Mission & Objective

The festival, presented in a university setting and around the beautiful Shoals area, provides attendees with an exceptional lineup of quality workshops, panels, screenings, networking opportunities and informal interaction among filmmakers and all guests. Our priority is to discover emerging talent and promote their work by reaching, educating, inspiring, and entertaining audiences with the best in cinematic art. Our hope is that a representative of each selected work will be in attendance for the invaluable opportunity to discuss their work with other attendees in provided forums. We strive to be as eco-friendly as possible and we support our submitters and guests in being equally as mindful.


About the Festival

Southern hospitality at its finest best describes the festival.

Florence, Alabama is one of the four cities, which comprises the Shoals, located on the Tennessee River. The Shoals is an inspirational and entertainment Mecca with long roots, which reach to the heart of rock and roll, southern rock, and the blues. It is the birthplace of “America’s First Lady of Courage” (Helen Keller), "The Father of the Blues" (W.C. Handy), and the legendary “Father of Rock and Roll” (Sam Phillips), who first recorded the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the list goes on.

The Shoals area has always been known for its creative spirit and energy. It is now building on its rich musical heritage by devoting many of its resources toward enhancing its emerging film industry. In addition to Mr. Lindsey, the area has produced screen actors Lucas Black, Michael Jeter ("The Green Mile"), Pat Buttram ("Green Acres"), Dewey Martin ("The Big Sky") and Glenn Shadix ("Beetlejuice"). These individuals have followed in the rich cultural history of those who have found fame with the "Muscle Shoals Sound." Among the artists who have recorded locally are: Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Steve Winwood, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Duane Allman, Backstreet Boys, Lou Rawls, Little Richard, Andy Williams, Wayne Newton, Lisa Minnelli, Tom Jones, Wilson Pickett, The Drifters, Ray Stevens, Otis Redding, Alabama, Marty Stuart, Bill Haley & The Comets, Wet Willie, Dobie Gray, and many more.

Our previous festival guests include: Oscar winners Billy Bob Thornton and Ernest Borgnine; "Sling Blade" co-stars Lucas Black and Natalie Canerday; character actors Rance Howard (“Cool Hand Luke”) and Stephen Root ("O Brother, Where Art Thou?"); renowned film critic and Florence native Jonathan Rosenbaum; actor-songwriter Donnie Fritts ("Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia"); makeup-effects artist Robert Hall (“Angel” and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), actors Lee Majors (“The Six Million Dollar Man”) and Cedric Pendleton (“The Shield"); radio personality Mark Thompson (of "Mark & Brian" fame); photographer David Lee; recording-industry executive Mike Curb; and music-video artist Ray Stevens.

The Festival welcomes local, national, and international entries. All first place winners in each of the categories receive a Golden Lion Medallion and a cash prize or its equivalent in products. Outstanding works are recognized alongside such recent best-of-show winners as Shane Acker's Oscar nominated "9," Steve Guttenberg's "P.S. Your Cat is Dead," Robert Hall's "Lightening Bug" and the Kathryn Tucker Windham documentary "Kathryn: A Story of a Teller."

The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival was founded in part by alumnus and celebrated entertainer George Lindsey. He is well known for his role of Goober Pyle on the "Andy Griffith Show" and many other credits in television, including episodes of “Hee Haw,” “The Twilight Zone," "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour," "Gunsmoke," "M*A*S*H," and as the host of Turner South's Emmy award-winning "Liars & Legends."

The University of North Alabama's library houses all of Lindsey's film and TV scripts as well as Ernest Borgnine's complete collection of scripts. Other Hollywood celebrities - including "Fahrenheit 451" author Ray Bradbury, archivist and enthusiast Forrest J. Ackerman and film historian David J. Skal - have donated rare scripts and one-of-a-kind memorabilia from their personal collections.

We encourage you to submit your film and come experience southern hospitality at its finest!