Press Room
What is a Cucalorus?
cuc•a•lor•us n., [orig. Gk. kukaloris, the dance of the shadows.]1. a film set apparatus placed in front of a light source to create a dappled lighting effect on a subject or background. also cookie, UK. gobo. 2. a film festival in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Press Contacts
Dan Brawley
dan@cucalorus.org
Anna Hogelin
anna@cucalorus.org
Press Releases
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“Burned: Protecting the Protectors” kicks off new films series at Jengo’s Playhouse
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Surfalorus Film Festival announces 2023 schedule
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Cucalorus and Working Films announce the 2023 Works-in-Progress Recipients
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Cucalorus named one of 25 Coolest Film Festivals by MovieMaker Magazine
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Cucalorus Film Foundation announces new Development Director
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“A Song for Imogene” set to open the 29th annual Cucalorus Film Festival
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Cucalorus and Working Films seek applications for 2023 Works-in-Progress Lab
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Whimsical Times Film Festival seeks submissions for local children’s film festival
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IMMERSION 5.0 Virtual Reality Creation Lab seeks applicants
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Cucalorus Film Foundation to receive grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
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Isabella Rossellini to perform new show Darwin’s Smile at 28th annual Cucalorus
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Cucalorus Film Foundation awarded grants from two national art funders
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Lucky 13! North Carolina filmmakers receive funding from Cucalorus
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28th annual Cucalorus Film Festival announces full schedule
Press at Cucalorus 29
Interested in attending this year’s event as press? Please fill out the form below.
In The News
2022
- Cucalorus headlines with ‘Blue Velvet’ star Isabella Rossellini, spotlights independent film
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‘Blue Velvet’ actress will return to Wilmington to perform one-woman show for Cucalorus
- $95K in grants awarded to Cucalorus Film Foundation
- As Wilmington’s film industry surges, the independent film scene rises along with it
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Surfalorus celebrates local legend and Hawaiian royalty in packed festival lineup
2021
2020
- Connect Focus: Social Justice – GWBJ
- A Hybrid, Mostly Online Cucalorus Festival Seeks To Survive Creatively – GWBJ
- Films Announced for 2020 Cucalorus Film Festival – WECT News
- Cucalorus Goes to the Drive-in – StarNews
- 5 ways to get the best drive in experience – StarNews
2019
- We are living in a computer simulation- a real Matrix- without knowing it?
- Getting real with virtual reality – a treat from Cucalorus Connect VR Salon
- The art of gifting: Pinksocks movement promotes human connection vs. connectivity
- Digital humans with star’s voice such as Cate Blanchett could answer your healthcare questions
- It’s a b-i-g party! Cucalorus Festival kicks off in Wilmington
- WRAL TechWire- Something for everyone at Cucalorus: Best bets in tech, stage, and film
- WRAL TechWire- Cucalorus Connect Conference Nov. 14-15 explores intersection of creativity and technology
- Star News: The dances of Dance-a-lorus
- WilmingtonBiz Magazine- Cucalous Widens Its Lens
- WRAL Techwire – Cucalorus explores human – tech interaction on stage and screen
- The Robesonian – Lumbee Film Festival to be held May 16-17
- MovieMaker – 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee
- Greater Wilmington Business Journal: Info Junkie – Dan Brawley
- Greater Wilmington Business Journal: Cucalorus Signs 2 Additional Major Sponsors For 2019
- Outer Banks Voice – Surfalorus Festival in pursuit of new films for fall show
- Greater Wilmington Business Journal: Cucalorus Partners With Creative Capital To Bring Artists’ Workshop To Wilmington
- Star News: Cucalorus Fest gets dirty with bawdy Tainted Cabaret
- Encore: HASHTAG SEXUAL REFERENCE: Shirley Gnome dishes on burlesque, the creative process and her totally perv muse in ‘Tainted Cabaret’
- Star News: Cucalorus Festival gets a major NEA grant
- Star News: EDITORIAL: Cucalorus Festival illuminates shadows of history
- Greater Wilmington Business Journal: SAS Brand Director Aims To Connect Tech, Emotion Through Film
- Star News: Cucalorus Festival’s focus on performance comes into its own
- The Seahawk: Cucalorus 24 kicks off with Dance-a-lorus
- WECT First at Four: The 24th annual Cucalorus Festival takes place November 7-11, with guest Dan Brawley
- WWAY: Cucalorus Festival Ready to Kick Off
- Star News: 7 Movies to See at Cucalorus 24
- Indy Week: A Hurricane Can’t Stop Wilmington’s Cucalorus Festival, and Triangle Filmmakers and Musicians Are Heading East
- Star News: 24 things to know about the 24th Cucalorus Festival
- NCTech: November Executive Spotlight: Dan Brawley, Chief Instigating Officer
- Seahawk News: Cucalorus 24 preview // Highlighting UNCW students and staff talents
- Picture Lock Podcast: Interview with Dan Brawley & Lez Bomb’s Jenna Laurenzo
- WilmingtonBiz Insights: Cucalorus Connect Helps Highlight Area’s Economic & Cultural Identity
- Wilmington & Beaches: Cucalorus Takes Center Stage with Five days of Film, Technology, and Theatre
- WRAL Tech on Tap Conversations: Cucalorus marries the history of film in Wilmington and emerging tech scene
- Encore: Paving the Way: Cucalorus continues to evolve, welcomes live music and Superchunk to the stage
- Star News: Cucalorus Festival announces opening night band, film screenings
- MovieMaker Magazine: 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee, 2018
- Greater Wilmington Business Journal: Reframing Film Industry
- Greater Wilmington Business Journal: Achievers & Accolades—Kim Klein
- Clture: Cucalorus is worth the road trip to Wilmington
- WECT: Dan Brawley is taking Cucalorus in another new direction
- Star News: Innovation economy takes stage, editorial by Tom Looney
More News
- Star News: 8 Things to See & Do at UNCW’s Lumina Fest
- Convention and Visitor’s Bureau guest blog by Dan Brawley
- Greater Wilmington Business Journal: Tru Colors Brewing
- WHQR Communique: Inshiradu Receives Support From Cucalorus For 1898 Narrative: “What The River Knows”
- Star News: Tru Colors Brewing Up Solution to Gang Violence
- Matt Magne’s overview of Connect 2017
- MovieMaker Magazine: 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee, 2017
- Filmmaker Magazine: Dispatches from Cucalorus 2016
- Cultured Vulture: 10 Best Film Festivals Worth Your Time In 2017
- Star News: Cucalorus leader Dan Brawley to head Film Festival Alliance
- Blog: La Medea: un show interactivo de cine, música, danza y teatro brillará este sábado en Jengo’s Playhouse
- Wrightsville Beach Magazine: Independent Ascendant?
- MovieMaker: A Little Bit of Catharsis: Cucalorus 22 is the change we want to see in the world
- ExitEvent: Don’t Miss These Southeast Startup, Innovation and Tech Conferences in 2017
- StarNews: Cucalorus Film Festival receives grant
- Star News: Cucalorus Film Festival attendance figures released
- Exit Event: 5 Takeaways from Cucalorus Connect 2016 in Wilmington
- City of Wilmington: Joe Dunton Q&A Livestream
- Star News: Cucalorus Film Festival wraps 22nd year with packed screenings, festive atmosphere
Media Center
Check out the 28th annual Cucalorus Film Festival Program Guide here!
Cucalorus Text:
The Cucalorus Film Festival takes place every November showcasing more than 150 independent films with a focus on supporting films directed by women and by people of color. Screenings are paired with bold performance art, authentic live music and social gatherings to bring together humans from all walks of life. The spirited celebration has been recognized as a breeding ground for young artists, new ideas, and future collaborations. Cucalorus brings together emerging creatives with new ideas that challenge us to look at the world in new ways. Festival programs focus on dance, justice, comedy, performance, cocktails and more.
Cucalorus Images:
Film Festival Images:
Jengo’s Playhouse Audience
photo by Molly Farrell
Dance-a-lorus-60 by Kevin Lee-Y and Damien Capps
photo by Annalee Decker
Dance-a-lorus
photo by Annalee Decker
Opening Night Party at Hi-Wire Brewing
photo by Annalee Decker
2020 – Cucalorus Drive In
2020 – Cucalorus Drive In
2020 – Cucalorus Drive In
2020 – Cucalorus Drive In
2019 – Dance-A-Lorus
2019 – Dan Dance-A-Lorus
2019 – Dance-A-Lorus
2019 – Q&A
2019 – Audience at Jengo’s
2019 – VSW
2018 – Festival
2018 – Dance-A-Lorus
2018 – Filmmakers
2018 – Dance-A-Lorus
2018 – Emcee Performance
2018 – Youth Workshop – Jengos
2018 – Jengo’s
2018 – VSWLounge
2018 – Female Filmmakers Meetup
2018 – Thalian Main
Burned: Protecting the Protectors kicks off Friday Nite Films at Jengo’s Playhouse
Wilmington, NC– Cucalorus Film Foundation is excited to announce the upcoming lineup for Friday Nite Films at Jengo’s Playhouse, starting this Friday, September 22nd with Burned: Protecting the Protectors. Burned is the true story of Diane Cotter’s journey to...
Surfalorus celebrates 12 years with Savage Waters, Ministry of Surf and the NC Oyster Trail
Surfalorus celebrates 12 years with Savage Waters, Ministry of Surf and the NC Oyster Trail August 7, 2023- The 12th annual Surfalorus Film Festival, presented by NC Aquariums, brings some of the year’s most innovative and creative surf movies to the Outer Banks for ...
Cucalorus and Working Films Announce the 2023 Works-in-Progress Lab Recipients
Cucalorus and Working Films Announce the 2023 Works-in-Progress Lab Recipients Wilmington, NC- The Cucalorus Works-in-Progress Lab, organized through a partnership with Working Films, is excited to announce this year’s cohort of documentary storytellers who...