ActionFest
Encyclopedia
ActionFest is an annual film festival in Asheville, NC, started by Carolina Cinemas and Magnolia Pictures
founder Bill Banowsky and action director/producer Aaron Norris (Missing in Action III
, Walker, Texas Ranger
). ActionFest is the first film festival in the United States devoted exclusively to action movies.
The first annual festival took place at The Carolina Asheville cinema April 15–18, 2010. ActionFest opened its inaugural festival with the world premiere of director Neil Marshall
's bloody sword and sandal epic, Centurion. The 2010 festival featured over 25 films from around the world, including the world premiere of Undisputed III: Redemption
. Legendary martial artist and action movie superstar Chuck Norris
was on hand to receive ActionFest’s first annual Lifetime Action Achievement Award in Action Cinema, but he actually presented the award to his long-time creative partner, his brother Aaron.
In addition to screening action movies, ActionFest also showcased movie stuntmen, stunt coordinators and other technical experts, who gave two live stunt performances with improvised fights, three to four story falls, rappelling, sky-diving and a flying jetpack demonstration.
Actionfest returned to the Carolina Cinemas Asheville for its second year on April 7 - 10, 2011 and continued to shine a light on Action films and the stuntmen and women who perform in them. Actionfest's Lifetime Achievement Award was this time handed to Buddy Joe Hooker for his 40 plus year career in the stunt industry.
Magnolia Pictures
Magnolia Pictures is an American film distributor, and is a holding of 2929 Entertainment, owned by Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban. Magnolia was formed in 2001 by Bill Banowsky and Eamonn Bowles, and specializes in both foreign and independent films....
founder Bill Banowsky and action director/producer Aaron Norris (Missing in Action III
Braddock: Missing in Action III
Braddock: Missing in Action III is a 1988 action/adventure film, and a sequel to Missing in Action, following the second film, Missing in Action 2: The Beginning, which was a prequel. It is the third and final film in the Missing in Action Trilogy. The film stars Chuck Norris, who co-wrote the...
, Walker, Texas Ranger
Walker, Texas Ranger
Walker, Texas Ranger is an American television action crime drama series created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis, and starring Chuck Norris as a member of the Texas Ranger Division. The show aired on CBS in the spring of 1993, with the first season consisting of three pilot episodes. Eight full...
). ActionFest is the first film festival in the United States devoted exclusively to action movies.
The first annual festival took place at The Carolina Asheville cinema April 15–18, 2010. ActionFest opened its inaugural festival with the world premiere of director Neil Marshall
Neil Marshall
Neil Marshall is an English film director, editor and screenwriter. Marshall began his career in editing and in 2002 directed his first feature film Dog Soldiers, which became a cult film. He followed up with the critically acclaimed horror film The Descent in 2005...
's bloody sword and sandal epic, Centurion. The 2010 festival featured over 25 films from around the world, including the world premiere of Undisputed III: Redemption
Undisputed III: Redemption
Undisputed III: Redemption is the third installment to the 2002 action film Undisputed. The film stars Scott Adkins, Mykel Shannon Jenkins, Mark Ivanir and Hristo Shopov, and was directed by Isaac Florentine.-Plot:...
. Legendary martial artist and action movie superstar Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris
Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do...
was on hand to receive ActionFest’s first annual Lifetime Action Achievement Award in Action Cinema, but he actually presented the award to his long-time creative partner, his brother Aaron.
In addition to screening action movies, ActionFest also showcased movie stuntmen, stunt coordinators and other technical experts, who gave two live stunt performances with improvised fights, three to four story falls, rappelling, sky-diving and a flying jetpack demonstration.
Actionfest returned to the Carolina Cinemas Asheville for its second year on April 7 - 10, 2011 and continued to shine a light on Action films and the stuntmen and women who perform in them. Actionfest's Lifetime Achievement Award was this time handed to Buddy Joe Hooker for his 40 plus year career in the stunt industry.