The 2020 New Orleans Film Festival is happening November 6-22! The film fest is one of the few festivals that will feature in-person events this year, as the New Orleans Film Society has created a combination festival involving outdoor open air cinemas and at-home streaming experiences.

The festival is showcasing more than 160 films through "NOFF Virtual Cinema," available globally, and a selection of films at two screens at the "NOFF Open-Air Cinema" on Lafitte Greenway between Dorgenois and Tonti Streets. An additional open-air screen will be hosted at "Broadside," the new outdoor venue of the Broad Theater. Festival lineup, passes, and tickets are available now at neworleansfilmfest.org.

A number of this year's films celebrate music in a unique way. Seven feature length films revolve around song and dance, as well as a few select shorts from varied categories including Louisiana Shorts and Experimental Films. This year's festival also features eleven music videos from domestic and international artists.

LOUISIANA FEATURES COMPETITION

American Reject | dir. Marlo Hunter | USA | 90 min.
Kay Montgomery is a top finalist who gets the boot from America's hottest singing competition and is forced to move back in with her mother as reality cameras follow her every move. 

Nobody May Come | dir. Ella Hatamian & Stiven Luka | USA | 88 min.
A chronicle of the private and public life of Valerie Sassyfras, a 67-year-old entertainer from New Orleans pursuing her popstar dreams.

The Offline Playlist | dir. Brian C. Miller Richard | USA | 49 min.
A first-of-it’s-kind concert that paired New Orleans artists on a Spotify playlist with the fans who were listening to it, live at the hallowed Preservation Hall. Staring Jon Batiste, Irma Thomas, Curren$y, Mannie Fresh, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and more New Orleans legends. 

Professor Longhair, Rugged and Funky | dir.  Joshua JG Bagnall | USA | 92 min.
Only available at the Open-Air Cinema, no Virtual Cinema showings.
Professor Longhair: Rugged & Funky is a comprehensive documentary about the life and times of the unsung musical genius. Known by his peers as “The Originator of Funk and Rock N’ Roll” and “The Bach of Rock”, Fess like so many black New Orleans musicians, never got his due.