The South Georgia Film Festival will include three days of screening events and approximately a dozen speakers in its second year. Taking place March 2-4, the SGFF will hosts screenings, panels and networking events at and around Valdosta State University.

Fri., March 2 kicks off at the Valdosta State University Mass Media building, with a media networking event organized in tandem with the Valdosta Daily Times and WCTV-TV. Students and pass holders will be encouraged to meet and talk with media professionals at the university’s recently renovated television studios. Immediately following, the first block of films will screen in the Mass Media Building.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Annette Howell Turner for the Arts, there will be a wine and cheese reception, followed by a screening of Brantly Jackson Watts’ acclaimed film, Birthday Cake. Her husband, Jon Watts, will then show his film, Matthew’s Gift. Both recently served as filmmakers in residence with the Atlanta Film Festival, and will be discussing how best to grow a local filmmaking community.

Sat., March 3 at the VSU Student Union Theater will reveal a day filled with regional high school and college films, along with professional films. VSU is offering substantial scholarship opportunities to the high school and college winners, should they choose to attend VSU.

At 1 p.m.: the Georgia premiere of the feature-length documentary, Rodents of Unusual Size, about the infestation of Nutria along the Gulf Coast and how Louisiana communities are adapting. Co-director Jeff Springer will be there for discussion. The film premiered at DOC NYC in November, and will be screening at the Oxford Film Festival this February.

Simultaneously, on the third floor, SGFF patrons will find a collection of great presenters, thanks in part to the Georgia Council for the Arts’ Vibrant Community grant. Panel presentations include the likes of composer Mark Anthony Chubb, comedians and filmmakers Fray Forde and Catherine Dee Holly, and VSU alum and Macon Film Commissioner Terrell Sandefur.

The Saturday evening schedule begins with the Georgia-produced film, The 12 Lives of Sissy Carlyle, from writer/director Fran Burst Terranella. As former co-president of the Georgia Production Partnership, Terranella will discuss how important the tax incentive has been to statewide industry and why she kept her film crew local. The evening will cap off with a party at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center on Hill Ave.

Sun., March 4 begins with a series of curated short films and documentaries from regional filmmakers, followed by the awards presentation and re-screening of the winning films.

Students will be allowed to attend daytime events free of charge, upon presentation of a valid ID. Evening events will require a pass that can be purchased via the SGFF website: filmfreeway.com/SOUTHGEORGIAFILMFESTIVAL/tickets