Imagine a weekend where film lovers from all walks of life gather together to celebrate the magic of cinema. This is the scene set for the upcoming Fairhope Film Festival.

The Fairhope Film Festival has announced details for this year's festival. The lineup includes 30 films ranging from shorts to award-winning feature films Nov. 7-10.

Film enthusiasts can immerse themselves in four days of screenings at Coastal Alabama Community College Fairhope Campus, Fairhope Public Library, University of South Alabama Baldwin County Campus and the Fairhope Film Festival Theater.

The festival kicks off Thursday, Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. with the screening of the Opening Night Film, immediately followed by the Opening Night Party at The Balcony in Fairhope.

Every morning from 9-10 a.m., industry professionals will pop into the Book Cellar at Page and Palette for Coffee Talks. Stop in Latte Da for a coffee, enjoy a complimentary pastry in the Book Cellar and engage with filmmakers, industry insiders and more. The daily event is free to attend, and all are welcome.

The Red Carpet Party, Saturday, Nov. 9, celebrates all things film. The fun event takes over the Eastern Shore Art Center and features delicious food and great music from Kenny on the Keys.

Budding filmmakers are encouraged to participate in the 48 for Future Filmmakers' Competition. Open exclusively to high school students in Baldwin and Mobile counties. It runs concurrently with other festival programming. The program follows the standard structure of the 48-hour film challenges that has gained popularity in recent years. Participants receive an intermutual script and a list of 'Fairhope Elements', which must be depicted somewhere throughout the completed short. After a shotgun start, a time limit of 48 hours is allotted to produce, record, edit and deliver the finished piece. The completed shorts will be judged and exhibited at a dedicated awards function at the end of the weekend.

"I think movies are the ultimate art," said Mary Riser, Fairhope Film Festival director. "Movies have everything: music, choreography, motion, acting, scripts, set and scenery. Film is the complete artistic package."

The lineup for the 2024 Fairhope Film Festival will be announced Oct. 21. For more information about the Fairhope Film Festival or to purchase tickets, visit www.fairhopefilmfestival.org, updated weekly.

Sponsorships for the festival are available. Contact Melanie LeCroy at office@fairhopefilmfestival.org to learn more.