10 music films to catch at the Nashville Film Festival this weekend: Swamp Dogg, Linda Perry, Melissa Etheridge
The Nashville Film Festival is back for its 55th year in Music City this week, running from Thursday, Sept. 19 to Wednesday, Sept. 25. And what would a Music City film festival be without some music films to match?
Screenings around the city will show over 150 films from around the world — some films and documentaries will feature artists including Devo, Linda Perry, Swamp Dogg, Diane Warren, Melissa Etheridge and more.
From venues like the Belcourt Theater to the Regal Green Hills and the Franklin Theatre, Nashville film fans can grab tickets to individual shows or festival badges.
The festival will also feature discussions with filmmakers, panels with industry professionals, networking opportunities, parties and more.
Here are the 10 music films featured at the Nashville Film Festival.
Thursday, Sept. 19: 'Devo'
This film explores the 50-year career of "Whip It" band Devo. The opening day feature will include never-before-seen archival tape and interviews with the band's founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale.
"Devo" screens Thursday, Sept. 19, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Belcourt Theatre.
Grab tickets HERE.
Thursday, Sept. 19: 'Rebel Country,' featuring Blanco Brown, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, and BRELAND
This music documentary looks back at the roots of the country music genre and explores elements of its history and inclusivity.
The film features artists Blanco Brown, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and BRELAND.
"Rebel Country" screens Thursday, Sept. 19, from 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Belcourt Theatre.
Grab tickets HERE.
Friday, Sept. 20: 'A Man Called Hurt: The Life and Music of Mississippi John Hurt'
The film "A Man Called Hurt" dive deep into the life of Mississippi musician John Hurt, known for songs "Coffee Blues" and "Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor."
"A Man Called Hurt" features interviews with Mary Frances Hurt, John Sebastian of The Loving Spoonful, Happy Traum, Guy Davis, Dom Flemons and others. The feature hopes to educate about Hurt's impact, but also raise money for the Mississippi John Hurt Foundation.
"A Man Called Hurt" will screen on Friday, Sept. 20 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Regal Green Hills Theater 16.
Grab tickets HERE.
Friday, Sept. 20: 'Linda Perry: Let It Die Here'
The film dives into Grammy-nominated musician Linda Perry's life and career. The outspoken 4 Non-Blondes singer and songwriter has also written tunes for Dolly Parton, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion and Pink.
Perry and the film's director, Don Hardy, will be in attendance for a Q&A.
"Linda Perry: Let It Die Here" will screen on Friday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Regal Green Hills Theater 1.
Grab tickets HERE.
Friday, Sept. 20: 'The Day The Music Stopped'
Documentary “The Day the Music Stopped” explores the struggles independent music venues face against developers and promoters like Live Nation. The story follows Nashville venue the Exit/In, a historic independent club.
The club’s owner Chris Cobb and his allies band together, working to save the venue from corporate threats.
"The Day The Music Stopped" will screen on Friday, Sept. 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Regal Green Hills Theater 3.
Grab tickets HERE.
Friday, Sept. 20: 'Songs from the Hole'
"Songs from the Hole" follows incarcerated musician James “JJ’88” Jacobs as he searches for peace and works to heal as he serves a double-life sentence.
The documentary explores his coming of age story behind bars and his relationship with music.
"Songs from the Hole" will screen on Friday, Sept. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Regal Green Hills Theater 15.
Grab tickets HERE.
Saturday, Sept. 21: 'Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted'
In the L.A. suburbs, musician Swamp Dogg — known for "Lonely" and "Synthetic World" — and his housemates Moogstar and Guitar Shorty turned their home into a creative playground.
"Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted" follows their story as they navigate the tough music industry together.
"Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted" will screen on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Regal Green Hills Theater 2.
Grab tickets HERE.
Saturday, Sept. 21: 'Diane Warren: Relentless'
"Diane Warren: Relentless" gives a rare glimpse into the life and career of songwriter Diane Warren.
At the screening, Director Bess Kargman and Warren herself will be in attendance for a Q&A.
"Diane Warren: Relentless" will screen on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Regal Green Hills Theater 2.
Grab tickets HERE.
Sunday, Sept. 22: 'Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story'
The film follows little-known R&B singer Jackie Shane, a trans soul singer who stood her own with acts like Etta James and Little Richard.
After disappearing from the public view forty years ago, Shane's story now gets its resurgence.
Directors Michael Mabbott and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee will attend the screening for a Q&A.
'Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story' will screen on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Regal Green Hills Theater 2.
Grab tickets HERE.
Sunday, Sept. 22: 'Melissa Etheridge: I'm Not Broken'
"Melissa Etheridge: I'm Not Broken" tells the story of five female residents at a women's prison in Kansas who write letters to Etheridge.
After losing her son to opioid addiction, Etheridge connects with the women, works to process her grief and understand addiction cycles.
'Melissa Etheridge: I'm Not Broken' will screen on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Regal Green Hills Theater 2.
Grab tickets HERE.
To learn more about the Nashville Film Festival, ticket options and scheduling, head to nashvillefilmfestival.org/2024-film-guide-schedule/.
Audrey Gibbs is a music reporter for The Tennessean. You can reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Film Festival: 10 music films to watch
