second season, and we’re currently working on a couple of projects for Netflix and Amazon,” Eisenreicht said.

    “I would have loved to be involved with something like the Film Fest when I was growing up,” she said.

    Eisenreich will be honored with a reception at Doko Manor on Friday, April 26 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction featuring a knife signed by James Jude Courtney aka Michael Myers of Halloween as well as live jazz music, drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

    Screenings of selected films made entirely by high schoolers will be held all day Saturday, April 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Westwood High School.

    Throughout the day, there will be master classes held by Eisenreich and other video professionals on tips and tricks needed to produce winning and engaging films. There will also be representatives from the University of South Carolina and Savannah College of Art and Design speaking about their media arts and film courses. At the end of the day, awards will be announced in their respective categories as well as best in show.

    Venues

    The Friday night reception will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Doko Manor, 100 Alvina Hagood Circle, Blythewood.

    The film festival screenings and master classes will be held on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Westwood High School, 180 Turkey Farm Road, Blythewood.

    Tickets range from $5 – $20 and can be purchased at www.dokofilmfest.com.

  • Films selected for Fest

    BLYTHEWOOD – “The films that will be screened are now decided, so we know what the audience will be viewing, they are all very good – sad, serious, funny and some very good stories, all short and easy to watch. Adults and students will find enjoyment in them,” Ray Smith, organizer of the Doko Film Fest, said of the event set for April 26 – 27.

    The event, featuring the work of student film makers, is expected to be high-end entertainment for both adults and students, with films submitted from across the state of South Carolina, Texas, California and Canada.  Film categories include animation, music, comedy, short stories and doc mentaries.

    Of the entries, Smith said 13 films were selected.

    A special reception will be held at the Doko Manor on April 26 for Blythewood’s own Academy Award winner, Michelle Eisenreich who, with her production team, has won two Oscars for special effects. Eisenreich also served as a judge of the entries and will make a presentation on screening day, April 27 at Westwood High School.

    Also, during the screenings, four masterclasses will be offered that anyone can attend: making films with a smart phone, good camera and lighting techniques, directing actors and what makes a winning film.

    The actor who plays Michael Myers in the movie Halloween also served as a judge for the entries.

    Tickets to the event are $5 for adults and free for students.

    For more information about Doko Film Fest, go to dokofilmfest.com.