The Macon Film Festival is celebrating its 16^th annual event with a hybrid festival featuring both in-person and virtual screenings and events. The in-person festival will take place in Macon, Georgia August 19^th – 22^nd with film screenings at the Douglass Theatre, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and in the planetarium at the Museum of Arts & Sciences. The virtual festival is scheduled for August 26^th – 29^thon the Macon Film Festival channel hosted by Film Festival Flix.

This year’s festival will kick-off with a special free outdoor screening of BEST SUMMER EVER on the grounds of the Mill Hill Community Arts Center located at 213 Clinton Street in downtown Macon. Directed by Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli the film is a fresh and exhilarating take on the beloved teen musical genre featuring eight original songs and a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities. BEST SUMMER EVER was created in partnership with Zeno Mountain Farm an organization that champions lifelong friendship and opportunity for people with disabilities and other marginalized communities. The film premiered at SXSW 2021 and was ranked number 6 on USA Today’s top ten films to not miss from SXSW21.

Friday’s special screening features a collection of immersive short fulldome films at the Museum of Arts & Sciences. This special Immersive Showcase features the most innovative artistic content from around the world. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore museum exhibits and galleries after hours.

Saturday evening’s special screening film is the comedy, crime, mystery FIRST DATE directed by Manuel Crosby and Darren Knapp. The film premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and is a throwback thrill ride, dark comedy, teen romance, shoot 'em up action and classic coming-of-age story, that creates a truly entertaining ride that never misses a beat.

The 2021 Macon Film Festival will wrap up with a special screening of ONE OF THESE DAYS directed by Bastian Gunther and starring Macon’s own Carrie Preston. ONE OF THESE DAYS takes place in a small Texas town during an annual endurance contest (Hands On) where contestants try to outlast each other to win a pickup truck. Based on a true story the film artfully depicts the drama behind a chance of a lifetime event that ends in real tragedy.

 "This year's line-up is spectacular and we're thrilled to welcome the public back to in-person special screenings this year” shared festival president Steven Fulbright. “We're especially excited to present a special screening from Macon's very own television and film icon, Carrie Preston. All are welcome, and we can't wait to take you to the movies again. "

 The festival schedule and a complete listing of 2021 official selection films is available on maconfilmfestival.com. The Macon Film Festival virtual channel schedule will be live in mid-August. The festival’s virtual Film Festival Flix channel is available on Roku, Apple TV+, Fire TV and Android TV. Additional festival information, schedule and ticketing links can be found on maconfilmfestival.com. For the health and safety of our audience, masks will be required at all indoor events.