Plans begin for Indie Memphis Film Fest 2013 | Arts & Culture

It's ranked as one of the "25 Coolest Film Festivals" by MovieMaker magazine and a "Top 20 Event" by the Southeast Tourism Society, and this year - the Indie Memphis Film Festival will award a total of $6,000.

That's three times as much cash as was awarded during last year's festival.

Marking it's 16th anniversary, Indie Memphis will show films at three venues in Midtown's Overton Square area, including Playhouse on the Square, the Circuit Playhouse and three screens at Malco's Studio on the Square.

The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art will also host a few events.

More than 11,028 people attend last year's film festival -- a record breaker and almost 40 percent jump in attendance from 2011.

Organizers said the new Innovation component, which presented a program of panel discussion and presentations by innovation and technology leaders, as well as "Hustle and Flow" filmmaker Craig Brewer, was central to the festival's growth.

The festival focuses on regional filmmaking from all parts of the country and brings a broad range of independent features, documentaries and short films to Memphis -- creating a connecting point for filmmakers, musicians, artists, and audiences.

The Indie Memphis Festival is set to run from October 31 through November 3 this year.