This is a festival that pushes the boundaries of presentation and curation. We especially love to showcase locally made films, this is all about expanding options for people to present and discover cinematic work in our digital epoch.

We screen our selection in a historic theater in our local port city of Wilmington, NC.

We're looking for anything creative in the moving image, including music videos, documentaries, westerns, shorts, and every other experiment the world has to offer.

GutterBliss showcases the underground of filmmakers that have gone undiscovered thus far in the digital age. We love films that are lo-fi, strange, unconventional, distinct, and ambitious.

Awards & Prizes

Only films who can be represented in person at the festival are eligible for the coveted Golden Gutter.

We judge based on skill in the craft, artistic ambition and the scrutiny of the great Gutter Goblin themself.

Rules & Terms

Everything goes!

We don't care about runtime, genre or subject. All art asks us for is engagement and we want to expand our engagement to showcase work from across all corners of the world.

If your film is selected then you will have to send us a download link or make the film downloadable so that we can play it at our live screening.
67 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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Networking
  • Patrick Murray

    The most unique and original film festival in North Carolina. Excited to see it grow!

    February 2026
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  • CheeHoon Kim

    I’m deeply honored and grateful for the official selection of my short animation, The exit has never been closed.
    This recognition fuels my enthusiasm, and though I could not join in person, I can still sense the vibrant spirit and passion of the festival. I sincerely thank my dedicated team whose talent and effort made this possible.

    December 2025
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  • Joel Caetano

    Great experience. Thanks for selecting my movie ARAPUCA!

    October 2024
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  • Paper Horse Pictures

    Being part of GUTTERCAST was an amazing experience. Although we couldn’t attend due to scheduling conflicts, we were really impressed by the festival’s outstanding support and dedication to both the films and the filmmakers. Their professionalism truly stood out.

    October 2024
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  • Bradley Pearce

    I was not able to attend but I am really thankful for GutterCast screening my film Confluence and many other really rad films. Hoping to submit something next year too.

    October 2024
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