Revolve Film and Music Festival

"I am excited for the Revolve Film and Music Festival in the Triad and the Triangle regions of the state. This film festival strives to celebrate the most positive filmmaking that will uplift and inspire. With its year-round presence, Revolve is an integral part of continuing to educate, and growing this industry in North Carolina."
—Aaron Syrett, Director, NC Film Office

Q: What is a Film Festival exactly?
A: It’s an event where films are screened over the space of a few days. Usually there are visiting celebrities, parties, and sometimes panels or workshops related to film and the industry. Each festival cultivates its own personality, reflected by its size and programming.

Q: What kind of film festival is the Revolve Film and Music Festival?
A: Revolve is a concise festival, considered relatively small compared to most. Revolve is dedicated to film, music and socializing. We also aim to attract out-of-town filmmakers, actors and professionals for people to meet. We often screen North Carolina premieres: films that have not been shown in the state before. Revolve will have screened 20 North Carolina Premieres as of this spring. You won't get a chance to see these on the big screen again, and these kind of movies don't come the theatres, which unfortunately offer almost no variety.
Since January 2008, we have screened a new film each month (the "revolving" film) and presented a five day festival during August 6-10, 2008, at the Salem Fine Arts Center. The 2009 festival was held at Carswell Hall, Wake Forest University, in Winston-Salem.

Q: Where do you screen films?
A: The venue we have used the most is the Drama Workshop theatre at the Salem Fine Arts Center. We also show films at Carswell Hall at Wake Forest, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum in Greensboro. We have screened at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, and the Century Center Cinema in Carrboro (thanks to Nic Beery). We hope to continue screenings in the Carrboro area.
Note: we screen on the professional digi beta format; no grainy DVDs or home formats. We feel that a high resolution, theatre-quality picture is important.

Q: Where can I buy tickets and how much will they cost?
A: We use a fair-trade, online ticketer called brownpapertickets.com. We try to keep costs around or below $10 per event/screening, just like a regular movie theatre.

Q: Are you like Sundance?
A: Not really. Although we will screen interesting new films, and will try to attract industry professionals, we are not a market-driven festival like Sundance. We're more community-oriented. For instance, we will not bring in a "jury" of industry experts to vote on the films like the bigger festivals do. The only award at Revolve is the Golden Arrow Audience Award. Our festival is for the people, so the people get to vote on which films they liked best, rather than a panel of invisible "experts." All of our resources are dedicated to good programming and an environment that is high quality, comfortable and accessible. If you wish to avoid crowds and chaos, Revolve is for you.

shalini Q: Do programmers travel to other film festivals to seek out new and exciting films?
A: Yes. In 2007, we attended the 30th annual Denver Film Festival. In 2008, we attended All American Film Festival and Full Frame, in Durham NC, and the debut of the Reynolda Film Festival at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem NC. We look forward to visiting other festivals.

Q: Are you a non-profit?
A: YES! We have 501-c-3 tax exempt status. Your valuable contribution will be tax deductible. If you wish to donate and become a Revolve sponsor, please email or call us at your convenience.

Q: How do I become a sponsor and what do I get out of it?
A: When you donate to support Revolve, your contribution will be tax-deductible, whether you are a corporation or an individual. Plus, you will be part of an important cultural event in North Carolina, and will receive free admission to screenings. And, you'll get to meet any visiting stars! You will enjoy constant visibility on our website and in our popular full color program guide.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email revolvefestival@earthlink.net or call 336-722-8238.

View the program for the August 2008 Festival and for the 2009 Festival.