Kentucky Film Festival
Kentucky's most important film festival, held annually in Louisville, presenting independent American and international cinema to the Bluegrass State's largest and most culturally diverse city.
Overview
The Kentucky Film Festival is Kentucky's most important film festival. Founded in 2002 and held annually in Louisville, the festival presents independent American and international cinema to the Bluegrass State's largest and most culturally diverse city.
Louisville's identity -- as a Southern city with Midwestern sensibilities, the home of the Kentucky Derby, bourbon distilling, Louisville Slugger baseball bats, and Muhammad Ali -- gives it a distinctive cultural character that is reflected in the festival's programming priorities. The city's history as a border city during the Civil War era and its complex race relations create context for films addressing American social history.
Louisville has developed a growing creative economy, and the Kentucky Film Festival serves as a platform for the state's filmmaking community alongside its international programming.
Key Sections
- Feature Film Program -- independent American and international features
- Kentucky Film Showcase -- films by Kentucky filmmakers
- Documentary Program -- nonfiction features
- Short Film Competition -- competitive short programs
- Southern Stories -- films addressing Southern American culture
What Filmmakers Should Know
The festival accepts open submissions. For Kentucky filmmakers, this is the most important state platform. For films addressing Southern and border-state American culture, Louisville provides a historically resonant audience.
Major Awards
- Best Film -- jury prize
- Best Kentucky Film
- Audience Award
Festival History
Kentucky Film Festival was founded in 2002 and has operated as the state's primary film cultural event.
See Also
For Southern festivals, see Film Festival Strategy. For independent filmmaking, see Independent Filmmaking Strategies.
