It is no secret that Beaufort is a movie lover’s paradise. The whole town seems familiar, because you’ve most likely already seen it showcased in your favorite movies. Classic movies from Forrest Gump to Rules of Engagement have been filmed in locations in and around the town. While film enthusiasts come to Beaufort year round, there is one week a year in which more directors, producers, screenwriters, and movie buffs visit for the Beaufort International Film Festival (BIFF). From February 18th-23rd, the festival will highlight new and upcoming filmmakers from around the world. As a sponsor of the Beaufort International Film Festival, we have developed an exciting free Film Fan Package for fellow film fans who stay at the Cuthbert House Inn during the festival. There is a lot going on, but we’ve laid out everything you need to know about this incredible festival.
About the Beaufort International Film Fest
Coming up on 14 years, the Beaufort Film Society has gathered film lovers from critics to action movie buffs to take part in a celebration of the art of storytelling through motion picture. Laugh along with short & witty comedies, sit on the edge of your seat during intense dramas, or learn about different cultures with international films. Movies and shorts will be showcased at the Beaufort Center for the Arts at the University of South Carolina – Beaufort which is just a few blocks from downtown.
Regional Films to Keep an Eye Out For
Hindsight – South Carolina
Set in the South Carolina lowcountry city of Charleston, two men begin a journey that will change both of their lives forever. After a 19 year-old boy gets caught graffiting, he must complete community service with Meals on Wheels where he meets an older recluse. This scenic film not only captures the beauty of the lowcountry, but the difference an unlikely friendship can make.
Mockingbird – South Carolina
This animated short was created by Clemson University student Katherine Crossan and tells a visually stunning story of the changing seasons in the South Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. Experience the beauty of the region through the eyes of a Mockingbird in an old walnut tree.
Auditioning With Mom – Georgia
Filmed in Atlanta, GA, Auditioning With Mom is a comedic short directed by actor Steve Coulter, who has appeared in The Walking Dead, House of Cards, and Watchmen. The Beaufort International Film Festival may be the first public screening of this film that you won’t want to miss.
Miner’s Mountain – North Carolina
Filmed in the thick forests around Wilmington, North Carolina, Miner’s Mountain is a drama/thriller that will have you at the edge of your seat. When a recent homicide is shockingly similar to a murder from over 20 years ago, two agents arrive to solve the case. What they find is much more sinister than they originally thought.
Nominatinated Films to Put on Your Watch List
Immortal
Dylan Baker is up for Best Actor in this horror/thriller that questions the idea of immortality. Thrown into the face of death, the characters realize that they cannot die and are left questioning everything they thought they once knew.
From the Vine
Up for 3 awards; Best Comedy, Best Actor, and Best Director, From the Vine should be at the top of your list. A CEO experiencing an ethical crisis travels to his grandmother’s vineyard in Italy to regain his moral compass. Set in Italy’s beautiful wine country, this featured film tells a story about a man regrounding with his family roots.
Effigy – Poison and the City
This German film based on the true story of Gesche Gottfried is nominated for Best Actress and Best Director. Follow the story and trials of a female serial killer in 1828 who used poison to kill her several husbands and the events that followed.
Where to Stay
Beaufort is a popular filming destination partly because of the picturesque seaside town complete with colorful art and historic architecture. To complete your BIFF experience, stay in a waterfront antebellum mansion located less than a mile from the Beaufort Center for the Arts. The Cuthbert House Inn is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the film festival as several directors, actors, and producers are hosted at the inn for the week. Enjoy conversing with these film professionals at our evening social or during breakfast in the conservatory.
During the festival the inn is also offering a special Film Fan Package for fellow film lovers. Stay for 2 or more nights for the festival and you will receive a VIP pass to the director’s reception, all of the BIFF movie screenings, and the awards ceremony as well. With a deal this good, you’ll want to stay the whole week and not miss a single film!
Come to Beaufort and experience the fastest growing film festival in the Southeast. While you’re here drink and dine your way across the finest Seafood Restaurants in Beaufort, take a Scenic Sunset Cruise, and take a tour of Beaufort’s famous movie filming locations.
Looking to experience the Beaufort International Film Festival? Book your stay at The Cuthbert House Inn, an upscale B&B in a pre-Civil War mansion with stunning bay views in downtown Beaufort, SC.
