Statements
Mission
The Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film. NashFilm discovers, elevates, and honors filmmakers, screenwriters and music makers from Tennessee and around the world while engaging, connecting and strengthening the Nashville community.
Background
The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally-recognized non-profit 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. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States.
The Nashville Film Festival is a celebration of the art of film and music that challenges and inspires. The Nashville Film Festival has a long history of showcasing the best of music based films with a highlighted segment of the competition devoted to films focused on music, musicians or the impact of music. Additionally, the Nashville Film Festival provides unique opportunities to connect the film and music communities by presenting showcases, workshops, and other networking events where songwriters and musicians come together with film professionals from around the world to advance successful collaboration.
As we approach the future we are strengthening the organization, revitalizing the brand, and generating new opportunities.
Impact
NashFilm serves our city. We provide a rich, diverse, and engaging arts experience that makes people feel proud to live here. People feel connected to each other, to the film industry, to issues and concerns presented in riveting documentaries, and to a larger world. They are uplifted through the art of film and music. NashFilm makes Nashville a better place to live. NashFilm serves at-risk youth through our 'Living Reel' program. It is a hands-on filmmaking experience that has helped hundreds of impoverished teens find their voice and direction. NashFilm serves Nashville's diverse community by giving a voice to their uniqueness and concerns. NashFilm has cultivated programs with the Black, Hispanic, LGBT, Asian, Jewish and senior communities. We screen films, host networking receptions, and provide an exciting venue for their community and beyond. NashFilm serves the greater Nashville arts community by providing an active marketplace. Finally, NashFilm serves Tennessee filmmakers and screenwriters with a way to establish their careers. Film festivals are vital for emerging filmmakers and NashFilm has become a festival of choice because of its reputation and reach.
Throughout the year, our new staff has worked hard to extend and cement the 90 business and organizational relationships the festival has in our community. In our 50+ years serving Nashville, NashFilm has become a cultural institution with an international reputation. Our film entries stream in from all over the world and far surpass other festivals of our size because of our reputation among filmmakers. Each year, for the past several years, we have increased attendance as our reputation grows regionally. This year we continued our partnership with Nashville Public Television for our office space; extended our reach to colleges and at-risk youth through two important programs and worked hard to have our festival fully represent the cultural diversity of Middle Tennessee.
With a strong commitment to independent and intelligent film, Nashville Film Festival gives its audiences a chance to see the work of amazing filmmaking talent and have an opportunity to ask questions in a Q & A session. With films crossing all genres from drama, comedy, animation, family, experimental, foreign, documentaries and short films, NashFilm may represent the only opportunity to see these films. The Film Festival has an outstanding board representing the music, film and business communities of Nashville.
Needs
In the last five years of its 50+ year history, the Nashville Film Festival has enjoyed tremendous growth. It is now recognized as one of the top film festivals in the world. This growth brings with it tremendous pressure for the small year-round staff and seasonal employees. NashFilm's primary need is to grow our membership and fundraising capacity. In addition, NashFilm needs to invest in the development of its current staff. and the expansion of our film education initiative, advancing film literacy with area public school students (grades 9-12) and broadening our offering of family-friendly free public screenings to bring the Nashville community together. As NashFilm develops in the near future, we envision a film, music and media festival and conference that helps cement the perception of Nashville as one of America's leading arts destinations.
CEO Statement
Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a year-round arts organization highlighting the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film. Every year since 1969, NashFilm has screened thousands of films to bring diverse audiences and cultures together. The Nashville Film Festival secures and shines the light on many diverse programs including at-risk youth, Latin, Black, LGBTQ, and veterans. Film is an incredible art form with the power to encompass all creative arts, combining innovation, music and unique stories in a way that not only entertains but also changes lives. Yearly submissions surpass 8,000 from over 125 countries, placing the Nashville Film Festival at the very top of over 4,000 film festivals in the world. This results in a high-quality lineup of films, setting the stage for the annual event drawing over 30,000+ attendees, 200 volunteers, 90+ community partners, a committed board, and more than 35 seasonal and full-time employees. NashFilm strives to create mutually beneficial partnerships and alliances with other organizations to further the benefits of arts education, creativity in the workplace, and the community as a whole. NashFilm has a strong and committed board made up of film professionals, music business executives and other local leaders. Recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, MovieMaker Magazine and the collective success of many NashFilm alumni have positioned the festival to become the global leader and creative epicenter of film and music in the U.S.
Board Chair Statement
Nashville Film Festival has set a new standard and with the energy and ideas of the board, are committed to raising the bar even higher for the coming year. The Nashville Film Festival is the longest-running festival in the Southeast. NashFilm has become an important cultural institution in our community, and it is a link between the film industry and the local music industry, drawing entertainment industry leaders from all over the world. NashFilm's At-Risk youth program impacts the under-served in the community. Nashville Film Festival has many goals in the coming years, but foremost among them is our commitment to always entertain, educate and enlighten our community through the art of film.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Film & Video |
| Secondary Category: | Public & Societal Benefit - Alliances & Advocacy |
| Tertiary Category: | Education - Adult Education |
Areas Served
NashFilm's audience is mainly drawn from Greater Nashville but extends to Middle Tennessee and all of the Mid-South. We have outreach programs that target Black, Latino, LGBT, Teens, seniors, Tennessee filmmakers, and Tennessee audiences. Our filmmakers and creatives represent more than 40 countries.
| TN - Cannon |
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Clay |
| TN - Coffee |
| TN - Cumberland |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - DeKalb |
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Fentress |
| TN - Franklin |
| TN - Giles |
| TN - Hickman |
| TN - Houston |
| TN - Humphreys |
| TN - Jackson |
| TN - Lawrence |
| TN - Lewis |
| TN - Lincoln |
| TN - Macon |
| TN - Marshall |
| TN - Maury |
| TN - Montgomery |
| TN - Moore |
| TN - Overton |
| TN - Perry |
| TN - Pickett |
| TN - Putnam |
| TN - Robertson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Smith |
| TN - Stewart |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Trousdale |
| TN - Van Buren |
| TN - Warren |
| TN - Wayne |
| TN - White |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Wilson |
