About Upstate Film Society

The Upstate Film Society began in 1998 with a small band of film lovers anxious to see quality and diversified films in Upstate South Carolina. Films initially were screened at the Coffee Underground. As interest and membership grew, the Carmike Theater opened its doors to the UFS in a collaborative effort to sponsor independent and foreign films on a weekly basis. This joint sponsorship enjoyed several years of success until April 2001 when the Carmike Theater closed its doors. Since that time, the UFS has continued its campaign as an advocate for a downtown arts cinema while diligently working with other community venues to provide independent film screenings in the Upstate.

UFS is pleased to sponsor independent film festivals in the spring and fall of each year, along with the annual French Film Festival in late December and other preview screenings of independent films.

So how do we choose the films for the festivals? The UFS Board of Directors discusses a variety of good independent films, then submits a short list of potential films to our partner, Consolidated Cherrydale Cinemas. Cherrydale’s film distributor selects the films on the basis of availability, cost, and access.

If you would like to nominate a film for consideration by the UFS Board, please send your suggestion to upstatefilm@gmail.com or post it below. Thanks for your support!