For nearly a year, organizers of the True/False Film Fest in Columbia have been searching for ways to make it work, hoping to bring back "one of the world's coolest film festivals," according to a news release. By working with the City of Columbia and local health departments, they've found a way: outdoors on wide-open land instead of through Columbia's historic downtown.
This year's True/False Film Fest will take place at Stephens Lake Park, 2001 E. Broadway, Columbia, tonight through Sunday. The amphitheater at the park will be one of four outdoor screening venues.
"It has been very, very challenging to pull this off," David Wilson, festival co-founder, said in the news release. "Next to starting the festival, this year's fest has been the most challenging to plan in the 17-year history of True/False. It took so many people being so careful and so detail-oriented to make this happen, and there's no way we could have done it without an extraordinary team effort."
Organizers are requiring attendees to wear masks and are socially-distancing seating in all venues. Handwashing and sanitizing stations will also be located throughout the park.
Programming for the weekend includes 17 feature-length films, 22 short-length films, busking musicians before the film screenings, pop-up musical performances around the festival grounds, a game show, interactive art installations, a nightly drive-in movie and more. Local food trucks, microbreweries and wineries will be located at designated spots throughout the park, according to the news release. "COMO Square," which will also include local shops and vendors in addition to food, will be open Friday through Sunday.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets, as well as bring their own food to enjoy while at the park.
"We're excited to see how True/False transforms the park for the fest this year," Megan McConachie, strategic communications manager for the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, said in the news release.
Event passes are available at truefalse.org/attend/passes/. Silver Circles passes are $495, Lux passes are $225, and Parks & Rock passes are $85. Super Circle, Simple and Teleported Fest passes were sold out as of Wednesday evening. Tickets can also be purchased for individual film screenings, concerts and certain events at truefalse.org/tickets/ up until one hour prior to the event.
Shuttle buses will be available at various locations in downtown Columbia for ease of transport to and from the park.
For more information, including a complete list of films and their show times, visit TrueFalse.org.