Stories are everywhere. They draw us in, they lift us up, they make us laugh, they make us angry, they make us cry. Of course, we love to read a good story. We can get lost in a book and transport ourselves into stories on a page. Magazines share, among others, news stories, human interest stories, piquing our curiosity and telling us about new products or trends. Social media lets us post our own story and follow other people’s stories. We can stream stories on demand, bingeing until the wee hours of the morning so we can finally see how the story ends. Podcasts, radio, television, the internet; all stories all the time.
And then, there’s movies.
We love movies. Whether masterfully written, or artfully documented, movies are stories on film. And documentaries are the stories we are here to talk about.
This spring the DOCUTAH International Film Festival celebrates its 14th season in southern Utah. Presented by Utah Tech University, the mission of DOCUTAH is “to bring together filmmakers and film lovers for an electric weekend celebrating the art of documentary, seeking to open hearts and minds to the world through beautifully crafted stories on film, promoting education, while creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and community.”
This year’s festival features 56 stories, some released within the last two years, and some making their premier. Many filmmakers will come in person to share their stories with us. Their films will draw you in, they will uplift you, they will make you laugh, they will make you angry, they will make you cry. These are the stories on film that, through you, will change the world.
For more information, visit docutah.com
Karman Wilson serves as assistant dean of professional arts at Utah Tech University, as well as the executive director of DOCUTAH International Film Festival. She is a past president and current board member of the St. George Arts Commission.
What: DOCUTAH International Film Festival
When: February 29-March 2, 2024
Where: Megaplex Theatres - Sunset
Contact: DOCUTAH.com