SCAD Savannah Film Festival · Oct 24–31, 2026
Film festival week: where to meet your driver
I’m Gary “Chris” Lamb, owner of Live Oak Airport Taxi. During film festival week, the police close one of the main streets by the downtown theatres. If you have a ride booked with me, don’t wait at the theatre door — meet me at one of the corners on this page instead. Every spot below is on an open street, a short walk from the theatres, and easy to find at night.
The one closure to know about
Abercorn Street is closed from Broughton Street to Congress Street, from Saturday, October 24 at 7:00 AM until Sunday, November 1 at 7:00 AM. No cars can drive or stop on that block all week. It sits right in the middle of the festival theatres, which is why pickups move a block or two away.
Staying past November 1? A few smaller closures run from November 1 to November 3 — northbound Abercorn Street by Congress Street, and Broughton Lane behind Broughton Street. The meeting points below still work on those days.
All the published festival closures (Savannah Police Department)
- East Broughton Lane, from Abercorn Street to Lincoln Street — closed Monday, October 19 at 6:00 AM until Friday, October 23 at 11:55 PM. (Broughton Lane is the small lane behind Broughton Street. This one ends before the festival starts.)
- Abercorn Street, from Broughton Street to Congress Street — closed Saturday, October 24 at 7:00 AM until Sunday, November 1 at 7:00 AM.
- Northbound Abercorn Street, from East Congress Lane to Congress Street — closed Sunday, November 1 at 7:00 AM until Tuesday, November 3 at 11:55 PM.
- East Broughton Lane, from Abercorn Street to Lincoln Street — closed Sunday, November 1 at 7:00 AM until Tuesday, November 3 at 11:55 PM.
The big nights
These are the nights the theatres let out all at once, late. If you are heading back to your hotel or to the airport after one of them, book ahead and walk to your meeting point — your driver will be there waiting.
Saturday, Oct 24
Opening night
Tuesday, Oct 27
Centerpiece Gala
Wednesday, Oct 28
Docs to Watch
Saturday, Oct 31
Closing night
Pick a meeting point
Every point below is outside the closed blocks. When you book, use the meeting point as your pickup spot and name it in the booking form. Up to 4 passengers per vehicle.
Reynolds Square — Abercorn Street at East Bryan Street
Best for the Lucas Theatre, which is right here at 32 Abercorn Street, facing the square. Meet on the square side, near the John Wesley statue. This corner is just north of the closed block, and your driver can reach it from Bay Street.
Johnson Square — Bull Street at East St. Julian Street
The big square by City Hall, with the tall monument in the middle. A short walk from the Lucas Theatre and the west end of Broughton Street. Bull Street stays open all week.
Chippewa Square — Bull Street at West McDonough Street
The "Forrest Gump" square, with the statue of General Oglethorpe. Best if you are coming from the Savannah Theatre at 222 Bull Street, or staying on the south side of downtown.
Ellis Square — Barnard Street at West St. Julian Street
Next to City Market, by the Johnny Mercer statue. Best for the west end of downtown, City Market restaurants, and hotels on that side of the festival.
Abercorn Street at East York Street
Best for the Trustees Theater at 216 East Broughton Street. Come out of the theatre, walk a few steps west to Abercorn Street, then turn left and walk two blocks south — past State Street — to York Street. Abercorn is open again south of Broughton Street.
The DeSoto Hotel — 15 East Liberty Street
Staying at or near The DeSoto? Meet at the hotel front door on Liberty Street, on the south side of downtown — well away from the closed block.
Book your festival ride
Enter your pickup and destination to see your fixed fare and book online in minutes. Flying in for the festival? See festival airport rides for pickups at Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV).
Midweek in Savannah moves a little slower — and so does my calendar. Tuesday and Wednesday rides are wide open: airport runs, Tybee, Hilton Head, downtown. Book at liveoaktaxisav.com — the price you see is the price you pay.
Meet Your Driver
You're riding with the man who wrote the history of this coast
I'm Gary "Chris" Lamb — Savannah local, history graduate, and author of the Sea Islands Freedom novels, set right here during the Civil War. The ground I write about is the ground I drive on every day. Book your ride, and if you're curious about the stories under these streets, just ask.
Questions about festival pickups
Why can't my driver pick me up at the theatre door?
The Savannah Police Department has closed Abercorn Street from Broughton Street to Congress Street for the whole festival week, and cars are not allowed to drive or stop on that block. The meeting points on this page are a block or two away, on open streets where your driver can legally wait for you.
What if my ride is between November 1 and November 3?
A smaller set of closures runs on those days: northbound Abercorn Street by Congress Street, and East Broughton Lane behind Broughton Street. Every meeting point on this page is outside those blocks too, so the same plan works.
How many passengers can ride?
Up to 4 passengers per vehicle. Live Oak runs standard passenger vehicles — no shuttle vans or buses — so a small group rides together in one car.
How do I tell my driver which meeting point I picked?
When you book on this page, use the meeting point as your pickup spot and name it in the booking form. Your driver will be waiting at that corner at your pickup time.
Live Oak Airport Taxi is an independent local transportation business. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by SCAD or the Savannah Film Festival. Closure information is from the Savannah Police Department and the City of Savannah.