Full Bloom Film Festival Announces 2026 Official Selections for Statesville Event

The Iredell Arts Council has announced the official selections for the 2026 Full Bloom Film Festival, set to take place September 10–12, 2026, in downtown Statesville.

Iredell Arts Council revealed this year’s lineup as the festival enters its eleventh year, continuing its mission of showcasing independent films from around the world and connecting filmmakers with local and international audiences.

The 2026 festival will feature 55 films across multiple categories, including animation, documentary shorts, narrative shorts, documentary features, and narrative features. This year’s selection includes 18 international films representing 11 different countries.

Organizers say the films explore themes of resilience, identity, family, creativity, social justice, and the human experience, with a diverse mix of storytelling styles ranging from thought-provoking documentaries to imaginative animated works.

“The 2026 selections reflect the power of film to connect people across cultures, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire audiences,” said Brandon Sproul, Film Selection Chair for the festival.

Festival attendees can expect three days of screenings, filmmaker Q&A sessions, and special events throughout downtown Statesville.

The Full Bloom Film Festival has grown into one of North Carolina’s leading independent film events, drawing filmmakers and visitors from around the world while supporting the cultural and economic growth of downtown Statesville.

The complete list of official selections is available online, and festival passes are now on sale, including VIP, full festival, day passes, and single-screening options.

Additional schedule details and programming updates will be released in the coming weeks ahead of the September event.