Experiencing the Chattanooga Film Festival like a cinephile
Get ready for this “summer camp for cinephiles” return, bringing horror and eclectic shorts + features to the screen. | Movie still via Chattanooga Film Festival
As seasoned goers of the Chattanooga Film Festival, we reely can’t wait for its return to The Read House on Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23.
To help you get prepared, we’re dropping important info and recommendations to navigate this in-person and virtual film festival.
Before you go
Plan out your days by checking the daily schedule online + checking out what the virtual version of the festival has to offer, from screenings and readings to Q+As and parties around town. Note: Virtual viewing is open from Friday, June 21 through Friday, June 28.
Pro tip: You can learn about each short + feature film (run time, synopsis, language, genre, etc.) by looking at the film guide.
Tickets can be purchased in a few ways:
Individual tickets for screenings are $15 — can be purchased when clicking “select a showing” on each film.
Hybrid (full access) + virtual badges begin at $200.
Get access to over 100 short and feature films when buying a festival badge.
|
Movie still provided by Chattanooga Film Festival
Editor picks (based off of film titles + vibes)
“Flipside” | 91 minutes | English | In-person only
“Hot Soda” | 15 minutes | English | Virtual only
“A Guide to Becoming an Elm Tree” | 75 minutes | English + Irish | Hybrid
“Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person” | 92 minutes | French | In-person only
“Roger is a Serial Killer” (umm, spoiler alert) | 10 minutes | English | Virtual only
“Let’s Go Disco” | 13 minutes | English | Hybrid
Revel in being starstruck by meeting the filmmakers, cast members, and authors.
|
Photo by NOOGAtoday
What we loved last year
Editor Haley here. My top two favorites were hearing horror author Grady Hendrix do a panel on “How to Sell a Haunted House” (and getting my copy signed) + seeing the short thriller “Splinter” and staying for the Q+A. Pro tip: Hang around the downstairs bar — you might be able to talk to a director or cast member. Check out the highlight reel.
Food Truck Friday | Friday, June 14 | 12-4 p.m. | Burlaep Print and Press, 801 E. 11th St., Chattanooga | Price of purchase | Head to this local coffee shop to grab lunch from Culture-Licious, an Asian cuisine truck.
Nightfall | Friday, June 14 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Miller Park and Plaza, 850 Market St., Chattanooga | Free+ | See performances by Glen David Andrews and Bemi Allen + enjoy a market and lawn games.
Summer Camp at Reflection Riding | Friday, June 14-Friday, Aug. 2 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd., Chattanooga | $250-$300 | Three hundred acres of hands-on discoveries, wildlife encounters + unforgettable outdoor adventures await kids ages 5-13 at Reflection Riding’s two summer camps.*
Saturday, June 15
Gardening Class | Saturday, June 15 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | UT-TSU Hamilton County Extension, 6183 Adamson Cir., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Dive into drip irrigation and rain gardens + how to navigate both dry and wet conditions experienced during summer.
Cracking Contraptions - Inventors Day | Saturday, June 15 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | Price of admission | Step into an immersive world of Chattanooga inventions including a wrecker, catapults, Tom Thumb Mini Golf + you’ll even get to meet Looie from the Lookouts.
Create a Miniature Fairy House | Saturday, June 15 | 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $49.87 | Delve into the magical world of tiny abodes as you construct a cozy haven fit for these mythical creatures.
Sunday, June 16
Father’s Day Blues and Brews | Sunday, June 16 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga | Free+ | Bring the father figure in your life to the market for food and craft beer vendors, handmade gifts + snag fresh meat, cheeses, and more to put on the grill.
The Dad Games | Sunday, June 16 | 12-2 p.m. | Dave and Buster’s, 2084 Hamilton Place Blvd., Chattanooga | $34.69-$50.55 | Champion your team as you compete against other families in an epic arcade showdown — winner takes home bragging rights + free game play for a year.
Celebrate the Seasons: Litha Feast & Ritual | Sunday, June 16 | 6-8 p.m. | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., Chattanooga | $17-$40 | Take part in a communal feast, craft a traditional sunwheel, and enjoy a guided herb walk to celebrate the upcoming solstice.
Cempa works hard to make healthcare more accessible to all Noogans — including offering a discounted program for qualified patients. | Photo provided by Cempa Community Care
Every Monday, Cempa Community Care’s Mobile Health Clinicrolls into a community near you to provide these important healthcare services:
Primary care
Infectious disease treatment
Diagnostic + laboratory testing
PrEP
Chronic illness
Injuries
Behavioral health
Look for them at:
1st Monday: 809 S. Willow St. at La Paz Chattanooga
2nd Monday: 809 S. Willow St. at La Paz Chattanooga
3rd Monday: Corner of E. 25th Street + 4th Avenue
4th Monday: 701 Hooker Rd. at Piney Woods Resource Center
The City of Chattanooga has brought in city planner + TED Talk speaker Jeff Speck to help with the Frazier Avenue reconfiguration. Speck will speak to the public about the redesign on Thursday, June 20 at 6 p.m. at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Coming Soon
For the update you’ve all been waiting for — City Cafe Diner’s downtown location is set to open in July. The new 6,500-sqft space at 511 Broad St. (next door to Mayan Kitchen) will feature 140 seats and 24-hour meal service. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Traffic
Roberts Mill Road will be closed Monday, June 17 + Tuesday, June 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for scheduled maintenance and re-striping of the road. Motorists are advised to use the W Road or Signal Mountain Boulevard/Taft Highway to leave or access Signal Mountain.
Open
Riverport Grille is now open at 224 Broad St. (the former site of Big River Grille). Folks can enjoy lunch and dinner now, with a brunch menu kicking off on Saturday, June 22. Get a peek at the menu.
Announced
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has announced the second round of recipients to receive funding from the Innovative Response to Opioid Grants. See the five organizations to be awarded, if approved by County Commission on Wednesday, June 26.
Sports
Chattanooga could be a Team Base Camp location for those participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These camps are where teams can establish “homes away from home” while they travel to their first three matches + where players, staff, and officials will stay during the group stage.
Community
Leadership nominations to serve with the North Chattanooga Neighborhood Association are now open. The association is currently looking for residents to fill the roles of president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and event/communications coordinator. Bonus: Get an overview of the work they do.
Health
The Hamilton County Health Department’s Family Planning and Sexual Health Clinics at 921 E. 3rd St. are temporarily closed until further notice. Note: If you have an appointment + need to reschedule, call 423-209-8350.
Let’s roll: Get active and celebrate Black Music Month with free outdoor skating to R&B, Neo-soul, and hip-hop music at Soul Roll, happening Sunday, June 16 + Sunday, June 23 at Chatt Town Skate Park. Bring your skates or rent on-site; all ages welcome.*
Wellness
Imagine caffeine-free energy with no jitters, no crash, and no impact on sleep — plus reduced hunger and cravings. Explore MTE energy drink + get 22% off with code MI22.*
Development
♿️ Harvesting playtime for all
Harvest Playground will bring inclusive play to Heritage Park
“It means that the population that I love and want to help advocate for will have a place to go, and that means the world to me.” — Skyler Phillips. | Rendering provided by Harvest Playground
Imagine a playground built with every kid and ability in mind — that is what will soon be coming to Heritage Park through the Harvesting Inclusive Play project.
Pioneered by Chattanooga Fire Department Captain Skyler Phillips who was inspired by the needs of his son, the city’s largest all-inclusive play area will take shape as Harvest Playground.
What exactly does inclusive play look like? Phillips said the playground will be split into two areas — a ~5,000-sqft area for ages 2-5 + a ~10,000-sqft area for ages 5-12. Renderings showcase:
Swings with varying seats, including disability-friendly options
One long structure that features slides, a barn playhouse, and more that has ramp + stair access
A merry-go-round with wheelchair compatibility
Enrichment activities throughout the grounds
Phillips said they hope to secure all funding by the end of the year to break ground in the spring.
Do you have a bourbon lover in your life? Gift this Box Of Bourbon from Adams Apple Co. for National Bourbon Day. The set includes a marinade and grilling sauce, made ready for a barbecue.
It looks like Tanasi Brewing & Supplies has found a new location for its operations — but is keeping the details untapped for now. Make sure to follow along on their socials for more details on the move + stock up on supplies while you can tomorrow during a farewell party.
Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.