The 2018 Scruffy City Film & Music Festival will take place this Thursday, July 26 through Sunday, July 29 featuring screenings of over 40 films at Scruffy City Hall. In addition, live music will be performed at several venues throughout Knoxville including Preservation Pub, Market Square rooftops, Holler Performing Arts Center, Boyd’s Jig & Reel, Scruffy City Hall, and the Knoxville Visitor Center (as part of the WDVX daily live music series Blue Plate Special). Films will be screened daily at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. and all day throughout the weekend.
The Scruffy City Film and Music Festival is a gritty, independent, volunteer-driven festival. It has grown to become a national and international event with a focus on composers, filmmakers, and musicians. In recent years, more than 2,500 people have turned out to participate and attend the festival and its various associated events and concerts.
This year’s festival marks the first time ever the event will include an animated feature, Sgt Stubby – An American Hero. In addition, W.G. “Snuffy” Walden, a legendary musician and composer from The West Wing will make a special appearance to celebrate the screening of Up To Snuff, a new documentary that chronicles his career.
Other special events that are part of this year’s Scruffy City Film & Music Festival include:
Composer Conversations with Snuffy Walden
Friday July 27 from 3 – 4 p.m. at Holler Performing Arts Center (formerly Modern Studio), composer Paul Jones will discuss all aspects of music with visiting Guest Composer, W.G. “Snuffy” Walden. Walden is an American musician 
and composer of film and television soundtracks. He has been nominated for 12 primetime Emmy awards, winning for “Outstanding Main Title Theme” for The West Wing, and has won more than 50 BMI awards for his music, including BMI’s prestigious “Richard Kirk Award for Outstanding Career Achievement.” Walden’s ability to combine intricate emotions and musical simplicity has earned him a special place among the ranks of composers, as his work continues to ring with genuine warmth and truth.
Will Wright Scores “The World of Harry Potter”
On Friday July 27 from 9:30 – 11:30 p.m. at Scruffy City Hall, composer William Wright will bring a fun and dynamic showcase of film music to the 2018 Scruffy City Film & Music Festival. The program includes several premiers of new film works scored by Wright, including the short film Until You Go which was both written and scored by Wright. The Knoxville-based composer will be joined by an ensemble of musicians performing a mix of live and improvised scores, as well as Wright’s songs featured in works of cinema. The showcase features a trio of virtual tours of the original sets of Harry Potter 1 – 3, directed by Knoxville director Michael Samstag. Wright will be accompanying the Harry Potter shorts with a re-score, a live score, and a very rare performance from his LiL iFFy catalog.
2018 Scruffy City Film & Music Festival Feature Films
American Folk (Thursday, July 26, 7:00 – 8:50 p.m. at Scruffy City Hall). Two strangers, both folk musicians stranded in California, take a road trip to New York in the days after 9/11. This is a story about the kindness of strangers and the power of music. Amber Rubarth, the female lead in American Folk, is scheduled to attend the festival.
Cowboy’s Heart (Sunday, July 29, 7:00 – -9:00 p.m. at Scruffy City Hall). Lucca is a struggling country singer who is forced by his manager Lolanda to record cheesy pop-country song. Upon a disagreement during a studio recording section, Lucca returns to his hometown to find inspiration for his music.
This is the U.S. Premiere of Cowboy’s Heart and the director, cast, and crew are scheduled to attend. There will be a Red-Carpet Party prior to this screening.
Sgt. Stubby An American Hero (Saturday, July 28, noon – 1:40 p.m. at Scruffy City Hall). With World War I looming, young Army Pvt. Robert Conroy is adopted by a stray, stump-tailed terrier. Conroy names his new friend Stubby and gives him a home, a family and a chance to embark on the adventure that would define a century. The two quickly find themselves in the trenches of France and on a path to history. French soldier Gaston Baptiste befriends the duo and accompanies them along their epic journey through harsh conditions and incredible acts of courage. A percentage of proceeds from this screening will benefit CAIT (Companion Animal Institute of Tennessee).
For more information about the 2018 Scruffy City Film & Music Festival or to purchase tickets and passes, please visit www.ScruffyCityFilmFest.com. A complete listing of films in this year’s festival can be found here.
Read all about this year’s Scruffy City Film & Music Festival in the Knoxville News Sentinel here.
