The Asheville Film Festival has unveiled its highly anticipated 2026 lineup, and this year’s roster puts North Carolina talent front and center. Festival organizers announced that nearly half of the 48 films selected for screening were produced by filmmakers based in the Tar Heel State, marking a significant shift toward showcasing homegrown storytelling.

“We’ve always believed that some of the most compelling stories in American cinema are being told right here in our backyard,” said festival director Morgan Calloway during a press event at the Orange Peel on Tuesday. “This year’s lineup proves that beyond any doubt.”

Among the headlining entries is Blue Ridge Lullaby, a documentary following three generations of Appalachian musicians in Watauga County as they navigate the tension between preserving traditional folk music and embracing modern production. The film was shot over 18 months by Boone-based director Tamara Greer and has already drawn comparisons to acclaimed music documentaries.

The festival will also feature a special retrospective on films shot in western North Carolina over the past decade, including behind-the-scenes panels with location scouts and production designers who have helped establish Asheville as a destination for independent filmmakers. The region’s dramatic mountain landscapes and vibrant arts community have attracted a growing number of productions in recent years.

Tickets go on sale April 1, with the festival running from May 15 through May 22 at venues throughout downtown Asheville. A new outdoor screening series at Pack Square Park will offer free nightly showings of select shorts, making the event more accessible to the broader community.

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is stepping out of Belk Theater and into neighborhoods across Mecklenburg County with a new initiative designed to bring classical music to communities that rarely have access to live orchestral performances.

The “Music for All” series, announced this week, will feature 12 free concerts at community centers, parks, and churches from April through September. The performances will range from full orchestral pieces to smaller chamber ensembles, all curated to be approachable for audiences who may be experiencing a symphony performance for the first time.

“We want to tear down the walls — both literal and figurative — that keep people from experiencing the power of live music,” said Music Director Kwamé Ryan. “Charlotte is an incredibly diverse city, and our programming should reflect that.”

The series kicks off April 12 at the West Boulevard Library with a string quartet performing works by both classical and contemporary Black composers. Other notable stops include a full orchestra performance at Romare Bearden Park in June and a Latin-themed evening at the Camino Community Center in west Charlotte.

Each concert will also include interactive elements, with musicians offering brief instrument demonstrations and Q&A sessions, particularly aimed at engaging young people. The initiative is funded through a combination of private donations and a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council.

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