Sponsors
We are very grateful to our sponsors who have generously supported us in our first year:
Independent Tribune
The community newspaper for Concord, Kannapolis and Cabarrus County, the Independent Tribune covers local events, people and places in an area that has seen a lot of changes. Formed from the former Concord Tribune and Daily Independent, the Independent Tribune has been there, witnessing an exciting history unfold and reporting on a bright future for Cabarrus County. The publisher is Terry Coomes and the editor is Jonathan E. Coleman.
Web site: http://independenttribune.com
The Gem Theatre
For more than 70 years, the Gem Theatre has been entertaining audiences with first-run movies in an elegant movie house. Now, the Gem hosts independent films with the inaugural Modern Film Fest. The Gem is the only theater left in the old Towel City Theater chain and gained national notoriety with its “Recession Buster Wednesdays” promotion earlier in the year. The general manager is Steve Morris.
Web site: http://gem-theatre.com/
City of Kannapolis
In 1906, James W. Cannon built a road from Concord to a 600-acre farm he had purchased near the Southern Railway in the northern part of Cabarrus County. His plan was to build a new textile mill on the site. Kannapolis was born. For nearly 100 years, Kannapolis was known worldwide for providing households with towels and sheets. Cannon Mills was the center of life in Kannapolis and its workers were fiercely proud of their town. The city, once the largest unincorporated area in the United States, formed its municipal limits in 1984. Once known as a center of the textile industry, Kannapolis is now “home to science” with its new centerpiece, the North Carolina Research Campus. The city manager is Mike Legg.
Web site: http://cityofkannapolis.com/
Restaurant Forty Six
With its home-grown ingredients and its “healthful” mission, Restaurant Forty Six is Cabarrus County’s bit of Manhattan in downtown Kannapolis. Part of the N.C. Research Campus, Forty-Six offers a modern interpretation on classic dishes and makes you think twice about eating healthy. The manager is Lauren Kimes
Web site: http://www.restaurantfortysix.com/
Charlotte Regional Film Commission
With its unique combination of urban and rural, foothills and flatlands, small towns and large city locations, the Charlotte Region is like no other. Encompassing portions of both North and South Carolina, it is a diverse 16 county area with Charlotte as its hub. As part of the Charlotte Regional Partnership, the Charlotte Regional Film Commission mission to service for film and video productions extends to all projects: commercial, television, and feature. The director is Beth Petty.
Web site: http://www.charlotteusa.com/film/film_overview.asp
FedEx Office
FedEx Office offers full-service printing, document and office services—from shipping to business cards to signs and banners. The Concord manager is Marty Campbell.
Web site: http://fedex.com/us/office/
Signs By Tomorrow Matthews
Signs By Tomorrow was founded in 1986 to make the process of purchasing high-quality, cost-effective signs available to everyone. With the use of computer technology, this process has been made quick and easy for businesses of every size. The Matthews store is under new management is looking forward to the opportunity of meeting the existing customers and providing exemplary customer service and graphic design consultation. The store manager is Ryan Barringer and the production manager is Brian Goss.
Web site: http://signsbytomorrow.com/matthews/page01.aspx
The Sign Market
The Sign Market, LLC is full service graphics and design company with expertise in custom graphics, banners, real estate signs, store front and vehicle lettering, custom logos, digital printing, illuminated and design stone ground signs, as well as vehicle magnets and trade show products. The company has been helping business owners in Kannapolis, Concord, Salisbury and Charlotte for the past 13 years to put a new face on their business. The owners are Alvin and Denise Adcock.
Web site: www.thesignmarketonline.com
A letter from the directors
Welcome to the Modern Film Fest at Kannapolis. We’re excited that you are interested in our event and in our community.
Let us tell a little bit about Kannapolis and its people. A hundred years ago, James W. Cannon built his textile mill on farmland in northern Cabarrus County and a small village to house his workers. That mill village grew into Kannapolis and Cannon Mills, at its height, was the world’s largest producer of household textile products. Kannapolis residents took pride in their work and their community.
A big part of social life in Kannapolis was the Towel City Theaters, owned and operated by Cannon Mills. Families spent countless weekends at one of the theaters — including the Gem Theatre, host of the Modern Film Fest. The only theater left from the old chain, the Gem, is not just a throwback to the Golden Age of Cinema, it is a bridge from that era to this one. Meticulously maintained, the Gem Theatre is in the heart of Kannapolis and the perfect spot to host the festival.
Kannapolis, itself, is evolving from a mill town to a biotechnology hub. With the N.C. Research Campus, Kannapolis will be known worldwide as the place where advances in human health are discovered. Along with the economic changes comes social change as well. A new generation of residents are coming to Kannapolis, complete with new experience and ideas.
This is the spirit of the festival: To introduce a new event in the community at one of the most treasured venues in the Charlotte metro region. It is a showcase of independent films of all genres, from a diverse field of filmmakers.
We want to make this an annual event and to do that, we need your help. We ask that you consider making a donation or becoming a sponsor of Modern Film Fest. All donations go into planning, organizing and presenting the event now and in the future.
Again, thank you for your interest and support.
Michael Knox
Ben McNeely
co-directors