Columbia Film Festival
South Carolina's most important film festival, held annually in May in Columbia, with Academy Award-qualifying short film competitions and a focus on emerging independent filmmakers in the American Southeast.
Overview
The Columbia Film Festival is South Carolina's most important film festival. Founded in 2014 and held annually in May in Columbia, the state capital, the festival is Academy Award-qualifying in its short film categories and serves as the primary international film platform in South Carolina.
Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina and several other higher education institutions, providing a university audience that gives the festival an engaged, intellectually curious foundation. The festival has worked to build relationships with South Carolina's emerging film production community.
Key Sections
- Feature Film Competition -- narrative and documentary features
- Short Film Competition -- Academy Award-qualifying programs
- South Carolina Spotlight -- films by South Carolina filmmakers
- Documentary Competition -- nonfiction features
- Student Film Competition -- films by university students
What Filmmakers Should Know
Columbia accepts open submissions. The Academy Award-qualifying short film competition is the most strategically important element for short filmmakers. For South Carolina filmmakers, the festival provides the most important domestic platform.
Major Awards
- Best Feature -- jury prize
- Best Short Film -- Academy Award-qualifying
- Best South Carolina Film
- Audience Award
Festival History
The Columbia Film Festival was founded in 2014 and has quickly established itself as South Carolina's premier film event.
See Also
For Southeast US film culture, see Independent Filmmaking Strategies. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.
