Southern Tour of Independent Filmmakers

Hart/Lunsford Pictures took the lead as title sponsor, with the Kentucky Center for the Arts, for the inaugural series of independent films shown at the Center during the 2007-08 season and signed on again, with an increased level of sponsorship, for the second season in 2008-09. The films selected for this series, called the "Southern Tour of Independent Filmmakers" and produced by the Southern Arts Federation, cover the gamut of independent film, from highly original feature films to searching documentaries. The Southern Tour is the nation’s only regional tour of independent filmmakers, providing communities with an interactive way of experiencing independent film.

Premiere to Benefit Alzheimer’s Association

In April, 2008, Hart/Lunsford Pictures was proud to host the Louisville premiere of “Diminished Capacity” at the Kentucky Center for the Arts in Louisville, Kentucky. All proceeds from the event, which included a pre-screening cocktail reception, benefited the Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Screenwriter Sherwood Kiraly, who also wrote the novel on which the film was based, flew from his home in California to attend the premiere and took questions from the audience of roughly 400 after the show. With the money raised from ticket sales and an in-kind contribution from Hart/Lunsford Pictures for reception and screening expenses, the donation to the Alzheimer’s Association totaled about $30,000.

University of Louisville

Hart/Lunsford Pictures sponsored the independent films selected by the U. of L. Student Activity Board's Independent Film Committee and shown at the Floyd Theatre on campus in both the spring and fall semesters of 2007. The weekly screenings were open to the public. Ads for the movies that appeared in LEO (Louisville's alternative newspaper), banner ads on the website of the U. of L. student newspaper, and street flyer promotions were all funded by Hart/Lunsford Pictures.

In the spring of 2008, Hart/Lunsford Pictures also served as the title sponsor for the Floyd Theatre's first-ever Student Film Festival of Shorts, providing half of its funding. This student competition generated lots of excitement and Hart/Lunsford Pictures helped judge the many submissions. Winners received video camera, production, and editing equipment.

Spalding University, Bellarmine University

Mr. Hart has conducted classes for Spalding University's screenwriting students and Bellarmine University's media and culture students. In these sessions, he provided the producer's perspective on the evaluation of screenplays and the best ways for aspiring screenwriters to present their materials for professional consideration, and led lively Q&A sessions following each presentation.