FESTIVAL GUIDE / FAQ
THE BASICS
How does ticketing / WILL CALL work?
WHEN?
Festival Weekend: Friday-Saturday, August 21-22, 2026
Friday: Doors and Will Call open at 6:00 PM, first screening at 6:45 PM
Saturday: Doors and Will Call open at 11:00 AM, first screening at 11:45 AM
WHERE?
East Side Bowl in Madison, TN.
Whether you have purchased Weekend Passes or Day Passes, your first stop will be the Will Call table when you get to East Side Bowl. There, our team will get you set up with exactly what you need before going in to the theatre.
In order to get into the SCREENING, you’ll need a color-coded voucher, which you will get at the will call table when you arrive.
What do I get with my WEEKEND / DAY pass?
If you got the standard Weekend or Day Pass, you get access to unlimited screenings all weekend — but remember that in order to get into the theatre, you need a specific color-coded voucher for each screening! This is how we manage capacity and sell-outs in each theatre.
Your Weekend and Day Passes also get you access to our parties! In 2026, those are:
August 21st — TBD
August 22nd — TBD
How do I decide what to see?
Each screening block has its own page on the site where you can learn about all the films in that program. If you're feeling adventurous, you can always just show up after doors open on Friday or Saturday and get suggestions from the Defy staff for what to check out that day. Our Weekend and Day Passes allow you to immerse yourself in films for the weekend!
WHAT TIME SHOULD I GET THERE?
Doors open on Friday, August 21st at 6:00 PM and Saturday, August 22nd, at 11:00 AM. We recommend getting there at least 20 minutes before the time of the screening block you want to see.
Be sure you are in your seats at least 5 minutes before the start of the screening! If there are any empty seats when a screening starts, we may release them to our waiting list.
Will there be food?
We will have fresh-popped popcorn and other concessions (candy bars, chips, nuts, waters, etc.) all weekend. A food truck will be on site Saturday evening for anyone who wants to grab a meal between screenings.
Can I bring my own alcohol?
Nope. But we’ve got a cash bar!
where do i park?
There is ample parking available at East Side Bowl!
is it all-ages?
This festival has an age limit of 18+ up for films due to graphic content. And of course you must be 21+ to purchase or consume alcohol. Please note that we will be checking IDs at the door.
How can I volunteer?
Apply at https://defyfilmfestival.com/volunteer !