The Indie Memphis Film Festival will return November 5-8, 2026.
The festival, which began when a group of University of Memphis film students projected their works on a coffee shop wall in 1998, grew to become a major cultural force in the Mid South by the 2010s, regularly attracting more than 10,000 ticket buyers to a weeklong festival that featured independently produced films and acclaimed art house productions. But in the wake of the film industry disruptions caused by the pandemic and the twin WGA and SAG strikes of 2023, the festival struggled to find funding. The 2025 festival was canceled in the wake of steep cuts to federal and state arts funding. Festival director Kimel Fryer and artistic director Miriam Bale left the nonprofit, along with the small full-time staff which programmed films events year round in addition to the annual festival.
The new iteration of Indie Memphis has all new leadership and a new board of directors. Veteran film and television production professional Alicia George and Joseph Carr, who formerly served as Managing Director, will be Co-Executive Directors of the revamped organization.
“Joseph and I are deeply honored to step into these roles together,” says George. “Indie Memphis has an extraordinary legacy, and we are excited to work alongside our board and community to build a sustainable future for filmmakers and audiences across the Mid-South.”
An all new board of directors will be led by film producer and communications specialist Savannah Bearden. Les Edwards, who was integral in fostering the early growth of the festival, will serve as Treasurer. Former IM Executive Director Ryan Watt, filmmaker and former IM programmer Brandon Harris, cinematographer Gabriel DeCarlo, and filmmaker Morgan Jon Fox will serve on the board.
“We are thrilled to bring together a leadership team with deep institutional knowledge and a shared commitment to Indie Memphis’s future,” said Bearden. “This moment represents both a renewal and a recommitment to the filmmakers, audiences, and community that have sustained this festival for nearly three decades.”
The 2026 festival will move from its traditional home in Midtown to Downtown in the South Main Arts District. The new era of Indie Memphis will officially begin on Saturday, Feb. 21 at Malco Ridgeway Theater, with a screening of Natchez. The film, directed by Indie Memphis alum Suzanna Herbert, won Best Documentary at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. More information is available at indiememphis.org.