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Gerald Milnes, an award-winning filmmaker, folk arts coordinator of Augusta Heritage Center, teacher and master old-time musician, will premiere his new film at 8 p.m. today in Room 400 of the Science Center at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins.

The 60-minute film, "Kent Lilly: I'm Tellin' Nothin' but the Truth - West Virginia's Old-Time Storyteller," is the latest in the Augusta Master Series.

Lilly of Camp Creek is an Appalachian storyteller. He doesn't use that term, for many his age commonly share the rich oral tradition of the region, and he doesn't think it is anything special. "Professional storytellers" these days research historical stories and facts and introduce theatrics in performances.

Lilly's intuitive and unrehearsed style includes gestures, sound effects, grimaces, grins and contortions to enhance the telling. Lilly doesn't "learn" his stories: They come to him through contact and visiting with friends and neighbors. Rife with folklore, his colorful "turn of phrase" is filled with sayings, nicknames, humorous anecdotes and emotions that link his stories to real people and actual happenings, often with a humorous twist.

He explains in this film how the 'possum got his grin, how "Snakebite John" got his name and how old-timers enjoy duck gizzards.

His wit does cause him to wander from the truth from time to time, thereby following the time-honored tradition of spinning yarns for listeners.

Lilly says, "George Washington couldn't lie. I could, but I wouldn't want to."