Memphis Film Festivals
The colorful neighborhoods, inspirational history and supportive arts community have earned Memphis a permanent spot on the film-making map. Film producers and actors find Memphis to be a unique setting and a perfect backdrop for their creative story-telling on film.
Indie Memphis Film Festival
Join several hundred film enthusiasts to experience the latest and greatest in film-making. A diverse selection of independent features, documentaries, and short-films arrive in Overton Square from all over the country. Award-winning and in-demand films and shorts are featured – which brings many of each season’s most talked about actors and producers to Midtown Memphis. A bonus of this festival is the intentional networking opportunities. Guests can attend workshops together or hang out before screenings and listen to live performances of local Memphis musicians. Learn more.
On Location: Memphis – International Film & Music Festival
This three-day showcase features a diverse mix of local and global independent films. Special presentation films are screened along with community discussions with film and music industry professionals. Challenged with “bringing the world to our backyard,” the festival sets out each year to secure a film schedule that properly reflects the diverse experiences found in Memphis and beyond. Organizers have traveled as far as Mumbai, India to scout for authentic stories. They’ve also partnered with local organizations to ensure a lineup that highlights women in film, the black experience in America, and music-themed flicks.
Unreal Film Festival
This annual festival lives up to its name by focusing on horror, science fiction and fantasy genres. Both short and feature film entries are submitted from all over the world, with a special prize category for regionally produced films (within 100 miles of Memphis). Visit their website.
Outflix Film Festival
Film lovers gather each September to appreciate the best films that capture the stories or celebrate the creative talent of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. The Outflix Film Festival celebrates films that add depth to the LGBTQ people – the history, loves, losses, and triumphs that cultivate a full human experience that everyone can appreciate. Visit their website.
International Jewish Film Festival
For nine days, the Memphis Jewish Community Center celebrates Jewish story-telling with independent films and documentaries. The festival, a collaboration with Indie Memphis, aims to celebrate differences and encourage conversations between American Jews and those around them. Visit their website.
