About the Highlands-Cashiers Film Festival
Born from a love of film, creativity, and community, the Highlands–Cashiers Film Festival is an annual celebration of storytelling in all its forms. By bringing together filmmakers, media artists, and audiences from around the world, the festival creates a unique in-person experience where stories inspire, connect, and ignite conversation. Supported by volunteers and benefitting the Performing Arts Center, it uplifts emerging voices, fosters artistic exchange, and honors film’s power to reveal the extraordinary in everyday life.
Save the date:
September 17-20, 2026
Explore the festival
*
Explore the festival *
2026 Tickets
The 2026 festival tickets will be available in the coming months. Check back in!
We have a variety of ticket options that range from one show to a day pass to the whole weekend.
Travel and Lodging
Stay in the charming Appalachian town of Highlands, North Carolina—where breathtaking nature meets small-town warmth. Make the most of your festival experience surrounded by scenic beauty and local hospitality.
Celebrating our 2025 festival
The inaugural Highlands Cashiers Film Festival was a huge success, bringing over 1,500 film lovers together for four unforgettable days of movies, music, and community.
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, filmmakers, and attendees, we raised over $150,000 to benefit the Highlands Performing Arts Center. Your support made this exciting new tradition possible.
Support the festival
Help us bring this festival to life! As a mostly volunteer-run event, your support goes a long way in making it all possible—from screening films to hosting events and welcoming artists. Every donation, big or small, helps us celebrate creativity and community.
