Indie Grits in Columbia, South Carolina

You just gotta love anything with the word grits in the name. And Indie Grits is no exception. Especially when it's an eleven day festival of the best indie films coming out of the Southeast.

In it's sixth year, Indie Grits is the brainchild of Andy Smith, Executive Director of the Nickelodeon Theatre in Columbia which is the only non-profit art-house theater in South Carolina. The juried film festival was created to empower and celebrate all level of Southern filmmakers and film making and has expanded into a cornucopia of cultural events throughout the region.

Obviously, a slew of independent films is on the festival agenda. As it should be for a film festival. But you can also enjoy a full array of music from indie rock to local bands to a South Carolina Philharmonic performance with conductor Morihiko Nakahara. You can also check out indie crafts at Crafty Feast, a convergence of more than 100 artisans sharing their unique, experimental, hand-made, and repurposed crafts. Or enjoy the Spork in Hand Puppet Slam (doesn't everyone know what a puppet slam is?) where more than a dozen puppet artists from across the Southeast join forces for a night of raucous (and possibly raunchy) experimental short puppetry.

You can even participate in Indie Grits. Each festival partner has created a special event designed to get you involved in some form of the arts. Whether it's making charcuterie with Motor Supply Company Bistro or making crafts at Craft.bar.happy.hour at Columbia Museum of Art, you can be an artist-in-the-making.

And, of course, let's not forget the culinary arts. Whether it is Slow Food at Indie Grits: Sustainable Chefs Showcase or a fancy grits bar at the Indie Grits Kickoff & Open Studios Preview Party, food will be a force to be reckoned with during Indie Grits (again, with a name like Indie Grits, you would expect some amazing local and Southern cuisine).

All events take place throughout Columbia and the Midlands region April 19-29. Tickets sell out for most events so don't dawdle.....be a part of all the grit action and get your tickets for Indie Grits today.