EVENT SCHEDULE
Join us for the 8th annual BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival on Sep. 11-14, featuring four days of amazing films, informative workshops, and engaging conversations for audiences and filmmakers alike.
Cinema fans can purchase a FILM PASS to see this year’s films and the live table read for only $30! Act fast… film passes are available for a limited time.
THURSDAY – Sep. 11
2:00 p.m. – INDIE SPOTLIGHT: OKTHANKSBYE
SPECIAL PROGRAM
Directed By: Nicole van Kilsdonk
Our Indie Spotlight originates from The Netherlands. An adventurous coming-of-age drama about two young deaf girls who go on an unforgettable road trip together where they not only get to know each other better, but also themselves.
6:00 p.m. – BURNING HAMMER
LIVE TABLE READ w/ SCREENWRITER Q&A
Screenplay By: Dylan Wilson
Live Table Read Directed By: Debra Grannan
After his cruel and isolating punishment comes to an end, a pious, but headstrong boy living in a fundamentalist Christian foster home finds empowerment outside of religion.
Dylan Wilson was raised in Burlington, NC. From a young age, he became obsessed with stories told on screen. He has worked as a high school band director and paralegal but enjoys spending his free time writing about the unlikable, the misunderstood, and the overlooked.
Q&A follows table read. Free, Ticket Required
7:30 p.m. – The Bowl
OPENING NIGHT FILM w/ FILMMAKER Q&A
Directed By: Elijah Yetter-Bowman
The documentary follows a team of six North Carolina high school girls and their teacher as they prepare for and compete in the National High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB) at UNC-Chapel Hill. The film begins with the team’s journey leading to the competition, capturing their intense preparation and deep engagement with ethical cases. Through interviews and classroom footage, we see the students’ excitement, nerves, and the bonds they form while grappling with complex moral issues.
Presented in partnership with the Southern Documentary Fund.
8:30 p.m. – OPENING NIGHT PARTY
BREW COFFEE BAR
Included with Opening Night Film ticket.
Sponsored by the Southern Documentary Fund
FRIDAY - Sep. 12
10:00 a.m. – CRAFTING YOUR FILM & INVESTOR DECKS
WORKSHOP – Academy Pavilion, Downtown Cary Park
Instructor: Sara Elizabeth Timmins
The DECK is your number one marketing material/door opener for your film. Nailing it is key to getting the meeting or getting your script read. In this workshop, we go “behind the scenes” for a SNEAK PEEK at dozens of decks, some that have attracted over $15M in film funding! You will gain insights on key elements to include so you can craft your own with knowledge, understanding, and confidence.
Sara Elizabeth Timmins established Life Out Loud Films in 2008 to create inspiring impact films that champion women. Her films have been seen in theaters, HBO, Amazon, Netflix, The Hallmark Channel, Starz, Showtime and internationally. She has worked with Oscar and Emmy-winning talents Jane Seymour, Ellen Burstyn, Chris Cooper, Josh Lucas, among others. Every film has secured international distribution. She field-produced the Emmy nominated HBO series McMillions for Mark Wahlberg’s company and also created NO FILM SCHOOL. NO TRUST FUND. NO PROBLEM., a program to inspire indie filmmakers.
12:00 p.m. – RAISING FUNDS FOR YOUR INDIE FILM
WORKSHOP – Academy Pavilion, Downtown Cary Park
Instructor: Sara Elizabeth Timmins
Not sure where to look for funding? Does the business side (contracts, investor docs, etc.) make your head spin? Does asking for money make you nervous? We will dive into ways to obtain financing for your film with a focus on private equity. We’re going to give you our best secrets, tips and tricks for finding, pitching, and securing quality equity investors. You will spend LESS time worrying, and MORE time making your dream project! Lunch Provided.
2:30 p.m. – The Art of Storytelling
SHORTS BLOCK
A collection of animated short films in competition that are imaginative, emotional, and wholly unexpected journeys. The block is followed by a 20 minute Q&A with filmmakers.
- Mistletoe (Directed By: Andrea Schmitz & Andrea Sparacio)
- Gibbous (Directed By: Ang Yi Benet)
- Nihal’s Garden (Directed By: Champika Fernando)
- The Brain Bucket (Directed By: Christopher Flippo)
- Home Cooked Meals (Directed By: Natalie van Gelder)
- Tennis, Oranges (Directed By: Sean Pecknold)
- BUDŌ (Directed By: Alexander Toma & Amanda Aagard)
4:00 p.m. – FILMMAKER HAPPY HOUR
RBF CHAMPAGNE BAR
By Invitation Only
Sponsored by Digital P Media
5:30 p.m. – Testimonies of Struggle & Solidarity
SHORTS BLOCK
A collection of short documentary films that invite us to listen, reflect, and connect. The block is followed by a 20 minute Q&A with filmmakers.
- Don’t Cry For Me All You Drag Queens (Directed By: Kristal Sotomayor)
- A City That Cares (Directed By: Aaron Hosé)
- Your Opinion, Please (Directed By: Marshall Granger)
- For The Love Of Cats (Directed By: Calvin Bowers)
5:30 p.m. – I Think I’m Ok
SHORTS BLOCK
A collection of narrative short films about lives in motion – seeking change, belonging, and a better way forward. The block is followed by a 20 minute Q&A with filmmakers.
- I Wish I Were Pretty (Directed By: Hanah Chang)
- Changing Room (Directed By: Ruchir Kulkarni)
- Sally, Get The Potatoes (Directed By: Danicah Waldo)
- Thank You For Your Time (Directed By: Ricki “Ricasso” Nelson)
SATURDAY, SEP. 13
10:00 a.m. – BEYOND FILM SCHOOL: HOW TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE CREATIVE LIFE
WORKSHOP – Academy Pavilion, Downtown Cary Park
Instructor: Crickett Rumley, New York Film Academy
This is a dynamic, interactive workshop for emerging filmmakers and screenwriters ready to move beyond craft mastery, offering tools to refine your voice, build resilience, and create a sustainable, grounded path in the film industry.
Crickett Rumley is founder and senior director of the Film Festival Department at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. She has guided filmmakers to official selections at festivals ranging from Sundance to Bronzelens and to wins and nominations at the Student Academy Awards, the BAFTA Student Film Awards, the DGA Student Film Awards, and the College Television Awards. She is on the board of the Film Festival Alliance, serves as the Panels Director for the Tallgrass Film Festival, and has taught workshops and served on juries for festivals around the U.S.
12:00 P.m. – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILM FESTIVAL STRATEGY
WORKSHOP – Academy Pavilion, Downtown Cary Park
Instructor: Crickett Rumley, New York Film Academy
This is a master class for filmmakers at any stage, offering expert guidance on connecting with audiences, marketing your film, identifying your ideal viewers, and navigating the complex world of festivals—from spotting scams to managing premiere status and deliverables. Lunch Provided.
2:30 p.m. – The Weight We Carry
SHORTS BLOCK
A collection of short films that are intimate stories of families facing their hardest truths while holding on with love and resilience. The block is followed by a 20 minute Q&A with filmmakers.
- Crane (Directed By: Aiden Keltner)
- Single Residence Occupancy (Directed By: Omer Ben-Shachar)
- I Don’t Know If I Have To Say Everything Again (Directed By: Vitória Fallavena & Thassilo Weber)
- Tal Vez El Cielo Es Verde (Directed By: Angelica Belen Figueroa Sarabia)
- For Every Breath (Directed By: Erika Arlee)
4:00 p.m. – FILMMAKER HAPPY HOUR
Chatham Street Wine Market
By Invitation Only
Sponsored by Digital P Media
5:30 p.m. – Dispatches From NC
SHORTS BLOCK
A collection of North Carolina stories of culture, resilience, and everyday heroes. The block is followed by a 20 minute Q&A with filmmakers.
- Jumping Bean (Directed By: Christen S. Christian)
- Hell In A Climate Haven (Directed By: Amelia Waldeck & Thomas Comick)
- A Bigger Table (Directed By: Evan Kidd)
- Once Upon A Wetland (Directed By: Elizabeth Miller-Derstine)
7:30 p.m. – Indie Spotlight: Paper Flowers
SPECIAL PROGRAM
Directed By: Mahesh Pailoor
When suddenly faced with a rare form of cancer, a young man embarks on a transformative journey of gratitude, inspiring loved ones and strangers with his unwavering spirit and viral manifesto that challenges the world to find beauty in every sunset. Based on a true story.
Filmmaker Q&A follows screening.
SUNDAY, SEP. 14
11:00 a.m. – FILMMAKERS AWARDS BRUNCH
The Mayton
By Invitation Only
1:00 p.m. – BEST OF BEYOND
FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS
We cap off the weekend by screening the festival’s top films as recognized by our juries and audiences. These films have captivated audiences and showcased exceptional talent in the categories: Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Student Short, Best N.C. Filmmaker Short, and Audience Award.
4:00 p.m. – Speak
CLOSING FILM
Directed by: Jennifer Tiexiera & Guy Mossman
This film follows five of the nation’s top teenage speech competitors, capturing the euphoria of victory and the devastation of defeat as they craft and perform original oratories over the course of a 9-month season. Their dream is simple: To win the Super Bowl of public speaking, the NSDA Nationals.
