Emily Harrold’s documentary short Checkers in The Afternoon delivers a quaint and charming look at a group of men from the rural South and their daily ritual of playing checkers with one another. You can read more about the New York based filmmaker below.

What is your connection to the South?

I was born and raised in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Where did you get your inspiration for this work?

I really enjoy films that take viewers into the lives of everyday people doing everyday things. I was working on another film when my crew and I drove by and saw a group of men playing checkers. We pulled over and asked if we could film…

How did you start making films?

In elementary and middle school I turned class projects into movies…when I was in high school, I realized I wanted to be a filmmaker.

Did anything interesting or funny happen on set during the shooting?

The fact that we literally pulled over and started filming was amazing. The men were super welcoming and happy to have us film their checkers games. It was really a great experience.

What do you look forward to the most during Indie Grits?

Meeting other filmmakers and screening my work in my home state.

Why should someone see your film?

It is a slice of life of a group of men in rural South Carolina in which audiences can join a table of checkers players. Something you can’t do everyday.