Page 27 - Classically Carolina 2017

The EQUUS Film Festival’s journey to Camden a non-profit organization dedicated to educational
started when Neal and Bruce Anderson attended and public service projects.
the EQUUS Film Festival in New York to promote Anderson is a native of Trinidad and Tobago. He
a trailer for a documentary film. Prior to attending has been in Camden for quite a few years working
the festival, Neal said, she spoke with Suzi Sale, with horses and people. The film goes through
city of Camden tourism development director, his travels and the work he does. It also has an
about the Little Theater in Camden being a great environmental aspect,” Neal said.
venue to showcase such films. Along with learning about
“It kind of evolved from different aspects of all things
there,” Neal said of EQUUS’ horse-related, EQUUS
debut here in February 2016. Film Festival attendees
She and Anderson met also experience a unique
Diersen at the New York opportunity: a chance to meet
festival and pitched the idea. the filmmakers.
Diersen visited Camden ... and Not only does the festival
the deal was sealed. spotlight films, it offers
Neal said she and Anderson visitors the opportunity
visited several EQUUS Film to hear panel discussions
Festival host cities and got ideas by the filmmakers, artists
for the festival’s Camden stop. and people in the equine
“We were able to go to all the industry; follow a downtown
tour stops they had through Artist Gallery Gallop
the year. We ended up in featuring equine and
Baltimore for the Preakness, Camden/South Carolina
Silver Spring’s film festival, art; and indulge in a tapas
Santa Fe New Mexico’s film walk that covered local
festival and a film festival restaurants.”
in France. It was great Neal encourages everyone
just getting to know other to attend the film festival,
filmmakers to see what was successful in some of whether or not they are equine schooled.
the other places. I saw things we could take and “If you love horses, of course you will find
make our own in Camden,” Neal said. something you enjoy at the festival. But if you are
Neal and Anderson’s full-length film, “The Edge,” tired of staying home on a February weekend and
was a 2016 Environmental and Equine Promotion want to get out and do something fun, come!”
award winner in New York. The film is based on For more information about the festival, visit
Anderson’s work, and that of The Marley Project, www.equusfilmfestivalcamden.com.

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