Experience FILM FEST KNOX - an international film festival presented by Visit Knoxville and Regal, November 9th through 12th at Regal Riviera on historic Gay Street in downtown Knoxville! Passes start at just $15
In its first year, FILM FEST KNOX is creating a space for cinema as an art form - showcasing a wide spectrum of films, while placing a special emphasis on American Regional Cinema. FILM FEST KNOX programming includes an exciting array of acclaimed festival highlights and revivals, an Elev8or Pitch for local film makers, Made in Tennessee films, panels, networking opportunities, and more. Winner of the 6-film American Regional Cinema Competition will receive an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run courtesy of Regal. FILM FEST KNOX is also proud to award a total of $18,000 in cash prizes to our talented award winners.

Schedule of the Event

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

ELEV8OR PITCH LIVE COMPETITION at 6:00 p.m.

The top 8 teams from the Elev8or Pitch Competition will have their 5-to-8-minute proof-of-concept short films screened, followed by their feature concept pitch and a QandA session with a panel of judges in front of a live audience.

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NOVEMBER 10, 2023

TIME OF THE HEATHEN - 5:15 p.m.

In the opening moments of Time of the Heathen, a wandering drifter named Gaunt happens upon the murder of a black woman, Marie. The murderer and his father spot the stranger and conspire to pin the crime on him, so Gaunt flees into the woods, taking with him the only other witness, Marie's deaf son.
Director and co-writer Peter Kass spent most of his career in theater, mentoring under the playwright and screenwriter Clifford Odets before becoming a renowned acting teacher. Time of the Heathen is Kass's only film, and it's not quite like anything you've seen before. What begins as a social drama and thriller evolves in the final act into a strange and poignant exploration of post-war trauma. Of special note is Kass's collaboration with cinematographer and experimental filmmaker Ed Emshwiller.
Time of the Heathen won the grand prize at the 1962 Bergamo International Film Festival but went mostly unseen until this year, after a recently discovered film print was restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive, among others, and premiered at Il Cinema Ritrovato in Italy. FILM FEST KNOX is proud to screen Time of the Heathen as part of its commitment to expanding the understanding of America’s rich history of regional filmmaking.

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PEAK SEASON - 5:30 p.m.

Dir. by Henry Loevner and Steven Kanter : A woman forges a friendship with a wilderness guide when she and her fiance take a holiday.

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HERE - 7:30 p.m.

A love story between a Romanian construction worker and a Belgian - Chinese doctorate student of moss.

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COUNTRY BRAWLERS - 7:45 p.m.

A look at professional boxers in Appalachia and coaches that give them a chance in an unforgiving region.

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KICK ME - 9:45 p.m.

Dir. by Gary Huggins A nightmare comedy about a school counselor whose compassion, generosity and dedication destroy the lives of.

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NOVEMBER 11, 2023

ART OF THE PITCH - 11:30 a.m. at Hyatt Place

Pres. by Seed and Spark : Founder and CEO of Seed and Spark, Emily Best, will show you how to make an effective pitch deck.

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TWO FACES OF A BAMILEKE WOMAN - 12:00 p.m.

Dir. by Rosine Mbakam : In 2014, Rosine Mbakam returned home to Cameroon for the first time in seven years, bringing with her her.

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AN EVENING SONG (FOR THREE VOICES) - 12:30 p.m.

Dir. by Graham Swon : A writer moves to the Midwest with her novelist husband and they soon find themselves caught in a love triangle.

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MADE IN TENNESSEE SHORTS - 1:45 p.m.

Shorts Program : A showcase of work by filmmakers from throughout the Volunteer state.

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MOUNTAINS - 3:15 p.m.

Dir. by Monica Sorelle : A Haitian demolition worker is tasked with dismantling his rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.

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ELEV8OR PITCH SCREENING 1 - 4:00 p.m.

Shorts Program : This event will offer networking opportunities for Knoxville area filmmakers to connect with their counterparts beyond.

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ANSELM - 5:30 p.m.

Dir. by Wim Wenders : A 3D portrait of artist Anselm Kiefer. Screening with Laberint Sequences by Blake Williams.

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ELEV8OR PITCH SCREENING 2 - 6:00 p.m.

Shorts Program : This event will offer networking opportunities for Knoxville area filmmakers to connect with their counterparts beyond.

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A HARD PROBLEM - 8:00 p.m.

Dir. by hazart : After the death of his mother, Ian begins cleaning out the family home while his estranged sister Lisa makes funeral.

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SOMEWHERE QUIET - 8:30 p.m.

Dir. by Olivia West Lloyd : Meg is trying to readjust to normalcy after surviving a traumatic kidnapping, but her sense of reality soon.

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NOVEMBER 12, 2023

NEW YORK STORIES: JIM JENNINGS - 11:15 a.m.

Dir. by Jim Jennings : An 8-film program of shorts spanning four decades of Jennings's career.

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I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE - 11:30 a.m.

Dir. by Pat Hartley and Dick Fontaine : In 1980 James Baldwin revisits locations of violent struggle during the Civil Rights movement.

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MUSIC - 1:00 p.m.

Dir. by Angela Schanelec : A uniquely personal and elliptical updating of Sophocles's Oedipus Rex.

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FILMING IN TENNESSEE - 1:30 p.m. at  Hyatt Place

Pres. by Tennessee Entertainment Commission : Join Executive Director, Bob Raines, and Visit Knoxville Film Office Director, Curt.

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LOUSY CARTER - 1:30 p.m.

Dir. by Bob Byington : After receiving a grim diagnosis, middle-aged literature professor Lousy Carter reevaluates the relationships in.

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MAMBAR PIERRETTE - 3:20 p.m.

Dir. by Rosine Mbakam : Pierrette carries on as best as she can, laughing and commiserating with her neighbors.

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ONE MORE WEEK - 3:45 p.m.

Dir. by Samuel Wayne Scott : The seniors of West High attempt to win a state championship as they come to terms with the end of high.

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ABOUT THIRTY - 5:20 p.m.

Dir. by Martín Shanly : Arturo's penchant for indiscretions is impossible to overlook.

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AWARDS CEREMONY - 6:00 p.m.

Free Event : Join us as we announce the winners of our various categories.

FALLEN LEAVES - 7:30 p.m.

Dir. by Aki Kaurismäki : Screening with Pedro Costa's The Daughters of Fire.

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Date: November 9 - 12, 2023

Time:

November 9, 2023 at 6:00pm

November 10, 2023 at 5:15pm

November 11, 2023 at 11:30am

November 12, 2023 at 11:15pm

Location:

Regal Riviera - 510 South Gay Street Knoxville, TN 37902

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