This September brings two great film festivals to the Music City. The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) returns for its 57th edition, featuring more than 150 films from 25+ countries, including 24 World Premieres, plus filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, special events and more, September 24–30 in some of Nashville’s favorite venues, including the Belcourt Theatre, the National Museum of African American Music, Regal Green Hills and Hooky Entertainment, with a packed lineup of narrative films, documentaries, music stories and Tennessee-made favorites. Get tickets now: nashvillefilmfestival.org
The International Black Film Festival (IBFF) returns to Nashville September 30 through October 4, 2026, and they want you to help bring their 22nd annual festival to life, as participants or as volunteers. They are partnering with The Nashville Symphony for a special pre-festival event celebrating the extraordinary relationship between music and cinema, presenting “RESPECT In Concert,” a cinematic experience that combines the acclaimed film with a live orchestral performance by the Nashville Symphony, Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:30 PM in the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Some stories deserve more than a screen. They deserve to be felt. Few artists embody that emotional power more than Aretha Franklin. “RESPECT” chronicles her journey from singing in her father’s church to becoming the Queen of Soul. Seeing her story unfold with a live symphony orchestra transforms an already powerful film into an immersive celebration of music, storytelling, and cultural legacy.
This collaboration reflects the shared mission of both organizations: to create experiences that inspire, educate, and bring communities together through the arts. While the IBFF champions independent filmmakers and diverse voices from around the world, the Nashville Symphony continues to demonstrate how orchestral music can connect audiences across generations and artistic disciplines. Celebrate the power of music, the magic of film, and the partnerships that make experiences like this possible.
A Theme Designed to Be Experienced. ROI: Return on Independence is more than the 22 nd IBFF festival’s theme. It is the creative framework behind the entire experience: Return on Voice; Return on Community; Return on Ownership; and Return on Impact. See you at the Festival! For more about the program or the festival, check out their website: https://www.ibffevents.com/
While Peter Frampton, Helen Mirren, and Grand Ole Opry Films lead the NashFilm mainstream festival lineup, the screening not to be missed at this years Nashville Fim Festival is “Steadfast & True: The Searcy Story,” the story of a remarkable couple who ‘under the radar’ contributed to vast amount of ‘change’ in Nashville and why we are better if we acknowledge and understand what they contributed. Joyce Espy and Walter Searcy arrived in Nashville in the 1960’s to attend Fisk University, one of Nashville’s four iconic HBCu’s, and both excelled academically. But more importantly, they devoted much of their skills and energy as they lived out the John Lewis motto – Good Trouble. They have made Nashville their home despite the blatant, harsh realities of deep – rooted racism and its cruel impact.
Rather than take the easy way, they carved a path of lifetime activism. Nashville (aka Music City), is best known as the capitol for country music. But what is not as well known, is its history of segregation, racism, and ability to divert attention away from the racial issues. However, none of this was lost on the Searcy’s. “Steadfast & True” is screening Sunday, September 27 at NMAMM at 12 Noon. See you there!
