HICKORY, N.C. (WHKY)  — The 2026 Footcandle Film Festival returns to Hickory Sept. 18-27, bringing more than 40 films from around the world to the Hickory Community Theatre and other downtown venues.

The festival kicks off Saturday, Sept. 19, with a free outdoor screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind at 7:30 p.m. on the SALT Block North Lawn. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets.

The official opening night is Wednesday, Sept. 23, with a 7 p.m. world premiere of River Warrior, a documentary by North Carolina filmmakers that received funding through a Footcandle Film Society grant.

Other highlights include a free Filmmaker Symposium at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, followed by the free FilmLAB short-film premiere at 7 p.m. The main festival runs Sept. 25-27 and features more than 40 films selected from more than 400 submissions. Many filmmakers will participate in Q&A sessions in person or virtually.

Families can attend the free Children’s Short Film Showcase at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. The festival concludes Sunday, Sept. 27, with a 7 p.m. awards ceremony featuring 12 awards and the announcement of the 2026 Footcandle Filmmaker Grant recipients.

Individual tickets and Festival Passes are available at www.footcandlefilmfestival.com. The symposium, FilmLAB premiere, children’s showcase and awards ceremony are free and open to the public.

The Footcandle Film Society, founded in 2008, has more than 600 members and supports film appreciation and filmmaking throughout Western North Carolina.

For any questions about the festival please contact the film society at info@footcandle.org or visit the festival’s web site at www.footcandlefilmfestival.com.