Fairhope Film Festival

The Fairhope Film Festival was founded by Mary Riser with the vision of "Creating Community Through Film." What started as a successful film series at the Univeristy of Alabama - Baldwin County, evolved into an annual celebration of cinema. Since 2012, the festival has brought award-winning films, industry leaders, and engaging discussions to Fairhope every November. 

At its core, the festival was created to bring world-class cinema to our region, introduce Fairhope as a prime location for film production, and support Alabama filmmakers. Additionally, we strive to contribute to the growth of local and state economies by fostering a thriving film culture. 

Inspiring the Next Generation - The Fairhope Filmmakers 48-Hour Scramble (Fairhope 48) is more than just a filmmaking competition - it's a launchpad for the next generation of Alabama filmmakers. By giving participants 48 hours to write, film, and edit a short film, the challenge fosters creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, key skills for success in the industry. Winning films are showcased at the Fairhope Film Festival, offering emerging talent exposure to industry professionals and audiences alike. 

The festival isn't just a once-a-year event - it's a year-round celebration of film. In addition to screening 30+ award-winning films over four days in November, we host exclusive monthly screenings from January through May, giving our community access to must-see films before they hit general release.