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Redfish Film Fest is a documentary film festival in Historic Downtown Panama City, Florida. Redfish will be back for its second year April 24-27, 2025. Festival organizers aim to make it the premier event of its kind in the Southeastern U.S. Interest and support from the filmmaking community is strong , with more than 50 films scheduled for screening.

The festival will include three days of screenings at an eclectic collection of downtown venues: Panama City Center for the Arts, Downtown Boxing Club, Mosey’s, Gallery of Art and Bay County Historical Museum. In addition to the screenings, more than a dozen filmmakers and film industry professionals will be on hand to answer questions after their films are shown. Panels of industry professionals will also assemble to discuss specific industry topics. The event schedule includes an opening night red carpet event, block party, masquerade gala, VIP events, and more.

The screening venues as well as the slate of social events, according to Redfish organizer and Panama City resident Kevin Elliott, are meant to not only celebrate documentaries but also what he sees as the rebirth of Historic Downtown Panama City.

“I love the documentary form. I always have. I also love downtown Panama City,” says Elliott, who has been involved in the downtown arts community since 1988. “I want people to fall in love with downtown as much as they fall in love with the festival.”

The festival’s presenting sponsor this year is Coca Cola.

Community Sponsor Destination Panama City was an early adopter of Redfish.

“Enthusiastically championing the creative spirit of our community, Destination Panama City is honored to support the Redfish Film Fest. We believe in the impactful storytelling that documentaries bring to the forefront, uniting and inspiring audiences. This festival embodies the dynamic energy defining our city and is sure to be enjoyed by our locals and visitors,” said Jennifer Vigil, President and CEO of Destination Panama City. 

Fast Facts

• Redfish Film Fest will premiere April 24-27 in Historic Downtown Panama City, Florida.
• Panama City is the largest city between Pensacola, less than three hours to the west, and Tallahassee, two hours east.
• Redfish is one of a small handful of doc-only fests in the country, and one of only two in the Southeast U.S.
• The event will feature more than 50 docs screening across five venues in Panama City’s walkable historic arts district.
• Panama City is home to four historic districts: Downtown Panama City, St. Andrews, Glenwood, and Millville.
• Featured films range from seven-minute shorts to feature documentaries by PBS POV and NASA.
• Panama City and Panama City Beach are two separate municipalities and uniquely different cities separated by St. Andrews Bay and connected by the Hathaway Bridge. Different from the beachside city, Panama City is a community surrounded by St. Andrews Bay, with thriving historic districts, two full service public marinas, diverse dining establishments, eclectic shops, galleries, live music, historic walking tours, farmers markets, dolphin tours, fishing charters and sailing excursions.