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the 31st annual Cucalorus Film Festival

The 31st annual Cucalorus Festival takes place November 19-23, 2025 in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina.

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The 31st annual Cucalorus Festival takes place November 19-23, 2025 in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina.

The festival showcases more than 100 films from all over the world and attracts filmmakers, performers and activists who come to celebrate the art-form, discover new work, and discuss the ongoing work of undoing racism. The festival's spirited celebration is a breeding ground for young artists, new ideas and future collaborations.

Films

The Last Partera
Post Conviction
Love Chaos Kin
Remaining Native
To the West, in Zapata
Wilmington, NC
Ways to Fly
Ways to Fly
Unfortunately _ Wonderful _ Difficult
Unfortunately _Wonderful_Difficult
The True Beauty of Being Bitten by a Tick
Touch Me
Tiger
Tiger
Thomasville
Thomasville
This Blows
Thin Places
This Blows
Thin Places
The Songbirds' Secret
The Truck
The Truck
The Quiet Within
The Python Hunt
The Power of Ink
The Power of Ink
The Plastic Cycle
The Last Cinnamon Roll
The Plastic Cycle
The Last Cinnamon Roll
The Conscience Files
The Hand that Feeds
The Chastity Sweater
The Conscience Files
The Confession
The Chastity Sweater
The Buzz of St. Roch
The Buzz of St. Roch
The Bride's Curse
The Ballad of a Home
The Blind Reggaetonera
The Bride's Curse
The Ballad of a Home
The Blind Reggaetonera
Thank You For Your Time
Suburban Nights
Thank You For Your Time
Suburban Fury
Spanked by a Ghost
Somber Tides
Spanked by a Ghost
Somber Tides
Sirāt
Silent Rebellion
Secret Screening
Sighting
Sighting
SKRFF
SKRFF
SHELL YEAH
SHELL YEAH
SAMLAND
SAMLAND
Potato Potato
Rosa's Dilemma
Rosa's Dilemma
Rial's Dream
Rial's Dream
Pow!
Pow!
Potato Potato
Once Upon a Wetland
Once Upon a Wetland
Max Distance
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Natchez
Missing Rhythms
Missing Rhythms
Max Distance
Marriaginalia
Mango
Mango
Magic Brown Artist
Look Into the Corner
Magic Brown Artist
Look Into the Corner
Long's Lost Lost & Mini Mart
Long's Lost Lost & Mini Mart
Kalamazoo Gals
Listen With Your Eyes
Listen With Your Eyes
Last Call
Last Call
Kalamazoo Gals
Juana Pelos
Juana Pelos
Journey to the AfroFuture
Journey to the AfroFuture
Humble in the Jungle

Events

Oyster Party
Secret Screening
Silent Disco
Snakeskin Jacket
Butter Rodeo
Mattress
DREAM ROLE
German Soul
Men of Courage: Screening and Keynote
Crowdfunding to Build Independence
Putting Films to Work: How to Use Film for Social Change
Filmed in NC Awards Reception
Cold Reading: Bringing Words to Life
STREET SMART: Lessons from a TV Icon
VR Salon: IMMERSIONS
Costume Karaoke Dance Party
Reggie Watts
Secret Screening
From Reflection to Release - Embodying Social Justice Values in Documentary Filmmaking
Fiscal Sponsorship 101 with the Southern Documentary Fund
Action Acting: Selling the Hit, Owning the Frame
Lighting the Way: Crew & Rental House Collaboration at Cinespace
Club Silencio - A Tribute to David Lynch
The Sound Design of David Lynch
SFX Make Up
Anything That Moves
Kickoff at Jengo's Playhouse
Dance-a-lorus
State of the State & Conference Welcome

Thalian Hall – Main Stage

Sat
Nov
22
4:00 pm
310 Chestnut St
Wilmington
NC
28401

Suburban Nights

Narrative Feature

Thalian Hall – Black Box

Sat
Nov
22
1:15 pm
310 Chestnut St
Wilmington
NC
28401

American Baby

Narrative Feature

Thalian Hall – Black Box

Sat
Nov
22
10:45 am
310 Chestnut St
Wilmington
NC
28401

The Songbirds' Secret

Narrative Feature

Thalian Hall – Main Stage

Fri
Nov
21
3:45 pm
310 Chestnut St
Wilmington
NC
28401

Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day

Narrative Feature

Thalian Hall – Main Stage

Fri
Nov
21
1:15 pm
310 Chestnut St
Wilmington
NC
28401

The True Beauty of Being Bitten by a Tick

Narrative Feature

Jengo’s Playhouse

Thu
Nov
20
7:15 pm
815 Princess St
Wilmington
NC
28401

Beyond the Belt: The Legend of Karriem Abdallah

Documentary Feature