NEW ORLEANS FILM FESTIVAL

The 2027 New Orleans Film Festival takes place in-person between October 21-26 and virtually until October 31.

The New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF) presented by Andscape, organized by the New Orleans Film Society, is a renowned celebration of independent filmmaking that has been championing diverse voices and groundbreaking stories for over 38 years. As an Academy Award®-qualifying festival in the categories of Documentary Short, Narrative Short, and Animated Short, NOFF serves as a vital platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work to global audiences.

Recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World,” the festival highlights a rich blend of local, national, and international talent, fostering connections within the film industry while embracing New Orleans’ unique cultural vibrancy. During the New Orleans Film Festival, New Orleans shines even brighter as an epicenter of culture and creativity, with 250+ filmmakers from every corner of the world in attendance at 150+ films. We see our greatest impact in the exchange of ideas that occurs when over 12,000 people gather in person over the course of six days to champion film in New Orleans and engage with visionary films, directors, and other film lovers.

“Both filmmaker-focused and audience friendly, NOFF aims to be an incubator for future projects and collaborations. It manages a mentorship program for filmmakers of color that pairs emerging talents with established ones and has been supported by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Golden Globe Foundation, HBO, and the National Endowment for the Arts.” Read more here.

“The coolest of cool festivals. I’m always in awe of the curation and quality of films here. Some words I’d use to describe them: poetry, transcendent, heartfelt, impactful, and evocative. The magical spirit of New Orleans permeates the festival in every way. The festival has phenomenal parties, sumptuous cuisine, beautiful event spaces, and the best pitch showcases.” —Katherine Propper. Read more here.

2026 NOFF STATS

  • Directors of film selections represented 41 nationalities.
  • Films made in Louisiana or by Louisiana-based directors accounted for 32% of all films in the lineup.
  • Films made in the American South or by a South-based director accounted for 60% of the lineup.
  • Films from Black directors accounted for 24% of the lineup, Indigenous directors 2%, Latinx directors 19%, Asian directors 12%, SWANA directors 4%, and white directors 53% (cumulative is higher than 100% due to some directors including more than one race, and some films having more than one director).
  • 44% of films were directed by women, 44% by men, and 11% by filmmakers identifying as non-binary.
  • 14% of films were directed by someone identifying as part of the disability community.
  • 34% of films were directed by someone who identified as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • The racial/ethnic background of NOFF audiences, based on recent survey results, is as follows: 30% Black, 3% Indigenous, 11% Latinx, 8% Asian, and 44% White.
  • 9% of the NOFF audiences identify as part of the disability community.
  • 61% of festival goers identify as women, 34% as men, and 5% as non-binary.
  • 34% of NOFF audience members identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Community + Connectivity:

New Orleans’ unique sense of place informs the festival experience– filmmakers, industry players, and cinephiles experience films and events at pop-up and passionately preserved historic venues, and rub elbows in Hollywood South amidst the strong undercurrent of revelry native to the Crescent City. From the Second Line parade following the opening night film to late-night cocktails, live music in historic mansions, and cinematic Mississippi River views, we hope all leave inspired, with an enduring story to tell and deeper connections to each other and to the art of film.

We believe inspiration isn’t exclusive; New Orleans Film Society works with 50+ partnering non-profit organizations to distribute free tickets and promote free screenings to ensure more New Orleanians of all ages access transformative films during the festival.

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