The Full Bloom Film Festival (FBFF) is a September tradition in Statesville, North Carolina, and is Iredell County’s only international film festival.
Each year, FBFF brings together filmmakers, community members, and, hopefully, amazing people like you!
We’ve seen this wonderful event in action and want to share everything you need to know, from the first screening to Saturday’s Awards Night Celebration!
Here’s what you’ll find below:
- What is the Full Bloom Film Festival?
- Where is FBFF?
- 2026 Full Bloom Film Festival Schedule
- Tips for Attending
- More Things to Do in Statesville (and Nearby)
Read More: Things to Do in Statesville
What is the Full Bloom Film Festival?
Event Dates: September 10-12, 2026
Host: Iredell Arts Council
Official Full Bloom Film Festival Website
The Iredell Arts Council presents the Full Bloom Film Festival, typically held in September. The first FBFF was held in 2015.
Over three days in September, FBFF features more than 50 films from 11 countries and is the only international film festival held in Iredell County. Submissions are held for many months in advance, and a finalized schedule is usually shared in August.
Read More: Facts About Statesville
Where is Full Bloom Film Festival?
As mentioned, Full Bloom Film Festival is held in downtown Statesville. During the festival, screenings are held across four venues, including:
- Shearer Hall at Mitchell Community College (500 W Broad St, Statesville, NC)
- Rotary Auditorium at Mitchell Community College (500 W Broad St, Statesville, NC)
- Iredell Arts Council (The Old Jail, 203 S Meeting St, Statesville, NC)
- Center Stage Alliance (109 E Broad St, Statesville, NC)
The FBFF Box Office is at Lake Mountain Coffee (110 W Broad St, Statesville, NC), and multiple other Statesville businesses and organizations are involved, including:
- Black Box Theater at American Renaissance School (222 E Broad St, Statesville, NC)
- The Coarsey Home (240 N Mulberry St, Statesville, NC)
- D’Laney’s Sports Bar & Grill (114 W Broad St, Statesville, NC)
- The Essence on Broad (230 W Broad St, Statesville, NC)
- The Lawn at Broad Street UMC (315 W Broad St, Statesville, NC)
- Red Buffalo Brewing Company (108 N Center St, Statesville, NC)
- The Statesville Historical Collection (117 S Center St, Statesville, NC)
2026 Schedule
Here’s a quick breakdown of 2026’s Full Bloom Film Festival schedule:
- Wednesday: Not Technically a Festival Day, but the Box Office opens and there’s a FREE community screening.
- Box Office at Lake Mountain Coffee (12:00 pm to 6:00 pm)
- FREE Screening of The Princess Bride at Broad Street UMC (7:45 pm to 10:15 pm): FBFF doesn’t technically begin until Thursday, but this event is a nice start and is a great nod to legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner.
- Thursday
- Box Office at Lake Mountain Coffee (11:00 am to 5:00 pm)
- Sunburst Soiree: VIP Opening Night Party at the Essence on Broad (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)*
- VIP Opening Night Screening (7:30 pm to 8:30 pm)*
- Thursday Night After-Party at the Watering Hole (8:30 pm to 11:00 pm)
- Friday
- Box Office at Lake Mountain Coffee (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
- Merchandise Store at Iredell Arts Council (11:00 am to 3:00 pm)
- Film Screening Times by Location
- Center Stage Alliance: 11:15 am, 1:45 pm, and 6:00 pm
- Iredell Arts Council: 11:15 am and 1:30 pm
- Rotary Auditorium: 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 6:00 pm
- Shearer Hall: 11:00 am, 1:15 pm, and 6:00 pm
- Dusk in Bloom and Groove Skeleton Band Friday Night Party at the Old Jail (8:00 pm to 10:00 pm)
- Friday Night After-Party at Red Buffalo Brewing Company (10:00 pm to Midnight)
- Saturday
- Box Office at Lake Mountain Coffee (8:00 am to 4:00 pm)
- Merchandise Store at Iredell Arts Council (10:00 am to 4:00 pm)
- Film Screening Times by Location
- Center Stage Alliance: 10:15 am, 12:15 pm, and 2:15 pm
- Iredell Arts Council: 10:30 am, 12:15 pm, and 2:15 pm
- Rotary Auditorium: 10:15 am, 12:15 pm, and 2:30 pm
- Shearer Hall: 10:00 am, 12:15 pm, 2:15 pm, and 5:30 pm
- Saturday Red Carpet at Shearer Hall (5:00 pm)
- Moonlight and Magnolias: Awards Night Celebration at Coursey Home (8:00 pm to 10:00 pm)*
- Saturday Night After-Party at D’Laney’s Sports Bar & Grill (10:00 pm to Midnight)
The Full Bloom Film Festival schedule could change, so please follow the official schedule page here.
* VIP Tickets Required
Tips for Attending
- Watch as many films as possible (and Engage with Filmmakers): There are so many wonderful movies being presented at FBFF. One thing we loved about this festival, beyond the abundance of films, was the access you get to filmmakers. Stick around after a movie and you might be able to get answers to a question to popped up while watching!
- Familiarize yourself with Statesville: there are tons of great restaurants and things to do in Statesville beyond FBFF. That’s why we think you should give yourself more time to explore.
- Stay Nearby: The ultimate solution to needing more time is to stay in downtown Statesville. The Inn on Front Street is a great option!
- Give yourself extra time to arrive: If you’re driving into Statesville, plan some extra time around your arrival, especially if you’re traveling from Charlotte, Greensboro, or anywhere else on our Interstates.
- Buy Tickets From Official Sources: This one is the most important tip to enjoying FBFF. Don’t buy tickets from resellers or anyone else not affiliated with the festival! Purchase directly from the FBFF website or in person at Lake Mountain Coffee. If any other official ticket sellers let us know, we’ll add them here.
- Consider VIP Tickets: You can buy tickets for Individual Screenings, Day Passes, and an entire Festival Pass. Then there’s the VIP and VIP Couple Pass. With a VIP Pass (or VIP Couple Pass), you get access to everything included with a Festival Pass, PLUS an invite to the VIP Kickoff Screening and Party on Thursday and the Awards Party on Saturday. Because don’t you want to see who wins WHEN they actually win?
More Things to Do in Statesville (and Nearby)
We mentioned getting to know Statesville, and here are a few ways to do that before, during, and after the Full Bloom Film Festival:
- Downtown: As you’ll find during FBFF, Statesville has a walkable and beautiful downtown. It’s full of local businesses, many of which serve as venues for FBFF events.
- Fort Dobbs State Historic Site: About 10 minutes from downtown Statesville, Fort Dobbs was once an important outpost for British settlers during the French and Indian War.
- Lake Norman: This is the largest man-made lake in North Carolina, and parts of it are managed as a state park. One popular access point is in Troutman, just south of Statesville and north of Mooresville.
- Balloon Ride (and Carolina Balloonfest): Not long after FBFF in October, roughly 50 hot air balloons and pilots from around the world convene in the skies for Carolina BalloonFest. Local operators Big Oh! Balloons provide hot air balloon rides throughout much of the year. Based on our experience, flying in a hot air balloon above the beautiful landscape of Iredell County belongs on your North Carolina bucket list!
Ready to Attend Full Bloom Film Festival?
Full Bloom Film Festival is a special time to be in Statesville. You don’t always get to see filmmakers come from across the globe to share their work within a wonderful small town setting.
If you’re looking for something to do in September, we think Full Bloom Film Festival belongs on your calendar. You’ll certainly find it on ours each year.
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