IBMM "first generation" documentaries featured at bluegrass film festival

Three "first generation" oral history documentaries produced by the International Bluegrass Music Museum were featured at the first annual "IBMM Bluegrass Master's Film Festival" presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society.

The event, hosted by Museum Trustee Carl Pagter, was part of the NCBS "Bluegrass On Broadway" Festival, held February 14-17, 2008 in Redwood City, CA.

The IBMM documentaries featured The Goins Brothers, Jake Quesenberry,and Vern Williams. The two non-museum films on the festival bill were about the songwriter family of Ola Belle Reed (produced by Tom Sims of the Reed family) and about Bill Knowlton's Bluegrass Ramble Picnic (produced by WCNY).

"The IBMM oral history project formed the basis for this new festival," said Michael Hall, director of the event and NCBS president. "We wanted to make these bluegrass history films available outside of the museum for our California fans."

The successful first-time film festival will likely become an annual part of the larger "BOB" city-wide music festival. The film event was produced by the Society with financial support from the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission and the Redwood City Public Library.

The 3 festival films were chosen from the IBMM's 18 completed documentaries. Over 150 additional "First Generation" documentaries have been shot and are currently in the production process. Three more IBMM films will be used in 2009.

NCBS has issued a call for bluegrass documentaries to fill the non-museum slots on next year's program. Submissions should be sent to Michael Hall, 610 Island Place, Redwood City, CA. 94065. Deadline: October 10, 2008.