The Lookout Wild Film Festival (LWFF) is an annual, multi-day event that originated in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 2013.
In its inaugural years of 2013 and 2014, the festival took place at the Centennial Theater located at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. In 2015, LWFF moved its venue to the Robert Kirk Walker Theater, housed within the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium. Then, in 2019, LWFF found its new home at the Tivoli Theater, where films are showcased on North America’s Largest Drop-Down Screen.
LWFF introduced a Photography Competition to its program in 2020, allowing participants to showcase their visual storytelling skills through captivating photographs.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges it posed to hosting indoor events, LWFF adapted its format in 2021. During that year, the festival presented fifteen 60-minute film nights, free of charge, at Miller Park in downtown Chattanooga. These special screenings took place every Friday throughout the Nightfall Music Series, providing an opportunity for the community to enjoy inspiring films.
The year 2022 brought exciting additions to LWFF. The festival introduced the Dale Greybeard Sanders Perseverance Award (also known as The Stoney), which is bestowed annually upon the most inspiring person featured in the films. Esteemed recipients of this prestigious award include Dale Sanders (2022), Nimblewill Nomad (2022), and Sunny Yang (2023). Furthermore, LWFF hosted the renowned Reel Rock film tour and organized four free film events during the mid-summer period. These events were specifically aimed at raising funds for local non-profit organizations, including The Southeastern Climbers Coalition, North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy, and SORBA.
In 2023, due to ongoing renovations at the Tivoli, LWFF returned to its previous venue, the Walker Theater. This edition of the festival showcased the world premieres of two highly anticipated films: “Greybeard – The Man, The Myth, The Mississippi” and “A Dream of Flying.” The Q&A sessions following these premieres were graced by the presence of lead characters, producers, directors, and filmmakers from both films. Additionally, the filmmaker Q&A attracted attendees from various locations, including Iran, the United Kingdom, British Columbia (Canada), as well as Minnesota and Montana in the United States.
