About – FILM FEST KNOX | November 14-17, 2024 Skip to content
Presented by Visit Knoxville and Regal

Showcasing and advocating for personal, ambitious regional cinema.

About

In December 2022, Visit Knoxville announced its partnership with The Public Cinema to host a new film event, following the dissolution of the Knoxville Film Festival. The partnership soon expanded to include Regal, and FILM FEST KNOX was born.

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.

Founders

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!”

Latest News

FILM FEST KNOX Award Winner to Have Theatrical Release

June 3, 2024

Winner of the 2023 Jury Prize in our Regional Competition, Mountains will be distributed by Music Box Films

FILM FEST KNOX Premiere To Open at Lincoln Center

March 12, 2024

Restored Time of the Heathen, which had US premiere at FFK, will have a New York release in May.

Sheldon Wins Top Cinematography Prize for King Coal

March 3, 2024

Knoxville-based filmmaker takes top honor from American Society of Cinematographers.

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