Frequently asked questions
When will the 2026 SCAD Savannah Film Festival take place?
The festival begins Saturday, Oct. 24 and ends Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026.
Where will the 2026 SCAD Savannah Film Festival take place?
The 2026 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, Press café, and Gutstein Gallery.
Can anyone attend the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, or is it only for SCAD students?
Yes! The SCAD Savannah Film Festival is open to the public and everyone is invited to experience the festival. Each year, the festival welcomes SCAD students and alumni, Savannah residents, visiting film lovers, and guests from around the world for eight days of screenings, conversations, panels, and special events.
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. 2, 2026.
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. 5. They can also pick up free daytime tickets in person at Trustees Theater starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2.
Do you give out awards?
Yes! The SCAD Savannah Film Festival honors the top films in competition categories and will award additional recognitions at the discretion of festival jurors. 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 at least 30 minutes prior to a screening start time. Passholders arriving later than 30 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 30-45 minutes prior to the event's start.
How do the pass levels differ?
Marquee passholders do not need additional tickets to attend any screening or panel events. Spotlight passholders do not need tickets to attend any daytime screenings, but are required to purchase tickets to most evening events. They receive access to the opening night and closing night gala events, as well as the exclusive Director's Choice screening. Daytime passholders do not need tickets to attend any daytime screenings, but are required to purchase tickets to all evening events. All passholders should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the event's start in order to guarantee a seat.
Will filmmakers, actors, and other guests attend screenings?
Yes! Many festival screenings feature appearances by filmmakers, actors, artisans, and other special guests, often including introductions, post-screening Q&As, and moderated conversations. When a guest is scheduled to attend, their participation will be noted on the individual film or event listing on the festival schedule. All guest appearances are subject to change due to availability and professional commitments.
Are festival films rated?
Many films screening at the festival have not yet received an MPAA rating. We encourage festivalgoers to review individual film descriptions before purchasing tickets, as some films may contain mature themes, language, violence, or other content that may not be suitable for all audiences.
Can children attend festival screenings?
Yes, children are welcome to attend festival screenings. Because many festival films have not yet received an MPAA rating, parents and guardians are encouraged to review individual film descriptions and use their own discretion when determining whether a film or event is appropriate for their child.
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. in advance of the festival. The SCAD Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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.
Where can I pick up my festival pass?
Festival passes will be available for pickup beginning Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Festival Headquarters, located inside Press at Jen Library, 201 E. Broughton St. Passholders are encouraged to pick up their passes in advance of their first festival event to ensure a smooth start to their festival experience.
Can I transfer my pass to someone else?
No. All festival passes are strictly nontransferable and may only be used by the individual to whom the pass was originally issued. Passes may not be shared, transferred, resold, or given to another person under any circumstances. Festival staff reserve the right to verify passholder identification, and misuse of a festival pass may result in its revocation without refund.
When should I arrive for my screening?
It is suggested that guests arrive at least 30 minutes to an event start time. Doors will typically open 30-45 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.
Is there assigned seating for festival events?
No, all SCAD Savannah Film Festival screenings are general admission and seating is first-come, first-served.
Can I save seats for friends?
To ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all festivalgoers, seats may not be saved for guests who have not yet arrived. We encourage groups who would like to sit together to arrive and enter the theater together. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Are captioning devices available for film screenings?
Yes. The SCAD theaters offer individual Dolby captioning devices for compatible film screenings. These devices display closed captions on a personal screen, allowing deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons to access dialogue and other audio content while enjoying the film. Captioning devices are available free of charge and can be requested at the box office before your screening.
When should I arrive for my screening?
It is suggested that guests arrive at least 30 minutes to an event start time. Doors will typically open 30-45 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 standby line on a first-come, first-served basis. Standby lines will form approximately 60 minutes prior to a screening. Note that joining a standby 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.