What a day at the True/False Film Fest looks like

Grace Vance

March 5, 2016

As the ever present excitement of True/False rises, local shops like Maude Vintage, a clothing store, advertise and prepare attendees for the film festival.

As the ever present excitement of True/False rises, local shops like Maude Vintage, a clothing store, advertise and prepare attendees for the film fest. — As the ever present excitement of True/False rises, local shops like Maude Vintage, a clothing store, advertise and prepare attendees for the film festival.

True/False coordinators and volunteers placed signs around downtown to direct people to the venues. — True/False coordinators and volunteers placed signs around downtown to direct people to venues.

A band plays as the audience anxiously awaits the film "Sonita". The ten member band came from Colorado to perform at the fest for free, and later passed a tip hat throughout the crowd. — A band plays as the audience anxiously awaits the film “Sonita”. The ten member band came from Colorado to perform at the fest for free, and later passed a tip hat throughout the crowd.

Sonita Alizadeh, an Afghan teenager, sings her original song called "Brides For Sale" after a showing of the documentary "Sonita". This song, along with her other efforts, helped her avoid an arranged marriage. Alizadeh is now a rapper who brings light to social issues, namely arranged marriages. — Sonita Alizadeh, an Afghan teenager, sings her original song called “Brides For Sale” after a showing of the documentary “Sonita”. This song, along with her other efforts, helped her avoid an arranged marriage. Alizadeh is now a rapper who brings light to social issues, namely arranged marriages.

Arrows direct True/False participants from venue to venue.

A crowd of people wait in the Q line outside the Missouri Theater venue to watch "Starless Dreams". — A crowd of people wait in the Q line outside the Missouri Theater venue to watch “Starless Dreams.”

A Q queen lets a crowd into a showing of "Starless Dreams." This film follows a group of underage female convicts in their aspirations to escape a detention center and reunite with their families. — A Q queen lets a crowd into a showing of “Starless Dreams.” This film follows a group of underage female convicts in their aspirations to escape a detention center and reunite with their families.

Q line kings and queens pose for a picture outside of the Missouri Theater.

Spectators wait in the Q line to watch "Presenting Princess Shaw". This documentary stars YouTube content creator Samantha "Princess Shaw" Montgomery as she struggles to be known as an original singer-songwriter. — Spectators wait in the Q line to watch “Presenting Princess Shaw.” This documentary stars YouTube content creator Samantha “Princess Shaw” Montgomery as she struggles to be known as an original singer-songwriter.

A green-clothing clad Q line queen makes her way to her next movie venue.

Crowds navigate their way through the busy streets of downtown.

Movie-goers and journalists alike stand in the Q line at the Forrest Theater venue to watch the five o'clock showing of "The Prison in Twelve Landscapes". The film, directed by Brett Story, highlights America's high incarceration rates in black communities. — Movie-goers and journalists alike stand in the Q line at the Forrest Theater venue to watch the five o’clock showing of “The Prison in Twelve Landscapes.” The film, directed by Brett Story, highlights America’s high incarceration rates in black communities.

Attendees of the film "The Prison in Twelve Landscapes" hand their tickets to a Q queen outside of the Forrest Theater venue. — Attendees of the film “The Prison in Twelve Landscapes” hand their tickets to a Q queen outside of the Forrest Theater venue.

A band plays in front of the Missouri United Methodist Church. Many other performers played along the streets of downtown throughout the day as well. True/False attendees had the choice to tip the bands.

Since the founders Paul Sturtz and David Wilson debuted the True/False Film Festival in 2003, attendance has soared. In 2007, 15,000 people awaited the fest, which pales in comparison to the 45,000 people that attended in 2015.

Excited people stand in the Q line at the Picturehouse venue to watch "Between Sisters," a film following Ornella and Teresa, 68 and 89 year old women, who reminisce on their past. — Excited people stand in the Q line at the Picturehouse venue to watch “Between Sisters,” a film following Ornella and Teresa, 68 and 89 year old women, who reminisce on their past.

Crowds walk throughout downtown to get to their next film venue or get a bite to eat.

[TS-VCSC-Vimeo content_vimeo=”https://vimeo.com/157876142″ el_file=””] To see the rest of Alizadeh’s performance see the 12:30 p.m. showing of “Sonita” at Jesse Auditorium on Sunday, March 6.
All photos by Grace Vance
Did you see the documentary “Sonita”? If so, what did you think of it? Leave a comment below!

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