Calling all filmmakers!

The Cary Theater has announced the launch of BEYOND: The Film Festival, an independent competition and festival meant to celebrate the many facets of the art of storytelling through film.

While submissions are due in early 2018, the four-day festival itself will premiere June 14-17, offering the best films from independent filmmakers that have not yet been screened to the masses.

“We’re excited to expand our programming repertoire and unveil our film festival to screen the best global films you’ve never seen for the Cary community,” said Joy Ennis, operations and programming supervisor for The Cary Theater.

“We will honor the art of storytelling through the medium of film by screening completed films, but also by highlighting many behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking, starting with the screenplay.”

BEYOND will feature short films in competition, coupled with invited feature-length films, to highlight all aspects of filmmaking from screenwriting to cinematography to costume design and more. Each year, the festival will explore a unique theme for submissions as well as focus on a key facet of the filmmaking process.

For 2018, BEYOND will feature short films in all genres focusing on the theme of “Hometown Stories,” and a screenplay competition with the same theme.

Interested in submitting? Early bird submissions are due Jan. 16, and last call submissions by Feb. 16. Get all the details at thecarytheater.com/beyond-the-film-festival/.