Opening Night Film, A King Like Me, Following New Orleans’ First Black Mardi Gras Krewe, the Zulu Club
Plus the festival’s first wave of titles, with an emphasis on films from the American South, including film on Blue Dog Artist George Rodrigue and doc featuring “Ghetto Children” Rappers
Expanded Festival Dates
October 16 – 22 (in-person)
October 16 – 27 (virtual)
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) is thrilled to announce the first wave of titles for the 35th annual, Oscar®-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF), which will showcase over 150 films in-person October 16 – 22 at The Broad Theater, Contemporary Art Center and The Prytania Theatres, plus virtually October 16 – 27 through the NOFF Virtual Cinema (available globally). This year’s opening night film, A King Like Me (directed by Matthew O. Henderson), follows members of the Zulu Club, New Orleans’ first Black Mardi Gras krewe, as they work to bring the Zulu parade back to the streets for Mardi Gras Day 2022, in the face of a global pandemic, Hurricane Ida, and the loss of members due to COVID and gun violence. The film will have its Louisiana Premiere on October 16 at the Orpheum Theater (time TBD).
“Premiering A King Like Me at the New Orleans Film Festival feels like a dream come true,” said director Matthew O. Henderson. “At its heart, our film explores the complexities of tradition and the impact that the search for belonging, identity, and worth has on the Black community. Our incredible team worked tirelessly to highlight how cultural expression can be a powerful force for unity and empowerment in a city.”
After receiving 3,200 submissions from 100 countries, NOFF’s seasoned team of programmers selected a slate of 136 films in competition that represent a wealth of perspectives. These include 34 feature films and 102 short films, in addition to a number of other short films presented in partnership with the New Orleans Video Access Center (NOVAC) and films presented in partnership with A-DOC, the Asian American Documentary Network, as well as 3 video installations through its innovative and longstanding Cinema Reset program. In total, the festival has 31 world premieres, 2 U.S. premieres and 48 Southern premieres. Overall, films from filmmakers based in the American South represent 56% of the lineup, and Louisiana-made films represent 26% of the lineup. The directors of selected films represent 41 different nationalities. Films directed by women and non-binary directors account for 56% of the lineup, films helmed by directors of color make up 56%, and films from directors identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community account for 33% of the lineup.
VIEW THE FULL LIST OF ANNOUNCED FILMS HERE.
Among the highlights is the North American premiere of Blue: The Life and Art of George Rodrigue (Dir. Sean O’Malley), about the life and legacy of the famed Louisiana Blue Dog artist, and the world premiere of the documentary film Ghetto Children (Dir. Zac Manuel), following the sons of legendary Southern rap music icons Juvenile, B.G., and Soulja Slim.
“This year’s lineup really demonstrates our festival’s commitment to Southern stories,” said Clint Bowie, Artistic Director for the NOFS. “This region is rich with talented filmmakers, and we are thrilled for the festival to once again congregate audiences, artists, and industry against the backdrop of extraordinary cinema.”
The NOFS also recently announced the appointment of Carroll Morton as its new Executive Director. Morton joins NOFS with an impressive background in the New Orleans film industry — serving as the director of the City of New Orleans Film Office since 2018 — and a deep commitment to the growth and preservation of the city’s cultural heritage. Now, as Executive Director of NOFS, Morton will continue to expand the mission of NOFS by promoting and amplifying the diverse voices of filmmakers through film and film-related programming that inspire, educate, challenge and entertain its audiences.
Additional festival features, special presentations and spotlight films will be announced at a later date.
Opening Night Film: October 16, Orpheum Theater (Time TBD)
A King Like Me
*Louisiana Premiere
Dir. Matthew O. Henderson, Prod. Fisher Stevens, Darcy McKinnon, Maura Anderson, Zak Kilberg, Jenny Raskin, Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, Terry Dougas, Julie Nives
A King Like Me follows members of the Zulu Club, New Orleans’ first Black Mardi Gras krewe, as they work to bring the Zulu parade back to the streets for Mardi Gras Day 2022, in the face of a global pandemic, hurricane Ida and the loss of members due to COVID and gun violence. This documentary’s unprecedented access to a stalwart community and cultural institution creates a modern portrait of Black brotherhood, leadership and community.
KEY DATES (All times in CST)
- Summer Presale on All Access Passes: Now through August 29, 2024
- All Pass Types on Sale: August 30 at 12 PM
- Film Schedule Announced: September 20 at 12 PM
- NOFS Member Presale on Festival Tickets: September 25 at 12 PM
- Festival Tickets on sale: October 2 at 12 PM
- In-Person Festival Dates: October 16-22, 2024
- Virtual Festival Dates: October 16-27, 2024
For more information on the 35th Annual New Orleans Film Festival, visit https://neworleansfilmfestival.org.
HOW TO ATTEND NOFF2024
For the full NOFF experience, Festival Goers can purchase an All Access Pass, good for admission and priority entry to all screenings (in-person and virtually), parties, receptions, and the VIP Lounge.
All Access Passes are currently available at a fantastic Summer Presale Rate (NOFS Members $270 | general $320) —NOFS Members save $80 off general full priced All Access Pass!—before the price goes up August 30 (NOFS Members $300 | general $350). Purchase All Access Passes here: neworleansfilmsociety.org/attend.
Now is the best time to become a NOFS member and receive the biggest discount on this exciting annual celebration of independent film in New Orleans! Sign up for membership here: neworleansfilmsociety.org/become-a-member.
Film lovers also have the option to buy a Virtual Pass to watch films from October 16-27, a Six Film Pass to watch any six films virtually or in-person, or buy individual tickets. Students and teachers can purchase a discounted $60 All Film Pass for access to all virtual and in-person screenings. All festival transactions will be contactless; cash or check payments will not be accepted–– acceptable forms of payment include credit and debit cards, and Apple and Google Pay. Click here for more details.
The New Orleans Film Festival strives for equitable access to our programs. For details on our accessibility services, visit our website. Contact us at info@neworleansfilmsociety.org for specific inquiries or additional accommodations.
SUPPORT FOR THE 35th NEW ORLEANS FILM FESTIVAL COMES FROM…
The 35th New Orleans Film Festival’s Marquee sponsors include the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF), the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and The National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Producing sponsors include Gilead and The Helis Foundation. Feature sponsors include the Greater New Orleans Foundation LGBTQ Fund and Louisiana Entertainment. Supporting sponsors include James Douglas Hislop, Jones Walker LLP, Portrait, Positive Vibrations Foundation, Reel Security, Tulane University Roger Thayer Stone Center for Latin American Studies, and the Tulane University Cuban and Caribbean Studies Institute.
Media partners include The New Orleans Advocate – Times-Picayune, New Orleans Magazine, 4WWL TV, WWNO, and WGSO.
ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS FILM SOCIETY
The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to promote, nurture, and amplify the diverse voices of filmmakers and to facilitate conversations through film and film-related programming that inspire, educate, challenge and entertain our audiences.
Founded in 1989, NOFS produces the Oscar®-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival annually and invests year-round in building a vibrant film culture in the South to share transformative cinematic experiences with audiences, and connect dynamic filmmakers to career-advancing resources. Year-round programming includes free and low-cost screenings for members and the broader community of cinephiles in New Orleans, a 27-year running French Film Festival featuring contemporary and classic French cinema, and filmmaker professional development programs created to nurture diverse voices in filmmaking in the American South. NOFS is a 501(c)(3) organization.
The New Orleans Film Society is supported by grants from the Ford Foundation; The National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; Perspective Fund; and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The City of New Orleans supports NOFS’s programs through a Community Arts Grant administered by Arts New Orleans.
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