FAQ

Frequently asked questions

We heard you, and we’re excited to deliver! Based on your feedback, we’re enhancing our film lineup with an adventure expo and more. You asked for:

  • No more surprise ticketmaster service fees.  The price listed is the final price.
  • More outdoor gear from local and national outdoor brands
  • More local non profit advocacy groups
  • More food and drink options
  • Better, less expensive car and bike parking options

Join us for an unforgettable weekend, made possible with the help of our partners at Gearhead and around the Choo Choo. We’re taking what you loved and making it even better!

What are Festival Dates?

The 13th annual LWFF will take place January 17th -19th, 2025

LWFF will be held at The Signal in the Chattanooga Choo Choo at 21 Choo Choo Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37402

 

Founded in 1997 in Jonesboro, Arkansas by Ted Herget, Gearhead Outfitters has grown from a small family-owned outdoor retailer to a significant regional presence with 22 locations. Despite this expansion, GHO has maintained its foundational commitment to providing exceptional outdoor retail experiences while prioritizing community engagement and conservation efforts.

The company’s recent growth, including the acquisition of Rock/Creek, demonstrates their ability to unite outdoor-focused communities while preserving core values of superior customer service, team development, and community support. As a family-owned business, GHO differentiates itself through its dedicated focus on community involvement and environmental preservation.

Their role as LWFF2025’s Presenting Sponsor naturally aligns with their mission, as both organizations share a profound commitment to celebrating and preserving outdoor spaces through community engagement. The sponsorship reflects GHO’s ongoing dedication to supporting initiatives that combine outdoor appreciation, environmental awareness, and community building – values that are central to both GHO’s mission and the spirit of LWFF.

Getting to the Festival 

  • Staying with one of our lodging partners? Lucky you! The Signal is just a short walk away and on-site parking will be available.
  • If you find yourself in the downtown Chattanooga area prior to the festival, CARTA has a free electric shuttle that runs every 10 minutes until 11pm, Monday through Saturday, and until 8:30pm on Sunday. Its southern terminus is the Chattanooga Choo Choo, literally steps from the Signal. 
  • If the weather is nice and you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a bike, e-bike, or scooter from one of 43 stations citywide. Check out the Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System at www.bikechattanooga.com. The station on the corner of Market St. and E 14th St. is located less than one block from the festival. 
  • If you want to ride your bike, first, good for you and second, there will be bike racks available.
  • If a car is your preferred mode of transportation, you can use on-street parking near The Signal, or park in either the CARTA South parking garage at 1362 Market St. or at the Omega Parking Services located on Choo Choo Ave.

Where to Stay

If you are looking for a place to stay while in Chattanooga, please check out our lodging sponsors who graciously support our festival and offer special discounts for LWFF attendees. Call directly and mention LWFF to receive your discount.

Choo Choo /  Signal Area
  • The Hotel Chalet – First-class luxury that includes sleeper train cars in addition to conventional hotel rooms, The Chalet is conveniently located just steps from the LWFF venue. Ask for Michael if you have any questions.
  • The Crash Pad – A base camp and community hub for adventurous travelers, located only 0.3 miles from the festival. This is a great option for those who want to stay close by in a budget-friendly and unique way.  
    • 29 Johnson St. Chattanooga, TN 37408
    • 423-648-8393
    • www.crashpadchattanooga.com
    • Mention ‘LWFF’ when reserving a room over the phone for 20% off.  Ask for Will if you have any questions.
Peaceful Private Cottage
  •  St. Francis Cottage – St. Francis Cottage is a serene bed-and-breakfast in Chattanooga’s East Brainerd suburb.  The cottage offers a tranquil urban retreat with restful rooms, nourishing meals, and personalized hospitality from Wallace and Nancy.

LWFF and Gearhead have partnered to produce a free to the public Adventure Gear Expo on Saturday and Sunday from Noon until 8PM featuring some of the best brands in outdoor experiences:

  • Fayettechill
  • Teren
  • Adventure Marketing Group
    • Oboze
    • Sherpa Adventure Gear
    • Deuter
    • Cascade Designs
    • Free Range
    • Leki
    • Mountain Khakis
    • Western Mountaineering
  • And Many More

LWFF is happy to support our community partners.

  • WaterWays – WaterWays empowers community members to protect and restore our waterways where we live, work and play. Our goal is clean water for healthy communities!
    • https://mywaterways.org
  • Mountain Goat Trail Alliance –  The Mountain Goat Trail offers safe, healthy outdoor activity, cultural opportunities, and economic development potential to both residents and visitors to the South Cumberland Plateau.
    • https://www.mountaingoattrail.org/
  • Southeast Conservation Corps – (SECC), operates conservation service programs throughout the Southeast that focus on meeting the needs of the natural landscapes while empowering people to cultivate compassion, responsibility, and grit through community service, hard work, and environmental stewardship.
    • https://southeastconservationcorps.org/
  • Outdoor Chattanooga – Outdoor Chattanooga is a unique division of the City of Chattanooga’s Parks and Outdoors Department. Our mission is to spark a contagious love of the outdoors through adventure and action sports, nature exploration, and community partnerships.
    • https://outdoorchattanooga.com/
  • Friends of South Cumberland State Parks  – The Friends of the Parks is dedicated to supporting and expanding more than 33,000 acres in the three state parks of the South Cumberland Plateau — Savage Gulf, South Cumberland, and Head of the Crow — representing one of the largest areas of protected pristine wilderness in Tennessee. Our goal is to inform, educate, engage, and inspire people to protect, conserve, and enjoy all the resources of the parks.
    • https://www.friendsofsouthcumberland.org/
  • Tennessee River Gorge Trust -To conserve a healthy Tennessee River Gorge as a community treasure for generations.  
    • https://www.trgt.org
  • WTCI-PBS – WTCI supports the activities of independent producers and the great work of LWFF. We want to promote the craft of production, broadcast and our mission, WTCI enriches lives through quality programs and services that educate, engage, and inspire a lifetime of learning and exploration.
    • https://www.wtcitv.org/
  • Southeastern Climbers Coalition – Preserving access to outdoor climbing in the southeast for present and future generations. 
    • https://www.seclimbers.org/
  • National Park Partners of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Moccasin Bend – We grow Chattanooga’s national park legacy by connecting residents and visitors to the places and stories that shaped our city. https://nppcha.org/
  • SORBA Chattanooga – SORBA Chattanooga’s mission is to improve and maintain trail access in the greater Chattanooga area to ensure everyone has access to the mental, physical, and social benefits mountain biking provides.
  • North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy – Preserving the natural treasure that is the North Chick watershed and promoting recreational access for hikers, swimmers, climbers, mountain bikers, fishermen, and paddlers.
    • https://www.northchick.org/
  • Climate Action Plan Community Committee – We are partnering with green|spaces and the City of Chattanooga to help implement the community related Strategies and Actions in the Chattanooga Climate Action Plan.

    • https://chattanooga.gov/government/city-planning/sustainability/climate-plan

Make the most of your time in downtown Chattanooga by expanding your festival experience. Arrive to the area early, stay late, or take a break between film sessions and visit our experience partners listed below.

  • Chattanooga Whiskey VIP Tour – ask their Reps at the festival.  They will be at the bars letting your know all about Chattanooga Whiskey.
  • Check out our Chattanooga Whiskey based Lookout Mule at the Signal and The Boneyard on Station St.
  • WTCI and the Chattanooga Filmmakers Guild will be on site recording filmmaker Interviews and audience Q&A 
  • Plan to arrive 60 minutes before screenings on Saturday and Sunday to check out our free to the public Outfitters Expo. It runs Noon to 8pm.
  • This Expo will also highlight many of Chattanooga’s local non-profits that love the outdoors as much as we do. 
  • Please silence your cell phones and refrain from using devices with lit screens. 
  • Remove any hats or caps that may block another’s view.
  • Do not take unauthorized photographs or recordings during screenings.
  • Clean up your space before you leave. (Leave No Trace can apply indoors as well!)

As passionate advocates for the environment, we are dedicated to minimizing our footprint and promoting sustainable practices. Throughout the festival, you’ll find us using recyclable and compostable materials, striving to reduce waste, and conserving resources wherever possible. Join us in our commitment to preserving the natural world for future generations to explore and enjoy. We have partnered with The Signal and New Terra Compost to not only have recyclable products, but compostable products for all food and beverages

Event Accessibility

We strive to make our event as accessible as possible. Please email us at info@lwff.org and let us know in advance if you have any particular needs.

  1. The Signal is wheelchair accessible on the main floor, but there are no elevators up to the mezzanine. Wheelchair accessible bathrooms are located on the main floor. 
  2. Disabled parking is available at the CARTA South parking garage located at 1362 Market St. and at the Omega Parking Services lot at 21 Choo Choo Ave.
  3. Service animals: Guide dogs or service animals, as defined under federal ADA Guidelines, are allowed at the festival. Guide dogs and service animals must remain with the owner at all times. Pets are not allowed at the venue.
  4. If you require wheelchair and companion seating, please arrive at The Signal at least 30 minutes in advance of showtime and notify one of our volunteers, so we can assist you.