Written by Jax Warner. Photographs by Miha Palancha.
Every October, Savannah becomes a temporary home to film lovers, industry professionals, and students trying to figure out how to fit three screenings, a panel, and a meal into one day. The SCAD Savannah Film Festival returns Oct. 24-31, bringing eight days of premiers, conversations, and some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry to campus. Whether this is your first festival or your fourth, there is more to it than showing up, watching a movie, and hoping you recognize someone on the red carpet.
First Things First: Plan Your Schedule.
If you have tickets, you probably already know which movies you want to see. The trick is keeping track of when and where everything is happening, especially when you are trying to fit multiple screenings into one day. Take some time to organize your tickets, double-check the locations, and make sure you know how much time you have between events.
If you are anything like me, you might end up making an entire spread sheet to keep track of everything you are seeing. It might be a little excessive, but when you are trying to squeeze as many movies as possible into eight days, staying organized helps. Just remember to leave yourself time to eat, get between venues and, occasionally, sleep. You do not want to spend the entire festival sprinting across Savannah because you schedule two screenings back-to-back.
If you have questions or need help figuring things out, Festival HQ is another resource to know about. Located at Press Cafe at Jen Library, Festival HQ is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week leading up to the festival and throughout Film Fest itself. You can pick up physical copies of the festival schedule, browse available merchandise, and find people willing to help. If you have questions about the festival or need help figuring out where you are supposed to be, don’t be afraid to stop by.
Masterclasses: Get in the Know.
Masterclasses are some of the festival’s more exclusive opportunities, and figuring out how to attend them takes a little extra effort. Unlike screenings, they do not follow one consistent schedule. Times can vary from morning and afternoon, and locations change depending on the session. They’re very much an “if you know, you know” part of Film Fest, with limited spots available for students.
There is another catch: film and acting majors tend to get priority. If you are outside those two majors, good luck. That does not mean you should not try, but it does mean you should keep an eye for announcements, double-check the time and location of each session, and get there early. Even then, getting a spot is not guaranteed.
If you do manage to get into a masterclass, take advantage of it. These sessions offer a chance to hear directly from people working in the industry and learn about the creative decisions behind their work. Just make sure you know where you are going before you leave, because the last thing you want is to miss a limited opportunity because you went to the wrong building.
The Red Carpet: Your Chance to Meet the Stars.
The red carpet is not just a place to watch celebrities walk past cameras. It is also where media members get the opportunity to ask visiting guests questions about their work and where fans may have a chance to get autographs. Red-carpet events typically run from around 5 or 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. each night, although exact times can vary depending on the schedule.
If you are hoping to catch a glimpse of your favorite actor or filmmaker, remember that these are working events. Guests are moving between interviews, screenings, and other commitments, so be respectful of their time and follow staff instructions. If you are there as media, come prepared with thoughtful questions instead of trying to invent one on the spot. If you are hoping for an autograph, be polite and understand that not everyone will have time to stop. Excitement is part of the fun, but basic courtesy still applies.
Q&A Etiquette: Please Don’t Make It About You.
Asking a question during a post-screening Q&A can be intimidating. You are standing in a room with filmmakers, actors, or other industry professionals whose work you admire, and suddenly you have a microphone in your hand. It is understandable to be nervous. But please, ask a respectful question about the movie you just watched.
A Q&A is an opportunity to learn more about the film, whether that means asking about a character’s development, a creative decision, or the challenges of bringing a particular scene to life. It is not the time to explain your entire personal connection to the movie, pitch your own screenplay, or turn a question into a story about yourself. Keep it brief, make sure there is an actual question at the end, and give the other people in the audience a chance to participate, too.
And one more thing: please do not rush the stage. It is incredibly rude to approach the stage without permission, especially while a guest or moderator is still speaking. Wait until the event has ended and follow the instructions of the staff. I know these people are famous, and I know it can be exciting to see someone whose work you admire standing a few feet away. But they are real people with schedules, commitments, and limited time. Admiring someone’s work should include respecting their boundaries.
Volunteering: Plan Ahead for Next Year.
Unfortunately, if you were hoping to volunteer at Film Fest 2026, you have missed the window. Volunteering spots are already closed for this year, but that does not mean you have to miss out next time. Meetings for students interested in volunteering typically happen during the second or third week of fall quarter, so keep an eye out for announcements when the next academic year begins.
Volunteering is a great way to get involved beyond simply attending screenings, meeting other people interested in film and seeing some of the work that goes into putting on a festival of this size. If it sounds like something you would enjoy, make a note to look into it early next fall. Like getting into a popular masterclass, the secret is knowing when to show up.
Ultimately, there is no perfect way to do Film Fest. You do not need to recognize every guest, attend every screening, or know the entire awards-season conversation to belong there. Make a plan, leave yourself some breathing room, and enjoy the films you have chosen to see. The festival only lasts eight days, but you might discover a new favorite movie, meet someone who shares your interest, or find a career path you had not considered before. And if all else fails, at least you will have a good story to tell when classes return to normal.
