“CELEBRATING SUCCESS ON THE RED CARPET”

In partnership with the Fifth Annual Billy The Kid Film Festival, the Bosque Film Society showcases the “Best of the Fest” on the silver screen at the historic Cliftex Theatre in Clifton

By SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS

Bosque Film Society Founding Board Member

Proudly presenting 13 independent- and student-produced documentary, narrative and music short films, the Bosque Film Society hosts the “BEST IN THE FEST” Showcase from the 5th Annual Billy The Kid Film Festival on the historic silver screen at The Cliftex Theatre in Clifton, the longest continuously operating movie house in Texas, screening motion pictures since 1916

At the free-to-the-public Red Carpet event beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 19, Billy The Kid Film Festival directors Luci Digiorgio and Philip Vasquez will be on hand to present the People’s Choice Awards, while special guest Kent Perkins will present the Ruth Buzzi Music Award.

With free seating available on a first-come, first-serve basis, the theatre doors will open at 1 p.m., followed by a Meet-and-Greet with the award-winning filmmakers for photo opportunities in front of a red carpet backdrop beginning at 1:30 p.m.

The showcase will present two featured presentations, starting with an encore screening of the award-winning documentary short “Voice of the Common Man: The Lomax Legacy” directed and produced by William Godby and E Brett Voss, then closing with Daniel A. Edwards’ history-changing documentary “Billy The Kid: The Silver City Photo.”

With the film festival season still in full swing, “Voice of the Common Man” has already been selected to 17 film festivals worldwide, winning Best Documentary Short nine times while Godby has won Best Editor three times and Voss earning Best Writer twice. With winners yet to be announced, Voice of the Common Man has also been nominated for Best Documentary Short in the Seguin Film & Arts Festival, Rio de Janeiro World Film Festival, Melbourne Independent Film Festival, San Diego International Film Festival and Nashville Independent Filmmakers Festival.

Narrated by Lane Talburt, the film asks viewers to imagine a world with no Blues explosion, no R&B movement, no Beatles, no Stones. It’s hard to measure the total impact John Avery Lomax had on music as we know it today. But there’s no doubt the man who became known as the legendary Ballad Hunter “added the voice of the common man to the written history of America.” Chasing songs he came to love as a boy, Lomax went on the road to record over 1,200 discs containing some 4,000 songs for the Library of Congress.

“Billy the Kid: The Silver City Photo,” narrated by Emilio Estevez with music by Country and Western recording artist Tim Montana, unveils what is believed to be a never-before-seen photograph of the legendary outlaw Billy the Kid, discovered in rural Canada, and depicting him in Silver City, NM at a pivotal moment prior to joining the Lincoln County War. In the process, the film brings into question the death of Billy The Kid and the validity of the controversial claims of Brushy Bill Roberts of Hico.

The showcase will also feature six music videos as well as three narrative short films – “5697 Pounds,” “Smoke” and “Money Bag,” a short-short highlighting “The Roping Fools,” and a cowboy horror short film “Dark Side of the Moon.” Here is the program list of films (in order of screening):

• “They Don’t Make ’em Like Willie Anymore” featuring Blacksmith Rose

Ruth Buzzi Music Award – Winner: They Don’t Make ‘Em Like Willie Anymore is a “love letter” of appreciation for Texas singer-songwriter Willie Nelson’s music. It’s a succinct, multifaceted, video documentary about Willie’s music, the important role it’s played it people’s lives, and shows how his influence has inspired visual artists throughout Texas who have created works of art that feature his image. Running Time: 3 min

• “5697 Pounds” directed by David Merritt II

Best Narrative Short Film Award – Winner: Ricky, a loving husband, and father, is met with an impossible choice as he faces off with a mysterious armed intruder hellbent on the ultimate revenge. Running Time: 16 min

• “The Roping Fools” directed by Will Fitzpatrick

Best Short Short Film Award (Trailer) – Winner: “What is trick roping”? The Roping Fools documentary offers a view into the rich, and almost underground culture of this western sport. Running Time: 3 min

• “Cucurrucucu Paloma” Sin Color featuring Migue Angel, directed by Sebastian C. Bragge

Best Latino Music Award & People’s Choice Best Music Video Award – Winner: The classic and quintessential Mexican song “Cucurrucucu Paloma” roars to life through a Western Short Film and Music Video hybrid. The story, centered around a rueful play on the song’s lyrics, finds an immigrant couple in an ailing desert town just in the midst of their interrupted wedding. As a ravenous gang closes in on the young lovers, will love triumph, or will the titular dove wail in agonizing loss? Running Time: 6 min

• “Smoke” directed by Joshua Gallas

Best Local Short Film Award – Honorable Mention: A firefighter returns home after the most difficult shift of his life. Running Time: 15 min

• “You Are My God Thing” featuring Jerry Maynard, directed by Vic Quinton & Cynthia Garcia

People’s Choice Best Music Video Award – Winner: Faith based song about the love of family. Running Time: 4 min

• “Money Bag” directed by Cody L Tolle

People’s Choice Best Student Film Award – Winner: A late-night convenience store robbery from a unique perspective. Running Time: 5 min

• “C’est La Vie” featuring and directed by Michael Scott Peyton

Hico Hall Student Music Award – Winner “A Cowboy In The Suburbs”: Two long lost lovers rediscover what a five-dollar shake tastes like. Running Time: 4 min

• “Voice of the Common Man: The Lomax Legacy” directed by E Brett Voss & William Godby

Best Documentary Short Film – Winner: Imagine a world with no Blues explosion, no R&B movement, no Beatles, no Stones. It’s hard to measure the total impact John Avery Lomax had on music as we know it today. But there’s no doubt the man who became known as the legendary Ballad Hunter “added the voice of the common man to the written history of America.” Chasing songs, he came to love as a boy, Lomax went on the road to record over 1,200 discs containing some 4,000 songs for the Library of Congress. Running Time: 26 min

• “Give Her The Reins, She’ll Run” featuring Songbird Jones, directed by Jason Munford

Hico Hall Music Film Award – Winner: Coming of age story inspired by Glen Rose cowgirl, Halle Laramore who is featured in the video and found confidence and self-esteem in horses. Running Time: 6 min

• “Dark Side of the Moon” directed by Lincoln Reed

Best Horror Film Award – Finalist: A lawman and a prisoner play a deadly game beneath a full moon. Running Time: 8 min

• “Farewell” featuring and directed by Michael Scott Peyton

People’s Choice Best Music Video Award – Winner: It’s time to say goodbye. Running Time: 5 min

• “Billy The Kid: The Silver City Photo” directed by Daniel A. Edwards

Billy The Kid Award – Winner: Narrated by actor and director Emilio Estevez, Billy the Kid: The Silver City Photo takes viewers on an enthralling journey into the Wild West, combining riveting storytelling with captivating visuals. Original music for the documentary has been composed by country music sensation Tim Montana, whose authentic and soulful melodies perfectly complement the film’s Western ambiance. Montana’s score adds depth and emotion to the narrative, enhancing the overall impact of the film. Running Time: 40 min