Nashville Film Festival

View on map
Arts & CultureNashville
Dates24–30 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration7 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsFounded in 1969 by Mary Jane Coleman as the
Language["en"]Currency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Nashville Film Festival in Nashville

The Nashville Film Festival, known as NashFilm, is the longest-running film festival in the American South, tracing back to the 1969 Sinking Creek Film Celebration in East Tennessee before relocating to Nashville and settling into its current name, and now runs seven days each September with Academy Award-qualifying categories.

The Nashville Film Festival's history stretches back further than almost any other regional American film festival still operating today.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Founded in 1969 by Mary Jane Coleman as the Sinking Creek Film Celebration, the festival predates most American regional film festivals by decades, giving it a claim to being both the longest-running festival in the South and among the oldest in the country

02

The mystery stays covered

Its narrative, documentary, and animated short categories carry Academy Award qualifying status, meaning a win at NashFilm can put a filmmaker on the path to Oscar eligibility, a distinction most regional festivals of its size do not hold, and its deep integration with Nashville's identity as Music City gives it dedicated music documentary and music video competition categories rarely found elsewhere

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Academy Award-qualifying status for its narrative

Water and renewal

Living ritual

documentary

The sacred route

Living ritual

and animated short competitions has remained a defining institutional feature

The local code

Living ritual

and the festival's roots in East Tennessee's 1969 Sinking Creek Film Celebration continue to be cited as part of its identity even decades after its move to Nashville and subsequent renaming

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

24–30 September 2026

Getting around

Plan the trip into Nashville around the exact event area, then leave extra time for the return.

What to wear

Casual to smart-casual attire suited to indoor theater screenings and industry networking events; no strict dress code beyond standard festival-going comfort.

Safety

Nashville Film Festival is easier with a small bag, charged phone and group plan that survives poor signal.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Nashville.

Tickets/cost

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

Language/currency

["en"] · USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map36.17 N, 86.78 WOpen in Google Maps

Nashville, TN

Nearest airportBNA — Nashville
TransportPlan the trip into Nashville around the exact event area, then leave extra time for the return.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Nashville.

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 Nashville via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Nashville, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual to smart-casual attire suited to indoor theater screenings and industry networking events; no strict dress code beyond standard festival-going comfort.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

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Nashville Film Festival?

Nashville Film Festival is listed for 24–30 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Nashville Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Nashville, 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?

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

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Nashville, 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 URLnashvillefilmfestival.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates24–30 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Buenos Aires International Book Fair

Past edition: 23 April–11 May 2026

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photo pending

Cairo International Book Fair

Past edition: 21 January–3 February 2026

Cairo, Egypt
Photo pending

Pageant of the Masters

Not represented as one continuous festival occurrence

Laguna Beach, United States
Photo pending

Annecy International Animation Film Festival

Past edition: 8–14 June 2025

Annecy, France

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →