The 23rd annual Cucalorus Festival takes place November 8-12, 2017 in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. Known for its gorgeous riverside setting and its laid-back, rock n' roll atmosphere, the non-competitive festival showcases more than 300 films from all over the world, a diverse selection of Stage performances, and over 50 Connect Conference events. Cucalorus attracts an accumulated audience of over 17,800 cultural travelers who come to celebrate art and connect with peers. The festival's spirited celebration has been recognized as a breeding ground for young artists, new ideas, and lifelong friendships. 23 years in the making, Cucalorus has grown into one of the largest film festivals in the South. Moviemaker Magazine has recognized it as "One of the Coolest Film Festivals in the World" for three years in a row, and "One of 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" for many more. Embracing the festival's tradition of showcasing innovation beyond the screen, Cucalorus organizers are now expanding the festival into three broad programs: Film, Stage, and Connect. The newly launched Stage Experience is a showcase of bold, original productions in dance, music, comedy, theater, and performance. The Connect Conference brings together emerging entrepreneurs for an interactive program of panels, speakers, and workshops to cultivate meaningful relationships driven by creativity and innovation. Development of the Conference has garnered Cucalorus a 2017 Coastal Entrepreneur Award in the Film Category. More information is available at www.cucalorus.org.