Author: Mark Shaffer

BIFF 2019 Finalists and Special Awards

Thirteen will be a lucky number when the thirteenth annual Beaufort International Film Festival hosts thousands of film lovers from around the world from February 19 – February 24. Considered one of the fastest growing film festivals in the southeast and a top 100 best reviewed film festival in the world according to FilmFreeway, BIFF should see its biggest crowds yet this year.

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National Treasure

Hunting Island Takes On Ted Turner’s Former Island Retreat Interview and Photos by Mark Shaffer Remember that old line about never looking a gift horse in the mouth? Now, apply it to a gator and bug infested barrier island once owned by a flamboyant billionaire, with no development potential, critically limited access and resources and you’ve got the horse the state park system just handed over to JW Weatherford to whip into shape. Weatherford had barely broken in his desk as the new superintendent of Hunting Island State Park when, after months of top secret negotiations, the state’s prestigious new acquisition landed in his lap, as well.

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Madison’s Means Seafood (and more)

New Port Royal Restaurant Raises The Culinary Bar North of the Broad Story and Photos by Mark Shaffer The story goes that not long ago Chef Evan Hallinan’s young daughter, Madison, asked if he would buy her a horse. He laughs at the memory. “We’re living in a rented beach house at the time. We don’t even have a yard.” He smiles. “So the story I tell is that I bought her a restaurant because it’s cheaper. Told her a horse costs money, at least with a restaurant we might be able to make some back.”

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Paul Sorvino to Receive Pat Conroy Award at BIFF

The Beaufort Film Society is honored to announce that Paul Sorvino will be presented the prestigious Pat Conroy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th annual Beaufort International Film Festival in February. The festival dates are February 19-24, 2019 with the Red Carpet Reception and Awards Gala taking place on Sunday, February 24th at the University of South Carolina, Beaufort, Center for the Arts.

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Lucky Number 13

The Beaufort International Film Festival Eyes Another Landmark Year Interview by Mark Shaffer This February will mark my tenth consecutive Beaufort International Film Festival. Well, sort of. Truth be told, I’d have to drop a big, fat asterisk by the 2018 event. I made it to the opening gala, reconnected with old friends from previous festivals and made enough connections with the new crop of filmmakers to get the sense that something truly special was about to unfold.

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Shorts at High Noon Returns

Beginning on October 3, the popular Shorts at High Noon film series will return to the Technical College of the Lowcountry for another eight week run. The program features the very best of Short, Student, and Animation Films from the archives of the Beaufort Film Society. The films selected for screening have all screened at the Beaufort International Film Festival as Finalists from 2007 through 2018.  

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Shorts at High Noon Returns

Shorts at High Noon, the very successful short film program produced by the Beaufort Film Society, will return in May.         “We’re very pleased to announce the return of our short film program that was so successful last fall. In partnership with the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) in Beaufort, screenings will commence on May 2 at the TCL Auditorium,” says Ron Tucker, President of the Beaufort Film Society.

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The Holy City Bucket List

The Backyard Tourist Finds 100 Things to Do In Charleston By Mark Shaffer The late Pat Conroy waxed poetically about the Lowcountry and Charleston. South of Broad was his love letter to the city (calling it “the Mansion on the River”) and many of the places mentioned in the novel can be visited through his words.   – From 100 Things To Do in Charleston Before You Die by Cele & Lynn Seldon

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Return of the ‘Films First’ Film Fest

12th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival Rolls Out the Red Carpet By Mark Shaffer It’s a longstanding tradition that in the final week leading up to the Beaufort International Film Festival I sit down with Ron and Rebecca Tucker, the powerhouse duo behind BIFF, to get the lowdown on how things are shaping up. And every year, regardless of the number of pre-sold tickets or the massive buzz on social media, it’s always the same with Ron.             “No one’s going to show up,” he says. “I’m always afraid no one’s going to come.”

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