NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm), a week-long celebration of film, music and culture, today announced the Tennessee program of films selected for its 55th annual event, taking place from September 19–25, 2024 at venues throughout the city. The program includes a robust slate of feature-length and short films with ties to Tennessee. With a total of 30 films, Tennessee is well-represented in this year’s selection of more than 150 films within the full program.
Special highlights of the feature films in this year’s Tennessee program include: “SESSION, IF A HOUSE BE DIVIDED,” directed by Andrew Baxt and featuring a window into the Tennessee House of Representatives and the decision-making that takes place over important issues such as gun rights and abortion; “BEAT DOWN,” the only narrative feature film of the Tennessee program and directed by Curren Sheldon, the previous winner of the Tennessee program feature in 2023; and “THE TENNESSEE 11,” directed by Rod Blackhurst and focused on a group of 11 Tennessee leaders and politicians discussing legislative solutions to address gun violence and safety.
Additionally, highlights of the short film portion of the program include: “FIRST NIGHT,” directed by Haneol Lee and based on a true story where a newly immigrated Korean father attempts to order food for his family at a deli with only the help of a dictionary; “LEMON-AID,” directed by Summer McMurtry and featuring a seemingly innocent lemonade stand that throws a neighborhood into turmoil; and “SECRET CITY,” directed by Edy Miguel Recendez, the film is set in 1943 in the secret city of Oak Ridge as a young woman faces moral dilemmas after unknowingly helping to create a world-changing weapon.
This year’s full list of Tennessee feature films are:
- BEAT DOWN | Directed by Curren Sheldon
- CLONE COPS | Directed by Danny Dones
- THE DAY THE MUSIC STOPPED | Directed by Patrick Sheehan
- LET THEM BE NAKED | Directed by Jeff Garner
- A MAN CALLED HURT: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MISSISSIPPI | Directed by Alex Oliver and Jamison Stalsworth
- SESSION, IF A HOUSE BE DIVIDED | Directed by Andrew Baxt
- THE TENNESSEE 11 | Directed by Rod Blackhurst
This year’s full list of Tennessee short films are:
- BAD OMEN | Directed by Connor Thomas
- BENEATH THE VEIL | Directed by Mila Vilaplana
- THE BUOYANCY OF APPLES | Directed by Tori Mills
- CONSUMER | Directed by Matthew Fisher
- DUST TO LIGHT | Directed by Jenna Dorian
- FIRST NIGHT | Directed by Haneol Lee
- FIVE PM | Directed by Kate Alden
- FLIPPED TURNED UPSIDE DOWN | Directed by Oudi
- INNER DEMONS | Directed by Corbin Eaton and Michael Bentley
- JACK | Directed by Jay Curtis Miller
- LEMON-AID | Directed by Sumner McMurtry
- LOVELINESS MADE DAMNED | Directed by David Graham
- LOVESEAT | Directed by Dycee Wildman and Jennifer Bonior
- ONE LAST TOUCH | Directed by Tommy Douglas, Jr.
- PANACEA | Directed by Michael Naizu and John Wilcox
- PEARL DIVER | Directed by Melissa Tokic
- R.E.G.G.I.N. | Directed by A.D. Smith
- THE RUNNER | Directed by MK Kopp
- SACRED SHEETS | Directed by Maria Molteni and Allison Halter
- SECRET CITY | Directed by Edy Miguel Recendez
- SOLO OTRA DIA | Directed by Matt Webb
- TSKACKAPHIS | Directed by Motke Dapp
- WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU | Directed by Nathan Fleetwood
- WHERE THE BULLETS GO | Directed by Cody Duncan
“Our Tennessee programs are a key aspect in our annual festival, and this year's selection not only highlights the remarkable talent within our state but underscores the importance of the stories filmmakers bring to life,” said Director of Programming Lauren Thelen. “We are thrilled to feature these films in our programming, as they showcase powerful and compelling narratives that resonate deeply with our community and have the potential to make a significant impact far beyond our region.”
Each of the Tennessee program films announced today will be screened in person at one of the festival’s select venues, previously announced as the historic Belcourt Theatre, Franklin Theatre and Regal Green Hills. The full slate of films and programs selected for the 55th Nashville Film Festival will be announced in August. Previous film announcements include double feature opening night presentations of “REBEL COUNTRY” and “DEVO”, the closing night presentation of “THIS IS A FILM ABOUT THE BLACK KEYS” as well as six feature films screening this year: “ANY OTHER WAY: THE JACKIE SHANE STORY”; “BOB TREVINO LIKES IT”; “BOYS GO TO JUPITER”; “DIANE WARREN: RELENTLESS”; “THE FRENCH ITALIAN”; and “LINDA PERRY: LET IT DIE HERE.”
VIP Badges are on sale now for the 2024 Nashville Film Festival. For more information and to purchase passes, visit www.nashvillefilmfestival.org. Tickets for individual films and events will go on sale in August.
About the Nashville Film Festival
The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally recognized nonprofit organization and cultural event presenting the best in world cinema, American independent films and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers. With Academy Award® qualifying status, the Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States and will host its 55th festival from September 19-25, 2024. For a glimpse of what to expect at this year’s event, view this video to see highlights from the 2023 festival. For more information, visit nashfilm.org.
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