DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Georgia’s film industry has long been associated with major soundstages and metro Atlanta productions, but in recent years, that momentum has been steadily moving north. From independent filmmakers to nationally streamed series, North Georgia is emerging as a creative hub, and Dahlonega is playing a leading role in that growth.
That evolution was on full display Friday, January 30, when Sozo Bear Films hosted Sozo Bear Presents: A Night at the Movies 2026 at the historic Holly Theater in downtown Dahlonega.
Despite frigid temperatures and the threat of an approaching winter storm, a lively crowd filled the theater for the annual one-night film festival. The event is designed to bring high-quality independent short films to the North Georgia community while highlighting the region as a place where filmmakers can create, connect, and be seen.
A festival built around story and community
Curated and presented by Sozo Bear Films, A Night at the Movies is an annual showcase of short films from independent creators across the country. The festival is intentionally structured as a one-night experience, featuring a red-carpet photo opportunity, screenings on the big screen, and live post-film Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors.
Organizers say the goal is to create an immersive experience that celebrates short-form storytelling, a format that condenses complex emotions, characters, and narratives into a limited runtime where every frame counts.
“This was a wonderful festival: an excellent selection of films in a beautiful, historic theater with a big and lively crowd,” said screenwriter Jason K. Allen, who attended a previous festival. “The Q&As afterward really added to the experience.”
This year’s festival featured a curated lineup selected from more than 50 submissions, including Devil’s Playground, The God Man, Inventing, The Night Milo Got Probed, and the premiere of Sozo Bear Films’ most ambitious short film to date, The Reveal.
A marquee premiere: The Reveal
The Reveal, a roughly 20-minute horror short, served as the centerpiece of the evening. Set during a backyard gender-reveal party, the film blends family drama with unsettling science-fiction elements as strange clouds roll in and guests begin acting violently bizarre.
The project featured the largest cast and number of extras Sozo Bear Films has ever assembled for a short film, along with extensive visual effects and a full production crew. Early response to the film has been strong, with tens of thousands of organic views shortly after release, signaling both audience interest and the expanding reach of North Georgia-based creators.
Beyond the screen, the festival experience included exclusive merchandise, audience interaction, and a red-carpet raffle featuring local goods, reinforcing the event’s deep ties to the Dahlonega community.
“A Night at the Movies was a superbly professional and incredibly produced event,” said director Bree Doehring, whose short film previously screened at the festival. “Even from the other side of the country, they were communicative and made me feel included. It was an absolute honor to be a part of this festival.”
From a small town to a global platform
Dahlonega’s growing role in Georgia’s film industry was recently underscored by the release of His & Hers, a series filmed in and around the North Georgia town and now streaming worldwide on Netflix. The project reflects a broader trend across the state, as productions of varying scale increasingly choose Georgia communities outside major metro areas.
Filmmakers say the appeal goes beyond production infrastructure. Many point to the value of telling stories in real, character-rich places.
Actor Jon Bernthal, who portrays Detective Jack Harper, said filming in Dahlonega allowed the production to be embedded in the community itself. He pointed to time spent with local law enforcement as an example of how working on location adds realism that cannot be replicated on a soundstage.
Executive Producer and lead actor Tessa Thompson described Dahlonega as visually distinct and rooted in its own identity, while still being close enough to Atlanta to support a large-scale production. That balance, she said, allows stories to feel intimate without sacrificing professional resources.
For communities like Dahlonega, projects like His & Hers help reinforce what local filmmakers have long known: North Georgia offers both the setting and the support needed to tell meaningful stories.
Building something lasting in North Georgia
That same balance is at the core of what Sozo Bear Films has been building locally.
Founded in 2016 by Luke Pilgrim and Brad Kennedy, Sozo Bear Films began as a two-person operation with a shared vision for creative storytelling. Today, the company has grown into a multi-disciplinary team of filmmakers, editors, and visual artists working locally, regionally, and globally.
At the heart of their work is a simple philosophy: to tell cinematic stories grounded in human experience. Even the company’s name reflects that value, inspired by two beloved pets — Sozo and Bear — connected to the founders’ lives and symbolizing family, companionship, and creativity.
As Georgia’s film industry continues to expand statewide, events like A Night at the Movies show how North Georgia is contributing to that growth, not by replicating Atlanta, but by creating space for stories to start here.
From packed theater seats at the Holly Theatre to streaming releases seen around the world, Dahlonega’s film scene is no longer emerging. It’s established, and still growing.
