Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh Area

The Reel Deal

Brushing elbows with filmmakers is as easy as attending North Carolina's biggest film festivals. 

“It's a community of people getting together to celebrate films, with a lot of receptions and parties,” says Aaron Syrett, director of the North Carolina Film Office. “The festivals are very open – not a closed society. You can mingle with filmmakers and talk about their processes. And there are always great restaurants and sites to visit nearby if you don't want to plan your whole trip around a festival.”

Below is a sampling of some of the state's film gatherings. For a complete list of North Carolina film festivals, click here.

Charlotte Film Festival
Charlotte, March
More than 90 filmmakers, with screenings of 200-plus films and documentaries, filmmaking discussion panels, workshops, video editing training sessions, after-parties and VIP filmmaker receptions.

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Durham, April
Considered one of the world's best documentary film festivals. Dedicated to nonfiction cinema, with screenings of more than 100 films, discussions and panels.

RiverRun International Film Festival
Winston-Salem, April
Screenings and premieres of more than 120 films from 30-plus countries, as well as workshops and seminars on the craft of filmmaking.

Cucalorus Independent Film Festival
Wilmington, November
A creative film celebration in historic downtown Wilmington with screenings of more than 150 independent and international films.

Asheville Cinema Festival
Asheville, November
Four days of short films, animation, documentaries, features, student works, awards ceremonies, filmmaking workshops and lectures.

For a complete list of North Carolina film festivals, click here.

by Jessica Mozo

added: May 3, 2011

updated: December 15, 2011