Welcome to Scruffy City Film Fest
At Scruffy City Film Fest, we believe that great stories don’t always come from big studios—they often emerge from quiet corners, late-night shoots, and passionate minds unwilling to compromise their vision. Founded in the heart of Knoxville, Tennessee, our festival is a love letter to independent cinema and the fearless creators who make it possible.
What We Do
Every year, we curate a vibrant program of short films, documentaries, and feature-length indie works from filmmakers around the world. We don’t chase trends or commercial appeal—we seek authenticity, originality, and emotional resonance. Our screenings are held in intimate venues across Knoxville, where audiences and artists share more than just a movie—they share a moment.
Topics We Cover
We showcase films that challenge, inspire, and provoke thought. Our program includes narrative fiction, experimental cinema, animated shorts, regional storytelling, and documentaries that spotlight underrepresented voices. We also host panel discussions, Q&As with directors, and workshops on independent production, distribution, and funding.
About the Creator
Leonard Grimsby, our founder, is a lifelong cinephile who grew up watching films on dusty VHS tapes in rural Ireland. After years working in film distribution and community arts, he realized that while festivals in major cities thrived, many talented indie filmmakers had nowhere to be seen. So he brought the spirit of that discovery to Scruffy City—Knoxville’s unapologetically authentic, creatively wild heart. Though he lives in Dublin, Leonard returns each fall to hand-pick every film, greet every guest, and make sure no voice goes unheard.
Why This Website Exists
This site isn’t just a schedule or a ticket portal—it’s a living archive of the films we love and the people who made them. We created it so filmmakers could find us, audiences could discover something new, and the spirit of Scruffy City could live beyond the two days of the festival. We want to build a community, not just an event.
Our Values
We believe in accessibility, inclusivity, and artistic integrity. All our screenings are pay-what-you-can. We prioritize underrepresented voices—women, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and international filmmakers. We don’t charge submission fees for students or those from low-income backgrounds. And we never compromise on curation: if a film moves us, it belongs here.
Contact Us
Have a film to submit? Want to volunteer? Just want to say hello? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at [email protected]. You can also find us at 39 Sandyford Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14, D14 RX56, Ireland—though most of the magic happens in Knoxville each October.
