New. Southern. Film.

Carrboro has always been a little different. In Carrboro, Southern hospitality means everyone is welcome, and the folks here are curious about the world, engaged in their community, and lovers of the arts. That’s why our town is a great place for a film festival.

Now in its 21st year, Carrboro Film Fest has an established history as a dynamic event that brings filmmakers and audiences together for a heartfelt celebration of independent cinema.

Carrboro Film Fest isn't just a film festival in the South — it's a Southern film festival through and through. Our mission is to showcase the year's best Southern independent films and provide a venue for both celebrating and interrogating Southern culture.

Join us January 29-31, 2027 at the Drakeford Library Complex in downtown Carrboro!

Awards & Prizes

Carrboro Film Fest is a non-competitive festival. Our focus is on providing a dynamic experience in which filmmakers and audiences come together for a vibrant celebration of Southern film and exploration of Southern culture.

Rules & Terms

We’re looking for new films with Southern connections. If your film was shot in the South, set in the South, features characters from the South, or is in some other way connected to the South, we want to see it.

Films may be submitted into one of four different categories: documentary features, documentary shorts, narrative features, or narrative shorts.

Shorts must be under 40 minutes in length.
49 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Bryan Poyser

    Had an amazing time screening my feature Leads as the Opening Night Film and the short film I produced, Justin Arnold's Whoopin', at the Carrboro Film Festival! They had shown a short film of mine a couple years before but I didn't have the chance to attend but I knew I had to come check it out when they invited my feature to open the festival. Bryan Reklis and his team put on such a welcoming and thoughtfully curated event, with plenty of Southern hospitality in the charming and highly walkable town of Carrboro. All the screenings were at the new Drakeford Library Complex, making for an intimate experience for filmmakers from all over the South to mingle, share ideas and celebrate each other's work. Can't wait to return!

    March 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Bryan! What a treat to have you in attendance.

  • Jasmine Jewet

    So thankful to Carrboro Film Fest for having my short film, Cherry, as a selection to their 2026 festival. The communication was top tier and they were so accommodating! So glad I was able to attend and participate in the Q&A, I had a great weekend!

    March 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    So happy to have you there, Jasmine!

  • Heebie-Jeebies Pictures

    We had a great time visiting and screening our short film TAPESTRY at Carrboro Film Fest! Bryan Reklis and his team were incredibly welcoming as soon as we set foot in the building. The film blocks were well-programmed, and it was one of our favorite Q&As we've ever had. Thank you for having us, and we hope we can screen with y'all again!

    March 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks, y'all! We loved having you!

  • Charly Louise

    I feel in love with the Carrboro Film Fest and the town! It is such a wonderfully curated weekend of films from powerful and provoking documentary films to one-of-a-kind narratives. As a filmmaker, it was amazing to see my film well received by the audience and get a chance to talk afterwards about the production experience. I love the intimacy of the festival, it provided a lot of one-on-one time with fellow filmmakers. I so look forward to screening more films and attending many future years to come!

    March 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Charly, we were so happy to have you and Lisa in attendance. We're glad to have you join the Carrboro Film Fest community!

  • Diana Greene

    Thanks to every wonderful person who put on an outstanding festival! The communication was outstanding and the audience warm and engaged. It was a great honor to screen our documentary film Making Sense Backwards: The Nick Bragg Story and the q and a afterwards was great. A lot of care went into this sweet festival and it showed! Congrats to all who gathered!!

    March 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Diana, it was wonderful to have you for the screening of your film and for the panel that you were on. Thank you so much for being generous with your time and engaging with our audience.