News Summary
The 2025 SCAD Savannah Film Festival is set to showcase over 167 films, including 56 narrative features and 15 documentaries. Highlights include ‘Eternity’ as the Opening Night film and notable awards presented to Will Arnett and Mark Hamill, among others. New series such as ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ will debut alongside key discussions aimed at fostering connections in the film industry, solidifying Savannah’s position as a pivotal film event.
Savannah, Georgia – The 2025 SCAD Savannah Film Festival is set to take place from October 25 to November 1, 2025, showcasing an impressive lineup of over 167 films. This year’s festival will feature 56 narrative feature films and 15 documentary feature films, promising a rich cinematic experience for attendees and film enthusiasts.
The festival’s highlights include a star-studded lineup of key presentations. The Opening Night film will be “Eternity,” directed by David Freyne and starring Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller. The Centerpiece Gala will showcase “Song Sung Blue,” directed by Craig Brewer, while the Closing Night features “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” directed by Rian Johnson.
In addition to the films, several prominent actors will present awards during the festival. Will Arnett is set to receive the Luminary Award, while Hannah Beachler will be honored with the Variety Creative Impact in Production Design Award. Craig Brewer is also among the honorees, receiving the Spotlight Director Award. Rose Byrne and Tessa Thompson will both receive Luminary Awards, and Mark Hamill will be recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, Dakota Fanning will receive the Outstanding Achievement in Television Award on November 1.
The festival’s annual TV Sidebar will reveal three new series, including “IT: Welcome to Derry” (HBO), “All Her Fault” (Peacock), and “I Love LA” (HBO), which stars Rachel Sennott. Notably, “I Love LA” is scheduled for its premiere on October 31, 2025, at 10:30 PM on HBO and HBO Max. “IT: Welcome to Derry” will have its premiere screening on the same day, debuting on HBO and HBO Max on October 26. “All Her Fault,” created by Megan Gallagher, will feature its first four episodes exclusively on Peacock starting November 6.
Other notable works in the festival lineup include Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” and Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet.” The Docs to Watch series will feature a discussion led by Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter, while Variety’s Pixels and Pencils event will highlight top animated films, culminating in a panel led by senior awards editor Clayton Davis.
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival aims to transform Savannah into a cinematic hub, fostering interactions between students and top-tier talent in the film industry. Recognized as a significant stop on the Academy Awards circuit, the festival boasts a rich history of screening over 225 Academy Award-nominated films. In its ongoing commitment to excellence, the festival has established partnerships with major media outlets—including Vanity Fair and Variety—to facilitate various panels and discussions throughout the week-long event.
Attendees can expect a series of Q&A sessions following each screening, all moderated by Antonia Blyth, Deadline’s Executive Editor for Awardsline, enhancing the overall experience and engagement with filmmakers and actors.
As excitement builds for this year’s festival, both industry professionals and fans alike will gather in Savannah to celebrate the art of film, making the SCAD Savannah Film Festival a significant event in the cinematic calendar.
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Additional Resources
- Variety: SCAD Savannah Film Festival Lineup 2025
- Deadline: SCAD Film Festival’s TV Sidebar
- Hollywood Reporter: Spike Lee at SCAD Savannah Film Fest
- IndieWire: SCAD Savannah Film Festival Lineup 2025
- Savannah Tribune: SCAD Film Festival Spotlight
- Wikipedia: Film Festival
- Google Search: SCAD Savannah Film Festival
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Film Festival
- Google Scholar: SCAD Savannah Film Festival
- Google News: SCAD Savannah Film Festival
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
