List of film festivals in North America
This is a list of film festivals that take place (or took place) in North and Central America.
North and Central America
International Festivals
| Name | Est. | City | State/Prov. | Notes | Website | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 168 Film Festival | 2003 | Los Angeles | California | Speed filmmaking competition and festival. Entries accepted from anywhere in the world. Held annually in April. | 168project.com | ||||||
| 9/11 Film Festival | 2005 | Oakland | California | Presents films from the 9/11 Truth movement. Held annually in September. | [1] | ||||||
| Action On Film International Film Festival | 2005 | Monrovia | California | Started as part of the World Martial Arts Trade Show and International Championships. | |||||||
| All Sports Los Angeles Film Festival | 2009 | North Hollywood | California | Promoting the art of screenwriting and filmmaking in the world of sports and competition. Held annually in November. | AllSportsFilmFest.com | ||||||
| Ann Arbor Film Festival | 1961 | Ann Arbor | Michigan | Longest-running film festival showcasing experimental and independent film in North America. Held annually in late March. | aafilmfest.org | ||||||
| Atlanta Film Festival | 1977 | Atlanta | Georgia | Held annually in April. An Academy Award qualifying festival committed to discovering new filmmakers and representing the myriad of genres independent film covers, from drama to horror and everything in between. | atlantafilmfestival.com | ||||||
| Atlanta Horror Film Festival | 2006 | Atlanta | Georgia | Presented by Festival League, this annual event showcases the best independent horror films from every country. | atlantahorrorfilmfest.com | ||||||
| Atlanta International Documentary Film Festival (DocuFest Atlanta) | 2006 | Atlanta | Georgia | Annual event showcases the best short and feature-length documentary films from every country. | docufest.com | ||||||
| Atlanta Out on Film Atlanta Gay Film Festival | 1987 | Atlanta | Georgia | Annual event with a diverse schedule of films by, for and about the LGBT community. October 1–7, 2010. | www.outonfilm.org | ||||||
| Atlanta Shortsfest | 2010 | Atlanta | Georgia | Annual Event showcasing an eclectic array of films and videos under 26 minutes. Part of Independent Film Month, a month-long celebration of independent film in Atlanta, Georgia | atlantashortsfest.com | ||||||
| Atlanta Underground Film Festival | 2004 | Atlanta | Georgia | Annual event celebrating independent filmmakers from every country. | auff.org | ||||||
| Austin Film Festival | 1994 | Austin | Texas | ||||||||
| Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival (aGLIFF) | 1987 | Austin | Texas | Films and videos by or about LGBTI people, the largest and oldest such festival in the SouthWest US. Held annually, about one week in early September | agliff.org | ||||||
| AWAKEN! International Spiritual Film Festival | 2009 | Morristown | New Jersey | Spiritual films | www.awakenspiritualfilmfestival.org | ||||||
| Bahamas International Film Festival | 2004 | Paradise Island | The Bahamas | bintlfilmfest.com | |||||||
| Beaufort Film Festival | 2007 | Beaufort | South Carolina | An annual 3 day international festival that presents animation films, documentaries, features, screenplays, shorts and student films. It features the SCETV Southern Lens Award awarded to a film about the south or created by southern filmmaker and the Santini Patriot Spirit Award awarded to the filmmaker whose portrayal of the American military in a feature, documentary or short reflects the highest standards of service and sacrifice. | http://beaufortfilmfestival.com | ||||||
| Bel Air Film Festival | 2008 | Los Angeles | California | An international festival held annually in November. | belairfilmfestival.com | ||||||
| Black Maria Film + Video Festival | 1981 | Jersey City | New Jersey | The festival is the primary program of Thomas Edison Media Arts, as an international juried competition. | blackmariafilmfestival.org | ||||||
| Blue Water Film Festival | 2009 | Port Huron | Michigan | Annually showcasing feature films, documentaries and shorts in second week of October. | bluewaterfilmfestival.com | ||||||
| Boston Film Festival | 1984 | Boston | Massachusetts | Annually showcasing feature films, documentaries and shorts in September. | bostonfilmfestival.org | ||||||
| Buffalo Niagara Film Festival | 2007 | Buffalo | New York, USA | 3 day festival held annually in the spring | www.buffaloniagarafilmfestival.com [1] | ||||||
| Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival | 2010 | Buffalo | New York, USA | Week long festival held annually in October organized by filmmakers to spotlight edgy, creative, independent horror films you probably won't see at your local multiplex - a film festival for people who love to make horror films and people who love to watch horror films. | [www.buffaloscreams.com http://www.buffaloscreams.com] | ||||||
| Calgary International Film Festival | 2000 | Calgary | Alberta | Held annually for 10 days in late September or early October. | calgaryfilm.com | ||||||
| California Independent Film Festival | 1997 | Moraga, CA | California | "...provides both local Bay Area residents and visitors with an opportunity to see world-class films, meet filmmakers from around the world..." | www.caiff.org | ||||||
| CanToo Film Festival | 2011 | Martinsburg, WV | West Virginia | Focuses on films with great messages. The festival is held in September at an open-air theater. Every entry will receive a film review. | www.cantoofilmfest.com | ||||||
| Carnage Film Festival | 2011 | Wilmington,NC | North Carolina | Horror features and shorts. Prizes & Awards. | www.carnagefilmfestival.com | ||||||
| CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival | 1994 | [Toronto, Ontario]] | June 5-10, 2012. All kinds of short films. | [2] | |||||||
| Charleston International Film Festival | 2007 | Charleston | South Carolina | April 8–11, 2010 at the American Theater, 446 King St downtown charleston. All film genres, Q&A's, netwoking after-parties, special events, and screenwriting competition. | CharlestonIFF.com | ||||||
| Chicago International Children's Film Festival | 1983 | Chicago | Illinois | Largest fest of films for kids & youth in North America programming over 200 films from 40 countries annually. Held annually in late October for 10 days. | cicff.org | ||||||
| Chicago International Film Festival | 1965 | Chicago | Illinois | Held annually in October. | chicagofilmfestival.org | ||||||
| Chicago International REEL Shorts Festival Chicago International Reel Shorts Film Fest | 2003 | Chicago | Illinois | One of the Nations Largest All Short films film festivals. | Fest Homepage | ||||||
| Chicago Irish Film Festival | 2000 | Chicago | Illinois | Held annually in early March at the Beverly Arts Center. one of only a handful of Irish Film Festivals in the United States; screening features, documentaries, shorts and animation. | [3] | ||||||
| Chicago South Asian Film Festival | 2010 | Chicago | Illinois | Developed to promote South Asian culture throughout the Chicago area and Midwest, by showcasing filmmakers of South Asian descent as well as films that represent the perspective of the diaspora. Run for 3 days in early October. | [4] | ||||||
| Cine Las Americas International Film Festival | 1997 | Austin | Texas | Held annually in the spring showcasing Latin American, Latino and Indigenous films. | cinelasamericas.org | ||||||
| CinErotic FilmFest | 2010 | Atlanta | Georgia | Debuts February 12–14, 2010. CEFF celebrates sex-positive, diverse and empowering erotic cinema and performance by amateurs, independent artists and the avant-garde. | www.cineroticfest.com | ||||||
| Cleveland International Film Festival | 1977 | Cleveland | Ohio | clevelandfilm.org | |||||||
| Columbus International Film & Video Festival | 1953 | Columbus | Ohio | North America's second oldest film festival, held annually in November. As a competition festival, it is also known as The Chris Awards. | www.chrisawards.org | ||||||
| Costa Rica International Film Festival | 2007 | Montezuma | Costa Rica | Held in one of Costa Rica's most beautiful destinations, the CRIFF is dedicated to bringing filmmakers from across the world together in paradise to celebrate their work | costaricafilmfest.com | ||||||
| Creative Arts Film Festival | 2011 | Online | Worldwide | International online short film festival, with emphasis on imaginative and artistic films. Awards the Perfect Spirit Awards. | CreativeArtsFilmFestival.com | ||||||
| Dances With Films | 1998 | Los Angeles | California | The festival of unknowns (i.e. no celebrities) | |||||||
| DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival | 2000 | Washington, DC | District of Columbia | Held annually in October. | http://www.apafilm.org/ | ||||||
| Denver Film Festival | 1978 | Denver | Colorado | Held annually in November. | denverfilm.org | ||||||
| Detroit Windsor International Film Festival | 2008 | Detroit | Michigan | Held annually in June, and hosts the annual DWIFF Challenge | http://www.dwiff.org/ | ||||||
| DocMiami International Film Festival | 2009 | Doral | Florida | Documentary Film Festival & Concerts, held annually in May. | http://docmiami.org | ||||||
| Dominican International Film Festival | 2004 | Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic | Dominican Republic | Held Annually in December for Spanish and Latin Independent Films. | dominicaninternationalfilmfestival.com | ||||||
| Edmonton International Film Festival | 1986 | Edmonton | Alberta | edmontonfilmfest.com | |||||||
| Expresión en Corto International Film Festival | 1997 | San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato | Guanajuato | Mexico's largest competitive film festival. | expresionencorto.com | ||||||
| Festival du Nouveau Cinéma | 1971 | Montreal | Quebec | nouveaucinema.ca | |||||||
| Festivus film festival | 2006 | Denver | Colorado | festivusfilmfestival.com | |||||||
| Film North - Huntsville International Film Festival (HIFF) | 2010 | Huntsville | Ontario | Film North, Huntsville International Film Festival, excellent festival in a remote location. Our mandate is to create a user - friendly environment for emerging Canadian and International Filmmakers to exhibit, promote, entertain and inform the audience. | filmnorth.net | ||||||
| Florida Film Festival | 1992 | Maitland | Florida | The Festival includes narrative and documentary features and shorts, animation, midnight movies, and a full array of educational forums, glamorous parties, and other special events. | floridafilmfestival.com | ||||||
| Gotham Screen Film Festival & Screenplay Contest | 2007 | New York City | New York | Showcase of new American and international cinema, with a competitive screenplay contest. | gothamscreen.com | ||||||
| Guadalajara International Film Festival | 1988 | Guadalajara | Jalisco | Mexico's and latinamerica's most prestigious and important international film festival as well as one of the oldest in the continent[2] | http://www.guadalajaracinemafest.com | ||||||
| Halloween In July Film Festival | 2009 | Nashville | Tennessee | Annual event showcases the best horror and science fiction films from every country, and they have a costume contest. | [5] | ||||||
| Hamilton Music and Film Festival | 2008 | Hamilton | Ontario | Held annually in the summer for a day. | hamiltonmusicfilmfest.com | ||||||
| Hamptons International Film Festival | 1993 | East Hampton | New York | hamptonsfilmfest.org | |||||||
| Hawaii International Film Festival | 1981 | Honolulu | Hawaii | Held annually in the fall for two weeks. HIFF states that it "is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film." It is the largest such "East meets West" film festival in the United States. | hiff.org | ||||||
| Haydenfilms International Film Festival | 2004 | New York | New York | The Haydenfilms International Film Festival is a hybrid of traditional and online film festivals that awards a grand prize of $25,000. | [6] | ||||||
| Heartland Film Festival | 1991 | Indianapolis | Indiana | Since 1991, the annual Heartland Film Festival has introduced audiences to transformative independent films from around the world that artistically explore the human journey. Heartland awards more than $135,000 in prize money every year at the festival. | heartlandfilmfestival.org | ||||||
| Idaho International Film Festival | 2003 | Boise | Idaho | Held annually in late September-early October. International, independent films | idahofilmfestival.org | ||||||
| Indianapolis International Film Festival | 2004 | Indianapolis | Indiana | indyfilmfest.org/ | |||||||
| Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival | 1991 | Toronto | Ontario | Canada’s largest queer film and video festival, held over 11 days in May | insideout.on.ca | ||||||
| Jacksonville Film Festival | 2003 | Jacksonville | Florida | Held annually for 4 days in mid-May. | jacksonvillefilmfestival.com | ||||||
| KahBang Film Festival | 2009 | Bangor, ME | Maine | Part of the KahBang music-art-film Festival, built on discovering the Best Emerging Filmmakers, Narrative and Documentary Features, Comedy Films, Short Films, Music Docs, and awarding one notable filmmaker with the "Kevin Norwood Bacon Award for Achievement in Cinema". Held Annually in August. | kahbang.com | ||||||
| Killer Film Fest | 2009 | Foxboro, MA | New England | Killer Film Fest supports horror/thriller Features, Shorts, Documentaries, Music Videos and Film Trailers. Held annually in November. | killerfilmfest.com | ||||||
| L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival | 2009 | Los Angeles | California | Held annually in the spring. Largest dedicated comedy short film festival in the United States, and host of the L.A. Comedy Scripts screenplay competition. | lacomedyshorts.com | ||||||
| LA Film Weekend | 2010 | Los Angeles | California | Held annually in the Spring. Owned and operated by Indie Film Depot. | lafilmweekend.com | ||||||
| Little Rock Film Festival | 2006 | Little Rock | Arkansas | "Biggest Little Film Festival in the South". Held annually in the beginning of June. This southern film festival features narrative film, documentary films, short film, panels, and unforgettable events | [7] | ||||||
| Love Your Shorts Film Festival | 2011 | Sanford | Florida | Held around Valentine's Day. The Festival screens only short films under 30 minutes in length. Films are divided into different blocks for screening. Audience members at each block vote for their favorite film and winners are announced on the spot. The winning films from each block advance to a final block for a panel of judges to pick the overall festival winner. | loveyourshorts.com | ||||||
| Margaret Mead Film Festival | 1976 | New York City | New York | The longest-running, premiere showcase for international documentaries in the United States. Held annually in November at the American Museum of Natural History in the New York City. | [amnh.org/programs/mead/] | ||||||
| Martha's Vineyard Film Festival | 2001 | Chilmark | Massachusetts | Held annually in March, but also includes summer and winter film series, and special events at other times of the year. Community-oriented, featuring action/activism-inspiring films. Filmmakers/film subjects regularly speak after screenings. | www.tmvff.org | ||||||
| Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival | 2006 | Martha's Vineyard | Massachusetts | Held annually in early September. Festival it is hosted by [Martha's Vineyard Film Society http://www.mvfilmsociety.com] | mvfilmfest.com | ||||||
| Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival | 2004 | Mexico City | Mexico | Also known as FICCO (Festival Internacional de Cine Contemporáneo), it is hosted by Cinemex. | ficco.com.mx | ||||||
| Miami Short Film Festival | 2002 | Miami | Florida | Short Film Festival held annually in mid November. | miamishortfilmfestival.com | ||||||
| Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival | 1983 | Minneapolis-St. Paul | Minnesota | Held annually in the spring. | mnfilmarts.org | ||||||
| Montreal World Film Festival | 1977 | Montreal | Quebec | ffm-montreal.org | |||||||
| Moondance International Film Festival | 2000 | Boulder | Colorado | Film writers, filmmakers and film score composers who, through their creative work, actively increase awareness, provide multiple viewpoints, address complex social issues, and strengthen ties between international audiences. | moondancefilmfestival.com | ||||||
| Naperville Independent Film Festival | 2008 | Naperville | Illinois | Annual film festival featuring the work of independent filmmakers. | naperfilmfest.org | ||||||
| Nashville Film Festival | 1969 | Nashville | Tennessee | Founded in 1969 as the Sinking Creek Film Celebration. Takes place in April and is an Academy Award for Best Short Film and Best Animated Short Film. Features feature-length and short films from around the world. | [8] | ||||||
| Nantucket Film Festival | 1996 | Nantucket | Massachusetts | International | Held annually in June. Dedicated to promoting cultural awareness and appreciation of the art of screenwriting in the world of cinema. Has both film and screenplay competitions. Ben Stiller and Brian Williams are on the Board of Directors. | ||||||
| Native American Film and Video Festival | 1979 | New York | New York | Biannual festival held at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian featuring indigenous works from across the Americas | nativenetworks.si.edu | ||||||
| National Film Festival for Talented Youth | 2007 | Seattle | Washington | The world's largest youth film festival, showcasing the work of filmmakers from around the globe (aged 22 or under) | nffty.org | ||||||
| Newport Beach Film Festival | 1999 | Newport Beach | California | Founded in 1999, the Newport Beach Film Festival has evolved into a prestigious multicultural event, attracting over 40,000 attendees to Orange County. | www.newportbeachfilmfest.com | ||||||
| New Hampshire Film Festival | 2000 | Portsmouth | New Hampshire | The New Hampshire Film Festival takes place each fall the weekend after Columbus Day in Portsmouth, NH. The festival mission is to support the art of filmmaking and to present the best in recent independent cinema from the region, nation, and world. | http://www.nhfilmfestival.com/ | ||||||
| New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest | 2007 | New Brunswick | New Jersey | Only film festival in tri-state area dedicated to South Asian independent films. Features North American premieres and a select list of fresh and brilliant independent films by debut as well as established South Asian filmmakers or films on South Asian themes from all over the world | [3] | ||||||
| New Orleans Film Festival | 1989 | New Orleans | Louisiana | Frequently referred to as Cannes on the Mississippi. | neworleansfilmsociety.org | ||||||
| New York Exposition of Short Film & Video | 1966 | New York City | New York | The New York Expo is the longest-running festival of independent film in the United States, focusing on films and videos under 60 minutes long. | http://www.nyexpo.org/ | ||||||
| New York Film Festival | 1962 | New York City | New York | One of North America's oldest film festivals. | www.filmlinc.com | ||||||
| New York International Children's Film Festival | 1997 | New York City | New York | One of the largest film festivals for kids in North America, held annually from late-February to mid-March. | www.gkids.com | ||||||
| New York No Limits | 2010 | New York City | New York | Ongoing film series that screens and showcases the best international films. | www.newyorknolimits.com | ||||||
| Nordic Lights Film Festival - Twin Cities | 2008 | Minneapolis | Minnesota | Highlighting contemporary cinematic treasures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, and supporting Minnesota's historic Scandinavian ties while giving a modern look into new sides of Nordic cultures. | nordiclightsfilmfestival.org | ||||||
| Omaha Film Festival | 2006 | Omaha | Nebraska | Founded in 2006, the Omaha Film festival showcases films from the international scene as well as from across Nebraska. | [9] | ||||||
| Orlando Film Festival | 2006 | Orlando | Florida | Its mission is to support and promote culture and the arts in Downtown Orlando through the medium of film. The Orlando Film Festival seeks to inspire student, future and current filmmakers in the art of filmmaking, and to enhance the movie viewing experience in Downtown Orlando through creative, unique and entertaining events. The Orlando Film Festival also fosters the growth of emerging and established film producers. Held annually in October/November | [10] | ||||||
| OUT TAKES Dallas Lesbian and Gay Film Festival | 1999 | Dallas | Texas | Films appealing to a LGBTI audience. Held annually in October/November | outtakesdallas.org | ||||||
| Other Venice Film Festival | 2003 | Venice | California | Held annually in October | othervenicefilmfestival.com | ||||||
| Out on Film Atlanta Gay Film Festival | 1987 | Atlanta | Georgia | Annual event with a diverse schedule of films by, for and about the LGBT community. October 1–7, 2010. | www.outonfilm.org | ||||||
| Oxford Film Festival | 2003 | Oxford | Mississippi | www.oxfordfilmfest.com | |||||||
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | 1989 | Palm Springs | California | www.psfilmfest.org | |||||||
| Philadelphia CineFest | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Presented by the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance, held in the spring. | ||||||||
| Philadelphia Film Festival | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Presented by the Philadelphia Film Society, held annually in the fall. | ||||||||
| Polly Staffle Grindhouse Film Festival | 2010 | Las Vegas | Nevada | Dedicated to the darker side of independent features, trailers and short films. | |||||||
| Project Twenty1 Film Festival | 2006 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Screenings include the Philadelphia Filmathon and the annual 21-Day Filmmaking Competition. | www.projecttwenty1.com | ||||||
| Projecting Change Film Festival | 2008 | Vancouver | British Columbia | Promotes green and sustainable living through the use of entertaining and educational film. | www.projectingchange.ca | ||||||
| Q Cinema | 1999 | Fort Worth | Texas | Films appealing to a LGBTI audience. Held annually in May/June | qcinema.org | ||||||
| QFest | 1995 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Founded as the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, the name was changed to QFest in 2009. Presented by the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance. | |||||||
| Red Rock Film Festival | 2007 | St. George | Utah | Located beneath the majestic red mountains of Southern Utah this international festival is held annually each November. | [11] | ||||||
| Reel Pride Michigan | 2003 | Royal Oak | Michigan | Films about the LGBTI experience. Held annually in October/November | reelpridemichigan.com | ||||||
| Reel Shorts Film Festival | 2007 | Grande Prairie | Alberta | Celebrates short films and the filmmakers who make them by screening gems of storytelling brilliance from around the world and across Canada. Held annually in May. | reelshorts.ca | ||||||
| Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival | 1997 | Rehoboth Beach | Delaware | Held in the picturesque town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the festival, held annual in November showcases the best in Independent and International films. | www.Rehobothfilm.com | ||||||
| Rhode Island International Film Festival | 1997 | Providence | Rhode Island | Held annually for 6 days during the second week of August | www.RIFilmFest.org | ||||||
| The Rome International Film Festival | 2003 | Rome | Georgia | MovieMaker Magazine called it “one of the outstanding film festivals in the Southeast.” | www.RIFF.tv | ||||||
| San Antonio Film Festival | 1994 | San Antonio | Texas | Independent | [www.safilm.com] | ||||||
| San Diego Film Festival | 2001 | San Diego | California | Has been named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s Top 25 Fests Worth The Entry Fee. | |||||||
| San Francisco Frozen Film Festival | 2006 | San Francisco | California | Special interest, Independent. | [12] | ||||||
| San Francisco Green Film Festival | 2011 | San Francisco | California | [13] | |||||||
| San Francisco International Film Festival | 1957 | San Francisco | California | sffs.org | |||||||
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | 1985 | Santa Barbara | California | sbfilmfestival.org | |||||||
| Seattle International Film Festival | 1976 | Seattle | Washington | One of the largest film festivals in the United States. | seattlefilm.org | ||||||
| Sedona International Film Festival | 1994 | Sedona | Arizona | One of the largest film festivals in Arizona. | www.sedonafilm.org
[|- |
Shriekfest International Horror/SciFi Film Festival & Screenplay Competition | 2001 | Los Angeles | California | Shriekfest is the premiere horror film festival in Los Angeles. | [14] |
| Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival | 1999 | Birmingham | Alabama | [15] | |||||||
| Sonoma Valley Film Festival | 1996 | Sonoma | California | Set in the heart of California wine country, one of the most prestigious of the smaller "destination" film festivals in the United States. | sonomafilmfest.org | ||||||
| Sundance Film Festival | 1978 | Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Sundance | Utah | Held annually in January, Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States. | institute.sundance.org | ||||||
| Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival | 2006 | Sun Valley | Idaho | The only one of its kind: celebrating the human spirit through film. International independent films and docs. Held annually in September. | svspiritualfilmfestival.org | ||||||
| Syracuse International Film Festival | 2004 | Syracuse | New York | The Syracuse International Film Festival embraces a truly international community by presenting contemporary, international film for year-round special events and four festival days. SYRFILMFEST seeks films with true artistic merit, regardless of length, genre or form and has begun to provide a significant showcase for established and emerging filmmakers from around the world. In addition, SYRFILMFEST will continue its role in maintaining and enriching film culture in Central New York. Held annually in October. | [16] | ||||||
| Tallgrass Film Festival | 2003 | Wichita | Kansas | This four-day festival, held in October, accepts independent short and feature submissions from all over the world. | tallgrassfilmfest.com | ||||||
| Tampa International Film Festival | 2003 | Tampa | Florida | tampafilmfest.com | |||||||
| Telluride Film Festival | 1974 | Telluride | Colorado | Only 40 films are admitted each year. | telluridefilmfestival.com | ||||||
| Terror Film Festival | 2006 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | International genre award film festival, with emphasis on quality and art. Awards the exclusive Claw Awards. | TerrorFilmFestival.net | ||||||
| Texas International Film Festival | 2010 | Dallas | Texas | A signature international film event that takes place annually to showcase elite films in the short, feature, and documentary categories. | www.texasfilmfest.com | ||||||
| The Shortie Awards | 2001 | Washington | DC | Recognizes original digital media productions created by student filmmakers, ages 7–18, and their teachers. | mhznetworks.org | ||||||
| The United Film Festivals | 2002 | Los Angeles & San Francisco, Tulsa, New York, Chicago, London | California, Oklahoma, New York, Illinois, England | The festival's focus is to bring together talented filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, thus creating a "United" showcase of creative energy and talent. | theunitedfest.com | ||||||
| Three Rivers Film Festival | 1982 | pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | A program of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, emphasizing independent film. | 3RFF.com | ||||||
| Toronto International Film Festival | 1976 | Toronto | Ontario | The world's largest film festival open to the general public, it is held annually in September. | torontointernationalfilmfestival.ca | ||||||
| Tribeca Film Festival | 2002 | New York City | New York | Founded by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro. | tribecafilmfestival.org | ||||||
| Traverse City Film Festival | 2005 | Traverse City | Michigan | Annual festival co-founded by filmmaker Michael Moore. | traversecityfilmfestival.org | ||||||
| True/False Film Fest | 2003 | Columbia | Missouri | Championing films that breathe new life into the nonfiction format, the festival features the finest new movies redefining the now-exploding form. | truefalse.org | ||||||
| Tulsa International Film Festival | 2011 | Tulsa | Oklahoma | The Tulsa International Film Festival will present a diverse slate of over 100 films in addition to offering exciting workshops, filmmaker brunches, and networking events. Prizes include distribution, cash awards, a production package, screenplay offer, and student awards. In addition to narrative and documentary films of all lengths, the Tulsa IFF will present themed film divisions - Indigenous Cinema, Emerging Student Filmmaker, Women Behind the Camera, and The Nightmare Division - at venues in the heart of Tulsa's booming downtown district. | [17] | ||||||
| USA Film Festival | 1970 | Dallas | Texas | One of the oldest and most respected film festivals in the US. Held annually in April–May. | usafilmfestival.com | ||||||
| Urban Mediamakers Film Festival | 2001 | Atlanta | Georgia | Held annually in October. Committed to changing the world one story at a time, encouraging new filmmakers and writers, and showcasing independent film from around the world. | umff.com | ||||||
| Vancouver International Film Festival | 1982 | Vancouver | British Columbia | Held annually for two weeks in late September and early October. | viff.org | ||||||
| Vancouver Queer Film & Video Festival | 1988 | Vancouver | British Columbia | Largest queer film festival in Western Canada. Held annually for eleven days in late August. | outonscreen.com | ||||||
| Vermont International Film Festival | 1985 | Vermont | United States | World’s oldest environmental and human rights film festival | vtiff.org | ||||||
| Waterfront Film Festival | 1999 | Saugatuck | Michigan | The Midwest's premier independent film festival showcasing the top regional, national and international filmmaking talents. Held annually in early June. | [18] | ||||||
| WIN Film Festival The | 1999 | California | United States | Only Film Festival programming films EITHER with female protagonists OR films made by women. Held annually for 1–3 days in November. | www.thewinawards.com | ||||||
| WILDsound Film Festival | 2003 | Toronto | Ontario | World's only Monthly Feedback Film Festival; held at the National Film Board of Canada every month. | Official WILDsound Site | ||||||
| Windsor International Film Festival | 2005 | Windsor | Ontario | Held annually in November, includes films shown recently at TIFF, as well as films by local filmmakers | windsorfilmfestival.ca | ||||||
| Wisconsin Film Festival | 1999 | Madison | Wisconsin | Annual showcase of independent and international documentary, narrative, experimental, student and animated films. Run for 4 days in early April | [19] | ||||||
| Yorkton Film Festival | 1950 | Yorkton | Saskatchewan | North America's oldest film festival, held annually. | http://www.yorktonshortfilm.org | ||||||
| Zero Film Festival | 2007 | Los Angeles | California | First festival exclusive to self-financed filmmakers. | [20] |
Special Interest
| Name | Est. | City | State/Prov. | Notes | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC Shorts Film Festival | 2004 | Washington | DC | Short Films, held annually in September. | |
| DocUtah | 2010 | St. George, Kanab | Utah | International film festival dedicated to showing documentaries, held annually in September. | docutah.com |
| Fantasia Festival | 1996 | Montreal | Quebec | Devoted to fantasy, horror, martial arts and science fiction genres. | fantasiafest.com |
| Lights. Camera. Help. | 2009 | Austin | Texas | Dedicated to showcasing films made about or on behalf of non-profit and NGO organizations. | lightscamerahelp.org |
| Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival | 2009 | Seattle | Washington | Dedicated to action, animation, cult, fantasy, horror, and science fiction cinema. | mifff.org |
| Mods & Rockers Film Festival | 1999 | Los Angeles | California | Celebration of rock music culture films. | modsandrockers.com |
| New York Asian Film Festival | 2002 | New York City | New York | Features North American premieres and classic titles from Asian cinemas, especially horror, action and martial arts genres. | subwaycinema.com |
| Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival | 2008 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | phillyasianfilmfest.org | |
| 1982 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Presented by the Gershman Y | gershmany.org/pjff.php | |
| Pittsburgh Horror Film Festival | 2008 | Monroeville | Pennsylvania | http://www.pittsburghhorrorfilms.com | |
| Reel Dreams Film Festival | 2008 | Virginia Beach | Virginia | Focuses on redemptive filmmaking. | reeldreamsfilmfest.com |
| Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival | 1997 | Champaign | Illinois | Founded by film critic Roger Ebert. | ebertfest.com |
| Roxbury Film Festival | 1998 | Boston | Massachusetts | Showcase films that celebrate people of color. | roxburyfilmfestival.org |
| San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival | 2004 | San Antonio | Texas | Dedicated to Christian indie film. | independentchristianfilms.com |
| San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival | 1982 | San Francisco | California | Dedicated to Asian and Asian-American films. | asianamericanfilmfestival.org |
| Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival | 2005 | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | Cultural organization and film festival dedicated to Asian and Asian-American films. | silkscreenfestival.org |
| South by Southwest | 1987 | Austin | Texas | SXSW Film was added to the annual music festival in 1994, focusing on new directing talent. | sxsw.com |
| Springfield and the Ozarks 48-Hour Film Festival | 2006 | Springfield | Missouri | SATO48 challenges filmmakers to create a short film entirely from scratch over the course of 48 hours. | sato48.com |
| Stone Soup Film Festival | 1987 | Vancouver | British Columbia | Exploring the politics of food. | |
| Student Horror Film Festival | 2010 | Emmaus | PA | Open 96-hour student contest using required material to create a less than 6 minute horror film. | emmausarts.org |
| Texas Black Film Festival | 2007 | Dallas | Texas | Texas' largest African-American Film Festival | |
| Toronto After Dark Film Festival | 2006 | Toronto | Ontario | Showcases new horror, sci-fi, action and cult films from around the world. | torontoafterdark.com |
| Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival | 1997 | Toronto | Ontario | http://www.reelasian.com/ | |
| Toronto Youth Shorts Film Festival | 2009 | Toronto | Ontario | Exclusively showcasing short films made by youth filmmakers in the Greater Toronto Area. | [21] |
| Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival | 1998 | Vancouver | British Columbia | Held annually for a week in February showing a range of films about mountain culture. | www.vimff.org |
| World of Comedy Film Festival | 2003 | Toronto | Ontario | Annual showcase of feature-length and short comedies from Canada and around the world. | [4] |
| WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival | 1961 | Houston | Texas | Dedicated to the independent features and short films. | worldfest.org |
Others
| Name | Est. | City | State/Prov. | Type | Notes | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACE Film Festival | 2006 | New York City | New York | American | Showcase of American independent film and media. Held annually in September. | acefest.com |
| Boomtown Film and Music Festival | 2005 | Beaumont | Texas | Regional | Established to foster interest in the arts | Boomtownfestival.com |
| Kingston Canadian Film Festival | 2001 | Kingston | Ontario | Canadian | Largest Canadian film festival in the world. | KingCanFilmFest.com |
| Magnolia Independent Film Festival | 1997 | Starkville | Mississippi | International and Regional | Mississippi's first and oldest independent film festival. Held annually in February for one weekend. Short films, experimental films, and many special events in which filmmakers participate. | magfilmfest.com |
| Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival | 2001 | Cedar Rapids | Iowa | Regional accepting international entries | Held annually the first full non-Easter weekend in April. | [22] |
| Havana Film Festival | 1979 | Havana | Cuba | Regional | Held annually, focuses on Latin-American films. | habanafilmfestival.com |
| Marfa Film Festival | 2008 | Marfa | Texas | Regional | Born out of reception of There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men, both of which were filmed in the area | marfafilmfestival.org |
| deadCENTER Film Festival | 2001 | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | Regional | "Designed to inspire growth in the local film industry and energize visiting film professionals" | deadcenterfilm.org |
References
External links
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