Showcasing and advocating for personal, ambitious regional cinema.
About
Launched in 2023, FILM FEST KNOX is an annual event held every fall in downtown Knoxville, with screenings hosted at the Regal Riviera. In addition to three full days of film programming, FILM FEST KNOX features regional and local filmmaking competitions, workshops, and social events.
Kim Bumpas
President, Visit Knoxville
Paul Harrill
Elev8or Development Lab Director and Co-Founder, The Public Cinema
Darren Hughes
Artistic Director of FILM FEST KNOX & Co-Founder, The Public Cinema
Curt Willis
Director, Visit Knoxville Film Office
Film/Knox
The Visit Knoxville Film Office serves to strengthen Knoxville’s economy through the promotion of the city as a premiere filming location. By attracting motion media companies to Knoxville through the marketing of its locations, accommodations, services, crew, and talent, the Film Office fosters the creation of jobs in the area, stimulates business opportunities, and generates exposure. Knoxville has four times been named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker.
The Public Cinema
The Public Cinema was created to share vital works of contemporary international and American cinema—works that might otherwise be unseen or overlooked by Knoxville audiences. Most of the films screened are discoveries from the festival circuit; many are Tennessee or regional premieres. Whatever is screened, the only agenda is to create a space for cinema as an art form and to promote discussion among discerning moviegoers.
Regal
Regal, a subsidiary of the Cineworld Group, operates one of the largest and most geographically diverse theatre circuits in the United States, consisting of 5,818 screens in 429 theatres in 41 states along with the District of Columbia and Guam as of July 31, 2023. We believe that the size, reach and quality of the company’s theatre circuit provides its patrons with a convenient and enjoyable moviegoing experience. We are committed to being “The Best Place to Watch a Movie!”
Watering the Grass Roots: Film Fest Knox
December 2, 2024
Democratic vistas: a new Knoxville, Tennessee-based festival champions regional American cinema
Film Fest Knox Enjoys Successful Second Year
November 22, 2024
By Sunday night, everyone in attendance was clamoring for year three.
Going Up! Film Fest Knox’s Elev8or Pitch
November 18, 2024
A few months before Film Fest Knox opened for business, 21 filmmakers submitted a five-to-eight-minute movie to a prestigious four-judge jury.