About NOFF
NEW ORLEANS FILM FESTIVAL
The New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF), 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 36 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.
Diversity + Discovery:
Paste Magazine praised the festival for offering “a platform to voices that still fight to be heard.” We honor three vital commitments to filmmakers and to audiences hungry for fresh work with perspectives less often represented on the silver screen:
- 90% of the films in the festival will come from submissions, ensuring New Orleans Film Festival is a place of discovery where all voices have an opportunity to be heard
- 50% or more of the films will be helmed by women and gender non-conforming filmmakers
- 50% or more will be helmed by filmmakers of color
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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2025 Dates:
Attending the New Orleans Film Festival, located in the heart of historic New Orleans, is easy for those hoping to take part in the fest!
Traveling to New Orleans:
All flights to New Orleans land at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). MSY is less than 15 miles from downtown New Orleans, where most of the events for the 35th NOFF will take place.
Accessibility:
If you require assistance, please inform your airline before the day of your flight. Alternatively, you can request assistance at check-in, and a skycap will be able to assist you from when you check-in to your gate and from your gate to transportation.
Transportation to and from MSY:
Rideshare Apps:
There are many options for finding a ride to and from MSY airport, including Krewecar, Lyft, and Uber. MSY’s taxi service is fairly affordable compared to mobile rideshare services. All mobile rideshare services will be available outside the Level 1 Baggage claim on the middle curb.
Public Transportation:
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and Jefferson Transit Authority (JET) provide public transportation to New Orleans. Bus service is available at Level 1 Baggage Claim outside Door 2, Zones B4 and B5.
Bus fare for the Veterans Airport (E1) bus operated by JET is $2.00 if going into New Orleans. The buses will accept $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills and all U.S. coins to pay for the fare—the E1 bus services from MSY to City Park Avenue in New Orleans.
RTA provides the Airport Express (202) bus with service to and from MSY into New Orleans. Bus fare is usually $1.25 for this route. For a complete bus schedule, pick-up locations, and route information, please visit the norta.com website.
Accessibility:
All RTA buses and streetcars are wheelchair accessible.
Partner Hotels:
NOFF is proud to partner with several hotels to offer discounted rates for our guests. Click on each of our partner hotels below to learn more and book your stay.
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
The New Orleans Film Festival is working toward equitable access to our programming. Available accessibility services, by event, will be listed in the online Film Guide.
To request accommodation for specific Festival events, please complete this form. For more information about particular programs, or questions about services not described, please email info@neworleansfilmsociety.org.
CAPTIONING & AMPLIFICATION
NOFF partners with filmmakers to enable closed captioning for their programs whenever possible using personal caption devices, available by request (with a photo ID) at our venues. Films with closed captions will be noted in the online Film Guide.
Assistive Listening Devices, which amplify program sound through headphones or hearing aids, are available by request (with a photo ID) at our venues.
Some programs are equipped with Descriptive Audio Tracks that provide narration through Assistive Listening Devices.
PRINT & LANGUAGE OPTIONS
All foreign-language films are screened with English subtitles. Films with subtitles will be noted in the online Film Guide.
NOFF can arrange American Sign Language interpreters by request at no cost to you. Two weeks’ notice is strongly preferred.
Large-print Program Guides are available by request at no cost to you at each of the Festival venues.
PHYSICAL ACCOMMODATIONS
All Festival venues are accessible to attendees using mobility devices, and accessible (ADA) seating is available for all Festival events by request.
Each screening venue has accessible restrooms and Festival attendees are invited to use the restroom that best suits their needs. In some venues, private restrooms are available.
Working service animals, such as guide dogs, are welcome to accompany Festival attendees. We are unable to accommodate pets or emotional support animals.
QUESTIONS & REQUESTS
To request accommodation for specific Festival events, including accessible seating or other accommodations including discounted companion tickets, please complete this form.
For more information about particular programs, or questions about services not described, please email info@neworleansfilmsociety.org.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Welcome to the New Orleans Film Festival. Please join us in embracing our community guidelines at all Festival events by:
- Acknowledging with gratitude the land we occupy as the colonized Indigenous space known first as Bulbancha
- Sustaining authentic relationships with our neighbors, especially the Afro-descendent communities that continually shape New Orleans
- Including people equitably of every race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, ability, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, age, physical appearance, language, citizenship, and socioeconomic status
- Protecting each other’s health by staying home when sick
- Treating others with dignity and respect, especially Festival volunteers and staff implementing Festival policies and procedures
- Enjoying alcohol and other refreshments responsibly and mindfully
We will not permit:
- Disruptive behavior of any kind that interferes with Festival events
- Use of personal electronics during Festival screenings, especially cell phones and unauthorized recording devices
- Non-compliance with the direction of Festival staff and volunteers regarding Festival policies and procedures
- Verbal or physical harassment, including abusive language and gestures, threats, cursing, or sexual language directed at others
- Any form of discrimination or harassment, including, but not limited to, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, sexism, or body shaming
- Using firearms or other dangerous weapons in Festival spaces to intimidate or harm volunteers, staff, or attendees
By purchasing a ticket or entering Festival event spaces, you agree to join us in this Code of Conduct. If you are found to be in violation of these agreements, you may be removed from events by a designated staff member. If you witness or experience a violation of these agreements, we encourage you to report the incident via email at info@neworleansfilmsociety.org.
By entering Festival event spaces, you consent to photography and recording (audio and video) and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, webcasts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by NOFS and its affiliates and representatives.
Items lost and found in screening venues, reception spaces, or the Festival Hub will be retained by NOFF staff in those locations until they are moved to the New Orleans Film Society offices. These items will be retained until December 1, 2024. After this time, return of these items may not be guaranteed.
If you are looking for a specific item you may have lost, please see a NOFF staff member or email info@neworleansfilmsociety.org.
Sustainability at NOFF 2024
We acknowledge that the New Orleans Film Festival is hosted in a complex system of coastal and Southern communities that are at high risk of climate change effects and environmental disturbance. New Orleans Film Society wants to position itself as an agent of change that leads the awareness and educational efforts around climate risks through cinematic storytelling and film exhibition. The New Orleans Film Festival is striving to make all operations and event production more sustainable to support the preservation of this vibrant city. NOFF is the right platform to contribute to the regenerative efforts of local economies and communities and the restoration of our ecosystems. Join us in celebrating great stories while making a positive impact on our planet.
How to fest sustainably:
- Put your recyclables in our designated recycling bins.
- Bring a reusable water bottle to all festival events. We will have fill stations in all venues.
- Compost your food waste! Look for the designated composting bins in food spaces.
- Whenever possible, carpool, take public transportation, bike, or walk.
Contact:
Sustainability Coordinator, Aloe Lee aloe@neworleansfilmsociety.org
VOLUNTEERING
ABOUT
We appreciate your interest in volunteering for the New Orleans Film Festival! This festival would not happen without the dedication and hard work of each and every volunteer.
Check out the breakdown of the Volunteer Program below and see how you can join this stellar team of volunteers.
CONTACT
If you have any questions that are not addressed here, please feel free to contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@neworleansfilmsociety.org
OPPORTUNITIES
2025 Volunteer Screener
The New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF) is seeking volunteer screeners to help shape the 2025 festival lineup. 📅 Applications open until January 19, 2025!
Lead Volunteers
Pre-Festival, During-Festival and Post-Festival shifts available
- Must have previous experience with the New Orleans Film Festival, or film festival experience
- Help keep things running smoothly on festival sites by supervising fellow volunteers
- Should be able to work at least two shifts per Festival venue chosen, and at least 3 Festival days.
**Lead Volunteers earn an extra voucher each shift!
Production Volunteer Duties
Pre-Festival, During-Festival and Post-Festival shifts available
- Prepare and (un)load equipment, set up/break down of furniture, materials, truss, lights, red carpets, stanchions, signage, heavy stuff, etc.
- Other duties as assigned
**Production Volunteers earn an extra voucher each shift!
Venue Volunteer Duties
Shifts available during Festival dates
- Scan patron’s tickets at the entrance to the Theater, monitor and track attendance, line management
- Check sound levels and visual quality from inside the theater
- Keep venues clean and looking great
- Other venue operations duties as needed
Event Volunteer Duties
Shifts available during Festival dates
- Assist the setup and break down of materials at NOFF parties & events
- Check passes and guest lists as patrons enter
- Keep spaces clean and looking great
- Other duties as needed
BENEFITS
Vouchers can only be redeemed as Movie Tickets, Merchandise or can be combined for Membership Benefits.
Movie (Virtual + In-Person) and Festival Event Vouchers
- Choice of (1) Awarded after each shift.
Vintage Festival Merchandise
- Volunteers will have the opportunity to choose from a selection of festival merchandise, which they can redeem using two or more vouchers.
Memberships
- 3 Vouchers for Moviegoer Membership
- 5 Vouchers for Take Two Membership
- 10 Vouchers Scene Stealer Membership
Membership benefits include advanced tickets for our festivals, free exclusive screenings throughout the year, and discounts on all of our tickets, passes, events, and merchandise. Read more here!
ACCESSIBILITY
The New Orleans Film Festival is dedicated to equitable access to our programming, including volunteer opportunities. NOFF Volunteers perform a wide variety of tasks with a range of expectations. You can email specific questions to Nikka Troy Hunter at volunteer@neworleansfilmsociety.org or request accommodation when attending a specific Festival event by completing this form.