Opening Night at the Beaufort International Film Festival (BIFF)
First of all, I began this blog a few days ago – and then the software crashed and I was left with nothing! But, the blog must go on…and on!
As said at the opening Thursday night,” Beaufort, SC. knows how to party!”… and party they did! We decided to be just socially late enough as to not be seen as famished Yankees try to gobbled down everything in sight. So we waited the appropriate 11 minutes to meander downstairs and join the fray. When we did, the opening reception was already in overdrive, the shrimp and drinks flowed. Several hundred folks decided to be “early” in line for the tasty portions and drink. A huge tent (I’d say approx. 3,000 square feet) had been held over from a recent wedding to accommodate the crowds. The Beaufortonians were dressed in their finest. Southern ladies do like to dress up!
We met many really wonderful folks – chatted with one lovely couple who had recently re-located to Beaufort. They were looking forward to pursuing their passions in Beaufort. The husband wanted to become proficient with a smoker (for meats) and his wife wanted to write books and screenplays.
I have to honest, I kind of dug wearing my Festival badge for filmmakers.
After a welcome from the mayor and a few words from Ron Tucker, CEO of the Festival (he was the one who mentioned the party aspects) we mixed among the other guests and caught glimpses of the Festival’s special guests, Blythe Danner and Michael O’Keefe. Eventually we made our way back to our suite and turned in for the evening.
This is a serious festival – no wimps here! The films begin at 8:00 am sharp.
our room was very spacious
Here I must digress a bit. When we arrived in Beaufort and called just before 10:00 am and much to our surprise, was told our room was ready! We parked behind the Inn and proceeded to the front room to check-in. A bag of goodies was waiting for us. Ahhhhh, gifts – love ‘em. There were items to wear, eat and drink from - and other wonderful printed materials about the Festival, Beaufort and the environs… our important Festival credentials that would indentify us to staff and audience as being bonafide!
We stayed at the Beaufort Inn, one of THE best experiences we have ever had…here, Southern hospitality was in full bloom. You could land a jet in our room. The Inn dates back to the 1890’s and was the former home of a State Senator. The Inn was inviting and cozy. There are several porches what wrap around the structure, each offer views that take you back a couple of centuries.
Tomorrow a day of films!!!
Always Animated!