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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Alabama Roadshows is bringing its independent film festival to Clanton May 5-6.

The May 5 event will be a free showing of short films, which serve as previews of larger projects the film creators are working on, at Much A Brew About Something at 7:30 p.m.

“It is kind of a soft open of what we are trying to do, trying to gauge people’s interest in it and try to get them associated with us,” organizer David Gentry of Clanton said.

The night will feature the works of Gentry and Door Number 3 Films, including the pilot of its horror-comedy Fall Boy as well as short films by Jordan Hudecz, Marcus January and Max Tatum. Each of the filmmakers have ties to Alabama.

A preview of Tatum’s surrealist horror film “The Pink Snake Pit” has already been featured at a recent Alabama Roadshows event, and it will be a part of the Clanton film festival schedule.

“Max is a genius,” Gentry said. “He is a total genius — writing directing and set design. His ability to come up with these beautiful images is unmatched.”

Gentry said there will be five or six shorts shown at the event.

Food trucks will be onsite, and Much A Brew owner C.J. Ramone will be selling microbrews. Much A Brew is located at 8 Village Square in Clanton.

After each film, a QR code will be available for attendees to scan for more information about the film and how to become a financial contributor to the project. Each of the filmmakers can also be found on social media, and Gentry encouraged those who see a film they like at the event to go follow the filmmaker.

On May 6, the roadshow will be hosting at the Raleigh’s Place event venue, 346 County Road 1028 in Clanton, from7:30-10 p.m. Gentry said this event will include some films that were not a part of the previous day’s lineup. Time for questions about the films and the filmmakers will also be a part of this event.

Admission is $12 at the door with funds going to Raleigh’s Place.

No food will be allowed at this event. Water will be provided, but outside drinks are prohibited.

Hosting traveling film festivals such as this is something that Gentry has been working toward for a while.

He hopes Alabama Roadshows will “become an open-door film distribution company.” This would mean filmmakers have opportunities for their work to be shown, while retaining their rights to the film.

“I want Alabama filmmakers to be able to have an audience, have people watch their stuff and be financially supported while doing so,” Gentry said.

He is looking to schedule events like this throughout the state, featuring additional filmmakers work at future shows.