Redfish Film Fest: Premier Documentary Film Festival in Historic Downtown Panama City
Redfish Film Fest is a documentary film festival making its debut April 11-13, 2024. Taking place in the charming Historic Downtown Panama City, Florida, this festival is poised to set a new standard as the leading documentary event in the Southeastern U.S., offering a vibrant mix of thought-provoking films, engaging discussions, and lively social events.
The Leading Documentary Film Festival in Panama City, Florida
A Diverse Lineup That Speaks to All
With over 75 films scheduled for screening, the Redfish Film Festival presents a carefully curated selection of documentaries covering a broad spectrum of themes produced and directed by an impressive list of headliners. The names include Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning producer Cori Shepherd Stern, whose most recent work, “Shiny Happy People,” is the number one documentary series on Amazon Prime. Florida native and an Emmy and GLAAD Award-winning television executive Rebecca Sirmons is the first director of the global streaming platform NASA+. Her previous work includes “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Bill Nye Saves the World” and more. Attendees are invited to delve into these stories, engage in meaningful dialogues with creators during panel discussions, and explore the breadth of the documentary genre. It also features documentaries produced by locals and about our community in Panama City, Florida.
Detailed Schedule of Events
The festival will include two days of showings at an eclectic collection of downtown venues: Panama City Center for the Arts, Downtown Boxing Club, Mosey’s, Gallery of Art and Bay County Historical Museum. In addition to the screenings, approximately a dozen filmmakers and film industry professionals will be on hand to answer questions after their films are shown. Panels of industry professionals will also assemble to discuss specific industry topics. The schedule also includes an opening night red carpet event, block party, closing night gala, VIP events and more.
Film Screenings, Panels, and Discussions Across Downtown Panama City
Panels and Discussions
Participate in enlightening discussions with filmmakers and experts. Key panels are scheduled at selected venues on April 12th and 13th, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Film Lineup
For the complete lineup of films, panel discussions, and event descriptions, and to purchase tickets, visit the official RedFish Film Festival website. Whether you’re coming for the powerful documentaries or the vibrant festival atmosphere, the RedFish Film Festival in Panama City promises an unforgettable experience for all.
Free and Ticketed Events All Weekend Long
Opening Night Red Carpet
Begin the festival with glamour at the Downtown Boxing Club. Set in a 1940s Quonset hut right in the heart of downtown, this will be a party you’ll tell stories about. There will be a red carpet, a mobile oyster bar, drinks from History Class Brewing Company and Half Shell Vodka, a premiere screening of a doc made just for Redfish, and a DJ with projection art and lasers.
Champagne & Bourdain Brunch
Champagne & Bourdain will be held in Downtown Panama City, with a special menu called Back to Asia, including Indian cuisine and featuring dishing from Tony Bourdain’s favorite Southeast Asian destinations from his Cook’s Tour series.
Tilt Shift Block Party
Free to the public, the Tilt-Shift Block Party is promised to be a unique and inclusive celebration, featuring human disco balls, 3D art projections, delicious tacos, and an exclusive art installation by Anima. Get ready to immerse yourself in art and experience the creative pulse of Panama City with art, entertainment, and great food.
An Evening with Charlie Ward
Love blues? Love cool downtown dive bars? Don’t miss the Bourbon and Blues Tasting to catch a film about a musical bar right inside Mosey’s, a local musical bar. Watch Northside Tavern by Atlanta-based filmmaker Hal Jacobs with a bourbon tasting and blues concert after the film.
Bourbon and Blues
Love blues? Love cool downtown dive bars? Don’t miss the Bourbon and Blues Tasting to catch a film about a musical bar right inside a local musical bar. Watch Northside Tavern by Atlanta-based filmmaker Hal Jacobs with a bourbon tasting and blues concert after the film.
Closing Night Casual Gala
Enjoy the Closing Night Casual Gala at Harrison’s Kitchen & Bar in Downtown Panama City. Enjoy crimson martinis, special menus, and a beautiful sunset with dinner. Redfish Headliners are all invited for you to meet and mingle with. Wear something red and see you at sunset!
Redhead Comedy Cabaret
Panama City Comedy presents an evening of redheaded comedy and music from some of the finest gingers in the Southeast at Mosey’s in Downtown Panama City.
PBS POV: The Mole Agent
In collaboration with POV, PBS’s award-winning independent non-fiction film series, the Bay County Public Library will facilitate a PBS POV screening of the films at the Gallery of Art. They are free to attend.
Find More Events in Panama City and the Best Festivals in Florida
Stay connected and find all of the exciting events happening in Panama City, Florida! This vibrant city offers a diverse range of activities, from art and music festivals to the grandest parades in Bay County. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a music lover, or simply enjoy immersing yourself in the local culture, there’s something for everyone.
Every week, you can discover an array of events such as live music performances, comedy shows that will have you laughing out loud, trivia nights to test your knowledge, and even beer tastings for craft beer aficionados. To keep up with the bustling event scene in Panama City, be sure to visit our events page. We update it daily to provide you with the most current information on all the exciting happenings in the city. So grab your calendar and head over to the events page to discover the vibrant and diverse events scene in Panama City, Florida!
ABOUT PANAMA CITY
Panama City, Florida, is located on shores of beautiful St. Andrew Bay on Florida’s Emerald Coast and sits just about in the center of Florida’s northern Gulf Coast. With an atmosphere distinct from the bustle of nearby beaches, this destination boasts historic downtowns of Panama City and St. Andrews with their beautiful parks and an exciting arts scene. There is a collection of dining options that feature local flare and fresh seafood, along with diverse shopping opportunities. Outdoor recreation includes myriad water activities with fishing and paddling leading the way year-round.