Indie Memphis Announces 2026 Festival Lineup, Including ‘Once Upon a Time in Harlem’ and ‘The Man I Love’

The world can never have enough quality regional film festivals, and one of America’s best is returning for its 28th edition this November. Tennessee cinephiles will once again be treated to a selection of recent festival circuit hits and restorations at Indie Memphis, which runs from November 5 – 8 at the city’s Halloran Centre and Malco Powerhouse.“Stepping into the Artistic Director role for this 28th edition feels like coming home to a city that simply refuses to be ignored or categorized,” artistic director Brandon Harris said in a statement. “After a year away, we knew we couldn’t just come back with a standard program; we had to return with a slate that speaks urgently to our fractured present. I’ve programmed this year’s festival to reflect the restless, boundary-pushing spirit of independent cinema, looking for films that possess a certain southern grit, a formal audacity, and an unflinching eye for the immense complexities of modern life.”The 28th Indie Memphis Film Festival runs from November 5 – 8. Keep reading for the complete lineup, with tickets on sale here.Opening Night“The Lorraine” (Sam Pollard, 87m)Closing Night“The Man I Love” (Ira Sachs, 96m)Departures“Aanikoobijigan” (Adam & Zach Khalil, 85m)“Chronovisor” (Kevin Walker & Jack Auen, 100m)“A City in a Forest” (Nolan Huber & Lev Omeichenko, 98m)“Clay” (Kevin Jerome Everson, 62m)“Every Contact Leaves a Trace” (Lynne Sachs, 83m)“Feelings” (Jeanetta Rich, 70m)“Humboldt USA” (G. Anthony Svatek, 89min)“Sour Minnows” (Harrison Atkins, 83m)Documentary“All of the Above” (Allison Walsh, 85m)“Bucks Harbor” (Pete Muller, 96m)“Cheyenne” (Taimi Arvidson, 105m)“Fears of a Clown” (Bart Vanderver, 90m)“The Great Experiment” (Eric Daniel Metzgar, 100m)“Jane Elliott Against The World” (Judd Ehrlich, 90m)“Malama Makua” (Michael Inouye, 48m)“Once Upon a Time in Harlem” (William Greaves, 100m)“Possum Town” (Daniel Christian, 99m)“TheyDream” (William D. Caballero, 89m)“True North” (Michele Stephenson, 96m)“Uncle Roy” (Keri Pickett, 90m)“Uncommitted” (Razi Jafri, 88m)“When a Witness Recants” (Dawn Porter, 112m)“Who Killed Alex Odeh?” (Jason Osder, William Youmans, 84m)“Who Moves America” (Yoni Golijov, 87m)Hometowner“Hallelujah Station” (Christian Walker, 45m)“Hoop Street” (Princeton James, 91m)“Outside Ain’t Free” (Malik Martin, 50m)“Safe & Sound” (Glenn Payne, 102m)Narrative“Act One” (Sophia Takal, 104m)“Assets & Liabilities” (Zach Weintraub, 62m)“Bagworm” (Oliver Bernsen, 96m)“Inter-State” (Sam Gorman, 90m)“Mother Future Self” (Tori Lancaster, Runtime unlisted)“Ponderosa” (Rob Rice, 90m)“The Projectionist” (Alexandre Rockwell, 94m)“Revelations of Divine Love” (Caroline Golum, 73m)“Riptides” (Alex Karpovsky, 80m)“Take Me Home” (Liz Sargent, 91m)“What Can’t Be Mentioned” (Dan Sallitt, 61m)Sounds“The Best Summer” (Tamra Davis, 84m)“Bobby Rush: King of the Chitlin Circuit” (Al Warren, 84m)“Figaro Up, Figaro Down” (Javid Soriano, 75m)“Joybubbles” (Rachael Morrison, 79m)“Ronzo” (Jon Brick, 75m)Throwbacks“Curse of the Seven Jackals” (Chris Jolly, 60m, 2001)“Embalmer” (S. Torriano Berry, 90m, 1996)“Junebug” (Phil Morrison, 106m, 2005)“Police Beat” (Robinson Devor, 81m, 2006)