FILM FEST KNOX returns Nov. 6-9, transforming the Regal Riviera into a showcase of independent film. Now in its third year running, the festival features three full days of film programming as well as regional and local filmmaking competitions, workshops and social events.
If you get lightheaded scanning the lineup or panicky that there might be some sort of red carpet involved, good news: FILM FEST KNOX is designed for regular humans. Dress code: jeans and a hoodie, or high heels, or whatever. You don’t have to be a critic, film buff or even know what the word “juried” means. You just have to show up with a willingness to be surprised.
“2025 is shaping up to be the strongest year for movies since 2020, and I think that’s reflected in the diversity and quality of this lineup,” said FILM FEST KNOX Artistic Director Darren Hughes. “Over the course of three days, we’re going to screen nearly 75 films in every variety of style and voice—from two minutes to two hours, from Morocco to San Francisco. These are the kinds of movies that stick with you long after you leave the theater.”
Curt Willis, Sr. Director of the Visit Knoxville Film Office, added, “The festival continues to grow and build on its reputation as one of the premier film festivals in the Southeast, as evidenced by recently being named as one of MovieMaker Magazine’s ‘50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.’”
Consider this your no-pretension, link-heavy cheat sheet to navigating it all.
🗓️ The Basics
- When: Thursday, Nov. 6 thru Sunday, Nov. 9
- Where: Regal Riviera (510 S. Gay St.)
- Schedule: Full schedule here. At a glance, not including social events:
- Thursday – Elv8or Pitch, 7-9pm
- Friday – Screenings 5:45pm-midnight
- Saturday – Discussion 10-11am | Screenings 11:30am-12:30pm
- Sunday – Discussion 10-11am | Screenings noon-9pm | Awards 6pm
- Passes: Single ($20), 5-Block ($75), All-Festival ($100) and VIP ($275) passes are available at filmfestknox.com
- Presented by: Visit Knoxville + Regal
- Why it matters: FILM FEST KNOX celebrates regional filmmaking — movies made with heart and vision, far from Hollywood’s assembly line.
🎟️ How to “Fest” Like a Pro
- Get your pass. Compare various options and purchase here.
- Reserve your seats. Use the Agile ticketing app to select what you want to see and secure your tickets.
- Pace yourself. Between features, shorts and more, it’s a full weekend! Click through to the links below to see screening times, trailers and more.
🎥 The Main Events
🏆 American Regional Cinema Competition
The festival’s centerpiece. Five feature films compete for Best Film, Best Director and Jury Prize, plus an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run courtesy of Regal.
Filmmakers will be in attendance to introduce their work and take questions.
Showing: Bird in Hand | Charliebird | Mouse | Other Houses | Tropical Park
🎬 Made in Tennessee Competition
Two feature films and 17 shorts made right here in Tennessee. Expect a wild mix of genres and stories that prove great filmmaking doesn’t need a California ZIP code.
Winners receive cash prizes for Best Film, Best Director and Jury Prize.
Showing: Made in Tennessee Shorts I (The Great STAR Caper, Bone, Monumental, Loveseat, Echoes, I’m Not So Sure About This, Lavender Fields Forever, People, People, People!, Feed) | Made in Tennessee Shorts II (Deep Space, Born Secret, Attenuation, Hang On, Little Tomato, Two Months, Clocks, Time, and You!, Take and Drink, The Recluse) | A Long Hard Streak | The Easy Kind
🚀 Elev8or Pitch
Kicking off the festival on Thursday at 7 p.m. Eight teams get one minute to pitch their movie idea then present a proof-of-concept short to a panel of judges.
🌊 Currents
A curated selection of this year’s most acclaimed films from top international festivals like Cannes and Sundance to Oscar nominees.
Showing: Afternoons of Solitude | Arco | Flicker and Wow (Palm Sunday, Sudden Tourniquet, Tulsa, Niches, Morning Circle, FELT) | Sirât | Young Mothers | Zodiac Killer Project
🎞️ Revival
A tribute to trailblazers of American regional cinema. This year honors Sailor Bear, the Texas-based collective, recipients of the inaugural James Agee Prize — named for Knoxville’s own Pulitzer-winning writer and film critic.
Showing: A Ghost Story | Edited Documents: Films By Peter Bundy | Songs and Stories: Short Films by Sailor Bear | Spring Night Summer Night | The Old Man & the Gun
💬 Panels, Talks & Events
For filmmakers, the film-curious and networkers:
- Film Distribution Case Studies: Kelsey Taylor and Vera Brunner-Sung
- Festival Strategies: Ashton Campbell, Bedatri Choudhury, and Chad Cunningham
- Events and parties: Opening Cocktail (VIP) | Opening Night Party (VIP & Guests) | Awards Ceremony (Free) | Closing Night Party (VIP & Full-Fest Passholders)
💡 Pro Tips
- You can’t see everything. Pick a few blocks and let curiosity lead.
- Stay for Q&As. They’re often where the real storytelling happens.
- Eat between screenings. Gay Street and Market Square have plenty of quick bites.
- Talk to strangers. Film fest crowds are friendly — everyone’s processing something they just saw.
- Follow @filmfestknox on Instagram for updates and guest reveals. Learn more at the website here.
See you there, Knoxville and beyond!