List of film festivals in the United States

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Film festivals

This is a list of film festivals that take place (or took place) in the United States.


Alabama[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Black Warrior Film Festival 2013 Tuscaloosa Staged by The University of Alabama [1]
Fairhope Film Festival Fairhope [2]
George Lindsey UNA Film Festival Florence Staged by the University of North Alabama [3]
Lanett City Film Festival 2017 Lanett [4]
Montgomery Film Festival 2009 Montgomery [5]
Sidewalk Film Festival 1999 Birmingham [6]
Troy International Film Festival Troy
Yellowhammer Film Festival multiple locations High school and college student films [7]

Alaska[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Anchorage International Film Festival 2001 Anchorage Largest film festival in the state of Alaska

Arizona[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Arizona International Film Festival Tucson
Filmstock Film Festival 2011 multiple locations
International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival 2005 Tempe
Monument Valley Film Festival 2007 Kayenta
Phoenix Film Festival 2000 Phoenix
Rock the Canyon 2009 Shonto
Sedona International Film Festival 1994 Sedona
Scottsdale International Film Festival 2010 Scottsdale Annual, international film festival held in November. Year-round Screenings and events supporting the Festival and international filmmakers.
Tombstone Western Film Festival and Symposium 2001 Tombstone
Tucson Film & Music Festival 2005 Tucson

Arkansas[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Bentonville Film Festival 2015 Bentonville Held annually in May and focused on diversity in film, specifically women and under represented minority filmmakers.
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 1992 Hot Springs
Little Rock Film Festival 2006 Little Rock Held annually in the beginning of June. This southern film festival features narrative film, documentary films, short film, panels, and unforgettable events.

California[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
168 Film Festival 2003 Los Angeles Speed filmmaking competition and festival. Entries accepted from anywhere in the world. Held annually in April.
Action On Film International Film Festival 2005 Monrovia Started as part of the World Martial Arts Trade Show and International Championships.
Asian World Film Festival 2015 Los Angeles International; held annually in October–November.
Bel Air Film Festival 2008 Los Angeles An international festival held annually in November.
Berlin & Beyond Film Festival 1996 San Francisco German-language film festival outside of Europe, held annually in January.
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival 2000 Big Bear Lake Committed to presenting emerging talents of independent filmmakers and screenwriters, held annually in September.
Burbank International Film Festival 2009 Burbank
CAAMFest 2012 San Francisco The nation's largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films
Coronado Island Film Festival 2016 Coronado Island Held annually in November in the resort city across the bay from downtown San Diego.
COLCOA French Film Festival 1997 Los Angeles, California Held annually in November at the Directors Guild of America in Hollywood.
Dances With Films 1998 Los Angeles The festival of unknowns (i.e. no celebrities)
DaVinci International Film Festival 2017 Los Angeles Held annually in September.
Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival 2008 Los Angeles
Frameline Film Festival 1997 San Francisco Frameline Film Festival produces the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival which is the oldest ongoing film festival devoted to LGBT programming.
Horrible Imaginings Film Festival 2009 San Diego and Santa Ana Annually in September.
Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema 2009 Idyllwild-Pine Cove Held annually in January. An independent film festival
International Black Women's Film Festival 2001 San Francisco Exhibiting films by and/or featuring Black women from around the world in non-stereotypical roles.
L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival 2009 Los Angeles Held annually in the spring. Host of the L.A. Comedy Scripts screenplay competition.
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 1983 Los Angeles Premiere showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific American and international cinema in Los Angeles. Held annually in May.
Los Angeles Film Festival 1995 Los Angeles Held annually in June. Shows independent, feature, documentary and short films, as well as music videos.
Mods & Rockers Film Festival 1999 Los Angeles Celebration of rock music culture films.
Nevada City Film Festival Nevada City
New Media Film Festival 2009 Los Angeles Annual film festival that brings together the work of established and emerging New Media Content Creators and video artists around the world.
Newport Beach Film Festival 1999 Newport Beach Founded in 1999, the Newport Beach Film Festival has evolved into a multicultural event, attracting over 40,000 attendees to Orange County.
Noor Iranian Film Festival 2007 Los Angeles Dedicated to the cinema of Iran
Oceanside International Film Festival 2009 Oceanside, San Diego County Held annually in August through 2020. Held annually in February since 2021.
Palm Springs Festival of Festivals 2001 Palm Springs
Palm Springs International Film Festival 1989 Palm Springs
San Diego International Film Festival 2001 San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and La Jolla Held in October, the festival showcases international narrative features, shorts and documentaries in various categories including Native American, social justice and military.
San Diego Latino Film Festival 1993 San Diego
San Diego French Film Festival 2021 San Diego Held in June, the festival presents francophone movies. It is organized by the Alliance Francaise San Diego
San Diego Film Week 2017 San Diego’s Balboa Park Held in February–March, the festival showcases local narrative features, short films, and documentaries for film.
Sacramento French Film Festival 2002 Sacramento For ten days in June the Main Event celebrates the artistic, cultural, social and historical values of French film. The Winter Shorts Fest (since 2008) presents the César Award-nominated short films. The Minifest (since 2014) is a one-day miniature festival held in the fall. The Virtual Cinema presents first-run films and our festival events.
San Francisco Frozen Film Festival 2006 San Francisco Special interest, Independent.
San Francisco Green Film Festival 2011 San Francisco
San Francisco Independent Film Festival 1998 San Francisco
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival 1982 San Francisco Dedicated to Asian and Asian-American films.
San Francisco International Film Festival 1957 San Francisco
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival 1980 San Francisco SFJFF is a year-round media arts organization that promotes awareness, appreciation and pride in the diversity of the Jewish people.
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival 1993 San Luis Obispo Held annually in March.
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 1985 Santa Barbara
Sonoma International Film Festival 1996 Sonoma SIFF takes place every March in the United States’ Wine Country, 45 minutes north of San Francisco.
Zero Film Festival 2007 Los Angeles Film festival exclusive to self-financed filmmakers.

Colorado[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Boulder International Film Festival 2004 Boulder
Crested Butte Film Festival 2011 Crested Butte Held annually in the last week of September supporting action and change together.
Denver Film Festival 1978 Denver Held annually in November.
Denver Underground Film Festival 1997 Denver Held annually in May.
Festivus Film Festival 2006 Denver Ended in 2013
Mile High Horror Film Festival 2010 Denver Independent horror films from around the world.
Moondance International Film Festival 2000 Boulder 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.
Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival 1987 Colorado Springs Held annually in early November showcasing films made by women. The festival features a mix of documentary, short and narrative films.
Telluride Film Festival 1974 Telluride Only 40 films are admitted each year.

Connecticut[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Cinefest Fairfield 2005 Fairfield
Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival 1988 Hartford
Greenwich International Film Festival 2015 Greenwich
Litchfield Hills Film Festival 2006 Kent, New Milford, Torrington
New England Festival of Ibero American Cinema 2010 New Haven
Film Fest New Haven 1995 New Haven
New Haven Documentary Film Festival 2014 New Haven
New Haven Underground Film Festival multiple locations

Delaware[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
First State Film Festival 2019 Wilmington [8]
Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival 1998 Rehoboth Beach [9]

Florida[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
American Black Film Festival 2005 South Beach
BizarroLand Film Festival 2016 Orlando Showcasing "the most aggressively bizarre midnight, underground, outsider, and weirdo cinema of all genres." (Until January 2022 it was known as Sick 'n' Wrong Film Festival)
Borscht Film Festival 2003 Miami
Florida Film Festival 1992 Maitland Includes narrative and documentary features and shorts, animation, midnight movies, educational forums, and special events.
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival 1986 Fort Lauderdale Held annually in November, presented by the Broward County Film Society.
Gasparilla International Film Festival 2007 Tampa Bay
Human Rights Watch Film Festival 1989 Miami
India International Film Festival of Tampa Bay 2010 Tampa Held annually. Feature films, short films, and documentaries that are produced by Indians, films with Indian actors or actresses, or films with Indian themes.
Israel Film Festival 1982 Miami
Jacksonville Film Festival 2003 Jacksonville Held annually in February. International Film Festival
Love Your Shorts Film Festival 2011 Sanford Held around Valentine's Day. The festival screens only short films under 30 minutes in length.
L-DUB Film Festival Lake Worth
Miami 48-Hour Film Project 2005 Miami
Miami International Film Festival 1983 Miami
Miami Short Film Festival 2002 Miami Short film festival held annually in mid-November.
Orlando Film Festival 2006 Orlando Held annually in October/November.
OutLove International Film Festival 2020 Fort Myers
Palm Beach International Film Festival 1996 Palm Beach
Sarasota Film Festival 1998 Sarasota Annual, international celebration of film and filmmaking held in April. Year-round arts nonprofit hosting education programs and filmmaking academies.
Sicilian Film Festival 2006 Miami
Sunscreen Film Festival 2006 St. Petersburg Organized and presented by the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Film Society.[10][11]
Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival 2006 Tampa
Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 1990 Tampa
Through Women's Eyes International Film Festival 1999 Sarasota Films by and about women. Proceeds from TWE go to the UN Women's Gulf Coast Chapter, which provides education and awareness for gender equity and women's issues worldwide.[citation needed]

Georgia[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Atlanta Film Festival 1976 Atlanta Occurring every spring, the festival shows a diverse range of independent films, with special attention paid to women-directed films, LGBTQ films, Latin American films, Black films and films from the American Southeast.
Atlanta International Documentary Film Festival Atlanta
Atlanta International Film Festival 1968 Atlanta Defunct
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2000 Atlanta
BronzeLens Film Festival 2009 Atlanta Annual film festival in late August designed to promote Atlanta as the new film mecca for people of color, to showcase films and to provide networking opportunities that will develop the next generation of filmmakers.
Campus MovieFest 2000 Atlanta
CinErotic FilmFest 2010 Atlanta Debuted February 12–14, 2010; celebrates sex-positive, diverse and empowering erotic cinema and performance by amateurs, independent artists and the avant-garde.
Out on Film 1987 Atlanta

Hawaii[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Big Island Film Festival 2006 Kohala
Hawaii International Film Festival 1981 Honolulu 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."
Maui Film Festival 2000 Maui
Rainbow Film Festival 1989 Honolulu

Idaho[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Lakedance International Film Festival 2006 Sandpoint Defunct
SpudFest 2004 Driggs Defunct

Illinois[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Asian Animation Film Festival 2006 Chicago Held for one year only.
Big Dam Film Festival 2006 Quincy Has not been held since 2013.
Chicago International Children's Film Festival 1983 Chicago Festival of films for kids and youth in North America. Held annually in late October for 10 days.
Chicago International Documentary Film Festival 2003 Chicago
Chicago International Film Festival 1965 Chicago Held annually in October.
Chicago International REEL Shorts Festival Chicago
Chicago Latino Film Festival 1985 Chicago
Chicago Outdoor Film Festival Chicago
Chicago Palestine Film Festival 2001 Chicago
Chicago Underground Film Festival 1994 Chicago
Ebertfest 1997 Champaign Founded by film critic Roger Ebert.
Geneva Film Festival 2007 Geneva
Imago Film Festival 2005 Elgin
Insect Fear Film Festival 1984 Champaign-Urbana
Midwest Independent Film Festival Chicago
Naperville Independent Film Festival 2008 Naperville Annual film festival featuring the work of independent filmmakers.
Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival 1981 Chicago
Route 66 Film Festival 2002 Springfield

Indiana[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Heartland International Film Festival 1991 Indianapolis The festival is an 11-day event that regularly includes over 100 independent filmmakers and showcases more than 200 films. By 2020, it had awarded over $3 million to independent filmmakers from around the world. [12]
Indy Film Fest 2004 Indianapolis [13]
Indianapolis Jewish Film Festival 2014 Indianapolis
Notre Dame Queer Film Festival 2004 Notre Dame

Iowa[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival 2001 Cedar Rapids Held annually the first full non-Easter weekend in April.
Hardacre Film Festival 1997 Tipton
Landlocked Film Festival 2007 Iowa City

Kansas[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Kansas International Film Festival 2001 Overland Park
Tallgrass Film Festival 2003 Wichita This four-day festival, held in October, accepts independent short and feature submissions from all over the world.

Kentucky[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref|-
Fright Night Film Fest 2005 Louisville

Louisiana[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival Baton Rouge
Louisiana Film Prize 2012 Shreveport Short films shot in North Louisiana compete for $50k.
New Orleans Film Festival 1989 New Orleans Frequently referred to as Cannes on the Mississippi.[citation needed]
Overlook Film Festival 2017 New Orleans
Red Stick International Animation Festival 2005 Baton Rouge
Third Street Film Festival 2011 Baton Rouge

Maine[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Bangor Film Festival 2007 Bangor
Camden International Film Festival 2005 Camden, Rockport, Rockland
Maine International Film Festival 1998 Waterville
Sanford International Film Festival 2014 Sanford

Maryland[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
AFI Docs 2003 Silver Spring (plus Washington, DC)
Bastard Film Encounter 2013 Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Film Festival 1997 Baltimore
Maryland Film Festival 1999 Baltimore Held annually for 4 days each May. Includes 40+ new features and 50+ new shorts, as well as a favorite film selected and hosted by MFF board member John Waters.

Massachusetts[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Arlington International Film Festival 2010 Arlington The festival focuses on Multicultural awareness and stresses also the importance of the artistic and educational value of films from all around the world.
Boston Asian American Film Festival 2008 Boston Held annually, focuses on Asian-American films.
Boston Film Festival 1984 Boston Annually showcasing feature films, documentaries and shorts in September.
Cape Cod International Film Festival 2014 Chatham Annual high-curation-standard global boutique festival, early-mid October on Cape Cod.
Martha's Vineyard Film Festival 2001 Chilmark 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.
Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival 2006 Martha's Vineyard Held annually in early September. Festival is hosted by the Martha's Vineyard Film Society
Nantucket Film Festival 1996 Nantucket 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.
Roxbury Film Festival 1998 Boston Showcase films that celebrate people of color.

Michigan[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Ann Arbor Film Festival 1961 Ann Arbor Film festival showcasing experimental and independent film in North America. Held annually in late March.
Capital City Film Festival 2011 Lansing Celebrates and promotes filmmakers with an emphasis on Michigan-made, homegrown talent. A four-day festival taking place in venues across Lansing.
Detroit Windsor International Film Festival 2008 Detroit
Emberlight International Film Festival 2021 Ironwood One component of Emberlight, an annual arts festival in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Filmmakers, painters, dancers, musicians and writers alike can draw inspiration from each other as well as the beauty of the pristine nature of the region.
Traverse City Film Festival 2005 Traverse City Annual festival co-founded by filmmaker Michael Moore.

Minnesota[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
.EDU Film Festival Minneapolis Student film screenings; equipment demos; roundtables with film directors, writers, and producers; and meet-and-greets with post secondary institutions that feature strong film/video production programs.
Highway 61 Film Festival 2011 Pine City Held annually in mid-October, its purpose is to recognize and honor filmmakers in East Central Minnesota and other American cities up and down Old US Highway 61.
Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival 1983 Minneapolis-St. Paul Held annually in the spring. Showcases more than 200 films from around the world. Presented by The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul.

Mississippi[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Magnolia Independent Film Festival 1997 Starkville Held annually in February for one weekend. Short films, experimental films, and many special events in which filmmakers participate.
Oxford Film Festival 2004 Oxford Annually in March. Dozens of documentary and narrative film shorts, with a selected narrative feature to anchor the festival. Events throughout the weekend are held for filmmakers and for the general public.

Missouri[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Springfield and the Ozarks 48-Hour Film Festival 2006 Springfield SATO48 challenges filmmakers to create a short film entirely from scratch over the course of 48 hours.
St. Louis International Film Festival 1992 St. Louis Cinema St. Louis engages the St. Louis region through educational programs, cultural connectivity, and curated film exhibitions.
True/False Film Fest 2003 Columbia Features nonfiction films.

Montana[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2003 Missoula [14]
International Wildlife Film Festival 1977 Missoula [15]
Montana International Film Festival 2018 Billings [16]

Nebraska[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Omaha Film Festival Omaha [17]
Prairie Lights Film Festival Grand Island [18]
Wildcat Spirit Short Film Festival Wayne Student short films [19]

Nevada[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
CineVegas 1999 Paradise Defunct [20]
The Comedy Festival 1995 Las Vegas Defunct
The Dam Short Film Festival 2005 Boulder City [21]
Las Vegas Film Festival Las Vegas
Las Vegas Queer Arts Film Festival Las Vegas
Nevada International Film Festival Las Vegas [22]
Nevada Women's Film Festival Las Vegas
PollyGrind Film Festival 2010 Las Vegas Defunct [23]
Las Vegas International Film and Screenplay Festival 2015 Las Vegas First established as the Las Vegas International Film and Screenplay Competition (2015–2018) [24]

New Hampshire[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
New Hampshire Film Festival 2001 Portsmouth Founded in 2001 in Derry, New Hampshire (initially as the New Hampshire Film Expo), the festival moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 2004. Held annually in October. [25][26]
New Hampshire High School Short Film Festival 2008 Concord, Manchester [27]
New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival multiple locations [28]

New Jersey[edit]

Main article: List of film festivals in New Jersey
Name Est. City Notes Ref
Garden State Film Festival 2015 Asbury Park Founded to promote the art of filmmaking on all levels by showcasing a wide variety of film, video and animated works as well as provide educational programs in the creative arts to the public by industry leaders.
Golden Door Film Festival 2011 Jersey City Held annually, usually in Fall
Montclair Film Festival 2012 Montclair An annual, community-based film festival that showcases filmmakers from a variety of countries
Newark Black Film Festival 1974 Newark Held annually and highlighting the African American experience and African diaspora
New Jersey Film Festival 1982 New Brunswick Held annually at Rutgers University–New Brunswick [29]
Northeast Film Festival 2013 Teaneck Features both US and international films with competition in feature length and short fiction as well as documentaries and student films. Held annually in September.
Teaneck International Film Festival 2006 Teaneck Recurring theme “Activism: Making Change”.[30]
Thomas Edison Film Festival 1981 travelling Originally the Black Maria Film Festival, based at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, TEFF generally screens shorts film in a variety of genres with topics addressing social and environmental issues

New Mexico[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Duke City Shootout 2000 Albuquerque
Filmstock Film Festival 2009
Santa Fe Film Festival 1999 Santa Fe
Santa Fe International Film Festival 2009 Santa Fe
Taos Talking Pictures Film Festival 1995 Taos
Way OUT West Film Fest 2003 Albuquerque, Santa Fe LGBT films
The White Sands International Film Festival 2008 Alamogordo, Las Cruces

New York[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
ACE Film Festival 2006 New York City Showcase of American independent film and media. Held annually in September.
Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2016 Brooklyn A New York City festival dedicated to showing the best in independent horror films.
Chinatown Film Festival 2005 Chinatown, New York City Asian film
Film @ Downtown Urban Arts Festival 2015 New York City Showcases new short film from new and emerging independent filmmakers from United States and around the world.
Gotham Screen Film Festival & Screenplay Contest 2007 New York City Showcase of new American and international cinema, with a competitive screenplay contest.
Hamptons International Film Festival 1993 East Hampton
Havana Film Festival New York 2000 New York City Competitive film festival showcasing Latin American cinema with a special focus on Cuba and its film industry. Partner of International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana, Cuba.
High Falls Film Festival 2001 Rochester High Falls Film Festival celebrates the work of women filmmakers. It includes features, documentaries, shorts, children's and young adult programs, programs in film education and student film making competitions.
JAPAN CUTS: The New York Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema 2007 New York City North America's biggest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema. Held annually in July.
Margaret Mead Film Festival 1976 New York City Showcase for international documentaries in the United States. Held annually in November at the American Museum of Natural History in the New York City.
Native American Film and Video Festival 1979 New York City Biannual festival held at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian featuring indigenous works from across the Americas
New York Asian Film Festival 2002 New York City Features North American premieres and classic titles from Asian cinemas, especially horror, action and martial arts genres.
New York City Independent Film Festival 2009 New York City
New York Film Festival 1962 New York City One of North America's oldest film festivals.[citation needed]
New York International Children's Film Festival 1997 New York City Film festival for kids in North America, held annually from late-February to mid-March.
New York Jewish Film Festival 1992 New York City New York showcase for world cinema exploring the Jewish experience. The NYJFF is presented by the Jewish Museum and the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
New York Polish Film Festival 2005 New York City Dedicated to the cinema of Poland.
ReelAbilities 2007 New York City Film festival in the U.S. dedicated to films by and about people with disabilities. Founded in New York City and tours throughout the United States.
Tribeca Film Festival 2002 New York City Founded by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro.

North Carolina[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
100 Words Film Festival 2014 Charlotte Celebrating concise storytelling, each film must contain exactly 100 spoken words. Held annually in November.
ActionFest 2010 Asheville
Bastard Film Encounter 2013 Raleigh
Cucalorus Film Festival 1994 Wilmington
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 1998 Durham
Hayti Heritage Film Festival Durham
North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 1995 Durham
Real to Reel International Film Festival 2000 Kings Mountain
RiverRun International Film Festival 1998 Winston-Salem

North Dakota[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Dakota Film Festival Bismarck
Fargo Film Festival Fargo
Human Rights Film Festival Fargo
North Dakota Environmental Rights Film Festival Fargo

Ohio[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Athens International Film and Video Festival 1974 Athens
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival 2010 Chagrin Falls A five day celebration of documentary film, at venues in and around the century village of Chagrin Falls.
Cincinnati Film Festival 2010 Cincinnati
Cleveland International Film Festival 1977 Cleveland A 12-day event held annually in spring; includes feature and short subject films.
Columbus International Film & Animation Festival 1953 Columbus North American film festival, held annually in November. As a competition festival, it is also known as The Chris Awards.
CWRU Film Society Science Fiction Marathon 1976 Cleveland Held annually by the Film Society of Case Western Reserve University, this is the longest-running 24+ hour movie marathon event.
Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation 2012 Cleveland The 9-day event, held in the fall, provides a forum to celebrate, preserve, promote and advance African American arts, culture and cinema.
Nightmares Film Festival 2016 Columbus International festival for horror and genre films
Oxford International Film Festival 2007 Oxford
Short Sweet Film Fest 2012 Cleveland

Oklahoma[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
deadCENTER Film Festival 2001 Oklahoma City "Designed to inspire growth in the local film industry and energize visiting film professionals."

Oregon[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Portland International Film Festival 1977 Portland

Pennsylvania[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Eerie Horror Film Festival 2004 Erie, Pennsylvania The Eerie Horror Fest is held each October and features a curated program of new, upcoming, and classic short and feature length films, plus celebrity guests participating in live, in-person Q&As, autographs, and photo opportunities.
Oil Valley Film Festival 2016 Oil City, Pennsylvania First film festival of its kind in the "Oil Region" of Pennsylvania. Features films, in competition, from around the globe. The Oil Valley Film Festival is run by founder and festival director Matt Croyle. It is held annually in Oil City each September.
Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival 2008 Philadelphia
Philadelphia Film Festival 1991 Philadelphia Presented by the Philadelphia Film Society, held annually in the fall.
Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival 1981 Philadelphia Dedicated to the Jewish experience, culture, values, and legacy
Project Twenty1 Film Festival 2006 Philadelphia Screenings include the Philadelphia Filmathon and the annual 21-Day Filmmaking Competition.
QFest 1995 Philadelphia Founded as the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, the name was changed to QFest in 2009. Presented by the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance.
Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival 2005 Pittsburgh Cultural organization and film festival dedicated to Asian and Asian-American films.
Three Rivers Film Festival 1982 Pittsburgh A program of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, emphasizing independent film

Rhode Island[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Rhode Island International Film Festival 1997 Providence Held annually for 6 days during the second week of August

South Carolina[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Beaufort International Film Festival 2007 Beaufort [31]
Crimson Screen Horror Film Fest Columbia, Charleston [32]
Indie Grits Film Festival Columbia
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival Myrtle Beach [33]
Southern City Film Festival Aiken
Underexposed Film Festival Rock Hill

South Dakota[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref

Tennessee[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Nashville Film Festival 1969 Nashville Founded in 1969 as the Sinking Creek Film Celebration. Takes place in April and is an Academy Award-qualifying festival for Best Short Film and Best Animated Short Film. Features feature-length and short films from around the world.
Lookout Wild Film Festival 2013 Chattanooga The Lookout Wild Film Festival brings the best outdoor adventure and conservation films from around the world to Chattanooga for one awesome weekend every year.

Texas[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Boomtown Film and Music Festival 2005 Beaumont Established to foster interest in the arts
Cine Las Americas International Film Festival 1997 Austin Held annually in the spring showcasing Latin American, Latino and Indigenous films.
Dallas International Film Festival 2006 Austin
Fantastic Fest 2005 Dallas
Marfa Film Festival 2008 Marfa Born out of reception of There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men, both of which were filmed in the area.
San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival 2004 San Antonio Dedicated to Christian indie film.
South by Southwest 1987 Austin SXSW Film was added to the annual music festival in 1994, focusing on new directing talent.

Utah[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Red Rock Film Festival 2007 St. George Located beneath the red mountains of Southern Utah this international festival is held annually each November.
Sundance Film Festival 1978 Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Sundance Held annually in January, Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States.

Vermont[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Green Mountain Film Festival 1997 Montpelier

Virginia[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
French Film Festival - Richmond, Virginia 1993 Richmond The largest French film festival in the US, it takes place every year during the last week-end of March, featuring world and American premieres of French features and shorts.
Virginia Film Festival 1988 Charlottesville A program of the University of Virginia.
Washington West Film Festival 2011 Reston Washington West gives away 100% of their annual box office net proceeds to aiding communities in various ways. Runs for five days in late October.

Washington[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival 2009 Seattle Dedicated to action, animation, cult, fantasy, horror, and science fiction cinema.
National Film Festival for Talented Youth 2007 Seattle Youth film festival, showcasing the work of filmmakers from around the globe (aged 22 or under)
Port Townsend Film Festival 1999 Port Townsend An international festival held annually the third weekend in September.
Seattle International Film Festival 1976 Seattle One of the largest film festivals in the United States.
Seattle Latino Film Festival 2009 Seattle It is the only and largest Latino film festival in the Pacific Northwest.
Tasveer South Asian Film Festival 2002 Seattle It is the largest south Asian film festival in the United States.

West Virginia[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref

Wisconsin[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Beloit International Film Festival 2006 Beloit Annual 10-day film festival in late February. Feature length narrative & documentary films and shorts.
Green Bay Film Festival 2010 De Pere Celebrating independent filmmakers in Wisconsin and around the world.
Milwaukee Film Festival 2009 Milwaukee Held annually in September and October. Presented by Milwaukee Film.
Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival 1997 Milwaukee Held annually in October. Presented by the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center.
Wisconsin Film Festival 1999 Madison Annual showcase of independent and international documentary, narrative, experimental, student and animated films. Runs for four days in early April.

Wyoming[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Jackson Wild 1991 Jackson

Puerto Rico[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Puerto Rico Film Festival 2009 San Juan [34]
Puerto Rico Queer Filmfest 2009 Santurce [35]
Rincón International Film Festival 2008 Rincón

District of Columbia[edit]

Name Est. Notes Ref
Capitol Hill Film Classic 2018 The only bracket style knockout competition for short film in the US.
DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival 2000 Held annually in October.

US Territories[edit]

Name Est. City Notes Ref
Guam International Film Festival 2011 Hagåtña, Guam [36]
Virgin Islands International Film and Video Festival St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

References[edit]

  1. ^ Caroline Gazzara-McKenzie, "Black Warrior Film Festival Returns". UA NEWS CENTER, April 4, 2022.
  2. ^ Michael Warrick, "Fairhope Film Festival returns for eighth year, sells out 'drive-in' movie nights". WALA-TV, November 12, 2020.
  3. ^ Summre Raines, "The 23rd Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival March 5 -7". Quad Cities Daily, February 29, 2020.
  4. ^ "Second annual Lanett City Film Festival on Sept. 7, 8". LaGrange Daily News, August 23, 2018.
  5. ^ "Montgomery Film Festival XI online this weekend". Montgomery Advertiser, July 22, 2020.
  6. ^ Jesse Chambers, "Metro Roundup: Sidewalk Film Festival, Secret Stages return to in-person events". Hoover Sun, July 27, 2021.
  7. ^ "Inaugural YellowHammer Film Festival announces award winners". Troy Today, August 5, 2021.
  8. ^ Holly Quinn, "The inaugural First State Film Festival wants your shorts". Technically, September 3, 2019.
  9. ^ Craig Horleman, "Delaware Film Festival Highlights Documentaries, Dramas". U.S. News & World Report, November 8, 2020.
  10. ^ "Sunscreen Film Festival". sunscreenfilmfestival.com. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  11. ^ "Sunscreen Film Festival". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  12. ^ Van Allen, Elizabeth J. (April 2021). "Heartland International Film Festival". Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Library. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  13. ^ Fischer, Jessica Erin (July 2021). "Festivals". Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Library. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  14. ^ "Big Sky Documentary Film Festival announces 2021 competition winners". KULR-TV, February 25, 2021.
  15. ^ "IWFF hosts an evening with grizzly expert, Vietnam veteran Doug Peacock". Missoula Current, April 12, 2019.
  16. ^ Anna Paige, "MINT Film Festival returns for a fourth year, despite pandemic setbacks". Billings Gazette, September 15, 2021.
  17. ^ Zack List, "Omaha Film Festival to spotlight film talent around the world". The Daily Nebraskan, March 2, 2020.
  18. ^ Austin Koeller, "Nebraska films to be highlighted at Prairie Lights Film Festival". The Grand Island Independent, October 9, 2019.
  19. ^ Earl Horlyk, "Wayne State College film school premieres students movies in red carpet screening". Sioux City Journal, April 1, 2021.
  20. ^ Mark Rabinowitz and Stephen Garrett, "Vegas Has New Fest". IndieWire, October 8, 1998.
  21. ^ Cling, Carol. "Dam Short Film Festival Grows in Its Second Year", Las Vegas Review-Journal, February 9, 2006.
  22. ^ Cling, Carol (December 2, 2011). "Nevada Film Festival has two days of features, shorts, documentaries". Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  23. ^ Wixson, Heather (2010-04-20). "Las Vegas Gearing up for The PollyGrind 2010". Dread Central. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  24. ^ "Las Vegas International Film and Screenplay Festival". Las Vegas International Film and Screenplay Festival. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  25. ^ Simon Rucker, "2nd Annual NH Film Expo". NewEnglandFilm, October 1, 2002.
  26. ^ Dan Alexander, "NH Film Festival Postponed for a Second Time". Seacoast Current, August 30, 2021.
  27. ^ Jack Rooney, "Work by two ConVal seniors included in NH High School Short Film Festival". The Keene Sentinel, June 22, 2021.
  28. ^ George Pelletier, "N.H. Jewish Film Festival debuts virtually this month". The Cabinet Press, May 13, 2021.
  29. ^ "New Jersey Film Festival". njfilmfest.com.
  30. ^ "2022 Teaneck International Film Festival".
  31. ^ Chuck Waters, "Beaufort Film Festival gets rolling, will run through Nov. 13". Carteret County News-Times, October 4, 2022.
  32. ^ Kevin Young, "Horror film fest splatters again in 2021". Charleston City Paper, May 19, 2021.
  33. ^ Courtney Rowles, "International film festival kicks off at Myrtle Beach movie theater". WPDE-TV, December 9, 2021.
  34. ^ "ENFOQUE presenta su nueva imagen como el Puerto Rico Film Festival". La Perla del Sur, March 15, 2021.
  35. ^ Kiara Alfonseca, "Here’s What This Puerto Rican Neighborhood’s LGBTQ Community Can Teach Us About Activism". The Huffington Post, September 25, 2019.
  36. ^ "Guam International Film Festival returns for 9th year". Pacific Daily News, September 9, 2019.
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