FESTIVAL GUIDE / FAQ

THE BASICS

How does ticketing / WILL CALL work? 

WHEN?
Kickoff Party: Thursday, August 21, 2025
Doors and Box Office open at 6:00 PM
Retrospective Screening at 7:00 PM
Performance by Gardening, Not Architecture at 8:00 PM

Festival Weekend: Friday-Saturday, August 22-23, 2025
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?
Kickoff Party: Center615 Main Street Gallery in East Nashville
Festival: Studio615 in East Nashville

Whether you have purchased Weekend Passes, Day Passes, or individual tickets to a screening online, or if you're buying tickets at the door, your first stop will be the Will Call table when you get to Studio 615. 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.

NEW IN 2025: If you purchase a Weekend or Day Pass, you can request your vouchers ahead of time on our new Reservations form! If you ordered individual tickets online, you'll check in with us at Will Call and we'll give you the color-coded vouchers for that screening.

If you've got a Weekend or Day Pass, you can get into any screening, provided it's not already sold out. So we highly recommend requesting your vouchers ahead of time!

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. Be sure to request your vouchers ahead of time!

Your Passes also get you access to our parties! In 2025, those are:
August 21st — Kickoff Party @ Center615 Main Street Gallery
August 22nd — Cali Sober Presents: Jazzy Afterparty @ Studio615
August 23rd — Defy’s 10 Year Birthday Party @ Studio615

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 are the best options if you are wanting to immerse yourself in films for the weekend!

NEW IN 2025: Attend our kickoff party the Thursday night before the festival weekend to get recommendations from our festival co-founders, Billy Senese and Dycee Wildman.

WHAT TIME SHOULD I GET THERE?

Doors open on Friday, August 22nd, at 6:00 PM and Saturday, August 23rd, at 11:00 AM. We recommend getting there at least 20 minutes before the time of the screening block you want to see.

NEW IN 2025: If you have a Weekend or Day Pass and requested your vouchers ahead of time, 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 in the lot behind Studio 615. Just follow the signs.

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?