A discussion about different ways to incorporate music to make our lives better.

Fresh from its US premiere at SXSW 2019,Bellingcat - Truth In A Post-Truth Worldexplores the promise of open source investigation, taking viewers inside the exclusive world of the “citizen investigative journalist” collective known as Bellingcat. In cases ranging from the MH17 disaster to the poisoning of a Russian spy in the United Kingdom, the Bellingcat team’s quest for truth will shed light on the fight for journalistic integrity in the era of fake news and alternative facts.

A discussion about all the myriad ways we can support women in the quest for equality, both in our communities and in our work.

The SouthEast festival premiere of this award winning documentary bringing the tales of Brazilian street dancers as they leave their city parks and join the international stage. Q&A after screening with filmmaker Jocelyn Edelstein (Urban Body Project) and producer Zak Kilberg.

The musical pairing of a lifetime: Five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, and a solo artist) joins bestselling author Daniel Levitin (“This Is Your Brain on Music”) to perform together a range of music, originals, and songs you may have heard before.

An enlightening discussion on the principles and best practices for maintaining a story's roots while adapting it into a new format.

Fresh from screening at Sundance! Lonnie Holley, a "self-taught African American artist" and dimensional traveler, attempts to sneak off the slave ship America. Featuring an interview with filmmaker Lonnie Holley after the screening.

Iinformative workshop exploring the film and television industries best practices for casting. 

This award-winning short-animated documentary (15 min) received an animation spotlight at Sundance 2019. Akiko Takakura survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima – in the midst of total destruction she finds a moment of happiness.

Gopi is a journey about sexuality and gender. While introducing us to the people he has helped, Gopi shares the story of the struggle to bring human rights to the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A. community in India.

We have rounded some of favorite creative and immersive short films together for a one-of-a-kind viewing experience! Featured films include GOPI and Obon plus a Video Q&A Session.

North Carolina Premiere. Nominated for the Palme D'Or and winner of the Best Soundtrack/Composer Award at Cannes 2018, Leto (translation: Summer) has enjoyed a wildly successful festival tour since then with much critical acclaim. 

Leningrad, one summer in the early eighties. Smuggling LP’s by Lou Reed and David Bowie, the underground rock scene is boiling ahead of the Perestroika. Mike and his beautiful wife Natasha meet with young Viktor Tsoï, one of Russia's most important rock icons. Together with friends, they will change the destiny of rock’n’roll in the Soviet Union.

Fresh from its US premiere at SXSW 2019,Bellingcat - Truth In A Post-Truth Worldexplores the promise of open source investigation, taking viewers inside the exclusive world of the “citizen investigative journalist” collective known as Bellingcat. In cases ranging from the MH17 disaster to the poisoning of a Russian spy in the United Kingdom, the Bellingcat team’s quest for truth will shed light on the fight for journalistic integrity in the era of fake news and alternative facts.

A conversational concert hosted by Winston-Salem native and Grammy-nominated music historian, Jonathan Kirby.

This Work-in-Progress short version of the upcoming feature-length documentary will be screened during the Clashing Viewpoints panel, presented by director Ben Rekhi and producer Sol Tryon. 

Since the 2016 election, Americans have segregated themselves into two warring camps with views so hardline it makes civil discourse nearly impossible. But there is a movement of people who are working tirelessly to bridge these divides. "The Reunited States" is a feature documentary that profiles people who are actively promoting depolarization and communication across the country.

A discussion of how intense public debate can and has lead to things getting better for everybody, and how to utilize the tools of mediation and creativity to arrive at not just compromise, but a win-win situation.

'Whistle Down Wind' follows secret lovers Janie and Alex as they reach a crossroads, the boiling point of their complicated but beautiful relationship. Learn More

Cat Fly is an Asheville-based, non-profit film festival that highlights and supports up-and-coming indie film artists. Following their 2019 festival March 29-31, they'll share works from regional filmmakers with the Connect Beyond audience, at this showcase of Homegrown short films. 

A discussion about how to spot fake news, how to check your sources, and how marketing and advertising influences the information we receive daily.

The Land of Fish & Grits is a food and culture show that reinterprets the past and imagines the future of Southern cuisine by centering its Black and Indigenous creators. Hosted by musician, executive chef, and botanist Justin Robinson, we joy ride through the Dirty South in this humorous, hip, and multi-sensory retelling of mama’s country cooking. 

Calling all filmmakers! Outside of the industry hubs of LA and NYC, it can be difficult for budding filmmakers to learn about the business of making films.

Award winning author, Tim Z. Hernandez, offers this engaging performance based on his book “All They Will Call You,” which chronicles his ongoing search for the lives and stories behind one of the most compelling protest songs of the 20th century, “Plane Wreck at Los Gatos (Deportees)”, written by Woody Guthrie.

The story of the meteoric rise of the Grammy-winning band The Carolina Chocolate Drops, as well as the untold story of how blacks and whites collaborated to create the earliest forms of American popular music. Join director/producer John Whitehead after the screening for an audience Q&A!

A discussion about some of the movements that have been successful and some that have not and ways to start your own revolution online.

For this reading, he will be accompanied by Bob Funck, a singer-songwriter in Durham, North Carolina who plays an eclectic brew of Americana folk-rock.

Join movie producer Jason Lust (Peter Rabbit, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day) for a special story time event that celebrates the connection between literacy and reading to children, and explores the connection between books and movies!

North Carolina Premiere. Nominated for the Palme D'Or and winner of the Best Soundtrack/Composer Award at Cannes 2018, Leto (translation: Summer) has enjoyed a wildly successful festival tour since then with much critical acclaim. 

Leningrad, one summer in the early eighties. Smuggling LP’s by Lou Reed and David Bowie, the underground rock scene is boiling ahead of the Perestroika. Mike and his beautiful wife Natasha meet with young Viktor Tsoï, one of Russia's most important rock icons. Together with friends, they will change the destiny of rock’n’roll in the Soviet Union.

Kishi Bashi Presents Omoiyari excerpts from his upcoming album and Song film with interview by Bob Boilen.

Connect Beyond Festival: Signature Event
*All Early Bird ticket purchases include admission to this event.