Festival History

In the early part of 2003, filmmaker Ron Tibbett, the founder of the Magnolia Film Festival, met with the film commission committee in Tupelo, Mississippi. After many conversations and several meetings the first Tupelo Film Festival was launched in May of 2004. The first festival was a one-and-a-half-day event screening about 20 independent films. After the awards presentation, filmmakers, committee members and special guests gathered at one of the committee member’s homes to celebrate the conclusion of the festival. It was a great night filled with conversation, networking and making plans for the next year’s film festival. A few weeks after the festival a car accident claimed Ron's life. It was a sad day throughout our state as Ron was an award-winning filmmaker, tireless festival contributor and a great friend that many had come to know and love and he would be greatly missed.

Because the festival was a new venture, the question came - Do we continue?

Indeed we did . . . honoring Ron at each festival from that point on.

Over the course of time, and with the help of festival partners we made along the way, our festival grew to a 3-day event with a kick-off party on opening night, matinee film screenings, adult and children’s workshops, panel discussions, film forums and more. The festival continues to expand each year as we learn how to create the best experiences for audiences and filmmakers alike.

With support from the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau, MS Film Commission, generous sponsors, a dedicated advisory committee, persevering screening panel, volunteers and, of course, our gracious partner the historic Lyric Theatre, efforts are continually focused on making the festival the best it can be! The Ron Tibbett award: Best of Show remains a permanent fixture in our list of categories; as well, this past year we added the Mississippi High School competition award offering matching cash prizes to both school sponsors and the winning student filmmakers. We are especially thankful to our Filmmakers and appreciate the sacrifices they make as they create independent film and move their stories from script to screen.

For those of you who are filmmakers, we hope that you will think about our festival as you prepare to submit your film(s) this year. For those of you who enjoy watching independent film, come join us as we support filmmakers from around the block and around the world! In doing so you will experience our world-famous hospitality and excellent films!

For directions to our unique Southern town, click here.

To learn how to submit a film to our festival, click here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pat