One of the best-known and biggest art events in Middle Tennessee returns this April.  The 2009 Nashville Film Festival will run April 16-23 at Regal Green Hills Stadium 16 in the Green Hills area of Nashville.

The weeklong event showcases a variety of independent, international films from all genres.  Last year, the festival received more than 1,700 submissions, from which 215 films were selected representing 38 countries.

The festival presents films from several different categories including family films, local film screenings, gay and lesbian films, and works by  filmmakers age 18 and younger.

A special emphasis is placed on films relating to music.  As Nashville is “Music City, USA”, a special “Music Films in Music City” section showcases these films and two special music awards are given.

Film categories under 40 minutes include documentary short, narrative short, animation, experimental, and young filmmaker (18 and under).

In the past, the film festival has featured honorees and guest appearances from the likes of William H. Macy, Al Gore, Danny Glover, Vincent D’Onofrio, Joey Lauren Adams, Rob Thomas, Lawrence Bender, Ray McKinnon, Walton Goggins, Craig Brewer, Harmony Korine, Rob Hardy, Ashley Judd, Kiefer Sutherland, Joshua Jackson, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Peter Falk, Paul Reiser, John Pierson, Patrick Swayze, Rick Schroder, Christine Vachon, John Waters, Matthew McConaughey, Robert Redford, James Cromwell, Harry Belafonte, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Kopple, Michael Moore, and D.A. Pennebaker.

The film schedule has yet to be released but tickets can be purchased beginning Tuesday, April 7 at 8 p.m., with sales extending  through April 23.  Popular films sell out quickly therefore the festoval advance purchases.

Note:  The staff will release your seat if you are not in the theatre 15 minutes prior to showtime.  Tickets can be purchased on site at the festival  box office on the lower of the Green Hills Stadium 16, separate from the Regal box office.

The box office opens:

  • Wednesday, April 15, 10 a.m.-7p.m.
  • Thursday, April 16,  at 1 p.m. and closes 30 minutes after the start time of the last film.
  • Friday, April 17-Thursday, April 23, the box office opens 30 minutes before the first film and closes 30 minutes after the start time of the last film.

by Emily Moore, Nashville Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)