Your Guide to Full Bloom Film Festival 2026 🌻🎬
September 10–12, 2026 | Downtown Statesville, NC
Full Bloom Film Festival is back—and festival week is finally here!
For three days, Downtown Statesville becomes a home for independent cinema, visiting filmmakers, live music, special events and stories from around the world.
This year’s festival features 53 films from 11 countries and 60 visiting filmmakers, with screenings happening throughout Downtown Statesville.
Whether you're a longtime Full Bloom fan or this is your first festival, here's everything you need to plan your weekend.
Explore the Full Lineup
Browse the complete schedule, check out trailers and film descriptions, and start building your Full Bloom itinerary.
Pro tip:
Don't wait until you arrive to figure out what you want to see. Seating is limited and admission is first-come, first-served, so we recommend planning ahead and purchasing tickets in advance.
THREE DAYS OF FULL BLOOM
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING
The Princess Bride
7:45 PM | The Lawn at Broad Street UMC
We're kicking things off a little early with a movie under the stars!
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and join us for a FREE outdoor screening of The Princess Bride, presented in partnership with the City of Statesville Recreation and Economic Vitality Department and Broad Street United Methodist Church.
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
The festival officially begins!
Join us for the Sunburst Soirée VIP Opening Celebration Thursday evening. This will include a
5–7 PM | The Essence on Broad
230 W. Broad St., Statesville, NC
Suggested attire: Casual, festive & unique.
THEN, LET THE FILMS BEGIN
After the Soirée, head over to Mitchell Community College's Shearer Hall for the VIP Opening Night Screening.
7:30 PM | Shearer Hall, Mitchell Community College
Settle in for the first official screening of the 2026 Full Bloom Film Festival and officially kick off three days of independent cinema.
KEEP THE NIGHT GOING
8:30–11 PM | The Watering Hole
After the Soirée, filmmakers, sponsors and VIPs can continue the celebration at The Watering Hole.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
FILMS ALL DAY. DUSK IN BLOOM ALL NIGHT.
Friday is your full festival day.
Spend the day exploring independent films throughout Downtown Statesville, with screenings across multiple venues and opportunities to hear directly from visiting filmmakers through Q&As and conversations.
EXPLORE FRIDAY'S FILMS
With films spanning animation, documentary, narrative, comedy, music and international stories, there's plenty to discover.
DUSK IN BLOOM + GROOVE SKELETON BAND
8–10 PM | The Old Jail at Iredell Arts Council
203 S. Meeting St., Statesville
When the films wind down, the party starts.
Dusk in Bloom is Full Bloom's free Friday night celebration, featuring the Groove Skeleton Band, food trucks, drinks, dancing and a specialty cocktail served through an ice luge.
Yes. An ice luge.
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Suggested attire: Your best street style—comfortable, stylish and ready for anything.
FBFF 2026 Poster Designers will be screen printing hats ONSITE!
🪩 KEEP THE NIGHT GOING
10 PM–Midnight | Red Buffalo Brewing
When the music winds down at the Old Jail, head to Red Buffalo Brewing for the official Friday night after-party.
READY FOR FRIDAY?
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
The Final Day!
Make the most of the final day of Full Bloom with more independent films, filmmaker conversations and festival events.
TOON TIME ADVENTURES
10 AM | American Renaissance School
A collection of animated films created with young audiences in mind.
Kids are FREE!
A perfect way to introduce the next generation to independent film.
ALI EATS AMERICA
Walk the Red Carpet!
Red Carpet | 5–5:30 PM
Shearer Hall, Mitchell Community College
500 W. Broad St., Statesville
Film Begins at 5:30PM
Roll out the red carpet for one of Saturday's featured films!
Join us at Shearer Hall for a red carpet experience before the screening of Ali Eats America.
Then settle in for this moving, funny and deeply personal documentary about Ali Allouche, who spent his junior year of high school undergoing chemotherapy.
Inspired by Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown, Ali and his mom dreamed of traveling the country and experiencing its food and culinary communities together. After completing chemotherapy, Ali set out to make that dream a reality—visiting restaurants, chefs and communities across the country.
From pit-masters to pizzerias, the Grand Canyon to New York City, Ali Eats America is a story about food, family, resilience and living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.
MOONLIGHT & MAGNOLIAS
AWARDS NIGHT CELEBRATION
8–10 PM | The Coarsey Home
240 N. Mulberry St., Statesville, NC 28677
OPEN TO FILMMAKERS, SPONSORS & VIPS ONLY — BADGES REQUIRED
After three days of films, conversations, discoveries and celebrations, Full Bloom comes to a glamorous close with Moonlight & Magnolias, our exclusive VIP Awards Night celebration.
Set in the tranquil, lush garden of the Coarsey Home, this elegant evening honors the standout filmmakers of the 2026 festival.
Guests will enjoy a delicious buffet dinner provided by 220 Cafe and signature cocktails, along with creative décor and an evening designed to celebrate the artists who brought their stories to Statesville.
Suggested attire: Formal flair—classic with a touch of the unexpected.
KEEP THE CELEBRATION GOING
After the awards, the night continues at D'Laney's Sports Bar & Grill from 10 PM–midnight.
CHOOSE YOUR FULL BLOOM
Coming for one film? Spending the whole weekend with us? We've got options.
Individual Screening — $15
Friday Day Pass — $40
Saturday Day Pass — $40
Festival Pass — $75
VIP Pass — $150
VIP Couple Pass — $250
Advance ticket purchases are encouraged. Seating is limited and admission is first-come, first-served.
BUY FULL BLOOM TICKETS
📍 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
FESTIVAL BOX OFFICE
Lake Mountain Coffee
110 W. Broad St.
Statesville, NC
The Box Office is your go-to spot for tickets, passes and festival information.
BOX OFFICE HOURS
Wednesday, September 9: 12–6 PM
Thursday, September 10: 11 AM–5 PM
Friday, September 11: 9 AM–5 PM
Saturday, September 12: 8 AM–4 PM
FESTIVAL VENUES
Full Bloom takes over several community spaces throughout Downtown Statesville:
Mitchell Community College - 500 West Broad Street
Iredell Arts Council / The Old Jail - 203 S. Meeting St.
Center Stage Alliance - 109 East Broad Street
American Renaissance School - 222 East Broad Street,
Give yourself a little extra time to park and walk between venues.
PARKING
Free public parking is available throughout Downtown Statesville, with additional parking available near festival venues.
COME EXPERIENCE FULL BLOOM
Full Bloom isn't just about watching films.
It's about discovering a story you didn't expect. Meeting the filmmaker who made it. Hearing live music. Running into friends downtown. Finding your new favorite film. Staying out a little later than planned.
For three days, Downtown Statesville becomes a film festival.
Come be part of it.
BUY FESTIVAL TICKETS
September 10–12, 2026
Downtown Statesville, North Carolina
We'll see you in Full Bloom.
