Canton Theatre Selected to Host Documentary Film Screenings

The Canton Theatre was recently selected by South Arts as a screening partner for the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers.

Canton is one of six Georgia partners, among 21 total venues selected from the Southeast. This long-running South Arts program connects U.S.-based documentary filmmakers with communities throughout the South for screenings and conversations around important stories, topics and the art of filmmaking.

Through grant funding from Fox Gives, the Canton Theatre will co-host the event with the Fox Theatre.

“The Fox Theatre is thrilled to support independent filmmaking at the Canton Theatre in collaboration with our partners at South Arts,” said Leigh Burns, director of community partnerships for the Fox Theatre. “Film has long been an important part of the programming for our Georgia network of theatres, and historic venues like the Canton Theatre play a significant role in the vibrant Georgia film industry.”

Jordan Young, program director, added that, “the Screening Partner film selections for this season demonstrate the group’s commitment to fostering curious spaces and using film as a conduit for local conversations. Directly connecting independent filmmakers with community audiences amplifies the films’ impact while investing in the regional filmmaking infrastructure of the South and engaging local community members in critical conversations.”

Thirteen films and filmmaking teams were selected for the 2024-2025 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, six of which will be featured at the Historic Canton Theatre.

These include:

- Sept. 29 — “Bulls and Saints” — Rodrigo Dorfman (director)

♦ Oct. 20 — “Lift” — Steven Melendez (protagonist), Mary Recine (producer) and David Peterson (director, producer)

♦ Nov. 17 — “Family Tree” — Jennifer MacArthur (director)

♦ Feb. 16 — “Home is a Hotel” — Kevin Wong (director, producer, co-cinematographer) and Yar Kin Tham (co-director, producer)

♦ March 30 — “This World is Not My Own” — Petter Ringbom (Director, Writer, Cinematographer), Ruchi Mital (Writer, Producer) and Cathi Perry (Family member)

♦ April 13 — “North Putnam” — Joel Fendelman (director) and Beth Benedix (producer). “O Pioneer” — Clara Lehmann (director, producer and writer) and Jonathan Lacocque (director, producer, cinematographer and editor)

“The Canton Theatre has a long tradition with film — beginning with its opening in 1911,” said Theatre Events and Facilities Director Kristin Norton Green. “From our Summer Family Movie Series to the Peaberry Film Festival, to our Classic Film Series, Canton is proving to be hungry for film in all its forms. We are so grateful for a partnership with the Fox Theatre to allow us to further connect our community with independent filmmakers and their stories.”

Burns added, “as a valued member of Georgia Presenters, the Canton Theatre has enriched communities statewide, and we’re excited to further this impact with the Southern Circuit Tour right in the heart of downtown Canton.”

For more information, tour dates and featured filmmakers and film protagonists, visit southarts.org .

Canton Theatre showings can be found at cantonga.gov/cantontheatre .