For 10 days this April, the Twin City will become the Film City. The 26th RiverRun International Film Festival begins Thursday, April 18 and will run through Saturday, April 27.

Thousands of cinephiles from around the world will be in Winston-Salem for special screenings, premieres, programs, and parties. Here's what you should know about the event.

Reel-y fantastic films

The festival has earned a reputation for presenting the best in international independent cinema. Itshowcases new narrative, documentary, short, student, and animated films — meaning you can see movies getting buzz before their mainstream debuts.

Robert Schwartzman, the director of "The Good Half", will receive an Emerging Master of Cinema award at the festival. | Photo courtesy of RiverRun International Film Festival

Nearly 2,000 films were considered for the 2024 festival. This year, the festival will screen 197 of them, the most in its history. Those films represent 51 countries.

“We are so proud to have a lineup of films that will truly move audiences as we celebrate the very best in world cinema,” RiverRun Programming Director Mary Dossinger said.

The RiverRun BIPOC Fellowship Program is new this year. Sudanese Cinema Now will focus on contemporary Sudanese films curated by filmmaker Fatima Wardy.

"This marks the first time anywhere that these films have been screened in one place and we've received a great deal of national and international attention for this Sudanese film profile," RiverRun Executive Director Rob Davis said.

BIPOC Program fellow Fatima Wardy will take part in a panel discussion on Sunday, April 21. | Photo courtesy of RiverRun International Film Festival

Get red-carpet ready

Purchasing tickets early is the way to ensure you have a seat in the theater. Festival passes are on sale now. Individual tickets are $12 and will be available starting Friday, April 5. You'll need to bring a printed copy of the ticket or the digital QR code with you to screenings. The following venues are hosting screenings this year:

Crossnore Communities for Children, 1001 Reynolda Rd.
Hanesbrands Theatre, 209 N. Spruce St.
Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts (Reynolds Place Theatre and Mountcastle Forum), 251 N. Spruce St.
Kilpatrick, 1001 W. 4th St.
Marketplace Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Pkwy.
UNC School of the Arts ACE Theatre Complex (Main and Gold Theatres), 1533 S. Main St.
RED Cinemas, 1305 Battleground Ave., Greensboro

Virtual access is available for some films. Tickets are $14 and the films will be available to watch through the Elevent TV app between April 29 and May 5.