Every year, the New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) celebrates Louisiana’s homegrown talent and the state’s profound impact on independent film. Now more than ever, NOFS is committed to strengthening and rebuilding the film industry—working alongside city and state partners to position New Orleans as a premier production destination through competitive tax incentives and programs that support filmmaker growth and opportunity.

We are especially honored to have deep roots with our local partners. Film New Orleans is the Opening Night sponsor of this year’s New Orleans Film Festival, highlighting the city’s ongoing commitment to investing in its film industry and creative workforce. The festival will open with Michalopoulos — The Art of Celebration, a documentary on world-renowned artist James Michalopoulos, whose work champions the city’s culture, artists, architecture, and communities—making the preservation of New Orleans’ spirit as much his legacy as his art.

NOFS is also proud to be a grantee of Arts New Orleans and the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s LGBTQ Fund, whose support strengthens our mission to uplift diverse voices and provide meaningful opportunities for filmmakers across our city and state.

This year, NOFS is proud to present Made in Louisiana Day on Sunday, October 26, 2025, featuring our State of the Industry Town Hall. The Town Hall will host an insightful conversation with Amanda Hafford (Louisiana Entertainment), Simonette Berry (IATSE), Jason Waggenspack (The Ranch), Brittany Chandler (Film New Orleans), and Sam Claitor (Fable House), moderated by Steeve Rayne Warren (NOVAC). It’s an opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders about where we stand today—and where we’re headed next. We invite the entire community to join us, especially filmmakers, crew, and stakeholders eager to help revitalize the local film economy.

This event is part of the Filmmaker Conference—a free, public series of workshops, panels, roundtables, and talk-backs designed to connect and inspire filmmakers and film lovers. Made possible through the generous support of the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation (NOTCF), the conference is co-created each year in partnership with local filmmakers. This year’s highlights include:

  • Oscar-nominated director Benh Zeitlin on directing first-time actors
  • Casey Shaw (Shawscope) teaching how to shoot on 16mm Kodak film
  • Doug Spearman on building effective director–actor communication

For decades, NOFS has partnered with institutions and organizations across Louisiana to cultivate New Orleans as a thriving hub for film production. Our region is still home to a deeply skilled and passionate community of filmmakers and crew. As part of our mission to promote, nurture, and amplify diverse voices in cinema, we’re proud to continue offering accessible educational programming and hands-on workshops that empower storytellers and strengthen our creative economy. We can’t wait to see you at this year’s festival!

New Orleans Film Society (NOFS): For 36 years, NOFS has been championing bold, diverse filmmaking through the Oscar®-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival, French Film Festival, filmmaker labs, and year-round screenings. Called one of the “Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker Magazine, NOFS continues to amplify voices that matter while throwing unforgettable cultural events.

ABOUT NOFF 2025

The 36th annual New Orleans Film Festival (October 23–27, 2025) is the largest film event in the region, bringing together filmmakers, industry leaders, and audiences for a five-day celebration of bold, diverse storytelling. This year the festival will feature 150 films selected from over 3,700 submissions, along with a comprehensive conference, filmmaker panels, and 400+ hours of programming across 14 venues citywide. Recognized as one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” (MovieMaker Magazine), NOFF continues to serve as a cultural cornerstone for the city and a vital platform for filmmakers from around the globe.

Press Contact:
Dodd Loomis
dodd@neworleansfilmsociety.org
917-684-0595