Asheville filmmaker couple announces Asheville International Film Festival, planned for 2011; no word yet on whether city-run film festival will come off this year

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Asheville filmmakers Tom and Sandi Anton announced today that they are forging ahead with creating their own film fest, dubbed the Asheville International Film Festival. The event is planned as 10 days of movies, workshops and more and tentatively scheduled for September of next year, Tom Anton told me today.

The Antons had been talking with Asheville City Council about taking over the Asheville Film Festival, a city run event that’s had an uneven history since its inception in 2003. But Tom Anton said today that he’s moving ahead with his own event. Anton said he would welcome the city’s planning and advisory help, but said he’s not looking for taxpayer money to support his event.

The Antons moved to Asheville from New Orleans about three years ago. The couple has participated in the Asheville Film Festival in past years. The Antons say they plan to work with local movie buffs, businesses and draw on their professional contacts to create a film festival Asheville can be proud of. The world premiere of their latest movie, The Pardon, is set for next month at the Stony Brook Film Festival. 

Tom Anton called me to tell me about his news after reading my column in today’s Asheville Citizen-Times. The future of the festival is up for discussion at Asheville City Council on Tuesday I hear, though I have yet to confirm that. Will Asheville hold a film festival this year? I guess that’s the big question right now.