The Macon Film Festival, happening on August 15-18, is excited to reveal that this year’s event will open with the international premiere of “Red Fever” and close with a screening of “STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.” at The Douglass Theatre. 

As part of a new initiative, the festival is partnering with the Firestarters Film Festival, which highlights cinema and artwork created by Indigenous filmmakers, specifically the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. 

This new collaboration originated from the efforts of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative (ONPPI), a collective of citizens dedicated to transforming Macon’s Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park into the first National Park and Preserve in Georgia.

As for the closing night screening of “STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.,” Jamila Wignot directed and produced the documentary which interviews the musicians, songwriters, and producers who broke racial barriers and crafted the iconic Stax sound. 

“It is the honor of a lifetime to bring ‘STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.’ to Macon, Georgia, home of Otis Redding,” explained Wignot. “Otis Redding’s contribution to Stax Records and its inimitable sound is undeniable. Like so many, he was the first Stax artist I discovered and was my gateway into the wider catalog. I’m honored that our series continues to champion his legacy. Long Live the Love Man!” 

Tickets and more information are available now on the Macon Film Festival website!