Sweet Appalachia: The Story of DelFest is a feature-length documentary that explores the celebrated music festival and its transformative impact on a rural city in Appalachia. Join Grammy Award Winning Bluegrass musician Del McCoury, and his family, as they share their deep ties to the region and how they give hope through music and philanthropy.

Why we are fundraising:

We need your support! We are fundraising to cover the costs of music copyright clearances and film festival submissions. Your donation allows us to share this film with audiences across North America helping to create a positive and lasting impact on Cumberland, Maryland.

➡️ Donors who generously give $1000-$4999 will receive a Special Thanks film credit.
➡️ Donors who generously give $5000+ will receive an Executive Producer film credit.

We've partnered with HummStudios/Humm Productions to expand our reach and impact. As a 501(c)(3) media collaborative dedicated to uplifting good news and social impact storytelling, Humm Productions aligns perfectly with our film's themes of community resilience and cultural revitalization, making them an ideal partner for sharing Cumberland’s story through DelFest.

Story Summary:

This film tells the compelling story of Cumberland, Maryland, a once-thriving textile and transportation hub in Western Maryland that has struggled with poverty, drug addiction, and lost industries. In 2008, renowned bluegrass musician and multiple-time International Bluegrass Music Association winner Del McCoury chose Cumberland as the home for his annual festival, DelFest, marking the start of the city’s revitalization. For the past 15 years, this family-friendly event has drawn over 40,000 attendees each Memorial Day weekend, providing hope and a renewed sense of identity for the community. The film takes viewers behind the scenes, following Del McCoury and his family as they set up and break down the festival, while offering backstage access to bluegrass musicians, festival producers, and the McCoury family. Through exclusive interviews with Del, Rob, and Ronnie McCoury, as well as artists like Sierra Hull and Billy Strings, we learn how DelFest found its home in Cumberland and how the McCourys have embraced the area and its people.

About the Production:

The film’s production (2018-2024) merged academia with real-world application, showcasing collaborative education in action. Frostburg State University Professor and Director/Producer, Annie Danzi, recruited several students from the university to assist in production. Associate Producer Sidney Beeman began as a student and then transitioned into a professional role on the film. This project provided students with invaluable hands-on opportunities to gain real-world experience and learn through direct, practical involvement.

The film privately premiered in Spring 2024 and was enthusiastically received. We plan to begin competing in film festivals across North America in 2025.

Title: Sweet Appalachia: The Story of DelFest

Producer/Director: Annie Danzi, MFA

Associate Producer: Sidney Beeman, MFA

Genre: Documentary Feature

Length: 64 minutes

Contact information:

Annie Danzi, Producer

anniedanzi@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delfestdocumentary

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetappalachiadocumentary/

Behind The Scenes Photographs:

Annie, Sidney & Del

Sweet Appalachia: The Story of DelFest

By HummStudios

Sweet Appalachia: The Story of DelFest

Help us clear the music rights and get to film festivals so this inspiring Appalachian bluegrass documentary can be seen!