The Macon Film Festival is celebrating its 17th annual event in Macon, Georgia, Aug. 18 – 21, with four special in-person film screenings and events at several venues throughout the city.

This year’s festival will kick-off on Thursday with a special free screening of IT AIN’T OVER at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame located at 301 Cherry St. in downtown Macon. Directed by Sean Mullin, the film is a an intimate portrait of a misunderstood American icon; the emotional and uplifting documentary about Yogi Berra takes us beyond the caricatures and "Yogisms" and into the heart of a sports legend whose unparalleled accomplishments on the baseball diamond were often overshadowed by his off-the-field persona. IT AIN’T OVER features interviews with Berra's children, MLB legends (Derek Jeter, Joe Torre, Don Mattingly and more), Billy Crystal, Bob Costas and more. The film premiered at Tribeca Film Festival. As part of the festival’s kick-off activities, there will be a reception with food and drinks before the film's screening in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Festival all access pass required for admittance to the reception, but admittance to the film will be free.

Friday’s special screening features a collection of immersive short fulldome films at the planetarium of the Museum of Arts & Sciences. This is the fifth year of the film festival's partnership with the Museum of Arts & Sciences. This year’s special Immersive Showcase features the most innovative artistic content from around the world. The Museum of Arts & Sciences will host a reception with food and drinks at the Museum before the fulldome showcase, and the party is free for museum members and festival all access pass holders. The evening will also give festival attendees the opportunity to explore the museum galleries and take an immersive gyroscope ride. Stay late and experience the X-Treme Art Immersive block of fulldome films that push the envelope of the immersive fulldome experience.

Saturday evening’s special screening film is STILL WORKING 9 TO 5, directed by Camille Hardman and Gary Lane. The film examines the 40-year evolution of gender inequality and discrimination in the workplace since the 1980 release of the classic seminal comedy, 9 TO 5, starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Dabney Coleman, and it features interviews with the original movie’s stars. STILL WORKING 9 TO 5 is more than a movie; it’s a movement. All access pass holders can enjoy the party and watch the film at the Douglass Theatre.

The 2022 Macon Film Festival will wrap up with a special screening of CONDUCTING LIFE directed by Diane Moore and starring Macon’s own Roderick Cox. CONDUCTING LIFE follows the improbable, seven-year journey of conductor Roderick Cox and captures the highs and lows of his quest to succeed in the highly competitive field of orchestral conducting, a profession that has traditionally overlooked musicians of color. The film has previously screened in the Cleveland International Film, Oxford Film Festival, and Ashland Independent Film Festival. At this year’s film festival, CONDUCTING LIFE will screen at the Grand Opera House following a special string performance by Central High School alumni and a reception with food and drinks and Cox himself in attendance.

"This slate of special screening films gives our audience an opportunity to get a sneak peek of three inspiring and thought-provoking documentaries as well as a special collection of immersive films. Join us to gain a unique insight of the life of a sports legend, learn about the journey of a homegrown music pioneer, experience the planetarium like never before and see how a classic film's message still holds relevance today,” said festival programmer Tabitha Lynne Walker.

The festival schedule and a complete listing of 2022 official selection films is now available at maconfilmfestival.com. Additional festival information, schedule and ticketing links can be found on maconfilmfestival.com.