Frequently asked questions
What is the SCAD Savannah Film Festival?
Presented by SCAD and launched by SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace in 1997, the SCAD Savannah Film Festival highlights the best in cinema, bringing acclaimed films and filmmakers from around the world to Savannah. Now entering its 27th year, the country's largest university-run film festival celebrates cinematic creativity from both award-winning professionals and emerging student filmmakers. The festival is host to a wide variety of film screenings, premieres, workshops, panels, and lectures.
When will the 2025 SCAD Savannah Film Festival take place?
The festival begins Saturday, Oct. 25 and ends Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
Where will the 2025 SCAD Savannah Film Festival take place?
The 2025 SCAD Savannah Film Festival will take place in historic university venues around Savannah, including Trustees Theater, Lucas Theatre for the Arts, the SCAD Museum of Art, and Gutstein Gallery.
How do I attend the festival?
Attend the festival by purchasing tickets to individual events or purchase a pass for access to multiple festival events. Passes are on sale now. Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.
I'd like to help! How can I volunteer for the festival?
SCAD students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to volunteer for the festival and will receive information in their email inboxes during fall quarter on how to sign up for opportunities. Watch for the announcement to join the festival team!
What filmmakers will attend the SCAD Savannah Film Festival?
Filmmaker Q&A info is added to each film when attendance is confirmed. Note that all appearances are subject to change.
How can I follow SCAD Savannah Film Festival updates?
Sign up for the SCAD Savannah Film Festival newsletter and follow the festival on Instagram, Facebook, Letterboxd, and TikTok.
Do SCAD students and other SCAD Card holders receive free or discounted tickets?
SCAD students and other SCAD Card holders receive a link to order free daytime screening tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis starting Monday, Oct. 6. They can also pick up free daytime tickets in person at Trustees Theater starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3.
Do you give out awards?
Yes! Competition winners will be announced on our website Friday, Oct. 31. Festivalgoers will also vote on audience awards in a variety of categories.
I'm a passholder. How do the festival passes work?
Depending on the pass level, passholders do not need a ticket to attend screenings and events. Passes, however, do not guarantee a seat, and it is recommended passholders arrive 30 minutes prior to a screening start time. Passholders arriving later than 15 minutes prior to a screening start time for the festival's most popular events may not be seated. Passholders also receive priority entry via the passholder line, which is admitted first into the theater once doors open — typically 30 minutes prior to the event's start.
Marquee passholders do not need tickets to attend any screening or panel event, but should plan to arrive 15 to 30 minutes prior to the event's start in order to guarantee a seat.
Spotlight passholders do not need tickets to attend any daytime screenings, but should plan to arrive 15 to 30 minutes prior to the event's start in order to guarantee a seat. Spotlight passholders must have a ticket to attend evening Gala Screening events. All Spotlight passholders will be contacted following the festival schedule release Friday, Oct. 3, to make the ticket selections for the evening galas included with their pass.
Daytime passholders do not need tickets to attend any daytime screenings, but should plan to arrive 15 to 30 minutes prior to the event's start in order to guarantee a seat.
How do I buy tickets?
The easiest way to buy tickets is online via the film festival schedule. Online ticket buyers are encouraged to create an account in advance on scadboxoffice.com by clicking the login button. Online ticket purchasers can also opt to receive mobile tickets that they can then download to their phones.
Tickets may also be purchased in person at the SCAD Box Office at 216 E. Broughton St. or via phone by calling 912.525.5050. In advance of the festival, box office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. During the festival, the box office opens one hour prior to the first event of the day and remains open through scheduled evening events.
What payment methods do you accept?
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival accepts all major credit cards. All venues are cashless.
When should I arrive for my screening?
It is suggested that guests arrive at least 15 to 30 minutes to an event start time. Doors will typically open around 30 minutes prior to the start time but may open as much as an hour prior to the screening start time.
Latecomers will be admitted at the discretion of theater staff. Latecomers not admitted will not be issued a refund.
What if there are no tickets available to a certain screening or event I want to see?
When a screening no longer has available tickets, it is considered "standby only." Note that ticket inventory may fluctuate, so it is recommended to continue checking regularly to see if more tickets become available.
Festivalgoers without tickets may also wait in the standby line to see the film. 15 minutes prior to a screening's start time, theater staff will count the empty seats in the auditorium and sell a select amount of rush tickets to those in the rush line on a first-come, first-served basis. Rush lines will form approximately 60 minutes prior to a screening. Note that joining a rush line does not guarantee a ticket to the screening.
Can I get a refund on my tickets?
All sales are final. We do not offer refunds.
I got my festival ticket! What should I do to prepare for my screening?
Here are some tips to ensure you are prepared for your screening:
- Double check your screening date, time, and venue. Make sure you know when and where you are going and plan to arrive in advance of the showtime start.
- If you chose the recommended mobile ticketing option, download your digital ticket to your mobile phone. You will need your tickets to get into the screening, and it is easier to download them at home before you arrive. Mobile tickets will arrive in a separate email from your order confirmation. Check your email's Spam folder if you are unable to locate your ticket email.
- Have fun! You're at a film festival. Our staff and volunteers are here to ensure the best possible Festival experience for all audience members.
I have questions. Whom should I contact?
Email [email protected] with your needs or concerns. Check filmfest.scad.edu often for the latest festival updates.