Highlands Cashiers FIlm Festival

Born from a love of film, creativity, and community, the Highlands–Cashiers Film Festival (HCFF) is an annual celebration of storytelling in all its forms. The festival showcases curated and independent films from around the world in competitive categories, sharing stories that inspire, connect, and reveal our shared humanity.

Beyond the screen, panel discussions, hikes, and intimate social gatherings bring filmmakers and audiences together in a uniquely in-person experience — one that uplifts emerging voices, fosters artistic exchange, and honors film’s power to reveal the extraordinary in everyday life.

Supported by volunteers and benefiting the Highlands Performing Arts Center, HCFF has quickly become a signature cultural gathering in the Western North Carolina mountains. The four-day weekend centers on in-person experiences that can’t be streamed — shared screenings, conversation, and time together — while building new traditions that feel welcoming, intentional, and connected to the region.