HATTIESBURG – In 1982, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Eric Zala and his friends began filming a shot-for-shot remake of Steven Spielberg’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” They were 12 years old and took seven years to complete the film. The remake garnered the love of fans around the world (including Spielberg himself) and is one of the most talked-about and sought-after cult films in cinematic history.

FestivalSouth and Wells Fargo will host the Hattiesburg premiere of “Remaking Raiders: The Greatest Fan Film Ever Made” Saturday, from 1-4:30 p.m., at the Grande Theater, located at 100 Grand Drive.

The event begins with a rare public screening of the acclaimed fan film itself: “Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation,” rated 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes – now including the recently-added missing Airplane Scene, shot 25 years later with a reunited original cast and $58K Kickstarter-raised budget.

Next, a Filmmaker Talk: RAIDERS ADAPTATION Director Eric Zala takes the audience on a visual thought journey, of what it was like, growing up in the ’80s, remaking a Hollywood blockbuster on one’s allowance, with childhood friends over seven summers, to have it all praised by Spielberg – and what was learned.

Capping the event is a Filmmaker Q&A, in which Zala answers questions from the audience directly.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to watch the documentary “Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made” on Netflix before seeing the original fan film, for enhanced context.

Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door of the venue. For more information and photos of Eric Zala, and what he talks about visit www.ericzala.com