New Echota Film Festival is Saturday

IF YOU GO* What: Friends of New Echota Film Festival.* When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.* Where: New Echota State Historic Site, one mile east of I-75, Exit 317, on Georgia Highway 225 in Gordon County.* Admission: $7 adults, $6.50 seniors, $5 youth.* Phone: 706-624-1321.* Website: www.friendsofnewechota.orgSCHEDULE* 10:05 a.m. "Sites To Behold: The History of Georgia's State Parks"* 11 a.m. "Chief Braveheart"* Noon Lunch break* 1:05 p.m. "Indian Warriors: The Untold Story of the Civil War"* 1:55 p.m. "Gente de Razon: People of the Missions"* 2:20 p.m. Break* 2:30 p.m. "Smoke Signals"

A history tour of Georgia's state parks and a 1998 feature film will bookend the third annual Friends of New Echota Film Festival, scheduled 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday in Gordon County, Ga.

Between "Sites To Behold," an original production from Georgia Public Broadcasting, and "Smoke Signals," from director/co-producer Chris Eyre, will be a BBC documentary on Scottish trader John Ross, a History Channel production on Indian warriors in the Civil War and a profile of early residents of what is now the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park.

The five films will be screened in the Visitor Center theater at New Echota State Historic Site.

The BBC documentary, "Chief Braveheart," follows Ross' rise to become principal chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1828 to 1860. Described as the Moses of his people, Ross led the Cherokees through tumultuous years of development, relocation to Oklahoma and the American Civil War. Director Les Wilson shot the film on location at several historic venues in the tri-state area and interviewed many of Ross' descendants.

Screened next will be "Indian Warriors: The Untold Story of the Civil War," a History Channel production focusing on Seneca leader Ely Parker and Stand Watie, a member of the Cherokee Nation and Confederate brigadier general who was born in Calhoun, Ga.

Next is "Gente de Razon: People of the Missions" from the Southwest Parks & Monuments Association.

Ending the day is "Smoke Signals," which was hailed by Rolling Stone as "one of the best films of the year" and earned two thumbs up from critics Siskel & Ebert. The dramedy follows two young men from Idaho's C'oeur d'Alene reservation on a road trip to retrieve the cremains of one's estranged father.

Traditional movie concessions will be available, and the historic buildings, nature trails and exhibit area will be open for touring.

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