Indie Memphis today announced the return of the Indie Memphis Film Festival in 2026, following a year-long hiatus, under the new leadership of Co–Executive Directors Alicia George and Joseph Carr.
The festival is slated to take place November 5–8, 2026, with plans underway for a downtown move to the South Main Arts District, further strengthening its connection to Memphis’s cultural core.
George, a film and television production veteran with extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising and community partnerships, will lead development and community engagement efforts. Carr, a longtime Indie Memphis staff member and former Managing Director, will oversee strategy and operations.
Together, George and Carr will guide the organization through its next phase of growth, strengthening its financial foundation, expanding community relationships, and reaffirming Indie Memphis’s role as a cornerstone of independent film culture in the Mid-South.
“Joseph and I are deeply honored to step into these roles together,” said George. “Indie Memphis has an extraordinary legacy, and we are excited to work alongside our board and community to build a sustainable future for filmmakers and audiences across the Mid-South.”
As part of its 2026 relaunch, Indie Memphis will host a reception and screening of the documentary Natchez, directed by Indie Memphis alum Suzannah Herbert and winner of Best Documentary Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival, as a kickoff event on February 21 at Ridgeway Cinema Grill. The event is sponsored by The Memphian Hotel and complimentary tickets will be available as an appreciation to current Indie Memphis members, with a limited number available for purchase at the door.
Indie Memphis took an intermission in 2025 to gather strategic support and a newly adapted plan to ensure that the future of the organization would be sustainable long term. The organization’s revival is further supported by an expanded board of directors composed of longtime supporters and alumni of the festival. Creative communications strategist and longtime volunteer Savannah Bearden will serve as Board President, and early festival co-founder Les Edwards will serve as Board Treasurer.
Additional board members include former Executive Director Ryan Watt, filmmaker and film executive Brandon Harris, Memphis-based cinematographer Gabriel DeCarlo, and filmmaker and Indie Memphis alum Morgan Jon Fox.
“We are thrilled to bring together a leadership team with deep institutional knowledge and a shared commitment to Indie Memphis’s future,” said Bearden. “This moment represents both a renewal and a recommitment to the filmmakers, audiences, and community that have sustained this festival for nearly three decades.”
Founded in 1998, Indie Memphis has served as a vital platform for independent filmmakers and cultural storytellers, presenting innovative work from around the world while championing regional voices.
Further details about festival programming and venues will be announced in the coming weeks.