Greetings, all. I was so delighted when fest director Andy Smith asked if I was willing to serve as a juror at this year's Indie Grits. Was I ever. Once he roped me in, he asked if I'd post on the fest blog, and so here I am.

A word about the nature of the posts. As the films I'm seeing are all in competition, I won't be writing reviews, really. More like scene reports.

Case in point: the Nick was hopping during the opening night feature The Hills Have Eyes, a truly one-of-a-kind Appalachian opus by local boy Bubba Cromer. Many of the cast members were in attendence and Cromer had erected a small movie-related shrine at the front of the house. His collection proved functional as well as fashionable. When the film hit a glitch, requiring a brief pause, Cromer plied the crowd with Moonpies and Skittles.

The snacks served as an appetizer to the delicious eats at Immaculate after the show & Bubba's Q&A, during the somewhat abbreviated Opening Night Reception. Folks spilled out onto the sidewalk, clutching their beers and trading impressions before heading back inside for the second program.

Shorts You Will Be Outdated Soon, Cusps, and Swing gave way to the gritty documentary feature, 3 Minutes from Opryland, a look at amateur wrestling leagues in Tennessee that had more than one audience member wishing director Michael Carter had been able to make it to Cola to answer our questions.

Instead, I took them to the Art Bar, where I found no answers but plenty of distraction thanks to Mr. B's karaoke night.

And, no, I did not sing. More soon. --Amy