deadCenter projects success with ‘Talihina Sky' opening

“We got some hate-text messages from some of the band members,” he said. “I don't want to go on record and say it was a battle, because they were so open, but there were some fights here and there, but we were definitely trying to be as respectful as possible. But at the end of the day, the real thing to lead with is that their willingness and openness to show their warts and all was there, and key.”

Another deadCenter subject whose hard work is shown on screen is Dethie Fall, whose journey from a Senegalese basketball academy to American college hoops is depicted in Anne Buford's documentary “Elevate,” screening at 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at the festival.

“It's showing a lot of people how we got to where we are right now,” said Fall, now a senior at Roanoke College in Virginia. “The movie has done a really good job of telling people about our background and how we got here.”

The festival continues through Sunday evening, and according to festival director and chief operating officer Kim Haywood, it is offering a more diverse group of films and subjects this year. Haywood said that she and McDaniel expanded their outreach efforts.

For more information and full schedules for the deadCenter Film Festival, go to www.deadcenterfilm.org.