Jean Seberg International Film Festival is Nov. 10-13
THIS IS A 2011 ARTICLE ON THE JEAN SEBERG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. FOR INFORMATION ON THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL, CLICK HERE.
MARSHALLTOWN – The Jean Seberg International Film Festival Nov. 10-13, 2011, at the Orpheum Theater Center in Marshalltown is about more than honoring a world-renowned actress who happens to be from Marshalltown, Iowa. And the event will go way deeper 
than showing several Seberg films and putting some photos and artifacts on display.
For event organizers, the Festival has become about telling the compelling story of a talented actress who’s European following rivals that of Marilyn Monroe, and who’s heart for social justice (before social justice was “popular”) touched the lives of many but eventually led to an FBI smear campaign to destroy her reputation. It’s about talent and truth, courage and consequences, remembering and healing.
And it will be held in the same (recently renovated) hometown theater where Jean Seberg grew up watching her own idols on the big screen.
“Jean Seberg is a film legend in more ways than one, born and raised in Marshalltown, Iowa,” explains Pip Gordon, Director of the Orpheum Theater Center. “This event is about honoring Jean Seberg’s roots, her work, her causes, and her legacy. There are family members, friends, community members, fans and associates of Jean Seberg who have spent many months dreaming and planning for this event, and thanks to their shared involvement and efforts this will be a very memorable occasion.”
The Festival begins on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7 pm with a Red Carpet Event hosted by the Orpheum Theater Guild, followed by opening ceremonies at 7:15 and the showing of St. Joan at 7:30; the day will end with an After Party in the Orpheum’s Black Box Theater.
On Friday, Nov. 11, there will be a unique symposium from 4 to 5:30 pm with Marshalltown native and film historian David Hinton, PhD., University of Tennessee, and “St. Jean” website author Jude Rawlins of London. Also on Friday, the Exhibit Hall will be open from 10 am to 10 pm, and the Orpheum will be showing Bonjour Tristesse (11 am and 2 pm) and Paint Your Wagon (7 pm). Two Friday Road Tours, highlighting nine Marshalltown sites near and dear to the life of Jean Seberg, will be offered at 11 am and 2 pm.
Events on Saturday, Nov. 12, include showings of Breathless (11 am and 2 pm) and Lilith (8 pm), plus a 4 to 5:30 pm symposium with author Garry McGee and film makers Tammy and Kelly Rundle of FourthWall Films. Road Tours will be offered at 11 am and 2 pm, and the Exhibit Hall will be open from 10 am to 10 pm.
On Sunday, Nov. 13 (Jean Seberg’s birth date), the Orpheum will show In The French Style (11 am) and Airport (2:15 pm, preceded by closing remarks from event organizers). The Exhibit Hall will be open from 10 am to 5 pm.
Additional information about special projects, performances, guests and events at the Jean Seberg International Film Festival will be released over the next two weeks, but Gordon has announced that the Orpheum Theater Center plans to create a permanent home for memorabilia honoring Jean Seberg’s accomplishments
The Jean Seberg International Film Festival is made possible by a generous grant from the Marshall County Community Foundation, Wellmark of Des Moines, Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center, and Iowa Valley Community College District. Ticket reservations and additional information can be found on the Orpheum Theater Center website at www.OrpheumCenter.com.