October 11th, 2023

Lights, Camera, Automotive Action!

The Grand Motoring Film Festival hits high gear with two nights celebrating award-winning films from
across the Automotive world.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC, OCTOBER 11, 2023 – Now entering its seventh year, the Grand Motoring Film Festival presented by Hilton Head Capital Partners has dropped the green flag on an expanded experience set to kick off the Concours weekend on Hilton Head Island.

Long celebrated for its immersive mix of automotive excitement and inspired filmmaking, Grand Motoring Film Festival – a part of Crescendo Celebration of Arts & Culture - will see its slate of films expand for 2023 to encompass two nights of cinematic thrills. 

“With so many talented filmmakers now wanting to be a part of the Grand Motoring Film Festival, we simply couldn’t fit everything into one night,” said Event Founder Guy Smith. “Adding Friday screenings at Coligny Theater to our Showcase Event at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina allows us to share their talents with an audience who shares their love of car culture.”

Held November 2nd at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, the Showcase Event starts with a VIP red-carpet reception featuring some iconic celebrities of the automotive world, and a display of classic and collector cars while attendees enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. 

In addition to cars featured in the films shown, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and Corvettes will dominate the automobile exhibit.  When the curtain goes up, film fans will experience a curated selection of short films, including the world premiere of “March Forth,” by local filmmakers Ryan McCormick and Christian Perry; a pair of theatrical premieres in “Defy the Odds” and “The Gunslinger;” and the feature film “The Chrysler Turbine Car:  Engineering a Revolution.”
This stunning feature film traces Chrysler's groundbreaking efforts beginning in the 1950s to disrupt the automotive industry with their multimillion-dollar turbine research program, boasting interviews from Chrysler Turbine owner Jay Leno and Steve Lehto, author of “Chrysler's Turbine Car: The Rise and Fall of Detroit's Coolest Creation.”

“As soon as I saw this documentary, I knew we’d found our showcase film,” said Smith. “It’s not only a beautifully shot film, it tells a fascinating story about a car that could have changed everything but wound up being almost a footnote in automotive history.”

Adding to the excitement of this year’s Showcase Event is the return of a juried awards show, bestowing honors on the top motoring films submitted to this year’s festival.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with some of the filmmakers involved and discover more about these fascinating films. Jurors for the festival include former editor and publisher of Autoweek, Dutch Mandell, Pixar Studios Creative Director of Franchise Jay Ward, "Death Race 2000" star Simone Griffeth, and Creative Director at Hearst Autos, Tara Klein.

Those who can’t make it to the Showcase Event will have another opportunity to enjoy this curated collection of automotive films, with a day-long series of screenings at Coligny Theatre. Discover how one woman nearly changed racing forever in “Paula Murphy: Undaunted,” and meet the director, Pam Miller. Thrill to the unlikely history of an Italian masterpiece in “Rosselini Roma ’21.” Get behind the wheel with the infamous Pacific Coast Motorsports team in “Bumped.” The day’s slate is packed with these and other amazing automotive films. There is no admission charge for the Friday event, however donations to “Tools for Techs” are welcome.

“The heart of Grand Motoring Film Festival has always been about giving audiences a chance to experience these films on the big screen, and giving filmmakers an opportunity to interact with people who share their enthusiasm for cars,” said Guy Smith. “Expanding that into two days really allows us to put the spotlight on so many more deserving films.” 

Sponsors and partners for the Grand Motoring Film Festival include Hilton Head Capital Partners, Broad Arrow Group, The Thunderbird Inn, Hagerty, Palmetto Drivers Syndicate, Lowcountry Oyster & Motorcar Driving Society. Organizers recommend purchasing tickets in advance for the Thursday Showcase event either at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina box office 843-842-2787 or online at artshhi.com.  For the full slate of films featured at the Showcase Event or the Friday Coligny Theatre screenings, visit grandmotoring.com.