Born from a love of film, creativity, and community, HCFF is an annual celebration of storytelling in all its forms. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, the festival brings together filmmakers, media artists, and audiences from around the world for a unique in-person experience where stories inspire, connect, and ignite conversation.

Surrounded by nature and supported by a dedicated volunteer community, HCFF offers a welcoming, reflective environment that values shared experience over scale. The festival is intentionally intimate, creating space for meaningful conversations between artists and audiences in a setting designed for focus, comfort, and connection.

HCFF uplifts emerging voices, fosters artistic exchange, and honors film’s power to reveal the extraordinary in everyday life. We aim to promote film and the work of filmmakers, actors, directors, producers, and writers in a supportive, community-centered setting.

The festival takes place at the Highlands Performing Arts Center, which features top-of-the-line projection, state-of-the-art presentation capabilities, and an experienced technical team. Highlands and Cashiers are vibrant mountain communities that draw audiences from Atlanta, Charleston, Nashville, Greenville, and throughout Florida, offering an engaged and culturally curious audience base.

We value our small community and welcome artists into a nurturing environment where they can interact with peers without fear of interruption or harassment. All proceeds from HCFF support the PAC Educational Theatre programs at the Highlands Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

If your work values storytelling, community, and shared experience, we invite you to submit.