FEBRUARY 13–19, 2025
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COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
BIFF is growing up
I
The vibe: At 19, The Beaufort International Film Festival has become one of the world’s favorite film festivals
can’t believe it’s been a year since I cozied up at Hearth with Ron and Rebecca Tucker – for three hours straight – grilling them about the upcoming 18th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival. Now No. 19 is fast upon us, we’re back at our favorite wood-fired pizza joint, and once again, I’m firing questions at Beaufort’s hardest working cinephiles.
MARGARET EVANS
My mission? To ascertain the “vibe” of this year’s fest. Last year, it was easy. We
were celebrating the 30th anniversary of Forrest Gump, a film with deep roots in Beaufort. Gary Sinise was coming to receive a special award. There was a Gump documentary making its premiere. There were panel discussions and presentations and a Lt. Dan Band concert. The theme was clear. And the theme created the “vibe.”
SEE FILM PAGE A4
Group protests actions of Trump administration
Roughly 100 people turned out Monday afternoon, Feb. 10, in front of Beaufort City Hall to protest the actions of the Trump administration. Jeff Evans/The Island News
By Mike McCombs and Jeff Evans The Island News Around 100 people turned out Monday afternoon, Feb. 10, in front of Beaufort City Hall to protest the actions of the Trump administration in its first few weeks. The rally was organized by Carter Hoyt. “If you’re as sick as I am thinking that Lindsay Graham and Tim
Scott and Nancy Mace are going to care whether you call their office, I’m inviting you to join me at 4 p.m., Monday afternoon ... in a protest in front of City Hall,” Hoyt said she told the 70 to 80 acquaintances she emailed. “And that’s how it started. Make your own sign, nothing profane. A lot of friends came back and said, ‘Can I invite other people?’ I said yes, as long as they understand about the signs.”
Hoyt made it clear it was not one particular group that organized the gathering, rather an “organic” collection of friends and individuals. “I deliberately didn’t organize it through any group, not that I necessarily think that those groups are anything bad, but a lot of people don’t want to be on a list,” she said. “… I knew that they would
SEE PROTEST PAGE A5
NEWS
ARTS
SPORTS
INSIDE
Former Black Chamber CEO arrested for trespassing.
Pat Conroy Literary Center’s March Forth back for 9th time.
JPII wrestlers Orta, Snyder win state championships.
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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–5 Legals A5 State News A6 Voices A7–9 Education A10
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