“The Buick Special” Premier a Huge Success

       On August 30th, Brooks County High School Auditorium hosted the student film premier of The Buick Special. The auditorium was alive with citizens who attended to see the premier and enjoy the work these students had done throughout the summer film camp in June. 

The Buick Special is a short 30-minute film about a young student who has an assignment to tell a story from an elder in the community. The student is assigned to interview a rather argumentative and bitter elder in a nursing home. The two consistently butt heads, leading to the telling of the elder’s story and a little background on the student. The car in the show is what brings the two stories together. 

The summer Film Camp of 2022 students who created this short film were students from Brooks County High and Lowndes County High. Before the movie began those in attendance were introduced to the students by PilanthroFilms and South Georgia Studios Co-Founders Cathy Parker and Honnie Korngold. The student film makers introduced were Wilson Beaty, Isaiah Gentry, Luck Folsom, Michael Scott, Timothy Rosser, JaQuan Baker, John Culpepper, Laci Shore, Keyonna McGhee, Jordan Sirmans, Kathryn Shelton, Samuel Barrera, Meredith McDowell, Shundre Smith, McCallum Brown LaHood, Tristan Thomas, Julio Orendain Jr., and Skyler Perry. 

A video greeting from Kelsey Moore, Executive Director of Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition was played for all. Further greetings after the video included Georgia State Representative John LaHood who read a special message from Governor Brian Kemp. 

Following the premier of the movie, the audience was given a behind the scenes look at the making of The Buick Special with interviews from the student filmmakers, a look at the extras, and the making of some of the scenes. 

A reception followed the closing of the movie and behind the scenes were everyone could come to view the new office of PhilanthroFilms and where much of the editing was taught for the movie. A small set where videos are recorded sat in the back of the building, an inviting room to sit with elegant furniture and décor graced the entry rooms. An editing room was situated in the back and a conference room was turned into a place where snacks and drink were provided. 

Those who enjoyed the movie or who had anything to do with the making began to fill social media with posts thanking everyone for their attendance, help, and excitement on this movie, as well as the upcoming PhilanthroFilms new South Georgia Film Office. Honnie Korngold also made the announcement PhilanthroFilms would be in the process of building new sets for the film industry right in the new Quitman Industrial Park. This announcement brought a huge applause from the audience. Further information coming on this announcement at a later date. 

Honnie Korngold posted this message on social media, “I am so grateful for this past year of milestones and celebrations, and yesterday’s events ranked among some of the best. We had the premiere of The Buick Special, the film created this summer by the talented student filmmakers from Brooks and Lowndes Counties, and the launch of our new South Georgia Film Office, created to attract and harness film production in our region. We were honored to have the Governor participate in the celebration with words of congratulations. We know this is just the beginning of great things for our young people and our community. Thank you to all that made it possible and to Wiregrass Southern Bistro for catering a great reception! Onward and Upward…” 

Sponsors that helped to make this happen were J. Donald Lee and Laurelle Lee Family Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Brooks County, Boys & Girls Club of Valdosta, and the Premier Sponsor was South Georgia Pecan Company. 

Summer Film Camp Instructors were Steve, McCurdy, Levi Johnson, John Fornoff, Chef Tammy Acree, Rickela Reynolds, Jamal Hodge, and Honnie Korngold. 

Boys and Girls Club and PhilanthroFilms Staff were Zach Robinson, Elena Masler, Brooke Meindl, Luke Hiers, Ashley Barnett, David Dame, Shelby Bray, Joseph Dame, Steve MCurdy, Lisa Folsom, John Fornoff, Garrett Randolph, Levi Johnson, Lawton Folsom, Honnie Korngold, Casey Jones, and Cathy Parker. 

Special thanks to those who helped in the making of The Buick Special are R.L. Cunningham & Sons, Wiregrass Southern Bistro, Larry Cunningham, Chris Hite, Brian Flemming, Valdosta State University, Jared & Kristin Hanna, Ian Anderson, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Fellowship Home, Chef Tammy Acree, the LaHood Family, Brooks County School System, Gary Korngold, Superintendent Dr. Vickie Reed, Carl Parker, City of Quitman, Patrick Folsom, Brooks County Development Authority, David & Kelly Robinson, Quitman Police Department, Stephanie Taylor, Workhorse Cinema, Jhak Lamisa, Stephen & Kim Johnson, Natalie Wyatt, and F.O.I Team. 

PhilanthroFilms and Cathy Parker encourage those who would like more information about how you can make more educational opportunities available for the youth in film and ask that you call (904) 347-6258. 

Further information on the film industry in South Georgia can be found at www.SouthGeorigaStudios.com. More information on the new South Georgia Film Office you can visit www.FilmInSouthGeorgia.com or call (404) 962-0044.