FAIRHOPE, Ala. — A local film crew has been working in town recently interviewing shopkeepers, artists, writers, public officials and others for a new documentary on Fairhope that will premiere in mid-April at the University of South Alabama Baldwin County campus.

Called “The Utopian Fairhope,” the “film is a documentary encompassing the charming and visual beauty of the Southern Alabama town of Fairhope from its founding in 1894 to the present,” according to promotional materials for the film. “This film tells the story of how Fairhope was built upon a belief in the arts and how the tradition continues.’”

The film is the work of two local production companies, FeatherHead Productions of Fairhope and Scovil Productions of Mobile.

Andrea Holloway of FeatherHead is producer with Gary Scovil as co-producer. Stan Zimmerman and Corey Lipscomb are also part of the production team.

“This little town of 16,000 residents has historically been a haven of free-thinkers from artists authors, sculptors, musicians, photographers and the like,” the promotional materials state. “This production focuses on members of the art community as well as politicians and other notable members of the Fairhope business community. A featured interview with Mayor Tim Kant brings to light such simple and varied ideas from the people of the area such as the many colorful flowers and trees that adorn the streets of Fairhope. Artistic and aesthetically pleasing touches such as soft lighting, hanging baskets and even handmade flower boxes on trash receptacles make Fairhope a sight to see.”

During a recent interview, Scovil said the current budget for the project was about $80,000, and Holloway said this week that a trailer for the film would be ready next week.

“The film has interviews with everyone from Winston Groom to the tomato lady,” said Holloway, referring to the famous Point Clear author of Forrest Gump, and the popular local vegetable vendor seen most days at her truck parked on Church Street just east of Fairhope Avenue.

“Most people above the Mason-Dixon Line don’t know that places like this exist in the South,” said Scovil, who moved his production company from Connecticut to Mobile in recent years and met Holloway last summer, resulting in their collaboration on the current project.

The premiere on April 10 and 11 is by invitation only, with Anne Nix helping to select the guest list, said Holloway, referring to the wife of former mayor James P. Nix. However, a number of tickets must also be set aside for USA students, she said. The general public will also be able to purchase copies of the film for $24.95.

The invitation-only April screening of the film is a joint project of the two production companies with USABC, Holloway said.

“This work wastes no time getting straight to the point with speedy interviews and images of this Southern aura,” the film info states. “Detailed shots include views of sunsets on Mobile Bay with shadows reflecting off the big oaks and magical moss indigenous to Southern Alabama. It is evident from this piece that the ideals of the 1890s are still alive and thriving in this multitalented and amazing time capsule of the south.”

For more information, contact FeatherHead Productions at amholloway40@yahoo.com.