The Wake Forest Film Festival returns March 6 and 7 at the Renaissance Centre, bringing two days of global storytelling and creative connection to our community. We recently spoke with Artistic Director Isaac Duque and Renaissance Centre Director Amy Pridgen about how the festival has grown and what audiences can expect this year.
Over the past seven years, the festival has evolved in meaningful ways. Duque and Pridgen noted exponential growth in both the quality and quantity of film submissions, along with a larger audience and more filmmakers traveling to attend from both across the state and beyond.
This year, 130 films were submitted from across the country and around the world, representing 14 countries. Of those, 21 were selected for screening. A special highlight of the weekend will be the Friday screening of Humble in The Jungle, a documentary directed by Rick Kelly that explores the life of legendary rapper Mike G of the Jungle Brothers. The screening will be followed by a live podcast featuring the filmmakers.
While the festival does not select a theme in advance, certain threads naturally emerge. This year, audiences may notice themes of growth reflected across several films.
One of the qualities that makes the Wake Forest Film Festival stand out is its accessibility. Many attendees are experiencing their first film festival, and organizers see that as a strength. The goal is simple: create a welcoming, creative environment that educates, entertains, and invites participation at every level.
First-time attendees are encouraged to make the experience their own. Stop by for a single screening, grab popcorn and a drink, and enjoy or settle in for a full day of films and networking opportunities with filmmakers and artists. The level of immersion is entirely up to each attendee.
Beyond the screen, the festival contributes to Wake Forest’s growing reputation as a hub for creativity and innovation, while also bringing visitors into town to support local businesses.
Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business and Industry Partnership (WFBIP), sees the impact clearly. “Events like the Wake Forest Film Festival are important to our economic development efforts,” Cannon said. “They attract visitors, showcase our community’s creativity, and support the local businesses that help make Wake Forest such a vibrant place to live and work.”
The event is made possible by the Town of Wake Forest and the Renaissance Centre’s Partnership Circle, a group of businesses and individuals who support arts programming throughout the year. Community members interested in joining the 2026–27 Partnership Circle can learn more at wakeforestrencen.org.
For Duque and Pridgen, one of the most rewarding aspects of the festival is meeting the extraordinarily creative people who contribute to the film industry as both content creators and consumers. They also enjoy watching filmmakers watch the audience react in real time to their work.
Tickets are on sale now online! For a full schedule and ticket information, visit the Renaissance Centre website’s Tickets & Events page.
