Note that sponsorship opportunities for Longleaf 2024 are closed.
Please keep us in mind for next year.
Join us in promoting the art and craft of filmmaking and the passion of film to fans in Raleigh, the Triangle, and beyond. With your help—as a contributor (or use the PayPal button in the sidebar), as a sponsor, or as an in-kind donor—we will keep Longleaf Film Festival free to attend.
Contact festival director sally.bloom@ncdcr.gov to discuss how you or your business can become a part of the Longleaf community.
Make your sponsorship pledge and contribute online!
Click here to download or print our current fund-raising brochure.
A free-to-attend festival that highlights the best of independent film in a place that strives to tell the stories that connect us all—this is Longleaf. Our weekend festival screens films that demonstrate a Tar Heel State connection, through the people involved in making them, their filming location, or their subject.
The North Carolina Museum of History serves as home base for Longleaf Film Festival. Movies have been made in the Tar Heel state for more than 100 years, and the museum speaks to that intersection of historic traditions that continue today, making connections. The film community in the state, as well as those who train and film here, continue to create stories that engage and expand our conversation.
We launch YEAR 10! of Longleaf with a continued commitment to sharing impactful stories, including those about race and community. We strongly believe that the art and craft of filmmaking help connect us and offer avenues for insight, as well as entertainment. We want to share your stories—all of your stories: animated, documentary and narrative films, music videos, spoken word productions, and web series. And again, we will recognize the best films made by historically underrepresented filmmakers with support from caring people.
The tenth annual Longleaf Film Festival will be held Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, 2024. With your help and support, we plan to help keep Longleaf THE capital city’s film festival. As a free-to-attend event, sponsorships help make Longleaf happen and can also work to make everyone feel welcome in this community—where we recognize that making films is making history.
A 2023 Recap
In 2023 Longleaf screened 69 films—more than two dozen premieres--and counted some 1,100 folks participating throughout the event. 22 Awards were given on Saturday evening, and the program was live-streamed (a first for LFF). Longleaf is known throughout the state and beyond, due to the committed community of film fans, filmmakers, and with support of our sponsors. We'll let the filmmakers speak:
- We really appreciate the work that you do to make Longleaf a success each year and for having a platform to showcase the talents of young filmmakers.
- Thank you so much! It was one of the best festivals we have been to. We plan on submitting films again in the future. Thanks again!
- I thought you all did a great Social campaign! You went above and beyond what most festivals do in making all the films and filmmakers feel that their work was being honored. Well done. I wish more festivals did the same thing.
- You all did such a fabulous job! Can't wait for next year!
- I wasn’t able to stay for the Awards ceremony, but I enjoyed it via the Vimeo stream. I found your opening remarks wonderful and heartfelt. This year, more than ever for me, the festival felt like a town square in the film community. I “ran into” so many good film folks I hadn’t seen in too long and had great conversations. I was happy just to be there, in addition to seeing a fascinating bunch of films and getting to share my film with an audience.
- We are honored! Thank you for having us. You all did an incredible job!
- Great Festival many wonderful films and filmmakers relaxed atmosphere and great workshops go if you can!
- Longleaf is a treasure. The best place to run into that filmmaker you met a couple months ago! And see her new film!
- I was watching the award ceremony, so it was very exciting that you had that streaming live. I almost felt like I was there. Thanks again for all your hard work! It looked like the festival was a great success. Hopefully we can attend in person one day.
- Longleaf is absolutely top-notch and it is a reflection of your love of and dedication to this festival.
- Congrats, as ever, on continuing to make these (and so many other films) available to the general public. I know it takes a lot of hard work and coordination. So respect to you and your team!
- Awesome festival! Longleaf really checks all the boxes when it comes to what makes a film festival great. The lineup of films was wonderful, and each block had a large audience who were really engaged. The opening night reception was a blast. You can tell they really put a lot of love into getting this festival together.
The weekend started with a musical opening film block, a fun reception, and a beautiful evening for Movies-N-Moonlight. Saturday started strong with an offsite workshop at NC’s first Virtual Production studio and continued with 10 more film blocks, two additional workshops, the Awards Program, and a crowded (and fun) Wrap Party. During the festival, more than 11,000 people were reached via the fest’s Facebook account and above 5,000 on Instagram. The fest website had more than 14,000 views. All accounts grew in followers.
We look forward to an amazing 10th anniversary year and hope you will be a part of it!