Knoxville Film Festival

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Arts & CultureKnoxville
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsWhat is now called the Knoxville Film
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Knoxville Film Festival in Knoxville

Knoxville's flagship film festival is FILM FEST KNOX, launched in 2023 and held every November in downtown Knoxville at the Regal Riviera theater. Presented by Visit Knoxville and The Public Cinema, it showcases independent, regional, and international cinema over three to four days, including juried competitions, filmmaker panels, and an industry pitch event, and traces its roots to an earlier festival founded in 2013.

Knoxville's film festival tradition did not begin in a single moment but evolved through several distinct chapters.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What is now called the Knoxville Film Festival has an unusual lineage: it began as the Secret City Film Festival before partnering with Dogwood Arts in 2013 to become the Knoxville Film Festival, screening at the arthouse Regal Downtown West Cinema 8 and drawing more than 2,800 attendees and 77 independent films by 2014

02

The mystery stays covered

After that earlier festival wound down, a new group of Knoxville film professionals, including Public Cinema co-founders Darren Hughes and Paul Harrill, relaunched the concept in 2023 as FILM FEST KNOX, now the city's premier film event

03

The city starts moving

It centers an American Regional Cinema Competition spotlighting films with a strong sense of place, alongside an Elev8or Pitch lab for filmmakers and a Revival strand that programs restored classics on the big screen

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival closes each year with an awards ceremony that recognizes the top film in its American Regional Cinema Competition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a juried award built specifically around films with a strong regional identity rather than broad commercial appeal

The sacred route

Living ritual

distinguishing it from most film festival prizes

The local code

Living ritual

The Elev8or Pitch is a recurring tradition pairing early-career filmmakers with industry mentors in a public pitch session

Tradition 5

Living ritual

giving the festival an incubator role beyond simple screenings

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Post-screening Q&A sessions with directors and casts are a near-universal feature of each program block

Tradition 7

Living ritual

reflecting the festival's emphasis on direct conversation between filmmakers and audiences over red-carpet spectacle

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Knoxville Film Festival, plan transport around the exact Knoxville venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Smart-casual is typical: most attendees dress the way they would for an evening at the movies, in comfortable clothes suitable for sitting indoors, though some opening-night and awards...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Knoxville Film Festival, stay near the part of Knoxville you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map35.96 N, 83.92 WOpen in Google Maps

Knoxville, TN

Nearest airportTYS — McGhee Tyson
TransportFor Knoxville Film Festival, plan transport around the exact Knoxville venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Knoxville Film Festival, stay near the part of Knoxville you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Knoxville via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Knoxville, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearSmart-casual is typical: most attendees dress the way they would for an evening at the movies, in comfortable clothes suitable for sitting indoors, though some opening-night and awards events skew slightly dressier. Because screenings run November evenings in East Tennessee, a jacket or sweater is worth having for the walk between downtown venues even if the theater itself is climate-controlled.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Knoxville Film Festival?

Knoxville Film Festival is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Knoxville Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Knoxville, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Knoxville, TN

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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