Byron Hurt joins Cucalorus Film Conference as keynote speaker

Wilmington, NC- Cucalorus is excited to announce the keynote speaker for the Cucalorus Film Conference, to be held during the 31st annual Cucalorus Film Festival, taking place November 19–23, 2025 at Thalian Hall. Award-winning filmmaker Byron Hurt will be addressing attendees after a screening of his newest film, Men of Courage, at the final session on Saturday, November 22 at 4pm.

Hurt’s films Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, Soul Food Junkies, and Hazing broadcast nationally on PBS’s Emmy award-winning series, Independent Lens. His documentary Lee and Liza’s Family Tree aired on PBS NOVA. His keynote address will focus on his journey as an independent filmmaker and will offer ideas on how the independent filmmaking community should move forward during a time when storytellers who seek to tell the truth are under attack. “I’m thrilled to share my latest short film with the Cucalorus Film Festival audience,” said Byron Hurt. “My hope is to inspire and uplift fellow filmmakers at a moment when many of us are searching for renewed motivation.”

The conference will kick off on Thursday, November 20 at 1pm with a reception for the recipients of the Filmed in NC Awards, followed by a panel of key film industry leaders discussing the State of the State. Both of these events are free and open to the public.

“It feels full circle to kick off the Cucalorus Film Conference by recognizing North Carolina filmmakers who are creating meaningful work, and then close with long-time Cucalorian Byron Hurt inspiring us to keep making that kind of impactful art,” said conference coordinator Megan Petersen. “That’s really what the conference is all about–bringing people together from all stages of their creative journeys to learn, connect, and inspire one another…and to have some fun, too!”

Back-to-back conference sessions will occur Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22 from 10am-5pm at Thalian Hall. Whether you’re curious about stunts, how to fund your next project, social justice in filmmaking, or more, there really is a session for everyone.

For more details on the upcoming Cucalorus Film Conference, please visit cucalorus.eventive.org or email anna@cucalorus.org.

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