The Big Muddy Film Festival is one of the nation's longest-running student-organized film festivals, originating from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Hosted annually in Carbondale, Illinois, the festival focuses on themes of resistance, community, accessibility, social justice, and the environment. It features films from various genres and international submissions, with competitive categories including experimental, documentary, narrative, and animation. The festival is free and open to the public, showcasing a range of works and often including workshops and discussions led by jurors.