This year, All Souls Procession enthusiasts can glimpse the magic well before the event kicks off.
In years past, The All Souls International Film Festival, now in its 7th year, was held a month after the procession, giving film producers very little time to create a documentaries or short films based on All Souls Day events.
This year, organizers will be trying something different, holding the film festival a week before the procession as a way to raise some funds and whet the publics appetite.
"Because this is the 20th anniversary of the procession, it's a good re-start," says Adam Cooper-Teran, artistic director of the All Souls Procession. "This is going to act as a primer. For anyone who has never been to the procession, this is the gig to go to, to kick it all off."
Using a combination of both local and internationally-submitted films, the event will show footage of the procession of years past, including short films and photographs that have been pulled out of the archives from the 1992 procession and photos of the art performance that inspired it all.
Although this years film festival line-up is not yet set in stone, past film festivals have produced short films and documentaries that have covered ground on politics, life and the importance of family.
Jeff Yanc, program director at Loft Cinema, says he is excited about this years festival because its interesting, fun to watch and usually draws a good crowd.
"Wer'e in our third year of hosting it at The Loft and there's always a good crowd because its based on something that Tucson loves," Yanc says. "It's that local tradition."
Additionally, the Film Festival typically incorporates multi-media elements, Yanc says, which makes it a more interesting and exciting experience than just watching a movie.
"One of the best things about the film festival is that it allows the community to unite under a common theme," says Cooper-Teran. "In our case, our festival is tailored around the theme of death as a phenomenon. It'll allow the public to see what other facets there are to mourn, to celebrate and to honor a loved one."
The All Souls International Film Festival 7 takes place Thursday October 29. Doors open at 6:30, films at 7pm. $7. Loft Cinema, 795-0844, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
