We hope you are able to join us in person for some films and a workshop or two,
the in-person awards program, and our Wrap Party—but
if you can’t attend, be sure to watch us live!
Awards Ceremony
Saturday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.
Daniels Auditorium
Limited Seating; Maximum Occupancy: 300 seats
The ceremony is free and open to the public; no tickets or registration required—just stick around after the final film block or come early for the Wrap Party (details below). For information, call 919-814-7028. Help pack Daniels Auditorium as we recognize Longleaf winners with cash prizes and our annual North Carolina–designed and handcrafted award tiles in multiple categories. Applaud at will.
Welcome and Introduction
Sally Bloom, Longleaf Film Festival Director
Remarks and Awards
David Menconi, Arts Journalist and Author
Our emcee for Longleaf’s year TEN! Awards Ceremony is David Menconi. Menconi is well known in the North Carolina arts scene, with ties to music, literature, and film.
A journalist and author of about a bagillion (a technical term) articles for magazines and daily newspapers, Menconi has also written several books, including Oh, Didn’t They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music (University of North Carolina Press, 2023) and Step It Up and Go: The Story of North Carolina Popular Music, from Blind Boy Fuller and Doc Watson to Nina Simone and Superchunk (University of North Carolina Press, 2020)—which earned the 2020 North Caroliniana Society Book Award.
Longleaf is excited to host North Carolina’s 2019 Piedmont Laureate as part of our tenth anniversary celebration.
Awards Presentations
Prizes may be awarded in the following categories (prizes may not be awarded in every category and may not be presented in the order listed below):
- Animated Film
One prize may be awarded in the following subcategory:- Best Overall
- Documentary Feature
One prize may be awarded in the following subcategory:- Best Overall
- All documentary festival submissions are also eligible for a $750 Judges’ Choice/Documentary Film award.
- Documentary Short
One prize may be awarded in the following subcategory:- Best Overall
- All documentary festival submissions are also eligible for a $750 Judges’ Choice/Documentary Film award.
- History+ Film
Entries must reflect or depict a topic in history from a unique perspective or insight and must be accurately interpreted or portrayed. One prize may be awarded for each of the following subcategories:- Best Narrative
- Best Documentary
- Middle and High School Student Film
Films must have been primarily written, filmed, and produced by students currently enrolled in middle and/or high school or students who graduated from high school at the end of the past academic year. One prize may be awarded for each of the following subcategories:- Best Narrative
- Best Documentary
- All films entered in the Middle and High School Student Film category are also eligible for a $300 Best Student Film award.
- Music Video
One prize may be awarded in the following subcategory:- Best Overall
- Spoken Word Production
One prize may be awarded in the following subcategory:- Best Overall
- Web Series
One prize may be awarded in the following subcategory:- Best Web Series
- Best Web Pilot
- Celebration and Community Productions
Since 2022, we’ve been excited to announce three awards that support the creative works of filmmakers from historically underrepresented communities; one $500 prize may be awarded to the best production in each category:- African American Cultural Celebration Prize
- American Indian Heritage Celebration Prize
- Latin American Communities Prize
- Movie Poster
One prize may be awarded based on popular vote from festival attendees!- Best Overall
- Narrative Feature
One prize may be awarded for each of the following subcategories:- Best Horror–Sci-Fi
- Best Comedy
- Best Drama
- All narrative festival submissions are also eligible for a $750 Judges’ Choice/Narrative Film award.
- Narrative Short
One prize may be awarded for each of the following subcategories:- Best Horror–Sci-Fi
- Best Fantasy
- Best Comedy
- Best Drama
- All narrative festival submissions are also eligible for a $750 Judges’ Choice/Narrative Film award.
And, that’s a wrap for Longleaf 2024!
NOW, let’s regroup down the road for our annual Wrap Party:
Longleaf Film Festival Wrap Party
After the awards ceremony, meet us a few blocks south at the Big Easy (222 Fayetteville Street; upstairs and back to the Voodoo Room event space) for our annual Wrap Party for all friends, family members, and other supporters of filmmakers and Longleaf. Longleaf will provide some munchies; you buy your favorite beverage. Donations are encouraged as expressions of your appreciation. All contributions at the annual Wrap Party help offset expenses for this year’s festival and help us get ready to make next year’s event even better.
Our Wrap Party is free to attend and open to anyone who attended Longleaf on Friday or Saturday, but occupancy is limited. For information, call 919-814-7028.
Click here for a map, directions, and walking or parking information. Maps and directions are also available before you leave the festival.
Donations are appreciated and will support Longleaf 2025!
Thank you for your support!