WILMINGTON — Tickets for the 32nd annual Caucalorus Film Festival are officially on sale, with ten of the 92 feature films produced in North Carolina.
The festival is a four day affair — from Nov. 19 to Nov. 22 — with 75 events showcasing international and award-winning films, networking opportunities, short screenings and nightly performances accompanied by a full bar.
The festival’s main activity hub is the Coastline Center located in downtown Wilmington. However, other locations involved include the Wilson Center, The Pointe 14, Thalian Hall and Jengos’s Playhouse.
“Taking over the Coastline Center as our main hub lets us capture that classic riverfront energy while giving filmmakers and film lovers a completely immersive, non-stop space to connect, share ideas, and celebrate indie cinema,” said Chief Instigating Officer Dan Brawley.
Films highlighted in the festival’s narrative features program include Alex Karpovsky’s — actor from HBO’s hit show “Girls” — dark comedy “Riptides” starring Steve Little, Dylan Baker and Bojana Novaković. The Wilmington-shot indie comedy-drama “Capsized” by Lindsey Ryan will also be screened.
Other projects highlighting cast and crew from the port city are psychological mystery “There Should Be Flowers” directed by Yumna Jane and Maddie Ragan, who currently resides in WIlmington and “Henry’s Ebb” — starring local actor Banks Repet.
“Our narrative lineup this year is exceptionally sharp, blending top-tier Hollywood talent with brilliant homegrown filmmakers,” said Brawley. “From outrageous dark comedies to intense local thrillers, these are bold, unforgettable stories that demand to be seen on the big screen.”
As for the documentary category, the SXSW 2026 Grand Jury Winner “Summer 2000: The X-Cetra Story” will headline. The documentary follows childhood friends who reunite after their teenage album goes viral during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. Other films in this category are “13 Demands,” “ Daughters of the Forest,” “A City in the Forest,” and “Papertown.”
Local documentaries to be featured are “Nerdcore: Making it Anyway” and “White Lightning” — a story about runner King Combest.
Lastly, the festival will present 60 short films which will be divided into nine thematic blocks. The themes are named after dog breeds — a theme Brawley says was inspired by his dog Izzie who passed away during last year’s events.
The block breeds include Löwchen Shorts (dramatic), Dandie Dinmont Shorts (comedy) and Klee Klai Shorts (experimental). Each block will be screened twice during the festival.
The celebration of cinema will conclude on Nov. 22 with a “Best of the Fest” program where festival favorites will be screened at The Pointe 14.
“Best of the Fest is really exciting because it delivers a curated collection of the festival’s three core components,” said Brawley. “In one day at the multiplex, you get a standout narrative feature, a crowd-pleasing documentary, and a shorts block showcasing outstanding dramatic films.”
While the festival’s focus is film, it will also have live performances featuring Canadian Cabaret comedian Shirley Gnom, a special edition of “Can I Kick It?” with Shaolin Jazz providing a live musical score for “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and local theater troupe Mouths of Babes performing “Mobalorus” — a showcase of multi-media work, short plays and puppetry.
Dancelorous — a film and dance live event — will return to the festival this year, however its location will be moved to the Wilson Center.
The Party Robot — an interactive party event — will also be taking over the “Bus to Lumberton” — an installation that is the festival’s annual tribute to David Lynch’s “Blue Vevelt,” which was filmied in 1985 in Wilmington.
At the same time as the festival, the Cucalorus Film Conference will be in full swing for its second year. There will be professional workshops and panels — including “Camera Moves Tell the Story” and “Editing Blue Velvet” — as well as the Calorus Film Foundation’s announcement of this year’s recipients for the Filmed in NC Fund. The conference also features a keynote brunch hosting special guest Emily Best, CEO of Seed&Spark,a crowdfunding platform for indie filmmakers.
For those interested in attending, tickets can be bought for $15 per screening. Custom ticket packages are available along with an Industry Pass or full All-Access Pass. Click here to buy tickets or view the full itinerary.
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