The Southern-Fried Gaming Expo has a long history of offering a variety of film screening opportunities for our attendees throughout the years. This year we’re pleased to bring back a dedicated screening room to share quality films all weekend long! Thank you to the filmmakers, studios, and/or PR firms for allowing us to share these amazing works of art. Take a look at the slate of films we have in store for 2023!
(Showtimes are TBD, stay tuned!)
2023 Film Screenings:
Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game
An unsettled writer with a fantastic mustache, ROGER SHARPE, finds solace and confidence in one thing he has mastered: pinball. When a police raid destroys the only machines he can find in 1970s New York City, he learns the game is illegal. Roger reluctantly joins forces with the Music and Amusement Association to overturn the ban while falling in love with ELLEN, an artist and single mother. Roger’s path to save pinball ultimately rescues him. He and Ellen overcome their pasts and take a shot at love. Roger learns what it means to take a chance—and that commitment is the most rewarding gamble of all. Based on a true story.
1hr 35min
Directors: Austin Bragg & Meredith Bragg
Token Taverns
The golden age of arcades may have been in the 80s, but decades later arcades are back and bigger than ever in the arcade bar. Arcade bars have been spreading across the globe; transporting old school gamers back to their childhood while bringing in a new generation of players. It’s Cheers for nerds, a place where every body knows your game. “Token Taverns” is a documentary exploring the growth of arcade bars and what this growing trend is all about. “Token Taverns” centers on 3 arcade bars and their owners over 2 years as they try to thrive and survive through a global pandemic. [Please note: This is a sneak preview screening and an additional $5 fee will be charged at the door. Seats are limited and online presales are suggested and preferred. Cash is accepted at the door if seats are available. Please arrive early as the movie must start at 7pm promptly. Token Tavern staff will be at the door to collect tickets and payment starting at 6pm. Ticket link]
1 hr 39 min
Director: Bob Rose
The Game Designers
Join us as we follow professional and fledgling board game designers as they strive to bring their heartfelt creations to life. The challenges are great, but their resolve is even greater as they toil night and day to turn their dreams into a reality. Will the designers find success and get their games out into the world? Or will their creations become too complicated and convoluted to complete? Only time-and a whole lot of persistence–will tell what happens.
1 hr 38 min
Director: Eric Rayl
Zarbalatrax
Two high school kids, at the beginning of their journey into proper adulthood, seek answers about their future and hope to tie up loose ends from the past. They find exactly what they’re looking for: at a price.
8min
Director: Ethan Hawthorne Dallas
Who Did It? The Story Behind the Clue VCR Mystery Game
‘Making of’ documentary about the VHS game adaptations of the Parker Brothers’ classic board game ‘Clue’ (or ‘Cluedo’).
38 Minutes
Directors: Frank Durant & Tim Labonte
Nick Arcade: The 90s Show That Put Kids Inside Video Games
Nick Arcade was a technical marvel at the time and an extremely popular show for Nickelodeon. This is the story of how a group of pioneers, Amiga Computers, and a charismatic host made the impossible happen… putting people inside of real video games. This is the story of Nick Arcade.
22 min
Director: Yahel (@WrestlingWithGaming)
Gaming in Color
Diversity in video games is extraordinarily important – especially to the people who play them. Explore the story of the queer gaming community, ‘gaymer’ culture and events, and the rise of LGBTQ themes in video games.
1 hr 2 min
Director: Philip Jones
Star Trek: First Frontier
The story of the initial launch of the Starship USS Enterprise in 2245 under the command of Captain Robert April with his wife, Commander Sarah April.
1hr 25min
Director: Kenneth Smith
Going Cardboard
In 1978, the German press and board game makers created the Spiel des Jahres, or ‘Game of the Year’ award for excellence in board game design. Competition for this award contributed to an explosion in the variety and sophistication of ‘Euro-games.’ With the arrival of The Settlers of Catan in the United States in the mid-nineties, more people began to discover the new breed of board game that had been quietly evolving in Germany for the past 30+ years. Going Cardboard takes you into the world of ‘designer’ board gaming, from the community of enthusiastic fans to the publishers and self-publishers, and of course, the designers.
1 hr 16 min
Director: Lorien Green
Pins and Vids 4
Paul and Al are back in their celebrated video series. This volume features interviews with pinball legend Steve Kordek, TNT Amusement’s Todd Tuckey, Pinball Inc.’s James Loflin, and the infamous “Shaggy.” Also included: arcade game content and lots of traditional Pins and Vids humor!
89 min
Directors: Al Warner and Paul Kiefert
Nintendo Quest
An adventure-filled documentary on Nintendo that follows two gaming enthusiasts, as they hit the open road in hopes of buying all the 678 official retail-licensed Nintendo games in 30 days with no online purchases.
121 Minutes
Director: Robert McCallum
Evolution of a Board Gamer
Everyone knows there are 4 distinct phases of being in the Board Game Hobby. Which stage of evolution are YOU in? From Paula Deming, an actress and improviser making sketch comedy about board games, playing ttRPGs and more!
6 minutes
Director: Lawson Deming