It’s that time of year again, and Challenger Learning Center is getting ready to welcome in the Tallahassee Film Festival for a weekend of cinema, creativity, and connection on October 9-11. Whether it’s a screening in our IMAX theatre or the planetarium, this weekend is going to be one to remember! Before you go, get acquainted with some of the upcoming films and what to expect when you visit Challenger.
Friday, October 9
Kick off the festival with a full-dome program in the Fogg Planetarium at 2:45 PM, featuring “Secrets from a Forest” by Neil Lucas, “One Step Beyond: A Journey to Mars” by Aaron Bradbury, and “XYZZY” by Jess Johnson and Simon Ward.
At 5 PM, head back to the planetarium to experience “The Undiscovered Country” by Michael Curtis Johnson, a drama exploring the intimate emotions of young lives when met at a crossroads.
Next, grab some concessions and get comfortable in the IMAX for the 7:15 PM premiere of “Big Top: A Flying High Circus Story,” a comeback documentary by James and Allie Alessandrelli. Directly after, experience “Frogtown” by Costa Karalis, the festival’s opening night feature film full of magic, absurdity, and heartfelt nostalgia.
Stick around after the show for a post-film discussion with the filmmakers, then go home and get some sleep because tomorrow will have a packed schedule of films!
Saturday, October 10
Start your festival morning with “Shifting Baselines” by Julien Elie in the IMAX at 10:45 AM and “Lost Cause” by Adam Kritzer, an allegorical musical in the Fogg Planetarium at 11 AM.
Then, don’t miss this packed film lineup in Challenger’s theater and planetarium:
- Shorts 2 - Portraits at 11:15 AM
- “Daughters of the Forest” at 12:45 PM
- “Hekla” at 1:00 PM
- “The Moths & The Flame” at 1:45 PM
- “Andre” at 3 PM
- Shorts 3 – Awkwrrrd at 3:15 PM
- “The Great Experiment” at 4:45 PM
- “No Time to Think: Bob Dylan as a
- Filmmaker” at 5:30 PM
- “Shelby” at 5:30 PM
- Shorts 5 – Coming Through at 7:15 PM
- “Ponderosa” at 7:15 PM
- “No Picnic” at 9:15 PM
Sunday, October 11
The weekend's not over yet! Mark your calendar for the centerpiece film, "Take Me Home" by Liz Sargent at 1:15 PM in the IMAX – then fuel up with an Icee for the festival's Sunday lineup!
- Shorts 7 – ALT/ESC at 1:30 PM
- Shorts 8 – Against the Current at 1:45 PM
- Shorts 9 – In Black & Color at 3:30 PM
- “First They Came For My College” at 3:30 PM
- “What We Dreamed Of Then” at 3:45 PM
- Tally850 Awards at 5:45 PM
- “Robert and June (and all the time in the world)” at 7:30 PM
- “Nova ‘78” at 7:30 PM
The 2026 Tallahassee Film Festival is going to be one for the books! Join us at Challenger Learning Center for an inspiring weekend to celebrate creativity, art, and one-of-a-kind stories. And don't forget to share photos!