Film Festivals
North Carolina plays host to a bevy of film festivals — large and small — throughout the year. Click on the individual festival name below to learn more, including how to get tickets and other events.
If your film festival is not listed, please send a news or media release announcing dates of your upcoming festival to info@filmnc.com.
A Pecan Pickling Short Film Festival
Windsor, NC
September 13-15, 2024
Submissions closed June 14, 2024
Foothills Film Festival
Shelby, NC
September 14, 2024
Submissions closed August 15, 2024
Surfalorus
Outer Banks, NC
September 16-18, 2024
Submissions closed May 14, 2024
Wreak Havoc Film Festival
Winston-Salem, NC
September 20-21, 2024
Submissions closed July 31, 2024
Down East Flick Fest
Greenville, NC
September 20-22, 2024
Submissions closed May 1, 2024
Footcandle Film Festival
Hickory, NC
September 20-28, 2024
Submissions closed June 1, 2024
Charlotte Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
September 24-29, 2024
Submissions closed July 21, 2024
OUT at the Movies International Film Festival
Winston-Salem, NC
October 3-6, 2024
Submissions closed July 31, 2024
Raleigh Film & Art Festival
Raleigh, NC
October 4-6, 2024
Submissions closed June 30, 2024
1:11 High School Film Festival
Raleigh, NC
October 4-6, 2024
Submissions closed July 7, 2024
The First Cut Horror Film Festival
Wilmington, NC
October 5, 2024
Submissions closed August 3, 2024
Sick Chick Flicks Film Festival
Chapel Hill, NC
October 5, 2024
Submissions closed June 30, 2024
Tryon International Film Festival
Tryon, NC
October 10-13, 2024
Submissions closed June 1, 2024
Indigo Moon Film Festival
Fayetteville, NC
October 11-13, 2024
Submissions closed July 31, 2024
Queer Fear Film Festival
Winston-Salem, NC
October 12, 2024
Submissions closed August 5, 2024
CineOdyssey Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
October 17-19, 2024
Submissions closed August 19, 2024
Horror Movie Freaks Film Festival
Walnut Coves, NC
October 18-19, 2024
Submissions closed August 4, 2024
Carnival of Darkness Film Festival
Washington, NC
October 18-19, 2024
Submissions closed September 1, 2024
Fuquay Film Fest
Fuquay-Varina, NC
November 1-2, 2024
Submissions accepted through September 29, 2024 (late deadline)
ADF's Movies by Movers
Durham, NC
November 1-3, 2024
Submissions closed August 2, 2024
Beaufort Film Festival
Beaufort, NC
November 2-16, 2024
Submissions closed September 1, 2024
Cucalorus Film Festival
Wilmington, NC
November 20-24, 2024
Submissions closed June 30, 2024
Cat Fly Glitch Fest
Asheville, NC
November 23, 2024
Submissions accepted through October 11, 2024
Beaufort Film Festival
Beaufort, NC
November 22-December 7, 2024
Submissions closed July 1, 2024
Stranger Days Independent Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
December 14, 2024
Submissions accepted through September 30, 2024 (late deadline)
Carrboro Film Festival
Carrboro, NC
January 24-26, 2025
Submissions accepted through September 21, 2024 (late deadline)
The Argyle Film Festival
Durham, NC
February 1, 2025
Submissions accepted through December 2, 2024 (regular deadline), December 22, 2024 (late deadline)
Greensboro Dance Film Festival
Greensboro, NC
February 21-22, 2025
Submissions accepted through September 15, 2024 (early bird deadline), November 15, 2024 (regular deadline)
Boone DOCS Festival
Boone, NC
February 22, 2025
Submissions accepted through November 1, 2024 (regular deadline), December 3, 2024 (late deadline)
Nevermore Film Festival
Durham, NC
February 28-March 2, 2025
Submissions opening September 16, 2025, accepted through November 29, 2024 (short film deadline), December 19, 2024 (feature film deadline)
Hayti Heritage Film Festival
Durham, NC
March 6-8, 2025
Submissions accepted through October 14, 2024 (regular deadline), November 3, 2024 (late deadline)
Cosmic Rays Film Festival
Chapel Hill, NC
March 21-23, 2025
Submissions accepted through November 15, 2024
UpTILT Film Fest
Wilmington, NC
March 21-23, 2025
Submissions accepted through November 15, 2024 (regular deadline), December 15, 2024 (late deadline)
Spring Lane Film Festival
Sanford, NC
April 5, 2025
Submissions accepted through December 31, 2024
RiverRun International Film Festival
Winston-Salem, NC
April 11-19, 2025
Submissions accepted through December 15, 2024 (final deadline)
NC Black Film Festival
Wilmington, NC
May 15-18, 2025
Submissions opening October 1, 2024, accepted through February 5, 2025 (regular deadline), March 5, 2025 (late deadline)
Real to Reel Film Festival
Kings Mountain, NC
July 23-26, 2025
Submissions accepted through February 3, 2025 (regular deadline), March 3, 2025 (late deadline)
Micropolitan Film Festival
Marion, NC
August 2, 2025
Submissions accepted through April 1, 2025 (regular deadline), May 1, 2025 (late deadline)
FILM FESTIVALS WHOSE DATES ARE TBD
Visions Film Festival and Conference
Presented by UNC Wilmington Film Studies Department
Wilmington, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Charlotte Jewish Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Twin Rivers Media Festival
Black Mountain, NC
2024 Dates TBA (typically Summer)
Submissions opening TBA
Whimsical Times Film Festival
Wilmington, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Golden Hour Film Festival
Hickory, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Carolina Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Triad Jewish Film Festival
Greensboro, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Reel Teal Film Festival at UNCW
Wilmington, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Durham, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Wilmington Jewish Film Festival
Wilmington, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
North Carolina South & East International Asian Film Festival
Franklin County, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Longleaf Film Festival
Raleigh, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Bull City International Film Festival
Durham, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Reel Out Charlotte Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Charlotte Black Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Lumbee Film Festival
Pembroke, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Music Video Asheville Fest
Asheville, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
The North Carolina Film Festival
New Bern, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival
Durham, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Full Bloom Film Festival
Statesville, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival
Cary, NC
2025 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
