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Georgia

The Savannah Film Festival

Program No. 21296RJ
Experience the splendor of Savannah and the creative wonders of the Savannah Film Festival. Enjoy panel discussions, screenings, lectures and downtown excursions.

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At a Glance

Every year, amidst antebellum architecture and cobblestoned squares, Savannah, Georgia transforms into a bustling mecca for film buffs. The annual Savannah Film Festival showcases award-winning professionals and groundbreaking independent films from seasoned veterans and budding directors alike. Get insider access to their creative works with admittance to screenings, panel discussions and engaging lectures that show you firsthand what goes into the making of a film. Enjoy as many screenings and panel discussions as you can fit in.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Savannah is a walking city. Walking up to 2 miles daily to venues and events, some uneven sidewalk terrain.

What You'll Learn

  • Attend as many screenings and panel discussions as you can fit in. All included.
  • Join in discussions with acclaimed and up and coming directors, actors, writers and producers.
  • Explore downtown Savannah by trolley with a local expert to see the squares and historic homes.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Tom Murray
Tom Murray is a graduate of San Jose State University but is a Southerner by choice, having spent more than 45 years in the South absorbing the culture, customs and history of the region. Tom specializes in coastal history with an emphasis on the sea islands of Georgia. Few people know and love beautiful Cumberland and Amelia islands better than Tom. He has spent 25 years lecturing and leading Road Scholar groups to sites from the mountains to the sea.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Tom Murray
Tom Murray View biography
Tom Murray is a graduate of San Jose State University but is a Southerner by choice, having spent more than 45 years in the South absorbing the culture, customs and history of the region. Tom specializes in coastal history with an emphasis on the sea islands of Georgia. Few people know and love beautiful Cumberland and Amelia islands better than Tom. He has spent 25 years lecturing and leading Road Scholar groups to sites from the mountains to the sea.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
10 meals
5 B 2 L 3 D
DAY
1
Check In, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Savannah, Georgia
D
Hampton Inn Savannah-Historic District

Activity note: We will go by trolley to dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Afternoon: Note: Your program includes a Bronze Pass which means you will have access to all screenings and panel discussions. Passes will be given out at orientation. Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar conference room. Look for the display board or check with front desk when you receive your key and they will point you in the right direction. Register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. We expect the name of the films to be released the week before the festival begins. Our program schedule has been designed for flexibility to see additional films independently. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please be aware that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
2
Savannah History By Trolley, Film Festival Screening
Savannah, Georgia
B,D
Hampton Inn Savannah-Historic District

Activity note: Getting on/off a trolley. Savannah's historic district is made for walking. Plan on walking 6-8 blocks per day. Some theater's are within a block or two blocks of your hotel. Others are 5 - 6 blocks. Restaurants surround the hotel or can be within a 4-5 block area. Standing in long lines despite our tickets can be up to 45 min. We recommend bringing a collapsible cane chair if you have trouble standing for long periods of time.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Start the trip with the History of Savannah by trolley to see the historic district and to get a feel for where the theaters are located. You are here because of the Savannah Film Festival, but your experience would not be complete without a scenic introduction to the charming city of Savannah.

Lunch: Lunch on your own.

Afternoon: Our first Savannah Film Festival session… Our program was planned far in advance when details were not available. The information will be posted on our website when released in October and included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. The festival, presented by Savannah College of Art and Design, is host to a wide variety of competition film screenings, special screenings, workshops, panels, and lectures. Films showcase the cinematic creativity of both award-winning professionals and emerging student filmmakers.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: We will regroup and attend one of the evening screenings that is sure to be a memorable highlight of the experience. The Savannah Film Festival website gives a good idea of the range and variety of performances and events: www.filmfest.scad.edu/ Evening film viewing begins at 7:00 pm.

DAY
3
More Films, Panel Discussions, Historic Homes & Architecture
Savannah, Georgia
B,L
Hampton Inn Savannah-Historic District

Activity note: Getting on and off a trolley with three steps to board.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Morning panel discussions will be announced as the information becomes available. Some discussions will include a presentation on “Script to Screen” as we follow the journey of a script in becoming a film.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Free time. We will provide vouchers for entry to two of the magnificent homes in the Historic District that you may use any time during the week. .

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. There are many options for delicious dining out, though if you have something special in mind, we advise making reservations in advance because the city is so crowded during the festival.

Evening: A listing of films will be made available as soon as the schedule comes out in October. An evening performance will be revealed as soon as it is made available. Evening films start at 7:00 pm.

DAY
4
Film Screenings, Panel Discussions
Savannah, Georgia
B
Hampton Inn Savannah-Historic District

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Film Screening. We have endeavored to highlight a variety of genres and styles of films. As soon as the festival schedule is announced in October, we will update the website and include details in preparatory materials sent following enrollment.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Panel discussions and critiques.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy more of the local cuisine.

Evening: Film Screening. More films await your review. Evening film viewing begins at 7:00 pm.

DAY
5
Presentation SCAD, SCAD Museum, Panel Discussions, Film
Savannah, Georgia
B,L,D
Hampton Inn Savannah-Historic District

Breakfast: At hotel.

Morning: We will travel to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) to meet with a representative to get more insider perspectives on aspects of the Savannah Film Festival. Visit the Savannah College of Art and Design Museum, a premier contemporary art museum introducing new exhibitions by a range of professional artists, inspiring and challenging students of SCAD.

Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon: Panel discussions or film viewing will be announced as soon as the schedule is released.

Dinner: At a specially selected restaurant in the Historic District.

Evening: More films. Evening film viewing begins at 7:00 pm.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
Savannah, Georgia
B

Activity note: Hotel check out by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At hotel.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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