Film Festival History

In just four short years, the Asheville Film Festival has gained national attention and recognition. The festival has played host to over 300 filmmakers and their works, and over 30,000 people have enjoyed the world premieres, independent films, educational workshops and the charm of downtown Asheville.

While the Asheville Film Festival is just now entering its fifth year, Asheville’s history with film goes back to the earliest days of the medium, as Thomas Edison traveled to the area to film shorts. Asheville has played host to the filming of movies including ”The Swan,” ”Patch Adams,” ”Forrest Gump,” ”Thunder Road,” ”Being There,” ”The Last of the Mohicans,” ”The Fugitive” and ”Hannibal”

Asheville is also the nexus of a thriving arts and film community, home to a multitude of directors, actors, writers, producers and many who combine all of the above talents.

In 2003, the city, along with local theaters, filmmakers and businesses, pooled their efforts in a quest to give Asheville a festival worthy of its storied past and vibrant community. Veteran character actor Pat Hingle, best known as Commissioner Gordon in the ”Batman” movies, received that year’s Lifetime Achievement Honors.

The festival grew in 2004, honoring actor Rance Howard (Cool Hand Luke, Cinderella Man). His family, including his sons, famed director Ron Howard, actor Clint Howard and his granddaughter, actress Bryce Dallas Howard, joined him, resulting in a star-studded celebration of their contribution to the medium and the quality independent films that the festival hosted that year.

In 2005, cutting-edge director Ken Russell (Tommy, Women in Love, Crimes of Passion) took center stage, honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his trail-blazing career. His films, especially Tommy, garnered an enthusiastic reception. The new films likewise grew in both quality and scope, reflecting the same love of innovation that made Russell so well-received.

2006 saw a Career Achievement Award for actress Jennifer Tilly (Bullets Over Broadway, Bound), who wowed audiences with her talents as a storyteller, her enthusiasm and her down-to-earth personality.

“Asheville” is what sets the Asheville Film Festival above the rest.  Unlike many festivals, the venues are all within walking distance, located in scenic downtown and timed just when the leaves have begun to change color. Its selections and future reflect the nature of Asheville itself: diverse, imaginative, with a taste for the unusual and, in the end, completely unique.