“Gearing up” for Longleaf 2023—thank you, Museum Shop!

Museum of History founder Fred Olds sports this year’s official Longleaf T.

Longleaf Film Festival officially kicked off with an afternoon film block in Daniels Auditorium at the Museum of History.

Jimmy Washington (left), subject of the documentary Down the Line by filmmaker Grace Battle Thompson (center), chat with festival organizer Sally Bloom (right).

Filmmakers record memories outside Daniels Auditorium.

Longleaf’s popular foley interactive, from the museum exhibit Starring North Carolina!, makes its annual appearance at Longleaf.

(We told you it was popular!)

Annabel Bloom and Official Selection filmmaker Grace Battle Thompson (Down the Line) in the spotlight..

Festival director Sally Bloom and Longleaf’s award-winning filmmaker and workshop leader Angie Staheli enjoy a moment.

Marilyn and Charlie wait patiently for Friday evening’s annual Reception for Filmmakers and Friends to begin.

Table-top decorations help set the reception mood . . .

 . . . while Leah Wagner, provided musical entertainment after the opening film block.

Festival organizer Sally Bloom made opening remarks that traced Longleaf’s history, from an award-winning exhibit to a nine-year celebration.

Friday evening’s opening reception has become a great time to meet film friends, new and old.

Not necessarily a highlight, but the reception buffet was certainly enjoyed!

Longleaf is ever grateful for sponsors like our friends from Carlyle Adams Foundation.

Festival organizer Sally Bloom (left) poses with Isabella Haddon and Jordan Zamojcin, filmmakers for Sundown.

The evening was slowly revving up during this part of the reception.

Movies-N-Moonlight, Longleaf’s outdoor film block, followed Friday’s Reception for Filmmakers and Friends.

This year’s weather was perhaps the best ever for a relaxing film block under the stars.

Yep; that’s right: Bicentennial Plaza was the place to be.

The popcorn was popping . . .

 . . . and our shirts were ready for purchase—

it was Saturday, day 2 of the weekend, and Team Longleaf was ready to roll.

Longleaf’s first-ever off-site workshop was a definite hit: Introduction to Virtual Production.

Introduction to Virtual Production spotlighted Creative Visions, North Carolina’s first Unreal Engine–driven stage for video production.

This off-site workshop was cosponsored and presented by Creative Visions and The 541 Co.

Film blocks and Q&A/conversation sessions with filmmakers continued in three screening rooms all day.

In fact, these talk-back sessions with filmmakers in each film block are invaluable resources for other filmmakers and all film fans.

Two additional, on-site, workshops included this one, Directing for the Actor/Acting for the Director.

Directing for the Actor/Acting for the Director featured Estes Tarver (left) and Meredith Snow (right).

The interactive workshop encouraged actors and filmmakers to swap roles.

Filmmakers exchange thoughts during the workshop Directing for the Actor/Acting for the Director.

The other on-site workshop was Legal Insights for Filmmakers, led by entertainment and arts attorney Shelia Huggins.

During this session, Huggins examined four of the top legal issues facing filmmakers this year.

In addition to films and workshops, festival attendees had the opportunity to vote for their favorite film poster . . .

 . . . Votes were quickly tabulated before our Awards Ceremony, and the most popular poster was recognized with an award tile.

Our Longleaf Award Ceremony was simultaneously live-streamed for the first time this year!

Longleaf Film Festival began to wind down on Saturday with its annual Awards Ceremony, at which these North Carolina–made tiles were presented to winning film teams.

This year’s award tiles were made by clay artist Laura Gullie.

Awards were introduced and presented by Steven P. Neilson, who is cofounder, co-owner, and producer at Dagtype Films.

Aiden Winter-Deely accepts the award for Animated Film, Best Overall: Sonata.

Angie Sue Staheli won in the category for Music Video, Best Overall: “Ain’t Nobody Sees Them” from Finding Patience, the Musical.

Robert Kinlaw received an award tile for his History⁺ Film, Best Documentary: My Name Is Merle.

Addie Navarro earned a tile for her Documentary Feature, Best Overall: Down River Jordan.

Elijah Yetter-Bowman and Sammy Bauer accept their award for Documentary Short, Best Overall: Angel of Alabama.

John Reardon was recognized for his Narrative Feature, Best Comedy: Escape! from Long Island.

Jordan Zamojcin and Isabella Haddon won for their entry in the category for Middle and High School Student Film, Best Narrative: Sundown.

As voted by festival attendees, the best poster tile went to the narrative short Road Rage.

Kevin Murray received a tile for Narrative Short, Best Comedy: A Twistful of Dollars.

Wes Andre Goodrich and his team accept recognition for their Narrative Short, Best Drama: Palm Sunday.

Kieran Moreira won a tile for his entry in the category for Narrative Short, Best Sci-Fi: Lungs.

David Baeumler accepts his award for Spoken Word Production, Best Overall: 60 Second Thoughts: Volume Two.

Jim Boemio and Sarah Deitrich pose with their tile for Web Series, Best Web Pilot: Masterpiece, Episode 1: “Overture.”

Rob Underhill and Hugh Oyake Murchison were recognized with this year’s African American Cultural Celebration Prize for The Line Jumper.

Gianna Ragogna accepted this year’s Latin American Communities Prize for Dear Mom.

Kelly Creedon accepted the 2023 Judges’ Choice/Documentary Film award for Jimmy in Saigon.

Jessie Broome and Stuart Howes received the 2023 Judges’ Choice/Narrative Film award for Tableau.

A Longleaf tradition: signatures of filmmakers on this year’s festival poster. Thank you, all!

Another tradition: this year’s, 2023, filmmakers. Film, Fun, and Community: That’s Longleaf!

And, proof that we really do work on Longleaf Film Festival all year: 2024 graphics! Plan to be here . . .

If you didn’t get your 2023 T-shirt (or you need another), contact the Museum Shop during museum hours at 919-807-7835.

Sorry, though: You’ll have to wait for next year (or our next special event) to enjoy some of this famous #free popcorn!