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 19th 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 for our new dates at a new venue in Carrboro: January 24-26, 2025 at the new Cultural Center!

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.

33 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Megan Dahl

    The folks running the Carrboro Film Fest were very welcoming and we had a packed house full of audience members who really appreciated film. It was a very cute little town with lots of shops and restaurants to explore. There are no awards at this festival, which makes for quite a relaxed vibe. Good southern hospitality - highly recommend if that’s what you’re looking for.

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for the kind words! I was very happy to have Linnea join us for the Q&A for Lily's Mirror. I hope you will submit your next films to CFF!

  • Sebastian Diaz

    Great crowds, great organizers, great city. I'd highly recommend this fest.

    November 2023
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  • Pilar Timpane

    Thank you Carrboro Film Fest!

    November 2023
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  • Matt Sherwood

    Great atmosphere to watch films with fantastic staff, volunteers and programming curation! This festival is can't miss if you're a filmmaker anywhere in the Southern US and beyond.

    July 2022
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  • Dennis Hornsby

    I had a great time at the festival! The organizers did very thorough homework on all the films presented, asking in depth questions during the Q&As. They also set up fun afterparties at local breweries to talk and eat with fellow filmmakers.

    December 2021
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