Carolina Theatre Presents the Inaugural Running Bull Film Festival on April 23

Jordan High School Students debut Films and Participate in Workshop with Industry Professionals 

DURHAM, April 21, 2025 — The inaugural Running Bull Film Festival comes to the Carolina Theatre on April 23. Students from Jordan High School will debut their original short films in Fletcher Hall, inviting friends, family, and the Durham community to celebrate their creative achievements.  

Additionally, the students will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with filmmakers and industry experts during a full-day workshop facilitated by festival co-founders and Jordan High School educators, Ann Thaden and Stuart Albright.  

“The Running Bull Film Festival sheds a spotlight on the immense creativity of teenagers here in Durham. These students are learning valuable skills about the art of storytelling, which is something that will carry over into their professional careers. They are thoughtful and talented young people. I am so excited for their work to be presented to the Durham community,” says Albright.

This year’s festival will feature 19 short films, including 11 documentary shorts and 8 narrative shorts.   

“This festival is important for students in the Durham community. It serves to highlight their skills and love for filmmaking. The Carolina Theatre is a place where people come together to see films and enjoy the performing arts – so it feels right that emerging filmmakers have an opportunity to be celebrated in this space. We are excited to launch this festival and are proud of the students who have submitted films. We could not have done this without the help of the committee of students and educators who worked closely with Carolina Theatre to create this festival,” says festival co-founder and Senior Director of Education & Community Engagement at the Carolina Theatre, Shana Adams.

The festival is free and open to the public, tickets can be reserved online at carolinatheatre.org. 

About The Carolina Theatre of Durham: 

Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which manages the city-owned Carolina Theatre at 309 W. Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701. Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. is dedicated to presenting vibrant, thought-provoking film and live performances that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Durham and the Triangle Region. More information at carolinatheatre.org. 

Contact: Hanna Mercer
Senior Director of Marketing, Carolina Theatre of Durham
hanna@carolinatheatre.org