Since 2015, the Full Bloom Film Festival has showcased 589 carefully curated films from 40 different countries. Now entering its 11th year, FBFF continues to shed light on global and local communities alike, offering a level of hospitality where each filmmaker feels truly appreciated. Over the course of the three-day festival, filmmakers and festival goers will have a chance to experience a variety of international short and feature-length films, partake in a filmmaker roundtable, and, of course, enjoy unforgettable parties each night. Each of the festival’s screening venues is custom upfitted in a historic building located in the heart of downtown Statesville (including the town’s “Old Jail”).

The Full Bloom Film Festival is currently accepting film submissions in the following categories: Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Short Narrative, Short Documentary, Animation, and Student Film. At the close of the festival, awards are given to winning films in each category, as well as an award for “Best of Fest.”

FBFF 2026 will take place September 10th through September 12th in and around Historic Downtown Statesville. This nonprofit festival is organized by a committed group of area business leaders, film enthusiasts and volunteers. The festival is a collaborative effort supported by:
-Iredell County Arts Council
-City of Statesville
-Iredell-Statesville Schools
-Mitchell Community College
-Statesville Chamber of Commerce
-Statesville Recreation and Parks Department
-Downtown Statesville Development Corp.

Officially selected films will be eligible to receive awards by category. Prizes will be awarded by a panel of judges based on the film’s overall artistic, narrative, and technical quality.

CATEGORIES:
Narrative Feature
Documentary Feature
Short Narrative
Short Documentary
Animation (any length)
Student Film (made by a student filmmaker)

Each official selection will be given two (2) VIP Passes and two (2) Festival Passes to attend Full Bloom Film Festival screenings and events. FBFF plans to offer networking opportunities and panel discussions for film industry professionals and fellow supporters of the arts community. Attendees representing officially selected films may also be asked to participate in panels and moderated Q&A sessions with the audience immediately following their film’s screening.

In addition, if your feature film has World or Domestic Premiere status, it is eligible for a red carpet premiere. The red carpet premiere will include four (4) VIP Passes, hotel accommodations, and a red carpet entrance. A red carpet premiere may be granted to up to two (2) feature film selections. Let us know upon submission if you wish to be considered as a premiere film.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@fullbloomfilmfestival.org.

1. The Full Bloom Film Festival is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items, including films in any medium, while en-route or in our possession, on or off of festival grounds.

2. All fees are non-transferable and non-refundable.

3. The Full Bloom Film Festival retains the right to accept or decline any film, for whatever reason, without notice or explanation.

4. Filmmaker is responsible for clearing all rights to the content of the film, and grants the right to use excerpts from the film including audio, video, names and images to promote the festival.

5. Filmmaker grants the Full Bloom Film Festival the right to show the film for up to one (1) year after the festival unless a written agreement has been negotiated prior to the festival. No licensing fees or payment will be made for the screening.

6. Applicant admits that he/she is authorized to submit the film, being the sole rights-holder or authorized representative thereof.

7. Applicant agrees to provide a film representative's Name, Full Address, Phone and all other contact information at the time of submission.

8. All accepted film will submit screeners uploaded via the internet as a 1080P, uncompressed mp4 or prores. We do not accept DCP or 5.1 surround sound tracks at this time.

9. Films submitted must be within the last two (2) years from the time of completion.

10. All non-English speaking films must have adequate English subtitles.

11. Screening or licensing fees will not be paid by FBFF, so if the submitted film requires a fee please do not submit or obtain a waiver for the festival.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Amir Zargara

    Thanks for having us :)

    October 2025
  • Doga Kilcioglu

    Although I couldn’t attend in person, I was warmly welcomed through their communication and hospitality, and I’m very happy that my film Eyelash was appreciated so much.

    October 2025
  • Nikita Vyas Hattangady

    Full Bloom festival is a wonderful festival for filmmakers and audiences. They communicate so well with filmmakers and make the process easy! Their lineup of films is also top quality. Highly recommend!

    October 2025
  • Ally Betker

    Wow this is such a special festival, with an amazing community feel. Filmmakers are very well taken care of, and it feels like the whole city of Statesville comes out to support you and your films. The other films I saw were super high quality, and the festival was very well organized with lots of networking events and parties. Highly recommend!

    September 2025
  • sema güler

    Great team, great festival!Thank you for everything🙏❤️🎬

    September 2025