A free-to-attend festival that highlights the best of independent film in a place that strives to tell the stories that connect us all—this is Longleaf. Our weekend festival screens films that demonstrate a Tar Heel State connection, through the people involved in making them or through their subject.
The North Carolina Museum of History serves as home base for Longleaf Film Festival. As we enter year eight in 2022, Longleaf continues to grow, even though, due to COVID-19, Longleaf 2020 and Longleaf 2021 became a series of online and live-streamed events. Still, through our community of filmmakers and film fans, we were able to promote the art and craft of filmmaking and the passion of film to viewers in Raleigh, the Triangle, and beyond.
Looking Forward, Again
Longleaf Film Festival seeks to reflect the diversity of talent and imagination that exists throughout the filmmaking world and—as a place that helps tell the stories that connect us all—we believe that the North Carolina Museum of History, our host, is in a unique position for showcasing those films. Throughout our short history, we have been grateful for the impactful stories regarding race and community that have been told in past festivals. We strongly believe that the art and craft of filmmaking help connect us and offer avenues for insight, as well as entertainment. We want to share your stories—all of your stories: animated, documentary, and narrative films, music videos, spoken word productions, and web series.
To help in our small way, we want to provide easier access to Longleaf for everyone; so, as in 2021, we are again waiving fees for directors who identify as BIPOC—we can do so with help from many caring folks. Their support also means that, for 2022, Longleaf will be able to offer recognition to the best films made by historically underrepresented filmmakers (see the prize list, below, for details). Contact co-director Sally Bloom, sally.bloom@ncdcr.gov for a waiver. Waivers MUST be requested before submission and all other submission requirements apply.
It is our intent and dearest hope that we can have an in-person festival on May 13 and 14, 2022, at our home base, the North Carolina Museum of History—following all guidelines from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services regarding COVID-19. If an in-person event is still not feasible, we will pivot to a virtual program as necessary.
All narrative festival submissions are eligible for a $500 Judges’ Choice/Narrative Film award; all documentary festival submissions are eligible for a $500 Judges’ Choice/Documentary Film award. All films entered in the Middle and High School Student Film category are eligible for a $250 Best Student Film award.
For 2022, we are also excited to announce three new awards that support the creative works of filmmakers from historically underrepresented communities: a $250 American Indian Heritage Celebration Prize for the best film by an Indigenous filmmaker, a $250 African American Cultural Celebration Prize for the best film by a Black filmmaker, and a $250 Celebrating Latin American Communities Prize for the best film by a Latinx filmmaker.
Other prizes may be awarded in the categories listed below. All winners receive a unique, hand-crafted (in North Carolina, no less, to celebrate the state’s heritage of pottery making) tile. Tiles are accompanied with plaques that denote the film’s title and winning category. Only enough Award Tiles are crafted for each winner to take one home!
Animated Film
One prize may be awarded in the following subcategory: Best Overall
Documentary Feature
One prize may be awarded in the following subcategory: Best Overall
Documentary Short
One prize may be awarded in the following subcategory: Best Overall
History+ Film
One prize may be awarded for each of the following subcategories: Best Narrative and
Best Documentary
Middle and High School Student Film
One prize may be awarded for each of the following subcategories: Best Narrative and
Best Documentary
Music Video
One prize may be awarded in the following subcategory: Best Overall
Narrative Feature
One prize may be awarded for each of the following subcategories:
Best Horror
Best Sci-Fi
Best Comedy
Best Drama
Narrative Short
One prize may be awarded for each of the following subcategories:
Best Horror
Best Sci-Fi
Best Comedy
Best Drama
Spoken Word Production
One prize may be awarded for each of the following subcategories: Best Overall
Web Series
One prize may be awarded for each of the following subcategories:
Best Web Series
Best Web Pilot