Sunset film festival is here

ASHEBORO —Asheboro, are you ready for a film festival?

For two days, Thursday-Friday, Jan. 11-12, Sunset Theatre will be taken over by the inaugural Mightier Than The Sword Awards at Sunset Film Festival. Much of the downtown district will benefit, too, from the pair of day-long events drawing folks from in the county and out.

Each day, the entertainment begins in the morning and ends near midnight. Both days will be filled with films long and short, local and famous worldwide, plus meet-and-greets and Q&As with actors, producers and others involved in the works being shown on the Sunset Theatre screen.

Then sprinkle in some award presentations, quick standup comedian takes and photo opportunities and you’ve got wall-to-wall action on tap.

In all, 49 film offerings are on the schedule. Many are short films, ranging from a few minutes to less than a half-hour. There are also a few music videos. But other offerings are longer, like the historical drama documentary “Black Sugar Red Blood” made in Germany. Or theatrical releases, typically of the horror or comedy sort and sometimes both, like the horror-comedies “Bloody Bridget” and “Cannibal Comedian,” the comedy “Couch Party” and the classic horror film “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”

But the festival also has a built-in local flavor from films made in or filled with Randolph County ties, made both in the past and in recent years. They include:

- “Killers Three” — A 1968 drama filmed in Randolph County, much of it in Ramseur, and starring Dick Clark.

- “Just Plowboys” — A 2019 documentary film that tells the story of the 1970 Farmer High School baseball team that won a state championship.

- “Tethered” — A 2022 horror mystery built around a blind teenager left alone, tethered to a house deep in secluded woods by a very lengthy rope. The movie was shot in the Thomasville area with various ties from the Asheboro and Randolph County area, including a goat star in the movie.

The culmination of the festival on Friday night will be built around the combo of “Cannibal Comedian” and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” the latter celebrating its 50th year in 2024. This film will be making tour stops at festivals throughout the country this year, but its first stop is in Asheboro. And one (Allen Danziger), maybe two (Ed Neal?), of the movie’s surviving actors will be at Sunset Theatre for a Q&A and to watch the film. Danziger also has a role in “Cannibal Comedian” released in 2023.

Tickets range from $5 to $20, depending on your own schedule. A two-day pass (must be 17 or older) runs $20. It’s $15 for either a one-day all-day pass on Thursday or Friday.

Morning-afternoon sessions on Thursday or Friday are $5 each. Evening-only passes (again, 17 and older because of the content) are $10 for either day.

Ty Brueilly is the driving force for the event. He created Mightier Than The Sword Records in Boone in 2005, which has since branched out to include filmmaking, photography, literature and fashion. 

One of his short films — “A Night In Charlotte With Sweeney Ty” — earned him a spot in a film festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood last year and that kicked off screenings at dozens of festivals throughout 2023 with his film winning several awards. During his travels, he picked up tips on what made film festivals work and decided to put together one of his own in his hometown.

“This is something my city desperately needs and I soaked up all this knowledge in 2023, so I felt the time was right to organize something,” Brueilly said. “We have all the right elements here in Asheboro for this to be successful and reoccurring. In particular a really marvelous downtown, with a gorgeous and historic venue in the Sunset Theatre.”

Theatre Manager Taylor Crawford added, “As Asheboro grows, we strive to offer events for everyone to enjoy at the historic Sunset Theatre. We are excited to establish this film festival to celebrate local and international filmmakers along with other artists.” 

On Wednesday, Jan. 10, the festival kicks off with an opening reception in Greensboro at the The Flat Iron, 221 Summit Ave., Greensboro, with musical entertainment by Elle McKenzie, Britton Buchanan, King M Dot, Cosmic Panda, Donna Hughes and Brandon Shepherd.

Before the event is through in Asheboro, the Mightier Than The Sword Awards at Sunset Film Festival will present a core set of 15 awards, as well as a number of category-based awards.

SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY,

JANUARY 10

At Flat Iron, 221 Summit Ave., Greensboro

5 p.m.

Doors Open

5:30 p.m. 

Festival Check In Begins

6 p.m. 

Sound Check For Performers

7 p.m. 

Festival Director Opening Statement, Welcoming. Show and Tell on stage about your film

7:30-8 p.m.

DONNA HUGHES  

8-8:15 p.m.

BRANDON SHEPHERD

8:15-8:30 p.m.

Q&A/Panel Opportunity

8:30-9 p.m. 

BRITTON BUCHANAN

9-9:30 p.m.

ELLE MCKENZIE

9:30-10 p.m.

KING M DOT

10-10:30 p.m. 

Q&A/Panel Opportunity

10:30 p.m.-Close

COSMIC PANDA 

THURSDAY,

JANUARY 11

DAY ONE

SUNSET THEATRE IN DOWNTOWN ASHEBORO

9-10 a.m.

PRE-FESTIVAL COFFEE

~Networking and Coffee at 

Nannie Mae’s Café & Bakery

108 Sunset Ave., Asheboro

10 a.m.-noon

SCREENING BLOCK 1 

FILM: Thank You, We Will Let You Know

DIRECTOR: Roberto Di Fabio

LENGTH: 6 mins

~

FILM: Black Sugar, Red Blood

DIRECTOR: Luigi Toscano

LENGTH: 90 mins

~

FILM: Down Home, The Magnolia 23 Story

DIRECTOR: Ty Brueilly

LENGTH: 25 mins

12-1 p.m.

VARIOUS ACTIVITES

~ Award Presentation on stage

~ Announcement of Magnolia 23 lunch menu

~ Red Carpet Photo Opportunities

~ Break for food recommendation:

MAGNOLIA 23, 23 S. Fayetteville St., Asheboro

1-2:30 p.m.

SCREENING BLOCK 2

FILM: Killers Three

DIRECTOR: Bruce Kessler

LENGTH: 88 mins

2:30-3 p.m.

AWARD PRESENTATION

/Q&A PANEL OPPORTUNITY

3:30-4 p.m.

SCREENING BLOCK 3

(DIRECTOR SPOTIGHT)

FILM: Suenos

DIRECTOR: Caleb Hatton

LENGTH: 14 mins

FILM: La Adelita

DIRECTOR: Caleb Hatton

LENGTH: 21 mins

4-4:45 p.m.

~ Award Presentation on stage

~ Red Carpet Photo Opportunities 

~ Networking at Lumina Wine & Beer (152 Sunset Ave. Asheboro, NC)

~Break for food recommendation: THE BLACK LANTERN TEA ROOM & BAKERY

137 Sunset Ave. Asheboro

4:45-4:55 p.m.

Live on stage, stand up comedian, Seth Payne (Clean Set)

4:55-5 p.m.

Award presentation on stage

5-7 p.m.

SCREENING BLOCK 4

FILM: The Light : Lunarcode music video

DIRECTOR: Vincenzo Carubia

LENGTH: 3 mins

~

FILM: Gilead

DIRECTOR: Caleb Hatton

LENGTH: 6 mins

~

FILM: Kyle vs. Karen

DIRECTOR: Jim Morrison

LENGTH: 5 mins

~

FILM: The Line Jumper

DIRECTOR: Rob Underhill & Hugh Oyake Murchison

LENGTH: 6 mins

~

FILM: Cabarrus

DIRECTOR: Andrew Huggins

LENGTH: 10 mins

~

FILM: Carol For Clint

DIRECTOR: Caleb Hatton

LENGTH: 8 mins

~

FILM: Sister

DIRECTOR: Shane Andries

LENGTH: 15 mins

~

FILM: Omie Wise : Donna Hughes music video

DIRECTOR: Dean Jones

LENGTH: 6 mins

~

FILM: Just Plowboys

DIRECTOR: Michael Bronfenbrenner

LENGTH: 57 min

7-7:15 p.m.

Q&A with Just Plowboys

cast and crew

7:15-7:45 p.m.

VARIOUS ACTIVITIES

~Award Presentation on stage

~Red Carpet Photo Opportunities 

~Networking at Leo’s Whiskey Bar (111 North St. Asheboro, NC)

~Break for food recommendation: THE FLYING PIG, 208 Sunset Ave., Asheboro 

7:45-7:55 p.m.

Live on stage, stand up comedian, BJ Owens

7:55-8 p.m.

Award Presentation on stage

8-10 p.m.

SCREENING BLOCK 5

FILM: Couch Party

DIRECTOR: Nachela Knox

LENGTH: 95 mins

FILM: One Night In Baton Rouge & Cuban : Fat Music Videos

LENGTH: 8 mins

~

FILM: Be Careful : Shykym Music Video

LENGTH: 3 mins

~

FILM: Hanz Franz…from LeMans

DIRECTOR: Ken “Mr. Rozzi” Fuller

LENGTH: 20 mins

10-10:10 p.m.

Live on stage, stand up

comedian, David Goolsby

10:10-11:56 p.m.

SCREENING BLOCK 6

FILM: Bloody Bridget

DIRECTOR: Richard Elfman

LENGTH: 80 mins

~

FILM: H.O.E.s: The Bulge

DIRECTOR: Robin Leabman

LENGTH: 18 mins

FRIDAY,

JANUARY 12

9-10 a.m.

PRE-FESTIVAL COFFEE

~Networking and Coffee at 

Nannie Mae’s Café & Bakery

108 Sunset Ave. Asheboro

10 a.m.-12 noon  

SCREENING BLOCK 1

FILM: Millicent & Me and The Apple Tree

DIRECTOR: John Beaton Hill

LENGTH: 10 mins

~

FILM: To Our Weakness No Stranger

DIRECTOR: Caleb Hatton

LENGTH: 14 mins

~

FILM: Ave Cave’s Best

DIRECTOR: Ty Brueilly 

LENGTH: 12 mins

~

FILM: Chrissy

DIRECTOR: Larry Collicott

LENGTH: 9 mins

~

FILM: Distance

DIRECTOR: Matt Barse 

LENGTH: 17 mins

~

FILM: Sci Fi Sam: Music Video

DIRECTOR: Timothy A Bennett

LENGTH: 5 mins

~

FILM: The Call

DIRECTOR: Ryan Jafri 

LENGTH: 14 mins

~

FILM: Wait A Minute: Music Video

DIRECTOR: Roy Watten Oberg

LENGTH: 5 mins

~

FILM: Down Home, The Magnolia 23 Story

DIRECTOR: Ty Brueilly

LENGTH: 25 mins

12-1 p.m.

VARIOUS ACTIVITIES

 ~Award Presentation on stage

~Announcement of Magnolia 23 lunch menu

~Red Carpet Photo Opps

~ Break for food recommendation: MAGNOLIA 23, 

23 S. Fayetteville St. Asheboro.

1-2:30 p.m.

LIVE FILMING 

The Creative Businessmen & Asheboro Undecided team up to talk with cast & crew of CANNIBAL COMEDIAN & The TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 

2:30-3 p.m.

AWARD PRESENTATION

/Q&A OR PANEL

OPPORTUNITY

3:30-4 p.m.

SCREENING BLOCK 2 

FILM: To My Best Friend From The Start (PREMIERE)

DIRECTOR: Kendrick Hopkins

LENGTH: 27 mins

~

FILM: Dolor

DIRECTOR: Caleb Hatton

LENGTH: 5 mins

~

FILM: La Plata Del Real

DIRECTOR: Caleb Hatton

LENGTH: 19 mins

~

FILM: La Catrina

DIRECTOR: Caleb Hatton

LENGTH: 6 mins

~

FILM: Late Night Paper Cuts: Sentient Specks Of Stardust

DIRECTOR: Bryan DeMarco

LENGTH: 16 mins

~

FILM: Look

DIRECTOR: Josh Powell

LENGTH: 19 mins

4-4:45 p.m.

VARIOUS ACTIVITES

~Award Presentation on stage.

~Red carpet opportunity. 

~Break for networking/meet and greet with NIGHTMARES FROM THE GRAY author and actor from THE LOOK, Joey Powell at Leo’s Whiskey Bar, 111 North St., Asheboro.

~Meet and Greet with Allen Danziger (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 1974), Sean Haitz (CANNIBAL COMEDIAN, THUMPER’S REVENGE) and Ryan James (CANNIBAL COMEDIAN, TERRIFIER 2, SHOOTING CLERKS) at 

Lumina Wine & Beer

(152 Sunset Ave. Asheboro)

~Break for food, recommendation: SMOKIIN MAC food truck if set up at 111 North St., Asheboro, or THE FLYING PIG,  

208 Sunset Ave., Asheboro

4:45-4:55 p.m.

Live on stage, stand up comedian, Seth Payne (Clean Set)

4:55-5 p.m.

Award presentation on stage

5-7 p.m.

SCREENING BLOCK 3

FILM: Tethered

DIRECTOR: Daniel Robinette

LENGTH: 88 mins

~

FILM: The Lantern Man

DIRECTOR: Caleb Hatton

LENGTH: 6 mins

~

FILM: Thumper’s Revenge (East Coast Premiere)

DIRECTOR: Sean Haitz

LENGTH: 9 mins

FILM: Meave (proof of concept/student film) Premiere

DIRECTOR: Samantha Smith

LENGTH: 2 mins

~

FILM: Do That: Music Video (Premiere)

DIRECTOR: Ty Brueilly & Odell Payne

LENGTH: 2 mins

~

FILM: Country Rap Made Me Do It: Music Video (Premiere)

DIRECTOR: Ty Brueilly

LENGTH: 5 mins

~

FILM: Leo’s Whiskey Bar: 

Music Video (Premiere)

DIRECTOR: Ty Brueilly & Odell Payne

LENGTH: 4 mins

6:50-7 p.m. 

Award Presentation.

Announcement of Leo’s Whiskey Bar Menu, Smokiin Mac’s and Silver Smoke Cigars

7-7:45 p.m.

Various Activites

Meet and Greet with musician Marshall Alexander, Allen Danziger (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 1974), Sean Haitz (CANNIBAL COMEDIAN, 

THUMPER’S REVENGE) and Ryan James (CANNIBAL COMEDIAN, TERRIFIER 2, SHOOTING CLERKS) at 

Leo’s Whiskey Bar during their SMOKIN FRIDAY NIGHT

(111 North St.Asheboro, NC)

7:45-7:55 p.m.

Live on stage, standup

comedian, Neil Hoover

7:55-8 p.m.

Award Presentation & Allen Danziger introduces 

CANNIBAL COMEDIAN

8-10 p.m.

SCREENING BLOCK 4

FILM: Cannibal Comedian

DIRECTOR: Sean Haitz

LENGTH: 87 mins

~

FILM: Altered My Meds: Music Video (Premiere)

DIRECTOR: Ty Brueilly

LENGTH: 3 mins

~

FILM: Nervous Breakdown

DIRECTOR: Daniel Robinette

LENGTH: 13 mins

~

FILM: The Hammer

DIRECTOR: Ryan Camp

LENGTH: 4 mins

~

FILM: Raptoons: Music Video (Premiere)

DIRECTOR: Brenno Campbell

LENGTH: 9 mins

10-10:10 p.m. 

Live on stage, standup

comedian, Dusty Cagle

10:10-10:20 p.m.

Q&A With Allen Danziger 

10:20-11:50 p.m.

SCREENING BLOCK 5

FILM: Texas Chain Saw

Massacre 

DIRECTOR: Tobe Hooper

LENGTH: 83 mins