How Columbia’s Indie Grits is changing because of coronavirus
Columbia’s independent film festival is the latest Midlands event to make changes due to ongoing concerns about the coronavirus.
Indie Grits will go forward March 26 through March 29, just in a slimmed down form in an effort to avoid spreading the disease.
The festival at the Nickelodeon Theater on Main Street announced it will limit ticket sales to “increase social distancing in the theatre,” and will also cancel several other events around the festival.
“Like others in the community, we have been assessing rapidly changing conditions,” said festival director Seth Gadsden in a statement Thursday.
The festival will still continue with a full slate of 100 features, shorts and documentaries. But other events have been canceled, including the opening night party in Cottontown, Snap to Grid: Columbia, Fist & Spoon Fair, Weekly Revue , Puppet Slam, Filmmaker Focus, Indie Bits, and Kindie Grits.
Tickets to those events will be refunded.
“These are undoubtedly difficult decisions,” said Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. “I appreciate the Nick’s decision to operate with caution and care for the community. The Indie Grits Festival is a unique event and we are proud that it calls Columbia home.”
Anita Floyd, executive director of the Columbia Film Society, said the decision underscores the community event aspect of the festival.
“While we are disappointed to make these changes, the safety of our community is of utmost importance,” Floyd said in a statement. “But we are pleased to showcase the ambitious, edgy films of independent filmmakers from South Carolina and in the Southeast and hope film fans will come to help us celebrate great film!”
This year’s festival is the 14th annual showcase for independent films in South Carolina’s capital city.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 5:28 PM.
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