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.
*NOTE: Due to COVID-19, many festivals are continuing to be adjusted. While this site is trying to stay up to date on any schedule changes, you are encouraged to reach out to the individual festival itself to see if the event is still taking place at the time indicated below.
ADF's Movies by Movers
Durham, NC
April 15 - September 30, 2023
Submissions closed March 1, 2023 (regular deadline)
Twin Rivers Media Festival
Black Mountain, NC
June 17, 2023
Submissions accepted March 20, 2023-April 14, 2023 (regular deadline), June 10, 2023 (last deadline)
Lumbee Film Festival
Pembroke, NC
June 29-July 1, 2023
Submissions closed April 20, 2023 (regular deadline)
Charlotte Black Film Festival
July 6-9, 2023
Submissions closed April 25, 2023 (late deadline)
Teen 2 Teen Student Film Festival
Burlington, NC
July 24-28, 2023
Submissions TBA
The North Carolina Film Festival
New Bern, NC
July 29, 2023
Submissions accepted September 5, 2022-June 5, 2023 (final deadline)
Micropolitan Film Festival
Marion, NC
August 5, 2023
Submissions closed June 1, 2023 (late deadline)
Real to Reel Film Festival
Kings Mountain, NC
August 9-12, 2023
Submissions closed May 12, 2023 (extended deadline)
OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival
Durham, NC
August 10-17, 2023
Submissions accepted March 1, 2023-May 12, 2023 (shorts deadline), June 2, 2023 (feature deadline)
Foothills Film Festival
Shelby, NC
September 2, 2023
Submissions accepted December 11, 2022-July 1, 2023 (regular deadline), August 15, 2023 (late deadline)
Full Bloom Film Festival
Statesville, NC
September 7-9, 2023
Submissions accepted January 16, 2023-May 14, 2023 (regular deadline), June 4, 2023 (late deadline)
A Pecan Pickling Short Film Festival
Windsor, NC
September 8-10, 2023
Submissions accepted January 8, 2023-May 8, 2023 (regular deadline), June 8, 2023 (late deadline)
Music Video Asheville Fest
Asheville, NC
September 13, 2023
Submissions accepted April 14, 2023-June 30, 2023 (regular deadline), July 31, 2023 (late deadline)
Surfalorus
Outer Banks, NC
September 18-20, 2023
Submissions closed May 26, 2023 (extended deadline)
Footcandle Film Festival
Hickory, NC
September 18-24, 2023
Submissions closed June 1, 2023 (late deadline)
BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival
Cary, NC
September 21-24, 2023
Submissions closed May 31, 2023 (final deadline)
Carnival of Darkness Film Festival
Chocowinity, NC
September 22-23, 2023
Submissions accepted May 1, 2023-August 1, 2023 (regular deadline)
Charlotte Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
September 27 - October 1, 2023
Submissions accepted January 2, 2023-June 30, 2023 (regular deadline), July 21, 2023 (extended deadline)
OUT at the Movies International Film Festival
Winston-Salem, NC
September 28 - October 1, 2023
Submissions accepted February 1, 2023-June 1, 2023 (regular deadline), July 31, 2023 (late deadline)
Wreak Havoc Film Festival
Winston-Salem, NC
September 29-30, 2023
Submissions accepted January 6, 2023-June 30, 2023 (regular deadline), July 31, 2023 (last chance deadline)
Golden Hour Film Festival
Hickory, NC
September 30, 2023
Submissions accepted September 1, 2022-May 31, 2023 (regular deadline), June 30, 2023 (late deadline)
Raleigh Film & Art Festival
Raleigh, NC
October 6-8, 2023
Submissions accepted October 15, 2022-February 28, 2023 (regular deadline), June 29, 2023 (late deadline)
1:11 High School Film Festival
Raleigh, NC
October 6-8, 2023
Submissions accepted October 15, 2022-May 1, 2023 (regular deadline), July 7, 2023 (late deadline)
Tryon International Film Festival
Tryon, NC
October 6-8, 2023
Submissions accepted January 1, 2023-August 1, 2023 (regular deadline), August 21, 2023 (late deadline)
Sick Chick Flicks Film Festival
Chapel Hill, NC
October 7-8, 2023
Submissions closed May 1, 2023 (late deadline)
Horror Movie Freaks Film Festival
Walnut Coves, NC
October 13-14, 2023
Submissions accepted February 1, 2023-July 1, 2023 (regular deadline), August 6, 2023 (final deadline)
Queer Fear Film Festival
Winston-Salem, NC
October 13-15, 2023
Submissions accepted January 1, 2023-July 24, 2023 (regular deadline), August 13, 2023 (late deadline)
Indigo Moon Film Festival
Fayetteville, NC
October 13-15, 2023
Submissions accepted October 22, 2022-May 1, 2023 (regular deadline), July 31, 2023 (absolutely last minute deadline)
Carolina Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
October 14, 2023
Submissions accepted January 1, 2023-July 7, 2023 (regular deadline), August 25, 2023 (extended deadline)
Beaufort Film Festival
Beaufort, NC
November 1-20, 2023
Submissions accepted January 2, 2023-May 1, 2023 (regular deadline), September 1, 2023 (extended deadline)
Cucalorus Film Festival
Wilmington, NC
November 15-19, 2023
Submissions accepted January 18, 2023-May 26, 2023 (regular deadline), June 23, 2023 (extended deadline)
Carrboro Film Festival
Carrboro, NC
November 17-19, 2023
Submissions accepted February 1, 2023-August 31, 2023 (regular deadline), September 21, 2023 (late deadline)
Stranger Days Independent Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
December 9, 2023
Submissions accepted December 13, 2022-July 31, 2023 (regular deadline), October 31, 2023 (final deadline)
Greensboro Dance Film Festival
Greensboro, NC
February 24, 2024
Submissions accepted April 1, 2023-November 30, 2023 (regular deadline)
Boone DOCS Festival
Boone, NC
February 24, 2024
Submissions accepted June 1, 2023-October 31, 2023 (regular deadline), December 3, 2023 (late deadline)
Spring Lane Film Festival
Sanford, NC
April 6, 2024
Submissions accepted April 7, 2023-January 31, 2024 (final deadline)
North Carolina South & East International Asian Film Festival
Franklin County, NC
April 20, 2024
Submissions closed May 6, 2023 (last deadline)
Longleaf Film Festival
Raleigh, NC
May 10-11, 2024
Submissions TBA
FILM FESTIVALS WHOSE DATES ARE TBD
Visions Film Festival and Conference
Presented by UNC Wilmington Film Studies Department
Wilmington, NC
Typically early Spring
Submissions TBA
CineOdyssey Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
Outer Banks Film Festival
Kill Devil Hills, NC
2023 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Dirty Dancing Festival
Lake Lure, NC
2023 Dates TBA
Youth International Film Festival (YIFF)
Hickory, NC
2023 Dates TBA
Cat Fly Film Festival
Asheville, NC
2023 Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
Film Fest 919
Chapel Hill, NC
2023 Dates TBA
Down East Flick Fest
Greenville, NC
2023 Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
Charlotte Jewish Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Hayti Heritage Film Festival
Durham, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions opening August 2023
Nevermore Film Festival
Durham, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
Chapel Hill Black Film Festival 2
Durham, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Triad Jewish Film Festival
Greensboro, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Reel Teal Film Festival at UNCW
Wilmington, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
Cosmic Rays Film Festival
Chapel Hill, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
UpTILT Film Fest
Wilmington, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
RiverRun International Film Festival
Winston-Salem, NC (with events also scheduled in Greensboro)
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
Wilmington Jewish Film Festival
Wilmington, NC
2024 Dates TBA
BeauShow Disco
Beaufort, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
Whimsical Times Film Festival
Wilmington, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
Bull City International Film Festival
Durham, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
Reel Out Charlotte Film Festival
Charlotte, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
NC Black Film Festival
Wilmington, NC
2024 Dates TBA
Submissions TBA
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Durham, NC
Returning 2024 - Dates TBA
Submissions opening TBA
