People lined up Saturday to get free tickets for next Sunday's screenings of "Our Very Own." (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge]

"It's not often that a town gets a movie made about it."

That was the statement of just one of those standing in line at noon Saturday to get tickets for the free screenings of "Our Very Own" next Sunday at the Capri Theater in Shelbyville.

The Sunday screenings will be at 1, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. and are free, compliments of GADA Films. Saturday's "red carpet" premiere will be invitation only. Those invitations are arriving via mail from Hollywood according to Louise Russell, assistant to writer/director Cameron Watson.

Last month, the movie premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and was well received, Watson said of his semi-autobiographic movie.

Darlene Smotherman was one of the first to stand in front of the Capri before noon Saturday and it's a good thing she did, because the line got longer as the minutes ticked by. Some people were getting 10 tickets apiece.

Smotherman went to school with Cameron Watson, the writer/director of "Our Very Own," and said she can't wait to see the movie next weekend, pointing out it will be "absolutely" nostalgic to see the film.

"I talked to Janice Cole (who attended the Hollywood premiere in June) and said it was just wonderful. She said, 'You've got to see it!' so I can't wait!"

Rita McBee also attended classes with Watson and graduated with Smotherman in 1978, when the film is set, and she said she was excited to be able to finally see it. "It's about the people you went to school with."

"Cam babysitted me!" Blair Smotherman said. The director baby-sat her along with Elizabeth Cole, the daughter of Janice Cole. Elizabeth has the role of Sondra Locke in the film.

"He was around us a lot," Blair said. "We're here to support him!"

John Maddox just moved to Shelbyville from Atlanta and said he was also excited about seeing the film. "We're excited to see everything about this, to see Cam's vision of Shelbyville and what he's going to portray small town life like and see how many people we know from family that's in the movie."

Mary Badham, who played Scout in the 1962 classic, "To Kill A Mockingbird," is confirmed to attend the weekend festivities. Also confirmed for the premiere is Autumn Reeser, who plays Melora in the film, and veteran character actress Beth Grant.

A pre-screening reception to benefit The Fly Arts Center will be held at The Fly from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are being sold for that event through the Uptown Merchants. For details, contact Janice Cole of the Arts Council at 703-7613 or Betty Harrison at 684-6223.

GADA Films stated that there had been a change in the afterparty location. It will not be at the Blue Ribbon Room as previously planned. The location will be announced as soon as it is secured.