Apex will be home to a film festival distinguishing itself as family-friendly and featuring mobile and short films or new media for general audiences.

Executive producer John M. Demers and producer Bob Crowley, both Apex residents, can hardly contain their excitement about the plans underway for Peak City’s extravaganza, rivaling the likes of Sundance and Cannes and in the tradition of old Hollywood.

Crowley explained, “Apex offers small-town character and charm in a city of cosmopolitan transplants.

“We want to make everyone feel absolutely comfortable bringing anyone of any age to any film we show, making certain that families are part of the entire scene,” added Demers.

A call for entries went out the first week of July. The review and judging periods will take place with the juried productions announced at a press conference in Apex in the fall. Entries are expected from independent producers worldwide.

Among the genres, anticipate documentaries, drama, comedy, animation and maybe even a silent film. The producers are looking for good, solid stories.

A Hollywood-style gala presentation awards reception, complete with red carpet, velvet ropes, the paparazzi and sweeping search lights, will mark the happening on Friday, Nov. 20, at Halle Cultural Art Center, 237 N. Salem St. Gowned women, stepping out of limousines, will be escorted to the gala by gentlemen in black tie. An evening of “the envelope, please” features awards presented to the best producers of the selected films (tickets required).

Winning productions will be screened all day Saturday, Nov. 21, at Halle Cultural Art Center and the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 22, at Apex Methodist Church Parish Hall, on Chatham Street in historic downtown Apex (tickets required), followed by a wrap party at Halle Cultural Art Center. A synopsis of each film will appear in a playbill.

A highlight familiar to many audience members will be none other than the Beaver himself, Jerry Mathers, with whom you can have your picture taken.

To engage the community of young filmmakers, Demers is hoping for a locally produced, North Carolina entry of a commercial and, or music video.

Over the summer, the producers will be sponsoring a contest for the event and trophy logos. Young artists, ages 16-22, must be Apex school students, while older artists 18-plus must live in Apex. Prizes will be awarded for drawing and imaging. It is planned that the trophy, designed and embellished with a peak, will have a new logo contest every year.

“Apex is a town with a creative spirit in its young, middle-aged and white-haired residents. I’d like to see this become an annual event embraced by the community, making their own movies right here in town,” Demers said.

“My main goal is Apex itself. I’ve lived other places, but here in Apex there’s a powerful creativity and pride that I hope will be developed, making this even more than the peak of good that it all ready is,” Crowley said. The Peak City Film Festival is a non-profit organization. Proceeds from the festival will go to the Kiwanis Club of Apex, Apex United Methodist Church, The Charles Ray Foundation and Hope’s Hope.

For information, visit www.peakcityfilmfestival.org or e-mail info@peakcityfilmfestival.org.