Since 2015, the Full Bloom Film Festival has showcased nearly 500 carefully curated films from 37 different countries. Now entering its 8th 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 panel events and 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, and Animation. Filmmakers of officially selected films will be given the option of complimentary hotel accommodations (TBA upon selection), as well as assistance getting from and to the Charlotte airport. 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 2023 will take place September 7th through September 9th 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.

Awards & Prizes

Officially selected films will be eligible to receive awards by category, as well as the ranking award for Best of Fest. 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)

Each official selection will be given two (2) VIP 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 with coverage from local and regional news outlets. 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.

Rules & Terms

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.

5. Filmmaker grants the Full Bloom Film Festival the right to use excerpts from the film including audio, video, names and images to promote the festival. Filmmaker also grants the Full Bloom Film Festival the right to screen any selected film for a period of one (1) year to promote the festival, without any compensation to the filmmaker.

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. Upon acceptance, filmmakers (or primary film contact) will provide an exhibition copy* in one of the following formats:
i. DVD
ii. BluRay
iii. HDCam
iv. QuickTime 1080p HD 8 bit uncompressed or Apple ProRes file or equivalent
(*Format subject to change. Should any issues arise regarding the availability of the intended exhibition copy, films will be screened as scheduled from a format left to the discretion of festival organizers.)

9. Filmmakers are responsible for shipping costs associated with delivering all materials to the Full Bloom Film Festival.

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

11. Screening fees must be declared prior to or upon submission. If a screening fee is only indicated after the official selection has been announced, the Festival retains the right to revoke this film's acceptance.

48 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Russell Webb

    The Fbff is one of the best organized, welcoming administration I've encountered. The folks made us all feel like we were the most special people in their lives. It was a great surprise and honor to receive the Best Of the Fest award from them.share.

    September 2022
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  • E. Kelley St. Germain

    Wonderful, well organized Festival staffed by incredible, friendly people. It was an honor to have my film, Short Life of Trouble: The Legend of GB Grayson screened here. A+

    September 2022
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  • Michael Smith

    I've been fortunate to attend the Full Bloom Film Festival several times over the years. It had an auspicious beginning back in 2015 and has only gone from strength to strength with each passing year. The hospitality here is off-the-charts! The fest puts up all visiting filmmakers in a swanky B&B and throws great parties and networking events. The programming is excellent and, best of all, in just 7 short years the fest has clearly cultivated a loyal local audience. It seems that every person and every business in this charming small town knows that the fest is happening and supports it in some way, which is something you definitely do NOT see in a lot of fests that are held in bigger cities. I greatly hope to return again in the future!

    September 2022
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  • Elec McCready

    This festival is magic. My experience was the best I've had at any film festival, and the rest of my team that came with me would say the same. The whole town gets behind this thing. We came as low/no budget filmmakers, and were treated like A-list Hollywood celebrities. I came with the goal of making connections with people in the film world, and I left having made actual friends with wonderful filmmakers. This festival is everything a festival should be and more, I hope to be there every year from now on. If you submit to one festival, make it this one.

    September 2022
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  • Chris Fudge

    I can't say enough great things about this festival!

    Thank you so much for accepting us. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend - Very generous hospitality and great communication.

    Highly recommended****

    September 2022
    Helpful
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Chris! Your film was amazing and we cannot wait to see future projects.