This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
True-life stories will get their due in southern Utah this week, competing with the beautiful redrock scenery for attention.
DocUtah, the film festival of documentaries presented by Dixie State College, marks its third year at locations in Springdale, Kanab, St. George and Ivins. The festival runs Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 5-9.
The festival boasts 26 feature-length documentaries in competition, plus a slate of 20 long-form documentaries and dozens of short films.
Opening the festival on Wednesday is "The Renaissance of Mata Ortiz," which screens at Kanab's Bingham Gallery. The documentary, by Scott Petersen, looks at how a town was transformed by the discovery of Paquime Indian pottery.
Other screenings take place at the Crescent Moon Theatre in Kanab, the Red Cliffs Cinemas in St. George and the Eccles Main Stage Theatre at Dixie State College. Seminars and other special events are also scheduled.
A $20 pass gets festivalgoers into all events, and a $5 daily pass is also available.
For program information, visit docutah.com.
Sean P. Means