In accordance with Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 117, and to help limit the spread of COVID-19, the North Carolina Museum of History suspended public operations beginning March 17; all events and programs were subsequently cancelled, through May 31, 2020—and that includes this year’s Longleaf Film Festival.
We are disappointed. saddened. frustrated. Yet resigned, to doing what’s best for our community of filmmakers and film fans. But, while the event is cancelled, the Community continues. And, as with all creatives, we thrill at seeing YOUR enthralling films on the big screen, bloom with IN-PERSON connections, and anticipate the joy that BEING TOGETHER brings. Already days into this crisis, we recognize the many ways we continue to connect and create. We want to help recognize your efforts, so continue to share with us how you are and what you’re making, as well as your plans for the future.
Our plans for the future include:
- We WILL be announcing Longleaf 2020 Official Selections, as scheduled, on April 9, 2020, in a live-stream program at 4 p.m.
- We WILL be presenting awards and prizes in another live-stream program on April 24, 2020, in a live-stream program at 4 p.m.
- And we ARE planning a fall program to screen a selection of films from Longleaf 2020. This event will be free to attend, of course, with popcorn, plus . . . we’ll see what else we can pull out of the hat. or megaphone. or, insert your film metaphor here.
Meanwhile, we want to share our profound gratitude to
- All filmmakers, who create new worlds, new insights, and new expressions of what it means to be human;
- All film fans, for going on adventures with these filmmakers;
- Our sponsors: @ComeHearNC; CBS17 News; North Carolina Museum of History Associates; WUNC, North Carolina Public Radio; Trailblazer Studios; Lynx Licensing; Charles Ullman Attorneys; Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern; and the new downtown Longleaf Hotel—for believing in our mission to bring the best of North Carolina–connected films to folks;
- Our would-have-been panelists: Skip Elsheimer, Marsha Gordon, Alex Harris, Bill Owens, and Thomas Varnum, for their expertise and passion;
- Our judges: Jill Boniske, Kelly Creedon, Alisa Johnson, Craig Lindsey, John Rice, Frank Thompson, and Lawrence Toppman, for their meaningful and thoughtful insights; and
- Our home base, the North Carolina Museum of History, for recognizing that making films is making history.
Film, fun, and community! Stay “in touch.” We’ll see you at the movies.
—Sally Bloom and Jerry Taylor
updated Apr 9, 2020
Longleaf 2020
It’s a virtual event, from the North Carolina Museum of History:
Official Selections announcement via live-stream: April 9, 2020, 4 p.m.
Awards Program via live-stream: April 24, 2020, 4 p.m.
Film, Fun, and Community.