From Nov. 14-17, Knoxville will be hosting Film Fest Knox, an annual film festival with the goals of bringing high quality cinema to Knoxville and empowering local Tennessee filmmakers.
Founded in 2023, Film Fest Knox is partnered with many local organizations, including Visit Knoxville, The Public Cinema, Regal Cinemas and the University of Tennessee’s cinema studies program.
One of the main efforts of Film Fest Knox is to provide local and amateur filmmakers with resources, workshops and opportunities to expand their skills. Curt Willis, the director of the Visit Knoxville Film Office, explained how it aims to give local filmmakers unique experiences.
“The elevator pitch is a great opportunity for our local filmmakers,” Willis said. “We want them to start thinking about feature-length storytelling, but they also have to do a one minute pitch for their feature-length film. Those top eight selected have to do it live in front of a panel.”
The “Elev8or Pitch” program invites local filmmakers to create a one-minute pitch for a feature film as well as an accompanying eight-minute short. A total of 21 teams participated, and only eight were selected to present in front of industry professionals at the festival.
“It’s an opportunity for our local talent to get their work in front of interesting people in the indie film world,” Willis said.
The festival will also host workshops for filmmakers to develop their skills and knowledge. “Stretch That Buck,” hosted by Sav Rodgers, will teach filmmakers how to budget, cut costs and crowdfund, along with more skills necessary to bring their project to life.
Film Fest Knox has several film categories, many of which work to bring out the work of local Tennessee filmmakers.
“We have a ‘Made in Tennessee’ selection in the competition, and many this year are local,” Willis said. “Two features in that are local filmmakers. We also have an international selection, such as “Eephus,” a baseball film. We have a revival section for films that were made in the ‘70s or ‘80s because it might be the only chance someone here in Knoxville gets to see them on the big screen.”
The festival runs from Thursday to Sunday, with different selections and events each day. Thursday is when the “Elev8or Pitch” program will kick off. Friday will feature the opening film “All That We Love,” as well as the beginning of the American Regional Cinema Competition.
“The big thing about the American Regional Cinema Competition,” Willis said. “The winner gets an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run, courtesy of our partners at Regal.”
The ARCC will include the showcasing of six different films that were not made in one of the U.S. filmmaking hubs, New York City and Los Angeles. The goal is to highlight the work of smaller creators throughout the entire country. As a part of the ARCC, the film “The World Drops Dead” will have its world premiere, right here in Knoxville.
The ARCC is a great opportunity for smaller filmmakers to come together and network. Saturday will offer a panel on the opportunities and challenges of filmmakers outside of New York City and Los Angeles. Entitled “New Directions in Regional Filmmaking,” the panel will be led by Scott Macauley, editor-in-chief of Filmmaker magazine.
The festival will wrap up on Sunday with an awards ceremony and a VIP closing night party.
Film Fest Knox has grown since last year, and Chris Willis is ambitious with future plans for the festival.
“We want to add a component every year, and eventually we want to expand into other venues, maybe add a day,” Willis said. “We want to be the premiere independent film festival in the Southeast, and I don’t think it’ll take long to get there. Filmmaker Magazine had some very nice things to say about us last year, and I think when they see what’s in store this year, it’ll be even better.”
Those interested in attending the film festival should visit their website. Single film tickets are as low as $15, with discounts available for block passes.
