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Cucalorus provides a non-competitive environment to support independent filmmakers, performance artists, and community organizers who use storytelling to transform our world. The festival is held each November in historic downtown Wilmington, North Carolina and showcases more than 125 films complimented by performances from dancers, comedians, musicians, and performance artists.
Highlights included Snake Tales and Tax Day, from female directors Francesca Talenti and Laura Colella, respectively.
David Gordon Green’s directorial debut George Washington was the undisputed indie film of the year.
Wilmington-made The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, from producer Jodie Foster, was an audience favorite.
Docs ruled the day with Nick Doob’s Schooling Jewel, the street-fighting The Backyard and Chris Smith’s Home Movie.
Gus Van Sant’s Elephant, the East Coast premier of Tricia Brock’s adaptation of Killer Diller, which is based on a novel by Wilmington author Clyde Edgerton, and Ross McElwee’s Bright Leaves were highlights.
Oscar-winning writer Jim Taylor’s directorial debut, The Lost Cause, a narrative short starring Nick Searcy, and Jonathan Caouette’s Tarnation were favorites.
For the first time, Cucalorus opened in early November and the historic Thalian Hall Center became its primary venue.
Screened films Taxi to the Dark Side and Freeheld went on to win Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature and Best Documentary Short, respectively. The closing night film, In Search of a Midnight Kiss, released in 2008 to critical acclaim.
Erica Dunton presented her film The 27 Club. Marianna Palka and Jason Ritter were here for the screening of their film Good Dick, and the festival closed with a special screening of Wendy and Lucy with Kelly Reichardt on hand.
Record-busting crowds joined artists like Ray McKinnon (That Evening Sun) and Gary Lundgren (Calvin Marshall) for five days of salty celebration as Cucalorus celebrated 15 years of renegade festival making. Four films from the festival went on to receive 10 Oscar noms and no one was seriously injured as far as we know.
More than 200 artists traveled to Wilmington to participate in the annual celebration. Joining filmmakers were dancers, choreographers, spoken word artists, musicians, performance artists and installation artists – as Cucalorus spread its arms to embrace an increasing collection of diverse artists. Luke Matheny joins the family for a screening of God of Love (2011 Academy Award winner for Best Live Action Short). Matt Hulse brought his satchel of seeds and became the King of Cucalorus 2010 by participating in the works-in-progress program, hosting his signature ‘Audible Picture Show’ and presenting the world premier of his short, A Pilgrimage.
The 17th annual Cucalorus Film Festival came to a close on Sunday night, capping off a record year for the events overall attendance and marking the debut of the NC Retrospective program. The festival hosted 297 artists, including filmmakers, dancers, choreographers, poets, musicians, actors, and one mime from 7 different countries around the world and from cities scattered across the country. Accumulated attendance at the festival’s screenings, parties and educational events totaled 10,515.
Top grossing films were Holy Motors, A Royal Affair and Somebody Up There Likes Me. Durham-based filmmaker Jim Haverkamp hosted a standing room only screening of experimental shorts produced during the film festival as part of the Strange Beauty Challenge. Festival staff conducted a closing ceremony described as “the Holy Rite of Communion served by the First National Church of the Exquisite Panic.”
Force Majeure from Ruben Ostlund and Hide and Seek from Joanna Coates were the top performers. Regional favorite and world premiere NC Sixty, directed by Erica Dunton, graced the Thalian Mainstage.
Cucalorus officially comes of age! The launch of the Connect Conference brought innovators and entrepreneurs together for gatherings all over downtown. Wilmington on Fire by Christopher Everett sold out with a line wrapped around the block. Waffle Street by Eshom and Ian Nelms and Applesauce by Onur Tukel were other favorites.
A worldwide pandemic couldn’t stop Cucalorus 26! Screenings were hosted in three formats: live online, streaming on-demand, and at the drive-in on the University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s campus. Selections included The Passing On produced by NC-based filmmaker Lana Garland and Megan Daniel’s heartwarming portrait of four transgender ministers called Proper Pronouns. Visual/Sound/Walls featured Sparks! and was hosted live online with 534 attendees. This special Friday the 13th retrospective of their wildly inventive music videos included live chats with host Aaron Hillis throughout the evening. A series of live conversations were held with filmmakers on Zoom throughout the festival, encouraging interaction and community building.
Wilmington’s women-lead production company, Honey Head Films, had their NC priemere of A Song For Imogene, selling out Thalian Main on Opening Night. The 29th annual Cucalorus Film Festival showcased 116 films, featuring King Coal, This Closeness, and a sneak peek of Sisters with a guest appearance of Cristo Fernández, “Futbol is Life,” or should we say, “Cucalorus is Life!” Theater for All started off this year’s Dance-a-lorus with a tear-jerking performance of joy and beautiful movement. Talk about performances, Saturday was not a night to miss! There was a special stand-up set by Dylan Alder, an alluring performance of Pleasure Tour by Brandi Nicole, and didn’t someone get tattooed on stage!?
The 31st annual Cucalorus Festival takes place November 19-23, 2025 in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina.
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