The City of Canton’s own Historic Canton Theatre was recently selected by South Arts as a screening partner for the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. Canton is one of six Georgia partners, among 21 total venues selected from the Southeast. This long-running South Arts program connects US-based documentary filmmakers with communities throughout the South for screenings and conversations around important stories, topics, and the art of filmmaking.

Through generous grant funding from Fox Gives, the Canton Theatre will co-host the event with the Fox.

“The Fox Theatre is thrilled to support independent filmmaking at the Canton Theatre in collaboration with our partners at South Arts,” said Leigh Burns, Director of Community Partnerships for the Fox Theatre. “Film has long been an important part of the programming for our Georgia network of theatres, and historic venues like the Canton Theatre play a significant role in the vibrant Georgia film industry.”

Jordan Young, Program Director, emphasized that, “the Screening Partner film selections for this season demonstrate the group’s commitment to fostering curious spaces and using film as a conduit for local conversations. Directly connecting independent filmmakers with community audiences amplifies the films’ impact while investing in the regional filmmaking infrastructure of the South and engaging local community members in critical conversations.”

Thirteen films and filmmaking teams were selected for the 2024-2025 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, six of which will be featured at the Historic Canton Theatre:

  • September 29 – Bulls and Saints – Rodrigo Dorfman (Director)
  • October 20 – Lift – Steven Melendez (Protagonist), Mary Recine (Producer), and David Peterson (Director, Producer)
  • November 17 – Family Tree – Jennifer MacArthur (Director)
  • February 16 – Home is a Hotel – Kevin Wong (Director, Producer, Co-Cinematographer) and Yar Kin Tham (Co-Director, Producer)
  • March 30 – This World is Not My Own – Petter Ringbom (Director, Writer, Cinematographer), Ruchi Mital (Writer, Producer), and Cathi Perry (Family member)
  • April 13 – North Putnam – Joel Fendelman (Director) and Beth Benedix (Producer) O Pioneer – Clara Lehmann (Director, Producer, and Writer) and Jonathan Lacocque (Director, Producer, Cinematographer, and Editor)

“The Canton Theatre has a long tradition with film- beginning with its opening in 1911,” said Theatre Events and Facilities Director Kristin Norton Green. From our Summer Family Movie Series, to the Peaberry Film Festival, to our Classic Film Series, Canton is proving to be hungry for film in all its forms. We are so grateful for a partnership with the Fox Theatre to allow us to further connect our community with independent filmmakers and their stories.”

Burns added, “As a valued member of Georgia Presenters, the Canton Theatre has enriched communities statewide, and we’re excited to further this impact with the Southern Circuit Tour right in the heart of downtown Canton.”

Visit the individual film tour pages on southarts.org for tour dates and featured filmmakers and film protagonists. View the Historic Canton Theatre showings at cantonga.gov/cantontheatre.

About Southern Circuit

Since its inception in 1975, Southern Circuit has brought influential independent filmmakers and their films from around the country to communities throughout the South. The program is made possible through a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Ticketing and schedule information is available through the local Screening Partner venues.

About South Arts

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, South Arts is a nonprofit regional arts organization empowering artists, organizations, and communities, and increasing access to arts and culture. Our mission: advancing Southern vitality through the arts. In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — with additional funding from other public and private donors such as the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation — South Arts supports artists and organizations through a rich and responsive portfolio of grants, fellowships, and programs. South Arts believes that the arts elevate the region, increasing connectedness and inspiring meaningful change in the process. For more information, visit www.southarts.org.