Indie Memphis is pleased to announce the return of Brandon Harris as Artistic Director for the 2026 Indie Memphis Film Festival. Harris previously served in the role in 2016 and 2017 and will lead the festival’s creative vision and feature film curation for its highly anticipated return this fall.
A Cincinnati native now based in Los Angeles, Harris brings a dynamic background as a filmmaker, critic, programmer, and former development executive. During his tenure at Amazon Studios, he oversaw productions including Master (2022) and The Voyeurs (2021), as well as acquisitions such as Blow the Man Down (2020) and Time (2020). His writing on cinema and culture has appeared in leading publications including The New Yorker, New York Magazine, The Guardian, Variety, and Filmmaker Magazine, where he serves as a contributing editor.
Harris is also the director of Redlegs (2012), a New York Times Critics’ Pick, and the author of Making Rent in Bed-Stuy (HarperCollins/Amistad), recognized as a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice and named a best book of the year by Vogue.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brandon back to Indie Memphis at such a pivotal moment,” said Co-Executive Director Alicia George. “His deep understanding of independent film and commitment to bold, diverse storytelling make him the ideal leader to shape this year’s festival.”
“Brandon’s return is a significant boost to our festival ambitions. His extensive network across filmmakers, distributors, and studios nationwide will renew opportunities and elevate the scope of our programming” said Co-Executive Director Joseph Carr.
The 2026 Indie Memphis Film Festival will take place November 5-8 in Downtown Memphis, with encore screenings in Midtown scheduled for November 9-10. The festival’s move downtown marks a significant step in expanding its footprint and strengthening its connection to Memphis’s cultural core.