** UPDATE, Feb 1 2026**

Sadly, The Grail Moviehouse was washed away in the floods of Hurricane Helene on September 27, 2024. As a result, we will not be presenting any short films in the 2026 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. We hope they will be able to rebuild or relocate.

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As part of our Fringe Festival this year, we are hosting 2 screenings of short films at Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy St, Asheville, NC 28801.

The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival began in 2003 after Susan and Giles Collard of Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre experienced Fringe festivals in San Francisco and Toronto. They started Asheville’s Fringe in one venue, the beloved BeBe Theatre. But the following year, it had expanded to other venues. The Festival is now a multi-day, multi-venue performing arts extravaganza, with performances in theatres, galleries, clubs and odd spaces throughout Asheville.

Awards & Prizes

We give an audience award to one short film.

Rules & Terms

Films can be anywhere between 3-15 minutes in length. We encourage you to submit films that push the boundaries of genre and form or otherwise challenge audience expectations. Films should be submitted in a form suitable for an in-person viewing at a small cinema. The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival is an adjudicated festival.
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  • Robin Bisio

    A stunning fest full of adventurous programming! A must!

    March 2023
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  • Doğa Çöl

    çok iyi, çok mutlu oldum

    March 2023
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  • Jens Kipper

    Thank you so much to be part of your amazing Festival! Go! Go! Go! Wish you all the best!

    February 2022
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  • Cheyla Clawson Chandler

    This is such an innovative and supportive festival! I was honored to have my dance film selected and shown. While the pandemic required a shift to a digital format, the festival team made this a seamless process and provided easy access to enjoy all the accepted works. I hope to be a part of this incredible festival in the future and attend an in-person event.

    February 2022
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  • Nicole Romine

    Thank you Asheville Fringe Arts Festival for such a wonderful event. On behalf of everyone involved with Mistress of Tears we are all honored to have been selected to participate in the fringe festival. Thank you for all your hard work and for encouraging us to continue to create!

    January 2021
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