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Full schedule for 2023 Grand Motoring Film Festival - Film Summaries Below:  Select Film Summaries 2023 Grand Motoring Film FestivalThe Chrysler Turbine Car: Engineering a Revolution - Theatrical Premiere - Headliner Film
Documentary Feature Directed by Conor Kelley Starting in the 1950s, Chrysler set out to disrupt the automotive industry with a multimillion-dollar turbine research program. This documentary, produced by the non-profit 501c3 Hagerty Drivers Foundation, chronicles those efforts and is told from the point of view of the engineers and mechanics that were responsible for the futuristic jet-engine automotive program as well as the historians like Steve Lehto, Jay Leno, and Mark Olson that have spent decades researching this incredible aspect of American car history. Paul Murphy: Undaunted - Friday Headliner Film Documentary Feature Directed by Pam Miller During the turbulent 60s, the quest for women’s rights was invigorated. In motorsports, where names like Andretti and Petty transcended the race track, a lone woman emerged from their shadow – her name was Paula Murphy. Fast, fearless, and versatile – auto racing had never seen anyone like Paula. Dubbed the “World’s Fastest Woman on Wheels” she was more than a speed demon. When she hit the throttle, attitudes toward women drivers changed forever. In an era when women weren’t allowed in the garage or on a racetrack, Paula was the first woman to take laps at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, pilot not just any stock car - but Richard Petty’s #43 to speed records on the high banks at Talladega Superspeedway – and first to earn an NHRA Funny Car license. Versatility was her specialty – setting records in jet cars, sports cars, drag cars, Grand Prix cars, on Salt Flats, dirt, or asphalt. Her accomplishments placed Paula in the rare air of STP royalty as part of their famous line up of drivers – Petty, Andretti, Parnelli Jones and Paula. She wasn’t spared the adversity that came with the risks, but never ran from the challenge. Paula’s success translated into racing opportunities for the generations of women drivers – who race each week. So how did her story get lost? Why do the current generation of drivers not know the name Paula Murphy? This is Paula Murphy: Undaunted. Kim Jong, Alfaman and The Probe: A LeMons Race World Premiere Student Film Directed by Yasmin Sanie-Hay This documentary follows the wild and wacky adventures - and characters - of three teams in the infamous 24 Hours of LeMons endurance race for $500 cars. The stories of the teams in this film reflect endurance, humor, camaraderie and a strong sense of community. Director Yasmin Sanie-Hay is a 2023 Master's student at the University of Southern California. Bad Dog Student Film (Animation) Directed by Erin Malfi A motorcycle riding dog must compete with the Grim Reaper to save his soul. Student Short Film Karl Heinz US Premiere Narrative Short (Comedy) Directed by Andrew Robb A grumpy driver installs a technical upgrade to his old Volvo with unexpected results. Director Andrew Robb. Shot on iPhone. Hope Rewarded: The Unlikely Return of North Wilkesboro Speedway Journalsim / Factual Entertainment Directed by Pam Miller What happens when a rural mountain town loses the heartbeat of their community? A racetrack that was built post World War II by three local families with a dream. For 50 years, North Wilkesboro Speedway had hosted NASCAR races and was the pride of Wilkes County. Until it wasn't. The growth of NASCAR in the 1990s had threatened the quaint Speedway for years but when the last founding partner passed - the family heirs' decision to sell the track to rival ownership - set an inevitable sequence of events in motion. The Speedway lost their NASCAR races to more modern tracks - and was let to rot in the earth. The economic impact to the county was immediate and severe. National corporations fled the area. Civic pride was decimated. The once vibrant area plummeted to become the fourth poorest county in the state. For 27 years, the community fought to get their racetrack back - persevering through corrupt promoters and changing political landscapes. Two local racing legends along with their widows, a couple curious young men and a lone groundskeeper didn't give up the fight - keeping the track on life support. When a NASCAR superstar voiced his support to see the track come back - the community's luck changed. And 27 years later - NASCAR racing returned to the Speedway and a miraculous transformation began. A second chance beyond the community's dream - hope rewarded. GHOST, A True Story Narrative Short Directed by Stephane Benini Based on a true story about passion for a racing game between a young boy and his father - created with AI tools. Parts & Pieces Theatrical Premiere Documentary Short Directed by Bruce James Bales A look into the McGuire family's love for rare British Triumph vehicles and how those vehicles came to be a family tradition. The film centers around the patriarch, Chuck, and the story of how he came to possess so many Triumphs over the years. March Forth World Premiere Short Documentary Directed by Ryan McCormick Adocumentary about the influential history of the Frank family, and how AJ Frank utilizes his family’s past to 'march forth' within his community and automotive career. "The Gunslinger" - Rolls Royce Western Theatrical Premiere Narrative Directed by Jeremy Heslup Behind the wheel of an “all-powerful stagecoach,” a dead shot gunslinger teams up with a brave saloon girl to rescue a besieged frontier town from the grips of a villainous gang, led by a nefarious man in black. The Brake Short Drive Film Directed by Maël Pierre Gerard This is the story of a couple consumed by passionate desire who, during a trip behind the wheel of a Porsche 930, experience the unimaginable. The 1971 Kitchen Grand Brie Narrative Short Directed by Ian Beckman The Kitchen Grand Brie is only the greatest race in the whole household and your favorite foods are the contestants. And when Armando Fettucini, the most beloved and hated delicacy on the grid is on the verge of winning a fifth time to take control of the life-giving fridge, the other dishes take unprecedented action to stop him and accidentally set off a chain of events that changes the Grand Brie forever. Rossellini Roma '21 US Premiere Documentary Short Film Directed by Francesco Piras This is the story of one of the most iconic cars ever built and specially made for neorealist Maestro Roberto Rossellini. It left its native Italy over half a century ago to lead a very different life, first in quiet French retirement before sailing for America where it found stardom. Now we’ve brought it home to be reunited with the humble streets and personalities of its youth, to reveal the untold human stories behind the bright lights and glittering celebrity…and to roar. Produced by Simon Kidston. Defy the Odds Theatrical Premiere Narrative Short Directed by Corry Wiens Amateur race car driver, Bill Lester, is faced with a decision that will upend the stable office life he's been trapped in. Based on the true story of Bill Lester, the first black NASCAR driver to win a race in NASCAR's Grand-Am series. BUMPED Journalism / Factual Entertainment Directed by Sean Heckman & Ryan Eversley There was a time when just qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 was a story all to itself, and perhaps none more evident than the story of Pacific Coast Motorsports. A young and free-spirited team that rose from the ranks of junior racing all the way to the top levels, team owner Tyler Tadevic took a massive gamble in 2008 when, despite limited funds, he risked everything to get his team into the Indianapolis 500 … and lost. Ford Taurus Narrative (Music Video) Directed by Barret Burlage A music video from the Charleston-based satirical pop band Sexbruise? about their love for the 1999 automotive masterpiece. Ford Bronco: BUILT WILD Student Short Film Directed by Noah Semeria A self-funded spec project that takes a crew from LA to the Las Vegas deserts, showcasing the off-roading capabilities of the Bronco Sasquatch Edition. My Home Race - Charles Leclerc: Monaco F1 Grand Prix 2023 Theatrical Premiere Journalism / Factual Entertainment Directed by Ryan Davis Watch the F1 2023 Monaco GP embedded with Scuderia Ferrari F1 Driver and local hero, Charles Leclerc. Follow unprecedented BTS of the life of Leclerc as he navigates the insanity that is the Monaco Grand Prix, the most iconic race in the world taking place in the streets that he calls home. Interviews with the family and friends of Charles Leclerc as they detail what is the life of their friend, brother, and son. Dodging Certainty Student Film Directed by Molly Knybel This documentary follows the adventures of four Central Connecticut State University students as they prepare for and participate in The Great Race 2022. The Great Race is not a typical race, but a controlled-speed competitive endurance rally for vehicles that were built before 1975. The actual competition demands skilled driving and navigating, and the ability to keep their vehicle in top condition while traveling hundreds of miles a day for over a week. The story begins with the acquisition of the car, a 1961 Dodge Lancer. The students are then challenged to get it into shape and make it safe enough to join more than 500 people from around the world and 120 other antique cars on a 2300-mile journey across the country. The group travels over hill and dale, through all kinds of weather as they make their way from Warwick, Rhode Island to Fargo, North Dakota. Along the way, they experience breakdowns, mishaps, laughter, and frustration. Each night, they receive a hero’s welcome when they reach that day’s overnight stop. Will they meet the challenge? 
When the curtain goes up, film fans will be dazzled by short works, world premieres and a feature film that cuts across genres in showcasing the intersection of automotive and cinematic arts.
Adding to the excitement of this year’s event will be the debut of a juried awards show, bestowing honors on the top motoring films. Attendees can also expect to meet some of the stars and enjoy a Q&A with some of the creative forces behind the films. Day two, November 4, will welcome attendees to Coligny Theatre for a full day of screenings and Q&A's with filmmakers beginning at 9am. Save your Thursday ticket/credential as it grants you to all Friday screenings (first come first serve). Stay tuned for more details!  HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC - JUNE 1, 2022 - This year’s Grand Motoring Film Festival will once again raise the bar for fans of the cinematic and automotive arts. For the first time, the festival is actively seeking out bold new cinematic explorations of the automotive arts, regardless of length or format, to be judged by a panel of experts for the top prize of the event. “The festival has always been a way for us to celebrate that intersection between cars and film, so it’s a genuine thrill to extend that celebration to the filmmakers themselves,” said GMFF founder Guy Smith. Grand Motoring Film Festival finalists and winners will represent the best documentaries, web videos, brand films, TV shows and more, and entries across the landscape of automotive cinema are invited to submit. Films and videos will be reviewed by an esteemed group of judges representing film and television, automotive, and media industries with awards to be given out on November 3, 2022.
Now entering its sixth year, the Grand Motoring Film Festival has established itself as a premiere event in the motoring community, celebrating the intersection of the automotive and cinematic arts. Bringing automotive aficionados and film enthusiasts together to showcase and recognize the most outstanding work created by independent filmmakers, journalists, students, production companies and advertising agencies, the Grand Motoring Film Festival is uniquely positioned to become North America’s premier motoring film festival.
When & Where: 5:00PM - 9:00PM: The Grand Motoring Film Festival will be held November 3, 2022 at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Hilton Head Island.  Supercharged with a radical rush of ’80s nostalgia, the fifth annual Grand Motoring Film Festival presented by MonroneyLabels.com drops the green flag on the Hilton Head Concours weekend Thursday evening, November 4th at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. The throwback thrills on hand will include automotive short films that pay homage to the synth-driven day-glo flair that made the 1980s so bodacious. Static displays will spotlight the cars of the era that became legends like the Testarossa, Corvette, Pantera, 911 Turbo, and MX5! Taking center stage during this night of retro elegance will be the feature film “The Secret Race Across America” celebrating the Cannonball run, the famous (or perhaps infamous) transcontinental race that inspired some of the era’s most iconic automotive movies. Guests can get up close look at the types of cars that set transcontinental records and were made famous on the silver screen, dine on heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, enjoy red carpet extravagance and try their hand at an update of the pulse pounding racing games that lit up arcades during the ‘80s.
Film Features
Films begin at 7PM.
For more info and tickets, please visit: http://www.vintageautotv.com/ NOTE: The Art Center Tickets are for reserved seats. Please pick out your preferred seating to make your purchase. You can also purchase tickets at the box office the day of the event, but you may not have the best choice of seating if you wait. (You may also call or visit the Arts Center box office for tickets 843-842-2787, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928.)
Usher in the Hilton Head Concours weekend at the 3rd Annual VINTAGE AUTO FILM EXHIBITION presented by MonroneyLabels.com Thursday, November 1st!  The Vintage Auto Film Exhibition is an automotive movie night featuring an evening of high-octane, BIG-SCREEN nostalgia! This year we’re going racing with the Southeast premiere of BORN RACER, plus NO LIMITS and short film RUNNING WITH POP. Our red-carpet style reception kicks off at 6:00PM with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and movie theater concessions along with a special display of classic and collector cars before the auto-centric films take center stage at 7:00PM. A hit with film buffs and automotive aficionados alike, our third installment of this annual exhibition returns to Hilton Head’s Coligny Theatre. Event Schedule: 6:00 PM – Red carpet reception & automobile displays 7:00 PM – Screening begins
Kick off your Hilton Head Concours weekend at the 2nd Annual VINTAGE AUTO FILM EXHIBITION presented by MonroneyLabels.com Celebrating cinematic stories of automotive culture and heritage with an evening of high-octane, BIG-SCREEN nostalgia featuring Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans. Join us Thursday, November 2nd at Hilton Head’s Coligny Theatre at 6:00PM for our red-carpet welcome reception with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, special exhibit of classic cars, sponsor displays, and a cash bar. Auto-centric films start at 7:00PM with movie theater concessions available through out the evening. When & Where: 6:00 PM Thursday Nov. 2nd, 2017 at Coligny Theatre, 1 North Forest Beach Drive #I-5, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Schedule: 6:00 PM – Red carpet reception & automobile displays 7:00 PM – Screening begins 10:00 PM – Event concludes Endurance Icon Hurley Haywood gives a glimpse into his work ethic, his relationship with Brumos, and a short history on three iconic Porsche sports cars from the Brumos collection: Porsche 917/10 Can-Am, 911 RSR, and Peter Gregg's Championship winning 935.  You don't become America's most decorated endurance driver in history by taking the easy route. Approaching the 1977 24 Hours of Daytona racing legend Hurley Haywood was faced with such a dilemma. Should he conform to the new generation of Porsche Turbos that came to compete or should he stick with the tried-and-true, however severely out horse powered, Porsche 911 RSR. Haywood, who we filmed with during the Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance and Savannah Speed Classic, tells us "The turbo cars were something I felt were unproven." But when his #43 RSR qualified at the rear of the field Haywood really began doubting his chances of success. "I thought, what have you done?". Once the green flag dropped the competition started having reliability issues. As Haywood found himself piloting for an eight-hour stint at night the #43 RSR rose to the top of the scoring pylon - and never looked back. During the Savannah Speed Classic, which is a full weekend of Historic SportsCar Racing sanctioned races, Haywood was behind the wheel of a modern Porsche GT3 Cup two-seater giving hot lap rides to spectators. A few days later he took on the role of Honorary Chairman for the Concours d'Elegance. "This is my first time judging at Hilton Head … I've done the Speed Classic down in Savannah for a number of years but my first time here at Hilton Head and its really a nice venue, the manufactures really support it, the fans, and it's in a beautiful area." Brumos Porsche, whom Haywood has been associated with for most of his career, fielded three legendary Porsches from their collection including his Daytona winning Porsche 911 RSR along with the Can-Am championship winning Porsche 917/10 and Peter Gregg's championship winning Porsche 935. In our short film, “Endurance Icon: Hurley Haywood”, Haywood gives us a brief history and some insight into these race cars. While Haywood claims to have retired from racing he shows no signs of letting off of the gas. |
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