INTERVIEW: A Look into the Inaugural McDonough Storytellers Film Festival
Samantha LaCroix and David Jongebreur give the inside scoop on their latest film festival
The McDonough Storytellers Film Festival (MSFF) took place on the first weekend of June 2026 in McDonough Town Square. The festival was co-hosted by Samantha LaCriox, a filmmaker, and David Jongebreur, the owner of Story on the Square.
Inform, Inspire and Ignite
The festival had three initiatives: Inform, Inspire and Ignite. Inform included 16 panels with industry professionals from all over the United States—Atlanta, Pennsylvania, Orlando and more. The goal was to give people their toolboxes and what they need. Inspiration included the selection showcase from all over the world—Iran, Australia, South Korea and more. Ignite included giving festival attendees the tools and confidence to take it a step further.
The panels covered topics that LaCroix wanted to know as well. She pulled in her friends and colleagues in the industry, so everyone can learn from each other, together. One panel,
"Mental & Physical Health for the Artist," was coined by a friend after a conversation.
"Great storytelling doesn't happen in a vacuum," LaCroix said. "It happens with beautiful collaborations—let's level up together, make something happen, help each other and add our expertise together to create the most wonderful stories."
Friends and colleagues pulled in their friends and colleagues. There was something for actors, production, directors, writers, musicians and even gamers.
The Power of Storytelling
The film festival included other storytelling genres, such as live book readings, movie poster presentations and audio dramas. The audio dramas block took place in a special room in candlelight to activate the audience's imagination. LaCroix took inspiration from different festivals that she's been to, with a strong storytelling angle.
"Stories are what makes us human, connected and gets us up in the morning," LaCroix Samantha said. "We've been storytelling since the beginning of time. Now we're so lucky with all this technology, but I don't think technology should be telling our stories—we need to."
The film festival screenings included several honorable mentions, which usually does not happen. Sometimes, films don't make the cut because of a quality issue, such as sound or something that simply didn't make the cut.
"One story was so wonderful that we still wanted to give it a screening," LaCroix said. "There was one film in particular, when they turned the girl around and she was not lit properly. But it's such a beautiful story. The lighting's not perfect, because they didn't have the money. But it's a good story, so let's show it."
For Women, By Women
The film festival voiced a particular interest in stories told by women and stories created by first-time filmmakers over the age of 40. The importance of that decision came from LaCroix, who fits into both categories.
"I came into it later in life," LaCroix shared. "[A first-time filmmaker in their 40's] is gonna have a different lens, a different worldview. There's a real ageism when it comes to film and entertainment and that needs to stop. Older women have so much to offer, they have all this life experience and we should listen to them."
LaCroix emphasized the importance of women (re)finding their voices and sharing their stories, no matter their age.
"If all the men are making the content, then they're not going to be able to tell those stories or think about telling those stories,” she explained. "Fifty percent of the population are women, so why shouldn't fifty percent of the film crew be women?"
LaCroix’s second feature film, Stella and the Woman in the Photo, screened for the first time in Georgia. It was filmed in McDonough as well. For the first feature film that she directed, there were only two women in a big crew. During the second time around, when she had full control, Samantha hired a lot more women.
McDonough
An important aspect of the MSFF was accessibility, which was shown through the affordable ticket pricing and free available parking in Downtown McDonough. LaCroix is also a local to the city, in addition to a lot of the panelists. The festival served neighbors located in Locust Grove and beyond, where they don't have as many film resources like Atlanta does.
"You should not be limited by your resources," LaCroix emphasized. "Money should not determine your ability to tell a good story. Accessibility is important on every level. It should be about your desire and your ability to share your story, contribute to society and humanity without having to pay $50 for parking."
In the square, there is an old dilapidated movie theater. LaCroix hopes that this festival will get so big that someone would come in and invest in that movie theater for a festival there. She also discovered that McDonough has studios that are just waiting to be used.
To Be Continued…
LaCroix is already thinking about next year's film festival. As for David Jongebreur, he will be starting a new chapter in Europe. Meanwhile, LaCroix wants to have more women involved in higher levels of the festival (and her next film). She also wants to create a category for video games and dance. Her next project is a documentary about her mother, who is an 80-year-old concert pianist.
Follow McDonough Storytellers Film Festival at @mcdonoughstorytellersfilmfest for more info on next year’s festival, along with Samantha LaCroix at @lacroixacts for further updates.
Article by Jessica Vue. Photos courtesy of My Global Presence and MSFF.
