North Carolina Film Festivals

North Carolina proves itself as an important area for the proliferation of the arts as it has been a hub and a host state for a number of film festivals that give independent filmmakers the chance to be shown, and the viewers, a taste of new flavor and perspective in their way of looking at films.

One of the most celebrated film festivals in North Carolina is the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, which is founded in 1998. it aims to celebrate the power of the medium and give documentary filmmakers a place wherein they can showcase their work in the theater and attracts viewers and the industry have them viewed and listened. The New York Times and indieWIRE has referred Full Frame as the premier documentary film festival in the United States. Some of their distinguished guests include directors Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs), Martin Scorsese (The Taxi Driver, Gangs of New York), Mira Nair (Kamasutra) and Abbas Kiarostami (A Taste of Cherry). Some of the recently screened films in the festival which happens every April include Jesse Epstein's "34x25x35", Tanaz Eshaghian's "Be Like Others" and Tia Lessin and Carl Deal's "Trouble The Water."

The Cucalorus Film Festival is scheduled in November is being organized by a non-profit organization with the key objective to have filmmakers' works reach the general public. It is a grand showcase of narrative features, experimental shorts, documentaries and other formats from all over the world, with more emphasis put on filmmakers from North Carolina and Southern stories.   The 2008 - 2009 Film Festival marks its 14th year of supplying the viewers with a diverse choice of creative works. Some of the films screened in the festival are: John Cameron Mitchell's "Shortbus", Erica Dunton's "Find Love", and Michael Glawogger "Slumming." Scheduled every August is the Annual North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival which is being produced by the non-profit Carolina Theater.

It is the second largest gay and lesbian film festival in the South-east and has been attracting thousands of viewers, and the 2008 - 2009 festival marks its 13th year. The festival is a showcase of the best short films, documentaries and feature films that take a glimpse of lesbian and gay life. Some of the films screened in the festival are: Q. Allan Brocka's "Boy Culture", Denis Langlois' "Amnesia: The James Brighton Enigma" and Casper Andrea's "Between Love and Goodbye."

The Carolina Film and Video Festival is a promising student film festival that is slated on the last week of February. This annual event is being hosted by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, showcasing a good line-up of films from independent and student filmmakers alike, focusing the young bloods with much respect. Categories include feature length narratives, documentary, animation and experimental.