Screening Partner Guidelines
The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers is the South’s only tour of filmmakers and provides communities with an interactive way of experiencing new independent film. Southern Circuit provides non-profit, educational, and governmental organizations the opportunity to screen new work from emerging filmmakers and some of the medium’s most respected directors. Southern Circuit is managed by South Arts, a Regional Arts Organization (RAO) serving nine southern states. Launched in 1975, Southern Circuit has impacted over 100 communities across the South. Since its inception, audiences have viewed hundreds of films and engaged filmmakers in post-screening discussions about their work.
South Arts works collaboratively with Screening Partners to bring new independent films and filmmakers to Southern communities. The Circuit tour runs from September to November and February-April. Screening Partners present one film and filmmaker per month, during the touring period for a Circuit season of six films and filmmakers. As a Screening Partner, your organization can expand programming, provide audiences with the opportunity to meet filmmakers and learn about the art of filmmaking, and encourage community engagement using film as a conduit for discussions about social and community issues.
Important Dates & Deadlines
- Screening Partner application opens: February 10, 2026,
- Application Deadline: March 16, 2026
- Signed MOU: April 30, 2026
- Informational Webinar: February 10, 2026. Register here.
Both filmmakers were very engaged with the students. I think they might have stayed all night at the reception, talking with those that waited in line to speak with them. The film, Kings, Queens, & In Betweens, was very thought-provoking, eliciting comments from attendees that showed us we opened a few minds. There was a joyful feeling about the event, and I think the way the material was presented in the film was largely responsible for that atmosphere.
-Anita DeAngelis, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
- Screening Partner Responsibilities
- Complete a Screening Partner application from February 10, 2026, through March 16, 2026.
- Return signed MOU to South Arts by April 30, 2026.
- Submit a participation fee of $5,500. Participation fees are invoiced on June 1, 2026, and must be paid by July 31, 2026.
- Participate in the Southern Circuit informational webinar on January 28, 2026, to become familiar with program expectations and requirements.
- Attend the virtual Film Selection Meeting on May 6, 2026. You will receive screening links for the top 40 films one month before the meeting. During the meeting, Screening Partners will select the films and filmmakers that will tour with the 2026-2027 Southern Circuit.
- Coordinate on-site screenings and audience discussions for six (6) visiting filmmakers at the organization’s screening site.
- Provide advanced publicity and promotion within your community for each of the six Southern Circuit screenings, including but not limited to: print, electronic, and social media, and acknowledge the support of South Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts in all marketing activities.
- Participate in a Southern Circuit marketing webinar to learn about marketing strategies for selected films and steps for managing effective filmmaker relationships. The webinar will be presented in June 2026.
- Provide a qualified projectionist for each of the six Southern Circuit programs and audio equipment. DCP or laser projection systems are preferred.
- Complete a final report at the conclusion of the tour.
- All Screening Partners must comply with all responsibilities and eligibility requirements. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of future participation and grant funds from South Arts.
- South Arts Responsibilities
- Manage the film submission process and coordinate preliminary review of submitted films.
- Coordinate the selection process of films and filmmakers to tour with the 2026-2027 Southern Circuit.
- Provide Screening Partners with access to promotional materials for the 2026-2027 Southern Circuit to include high-resolution photographs, individual film posters, circuit series posters, film synopses, filmmakers’ biographies, logos, web banners, Southern Circuit filmmaker social media, and press release templates.
- Provide informational webinars to Screening Partners.
- Develop filmmakers’ travel itineraries, coordinating transportation and per diem for lodging and meals, and managing the reimbursement process as needed.
- Provide honoraria to filmmakers at the conclusion of their Southern Circuit tour.
- Provide ongoing support to filmmakers and Screening Partners.
- Eligibility
- Non-profit, educational, or government organizations within South Arts’ nine-state region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Screenings must take place within the region.
- Non-profit tax-exempt status or an official unit of local, county, or state government. Tax-exempt status will be verified, and proof of governmental status is required. Fiscal agents will not be considered.
- Applicants must have an EIN.
- General Guidelines
- Screenings must take place monthly between September-November 2026 and February-April 2027.
- Screenings must be public and include a post-film Q&A with the filmmaker.
- Events must be marketed to and include the public.
- Applicants are required to provide reasonable accommodations for constituents in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has resources to assist organizations in making accommodations. Please visit the NEA’s website for more information.
- Applicants must commit to the NEA’s Assurance of Compliance.
For technical assistance with the application, please contact grants@southarts.org. For all other questions related to the program, please contact Lisa Smalls at lsmalls@southarts.org or schedule a meeting here.