From Lynn Music Foundation: The 2025 Lynn Film Festival, running October 1–5 at The Neal Rantoul Vault Theater, celebrates the power of music and community through film.

This year’s lineup features a diverse mix of documentaries and stories—from youth films created by local students, to global spotlights on punk, hip hop, new wave, and hardcore movements, to brunch performances and closing tributes to Lynn’s own WFNX legacy. Blending screenings, live music, and cultural celebrations, the festival showcases Lynn’s creative spirit while connecting audiences to the rich history and vibrant energy of music communities in Lynn, Massachusetts, and beyond.

---

Day 1: Youth Films from Raw Art Works & FC Academy

Wednesday October 1st @Doors Open at 5pm | Screening at 6pm

The Lynn Film Festival kicks off with a celebration of the next generation of storytellers at The Neal Rantoul Vault Theater on October 1st.

🎬 6:00 PM – Youth Films from Raw Art Works & FC Academy 

Opening night shines a spotlight on the creativity and vision of local youth filmmakers from Raw Art Works and FC Academy. Featuring RAW’s Filmmakers 4 Community, these young artists bring powerful, authentic stories to the screen capturing the spirit, resilience, and imagination of Lynn’s community.

---

Day 2 Screening: The Process + The Lynn Hip Hop Documentary

Thursday October 2nd @6pm & 8pm

🎬 6:00 PM – The Process

Sindile and his two best friends push the limits of their patience while maneuvering through their hometown and its local rap scene.

Proceeding the film, the Lynn Hip Hop Wall of Fame Mural will be unveiled and will be displayed throughout the screening of the Lynn Hip Hop Documentary.

🎬 8:00 PM – The Lynn Hip Hop Documentary

From basement cyphers to packed stages, The Lynn Hip Hop Documentary, created by Edwin Cabrera & Mikey Abreu, captures the city’s journey through beats, rhymes, and resilience—telling the story of a working-class community whose diversity and creativity have left a lasting mark on music and art.

---

Day 3: Punk in Africa + Godfathers of Hardcore

Friday October 3rd @ 4pm & 7pm

At The Neal Rantoul Vault Theater, the festival dives into the uncompromising energy and history of punk and hardcore music.

🎬 4:00 PM – Punk in Africa

This groundbreaking documentary explores the rise of the multiracial punk movement in South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Against the backdrop of apartheid and political upheaval, musicians used punk as a tool for rebellion, freedom, and social change.

🎬 7:00 PM – Godfathers of Hardcore

This intimate and electrifying film chronicles the legacy of Agnostic Front, one of New York City’s most influential hardcore bands. It follows frontman Roger Miret and guitarist Vinnie Stigma as they reflect on decades of shaping a movement while grappling with the challenges of aging, loyalty, and staying true to the scene.

Day 3 offers a powerful double-feature that connects the global roots of punk with the enduring fire of hardcore, showcasing how music shapes culture, community, and resistance.

---

Day 4: Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten + New Wave

Saturday October 4th @ 4pm & 7pm

The Lynn Film Festival continues with an evening dedicated to the transformative power of music on culture and identity.

🎬 4:00 PM – Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll

A moving documentary that tells the story of Cambodia’s thriving rock scene in the 1960s and early 70s before it was tragically silenced. Through rare archival footage and powerful testimonies, the film preserves the memory of the artists whose music defined a generation.

🎬 7:00 PM – New Wave

A vibrant exploration of how the punk and new wave movements reshaped music, art, and fashion, leaving a lasting cultural legacy. The film captures the spirit of rebellion, creativity, and community that continues to inspire generations today.

Proceeding New Wave, stick around for a New Wave dance party!

---

Day 5: Sly Lives + We Want The Airwaves

Sunday, October 5th @ 10AM, 12pm, & 4pm

The Lynn Film Festival closes out with a day full of local flavor, live music, and stories of cultural impact at The Neal Rantoul Vault Theater.

🎬 10:00 AM – Sly Lives

Kick off the final day with this fresh documentary capturing the legacy and enduring influence of Sly and the Family Stone, whose sound revolutionized funk, soul, and rock music.

🍗 12:00 PM – Chicken & Waffles Brunch + Live Performance

Stick around after the film for a special chicken and waffles brunch featuring a high-energy performance from Big Ol’ Dirty Bucket, blending funk, soul, and hip-hop grooves for a true festival celebration.

🎬 4:00 PM – We Want the Airwaves: A WFNX Story

We close with the story of WFNX, Lynn’s very own legendary alternative rock station that changed radio in New England and beyond. This documentary revisits the spirit of a station that championed independent music and community voices.

Day 5 is the perfect finale: a mix of music history, live performance, and local pride that ties together the festival’s theme of celebrating music communities.