Selma Film Festival kicks off Thursday featuring films from seven countries

Excitement is in the air! Selma is gearing up to welcome guests from seven countries around the world, presenting 23 films and several student reels in the Selma Film Festival at Arts Revive that starts Thursday and ends Sunday.

Whatever your taste in genres, it is likely that you will find films that pique your interest, heighten your awareness, tickle your funny bone and provoke deep thought. City streets will be filled with tourists capturing moments, people and structures that they have only seen in movies or read about, restaurant-goers in search of Southern cuisine and ready for films, films and more films – and the filmmakers anxious to hit the big screen!

Said one French filmmaker of her creation, "It really means a lot for us to be selected because it will be our first international screening out of France. Also, the movie is about friendship, love, romance and teenagehood, all in nine minutes." 

And then there is Sylvester K. Fowlkes, a filmmaker from right across the road in Montgomery. "I am the writer and the director of the short film, Pops. Pops is essentially about a young artist who is taking care of his father who is suffering from dementia. I cannot be more excited and honored to not only bring this type of story to the Selma Film Festival, but to the citizens of Selma, the residents, to everyone that's gonna be in attendance. I think it is important to continue to showcase and highlight stories about young people who are assisting and helping to take care of elderly people in their family." With few words, Robert Lytle, a senior at Selma High School who participated last year, commented on a Facebook post, "I can't wait."

So, how did the film festival land in Selma? Two words — Jo Ann Bland. The Selma civil rights foot soldier and founder of Foot Soldiers Park wanted diverse voices to come together in grand style. She envisioned bringing people together from around the world who would not normally engage one another, setting the stage for open dialogue through panel discussions, conversations over food, and films that sought and created space for social change. This platform had to most definitely include the children. "Children are like computers — empty. You plant a seed, they'll start to think." These were the words spoken last year by this civil rights icon and foot soldier about the very first Selma Cinema Festival. A festival she dreamed about and that had finally come to fruition. But, what a difference a year makes. Her team at Foot Soldiers Park organizes the moving pieces it takes to make this happen. Sadly, they have to do this without their beloved foot soldier and founder this year. Bland passed away a few weeks ago in February. So this year's festival is bittersweet and a true labor of the love for her and the vision she set forth. "This work and our mission will continue, and her legacy will live on," said Kimberly Smitherman, FSP CEO. 

The festival kicks off with an evening red carpet affair, moves into daytime screenings and evening receptions and more screenings and onward to the awards ceremony. Activities include an opening reception, a hayride to the St. James Hotel and lots of frolicking to and fro during the unwind periods. So, let us welcome our guests and cheer on our locals. It's cinema time, Selma! Reserve your free ticket. Lineup is below.

Middle and high school students have time to participate in “Selma Speaks” short reels competition until March 26 at 5 p.m. Click here for specific instructions and direct questions to Carey Fountain at Carey@footsoldierspark.org.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

The festival unfolds across four days of screenings, conversations, and community events.

Thursday, March 26

Opening Ceremony & Reception

6PM – 9PM – Opening Night (Arts Revive) – Searching for Simorgh Screening followed by a Q&A with the Filmmaker and Artists

Friday, March 27

Competition screenings from the 2026 Official Selection.

10AM-12PM – Alabama Shorts + Filmmaker Q&A (Walton Theater)

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2PM-4PM – International Shorts (Walton Theater)

7PM-9PM – Feature Film : Sans Pitié (Walton Theater)

Saturday, March 28

Competition screenings from the 2026 Official Selection.

10AM-12PM – U.S. Shorts + Filmmaker Q&A (Walton Theater)

12PM-1.30PM – Community Lunch with the Filmmakers (Reflections Coffee Shop)

2PM-4.30PM – Feature Film: Earth’s Greatest Enemy + Filmmaker Q&A (Walton Theater)

5PM-6:30PM – Cocktail Reception & Buffet (St. James Hotel)

7PM-9PM – Feature Film: It Comes in Waves + Filmmaker Q&A (Walton Theater)

Sunday, March 29

Competition screenings from the 2026 Official Selection and Awards Ceremony

12PM-2 PM– Sunday Community Lunch (Reflections Coffee Shop)

3PM-5PM – Social Justice Shorts screening + Filmmaker Q&A (Walton Theater)

5PM-6PM – Closing Ceremony & Awards (Walton Theater)

6PM– Closing Party (Foot Soldiers Park Office)