Small Town, Big Screen: Join us at the Peaberry Film Festival

Sep 23, 2025

What began as the Etowah Film Festival has grown into one of the Southeast’s biggest celebrations of film, showcasing some of the most innovative storytelling from Georgia, across the country, and around the world. Featuring films from first-time filmmakers to global voices, as well as trivia nights and exclusive networking events, the Peaberry Film Festival is a celebration of cinema, conversation, and community.

A Theatre With a Story of Its Own

It’s only fitting that the festival takes place at the Historic Canton Theatre, a landmark dating back to 1911. Once home to silent films, the theatre continues to host movies and live performances today. Canton’s film legacy runs deep, with recent Hollywood productions like "The Family Plan" and "Hidden Figures" having been filmed here. The theatre itself has also starred in movies like "The Founder," starring Michael Keaton, and Apple TV's "The Big Door Prize."

Read more about Canton's legacy on the big screen HERE, or learn more about the Historic Canton Theatre HERE.

Canton Theatre in 1965. Image Credit: Cherokee County History Center

Building the Peaberry Film Festival

At the heart of the Peaberry Film Festival is its creator and director, Brent Lambert-Zaffino. Raised in Chicago and rooted in Georgia, Brent’s work blends Midwestern quirk with Southern grit, a contrast that shapes much of his storytelling.

A lifelong movie enthusiast who started out with a camcorder and experimenting with iMovie, Brent went on to study communications and film at Kennesaw State University before carving out his own path as a freelance director, videographer, and independent filmmaker. Today, in addition to his film projects, he channels his passion for cinema into building the Peaberry Film Festival into a space where filmmakers and audiences connect, share stories, and celebrate the art of film.

Thursday, October 2: Commencement Night

The festival kicks off with a celebration of student storytelling. High School Shorts & Awards, presented by Trilith Studios and the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, will shine a spotlight on the next generation of filmmakers.

Later that evening, audiences can enjoy The Graduates. This category features last year’s winning student screenplay adapted into a short film, along with two highly creative films built entirely with Legos.

Friday, October 3: Lookin’ Back

Opening night welcomes actor Judd Lormand (Seal Team) for a conversation reflecting on seven seasons of the hit show. Short films exploring themes of memory and nostalgia follow.

The centerpiece of the night is the Metro-Atlanta premiere of "Natchez," a Tribeca-winning documentary exploring history, memory, and identity in a Mississippi town. Canopy Atlanta will lead a thoughtful discussion after the screening, capped off with an Opening Night After Party at Menagerie on Main.

Saturday, October 4: Celebrate Each Other

Saturday is packed with variety. Morning screenings explore tense family dramas before audiences head across the street to the Jones Building for a Filmmaker Mixer.

The afternoon celebrates diverse voices with Latine Shorts, presented by Latinas in Media ATL and paired with a live musical performance. The evening brings together audiences for Best of the Fests, trivia at Queenie’s, and a delightfully strange lineup of short films inspired by the late David Lynch.

Sunday, October 5: Get Immersed

The festival's final day leans into the unexpected. From Georgia Gothic short films with a morbid twist, to the interactive Kick the Ladder challenge where one-minute shorts are made during the festival itself, audiences will be kept on their toes with what's coming next.

Things wrap up with Food Fight!, a double-feature of action and horror-comedy films centered on, you guessed it, food! The festival closes with "Withdrawal," a raw and emotional feature following a singer-songwriter and her boyfriend as they fight addiction and the expectations of her family.

And, Action!

Audiences of all types will be delighted by the diverse programming in store at the Peaberry Film Festival, from casual moviegoers, to filmmakers, and everyone in between. Join us for a weekend of intimate storytelling, insightful panel discussions, and a chance to network with those who share a passion for film. Want to learn more? See the full schedule for this year's festival HERE. We'll see you at the movies!

GET TICKETS FOR THE PEABERRY FILM FESTIVAL HERE

Author

Michael Loizou

Digital Content Specialist; City of Canton, GA

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