Titled after Gift Drawings made by Shaker sisters during their 19th century “Era of Manifestations” Sacred Sheets translates the imagery and calligraphic spirit writing of these inspired works into a colorful cut-paper floor drawing. Shifting light marks a day’s passage and frames a ritualized space clearing, invoking the creative labor of visionary women. Performances by the artists revisit a fruitful historic period for femme agency through intimate observations of preserved Shaker ephemera and the natural world.

Sacred Sheets

The visionary labor of 19th century Shaker sisters is explored through a ritualistic reproduction of spirit writings entitled Sacred Sheets.

A young priest named Greg battles a demonic possession in a desperate exorcism to save a girl named Becky. As Becky taunts him with demonic defiance, Greg persists, ultimately demanding the demon take him instead. The exorcism appears successful, leaving Becky freed but Greg struggling to control the darkness within himself. In a twist, Greg's relationship with the demon is revealed -- they are conspirators, staging exorcisms for profit. But Greg thinks they've been running this con for far too long and he wants out. He and the demon have lost the spark they used to have. However, in a touching moment of reconnection, the two coalesce and their bond is stronger than ever.

Inner Demons

Father Greg has faced countless exorcisms, but tonight's may be one too many.

A nostalgic techno-thriller inspired by youth horror anthologies. A nerdy teen uses a cursed floppy disk computer game to enact vengeance on mallrat bullies.

Consumer

A bullied teen uses a sentient computer game to get revenge on his tormentors.

Dirk is a washed up, drug-addicted actor, who is trying to rebuild his once glamorous career. His twin brother and body double, Dan, is there supporting him to help make sure Dirk’s career get’s back on track. The story begins with Dirk on set of a movie titled “Lords of Fruit Town”, a post apocalyptic candy movie where he has to give a monologue speech to his costar, Cheri Mclean. When Dirk can’t remember his lines, the director yells cut and Dirk has a manic freakout and walks off set. Dan goes into his dressing room and tries to reassure Dirk that this is the first step in getting his career back. Dirk kicks Dan out of his dressing room where he then pulls out a bottle of pills. Dan returns to find Dirk on the ground, unconscious. At the same time, the producer walks in his dressing room. She then persuades Dan to act in Dirks place to save the film. Dirk, reluctantly agrees which results in an outstanding performance and ends up saving the film.

Lords Of Fruit Town

Dirk, a washed up, drug addicted actor, overdoses on set where his twin brother, Dan has to take his place to save the film "Lords of Fruit Town".

Alicia, Brian, Celeste, and Dave are colleagues who receive an email announcing that within the next 1 hour they may all lose their jobs. As each colleague grapples with how unemployment with affect each of them - from a lost visa to lost healthcare - they find solace in each other.

We Regret To Inform You

Four colleagues receive an email announcing that within one hour they may all lose their jobs.

r.e.g.g.i.N is a Robotic-Expressive-Goal Generated-Intelligence-Neural Network. A Reggin. But you can call him Reggi for short. The first android of his kind, his creator, acclaimed Black Engineer, Dr. Evette Winston, objects to placing Reggi in the ‘domestic field’, but her boss and financial backer, Harold, ignores her pleas.Our story is shown in Black and White and takes place in an alternative retro-futuristic version of the 50s. Reggi bears the appearance of a handsome, twenty-something black man. Played like a vintage infomercial, a salesman describes Reggi like a prized steer of some kind, noting his strong back. Ms. Plantain, his potential new owner, watches seductively as Reggi performs superhuman-like tasks around her house. “Oooh, I’ll take one!” Ms. Plantain gleefully proclaims as he vacuums.Reggi quickly learns that this world views ‘people like him’ differently although his owner, Ms. Plantain continues to proclaim, ‘He’s not a real man.’

r.e.g.g.i.N.

Bearing the appearance of a young black man, a domesticated android experiences 'life' in the segregated south of the '50s.

A feminist re-imagining of the Verdi opera Rigoletto.

Pearl Diver

Pearl has a plan to ditch her abusive boyfriend once and for all...

Beneath The Veil is an anthology of the supernatural. Each tale stands on its own, but combined, these three stories come together to tell a bigger truth. Inspired by different folklore tales, the short showcases not only the creatures that lurk in the shadows, but also the ones we carry inside of us.

Beneath The Veil

Three individuals find themselves ensnared in enigmatic encounters with otherworldly presences.

Emma's romance with brilliant scientist Charlie takes a harrowing turn when he becomes obsessed with the moral implications of their classified wartime work.

Secret City

In 1943, Emma, a young woman from rural Tennessee, faces love, loss, and moral dilemmas while working in the secret city of Oak Ridge, unknowingly helping to create a world-changing weapon.

People think of love, and they think of endless sunlight and flowers in full bloom. But love isn't a painting, a moment, or a season -- it's more like a garden. It blooms and withers, no matter how hard you try to take care of it. Loveliness Made Damned is a visual album spanning four musical works, each a part of the same budding story. A story of love, loss, and fighting your way out of the woods. A personal documentation of all the cracks that start to form before the break. The euphoria of a good day that you think will save everything, the desperation of a bad day that you know will shake you awake, and the grey areas in between: the loaded silences, holding each other because it’s too hard to let go, and trying your best to make something out of a dwindling supply of nothing.

Loveliness Made Damned

Loveliness Made Damned is a visual album spanning four musical works, each a part of the same budding story: A story of love, loss, and fighting your way out of the woods.

United States of America

Tennessee Shorts Narrative Showcase

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Nashville Film Festival161 Rains AveNashville, TN 37203

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A selection of festival films will be available from Monday, September 23rd through Monday, September 30th for at-home viewing.  Please note that not all films screening in-person will be made available in the Virtual Cinema and in limited cases, geo-based restrictions may apply to some viewers outside of Tennessee or the United States. Tickets for virtual film screenings can be purchased individually for $14 or are included at no additional cost for certain badge holders.  For more information on accessing and optimizing Virtual Cinema content, please visit Eventive FAQs or contact festival@nashfilm.org..  

Welcome! The 55th Nashville Film Festival includes films ranging in genres from narratives, documentaries, animation, horror and much more!

Here's what's coming up soon. Can't make it? No worries. Many live streams will be available for on-demand viewing as well.