Redfish Film Fest is a documentary-only festival in Historic Downtown Panama City, Florida. Our goal is to be the premier event of its kind in the Southeast U.S. The inaugural Redfish will be in Spring 2024.

Our flagship venue will be the Panama City Center for the Arts, in the heart of Historic Downtown Panama City. However, we will have several other venues in buildings throughout downtown, as well as smaller locations for after parties and meet-the-artist events.

We will likely not have awards and prizes for the first Redfish. We want to encourage diverse entrants and celebrate documentaries as an artform. We may do awards after the first year.

1) Your film must be a documentary.

2) We have simple categories:
- Documentary Shorts: Under 15 minutes
- Documentary Mid-Features: Up to 30 minutes
- Documentary Features: Over 30 minutes

3) We prefer your work to have been done in the last two years, but it is not a deal breaker. We'll decide case by case.

4) By submitting, you agree to let Redfish promote your film through our marketing and communications. You must provide any cover art or other promotional media for us to use. By submitting, you agree to waive any licensing fees unless otherwise agreed to by Redfish management.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Darren Hunt

    Amazing festival. Went way beyond any expectations. Staff was so warm and welcoming. Venues were incredible and local food was excellent. It was an honor to be a part of this incredible event.

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Darren! It was a pleasure having you in town. We hope you come back!!

  • Scott Harves

    An intimate festival that punches way above its weight class. Redfish offered something for everyone in year one of existence, and there are few words that will do justice to the efforts of Kevin, Lex, and the entire downtown community in Panama City. With an array of documentaries, industry panels, and unique nightly events, the festival celebrated the rebuilding efforts of a city after Hurricane Michael, and the idea that filmmakers want to share what they create while also teaching and learning from others. From the hills of Hollywood to the depths of outer space, the level of promotion and care put into the festival and its films was beyond what I have witnessed in similarly-sized events, and I look forward to seeing what this festival becomes as it grows in the future.

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Scott. It was an honor having someone of your caliber here. And we LOVED your film Twice as Nice: The Legend of Charlie Ward. Beautiful work. We'd love you back to Panama City every year!

  • Redfish was an incredible festival that was beautifully organized and wonderfully executed. There were artsy happenings in the street at night and music and performances and posters everywhere to celebrate the film festival. The venues were great and all very close together in the historic center. The films were curated with care and very interesting. Lots of filmmakers and Q & A. No glitches in the screenings! It was thrilling and lots of fun. One of our best screenings, with great audience enthusiasm. The organizers Kevin and Lexx were promoting this for months and came up with amazing creative ways to get the public excited -- and get filmmakers excited. I can't wait to see what they do for next year!

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Laura! You are such a pleasure to work with. We're honored you chose us to screen your great film. We'd love to have you back again and again. ❤️

  • Jennifer Brown

    My experience as a filmmaker attending the inaugural Redfish Film Fest exceeded all expectations. Organizers Kevin and Lex harnessed the full creative potential of downtown Panama City to deliver screenings at multiple venues within easy walking distance, excellent filmmaker panels, and crazy-good evening parties. Their communication was clear and quick, and they promoted every film before the fest. An army of 'Charm Squad' volunteers were on hand to help with anything. Everywhere you look, you see red and redfish themes. The local businesses created unique Redfish offerings, like the Red Holland Amber Ale at the History Class Brewery. There are lots of great films and genuinely wonderful people. This festival is well on its way to being one of the top festivals in the country.

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Jennifer. It was a pleasure having you and your lovely film with us. We're honored and can't wait to see what you make next. ❤️