Louisiana International Film Festival – May 8-11 Cinemark Perkins Rowe

Chesley Heymsfield has a bigger vision for the big screen than most. The Louisiana International Film Festival (LIFF) co-founder and executive director shepherded her first-time event last year to a monumental 60 film screenings, several of which were premieres of award-winning pictures. But like any good sequel, the New York native and former film producer knows this year’s festival needs to build upon the last.

She welcomes that challenge. She’s has always seen her creation as not just an event, but a conduit for growing the industry here in her adopted state.

“There is a tremendous amount of untapped potential for us as a community to develop the full spectrum of filmmaking, A to Z: from screenwriting and development to distribution and marketing,” Heymsfield says. “A full-scale film industry with opportunities throughout the filmmaking process will be a long-term collaborative endeavor, and LIFF is very happy to be a part of that movement.”

Last month, LIFF partnered with the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge to launch a pilot program for mentoring those interested in working in the film industry. The program kicks off during this year’s festival when a coinciding educational summit will include workshops and panels taught by industry professionals and film screenings with private filmmaker discussions.

“There is a confluence of factors here that make Louisiana a great hub for film production,” Heymsfield says. “All we have to do is connect need with opportunity, and the industry can become much bigger than it is now, last for decades and influence the world.”

With a small army of volunteers and collaborators (some of whom are pictured here, dressed as characters that represent their inner personalities), Heymsfield finds it fulfilling to stay focused on her larger goal of what a film festival can achieve, and to get others to buy into that vision, too.

“To be surrounded by some of the most talented and innovative minds is meaningful personally and professionally,” she says. “Mentally it is invigorating to be around people who are on the forefront of new ideas, from film to technology. All I have to do is sit back and watch what happens.”

Details on LIFF screenings and events will be released soon. All-access passes, good for any movies, panel discussions, after-parties and more, are available now for $100. A 6-Flix Pass, good for a patron’s choice of any six film screenings, is available for $40. lifilmfest.org