Festival Coverage by Zach Dennis and Reid Ramsey

For four days in May, the 7th annual Chattanooga Film Festival screened more than 25 feature films (and dozens of shorts) spanning indie horror, documentaries, and cult classics from around the world alongside Q&A sessions with Ice-T and Joe Dante as well as workshops and live podcast recordings. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival shifted from its April date to a May weekend that was hosted completely virtually courtesy of Microsoft. Zach and Reid were able to catch up with around six features and the Tennessee Shorts block while watching the festival online and from home.

Festival Coverage by Andrew Swafford and Dylan Moore

For ten days in October, the Nashville Film Festival screened over 100 feature films from around the world. Established in 1969 and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, it is the longest running film festival in the state. Andrew and Dylan were able to catch six features and ten short films across several days of the festival.

Festival Coverage by Lydia Creech and Miranda Barnewall

For three days in May, the 5th annual Nitrate Picture Show, the world’s first festival of film conservation, screened 9 shorts and 9 features at the Dryden Theater at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, NY, all from nitrate film prints. Nitrate film was the first kind of stock used for motion pictures, beginning in 1889 and going until 1951, when safety stock on an acetate base was introduced. Lydia and Miranda were able to catch all of the screenings, in addition to attending lectures and tours of the Eastman’s preservation facilities.

Festival Coverage by Zach Dennis and Reid Ramsey

For four days in April, the 6th annual Chattanooga Film Festival screened 39 feature films (and dozens of shorts) spanning indie horror, documentaries, and cult classics from around the world. Nestled on the Tennessee River, and sporting appearances by Crispin Glover and Joe Bob Briggs, Zach and Reid were able to catch 10 of the features during their time at the fest.

Festival Coverage by Andrew Swafford and Jordan Collier

For four days in October, the 10th annual Knoxville Horror Film Fest screened 14 feature films (and dozens of shorts) spanning indie horror, documentaries, and cult classics from around the world. Coming on the heels of the programmers opening their own independent theater in Knoxville (Central Cinema), this was the biggest year ever for the Knoxville Horror Film Fest. Andrew and Jordan were able to catch 12 of the features during their time at the fest, including KHFF’s first-ever world premiere.

Festival Coverage by Zach and Jack Dennis

For four days in April, the Chattanooga Film Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee brings genre films from around the world to the Scenic City for a schedule filled with world premieres and live events. Zach and his twin brother Jack were able to catch a number of the films shown during the festival.

Festival Coverage by Andrew Swafford and Michael O'Malley

For four days in March, the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee combined a line-up of avant-garde musical and film acts. Andrew and Michael were able to catch a number of the films shown during the festival, including the 3D programming curated by The Public Cinema.

Festival Coverage by Taylor Thomas and Lydia Creech

For three days in January, Bloomington PRIDE screened 25 short- and feature-length LGBTQ+ films from around the world for its 16th annual Film Festival. Taylor and Lydia were able to catch the films from two of the days, which included 6 features and over a dozen international and student shorts.