| Name |
Est. |
City |
State/Prov. |
Notes |
Website |
| 100 Words Film Festival |
2014 |
Charlotte |
North Carolina |
Celebrating concise storytelling, each film must contain exactly 100 spoken words. Held annually in November. |
100wordsfilmfestival.com |
| 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 |
| Action On Film International Film Festival |
2005 |
Monrovia |
California |
Started as part of the World Martial Arts Trade Show and International Championships. |
|
| Ann Arbor Film Festival |
1961 |
Ann Arbor |
Michigan |
Film festival showcasing experimental and independent film in North America. Held annually in late March. |
aafilmfest.org |
| Arlington International Film Festival |
2010 |
Arlington |
Massachusetts |
The festival focuses on Multicultural awareness and stresses also the importance of the artistic and educational value of films from all around the world. |
aiffest.org |
| Asian World Film Festival |
2015 |
Los Angeles |
California |
International; held annually in October-November. |
asianworldfilmfest.org |
| Bahamas International Film Festival |
2004 |
Paradise Island |
The Bahamas |
|
bintlfilmfest.com |
| Banff Mountain Film Festival |
1976 |
Banff |
Alberta |
International film competition and annual presentation of short films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports, and environment. |
banffcentre.ca |
| Bel Air Film Festival |
2008 |
Los Angeles |
California |
An international festival held annually in November. |
belairfilmfestival.com |
| Berlin & Beyond Film Festival |
1996 |
San Francisco |
California |
German-language film festival outside of Europe, held annually in January. |
berlinbeyond.com |
| Big Bear Lake International Film Festival |
2000 |
Big Bear Lake |
California |
Committed to presenting emerging talents of independent filmmakers and screenwriters, held annually in September. |
bigbearlakefilmfestival.com |
| Boston Film Festival |
1984 |
Boston |
Massachusetts |
Annually showcasing feature films, documentaries and shorts in September. |
bostonfilmfestival.org |
| Boulder International Film Festival |
2004 |
Boulder |
Colorado |
|
biff1.com |
| Burbank International Film Festival |
2009 |
Burbank |
California |
|
burbankfilmfest.org/ |
| Calgary International Film Festival |
2000 |
Calgary |
Alberta |
Held annually for 10 days in late September or early October. |
calgaryfilm.com |
| Capital City Film Festival |
2011 |
Lansing |
Michigan |
Celebrates and promotes filmmakers with an emphasis on Michigan-made, homegrown talent. A four-day festival taking place in venues across Lansing. |
capitalcityfilmfest.com |
| CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival |
1994 |
Toronto |
Ontario |
All kinds of short films. |
worldwideshortfilmfest.com |
| Chicago International Children's Film Festival |
1983 |
Chicago |
Illinois |
Festival of films for kids and youth in North America. Held annually in late October for 10 days. |
cicff.org |
| Chicago International Film Festival |
1965 |
Chicago |
Illinois |
Held annually in October. |
chicagofilmfestival.org |
| 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 |
Debuted February 12–14, 2010; celebrates sex-positive, diverse and empowering erotic cinema and performance by amateurs, independent artists and the avant-garde. |
cineroticfest.com |
| Cleveland International Film Festival |
1977 |
Cleveland |
Ohio |
A 12-day event held annually in spring; includes feature and short subject films. |
clevelandfilm.org |
| Columbus International Film & Video Festival |
1953 |
Columbus |
Ohio |
North American film festival, held annually in November. As a competition festival, it is also known as The Chris Awards. |
chrisawards.org |
| Dances With Films |
1998 |
Los Angeles |
California |
The festival of unknowns (i.e. no celebrities) |
|
| DALLAS International Film Festival |
2006 |
Dallas |
Texas |
|
dallasfilm.org |
| DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival |
2000 |
Washington |
DC |
Held annually in October. |
apafilm.org |
| Denver Film Festival |
1978 |
Denver |
Colorado |
Held annually in November. |
denverfilm.org |
| Denver Underground Film Festival |
1997 |
Denver |
Colorado |
Held annually in May. |
duffcinema.com |
| Detroit Windsor International Film Festival |
2008 |
Detroit |
Michigan |
Held annually in June, and hosts the annual DWIFF Challenge |
dwiff.org |
| Dominican International Film Festival |
2004 |
Puerto Plata |
Dominican Republic |
Held Annually in December for Spanish and Latin Independent Films. |
dominicaninternationalfilmfestival.com |
| DOXA Documentary Film Festival |
1998 |
Vancouver |
British Columbia |
Documentary film festival held in Western Canada annually for ten days in May. |
doxafestival.ca |
| Edmonton International Film Festival |
1986 |
Edmonton |
Alberta |
Annual 10-day festival in September featuring short films, documentaries, dramatic features, partys and an eclectic mix of filmmaker guests. |
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 |
For emerging Canadian and international filmmakers to exhibit, promote, entertain and inform the audience. |
filmnorth.net |
| Florida Film Festival |
1992 |
Maitland |
Florida |
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 |
| French Film Festival - Richmond, Virginia |
1993 |
Richmond |
Virginia |
The largest French film festival in the USA, it takes place every year during the last week-end of March, featuring world and American premieres of French features and shorts. |
frenchfilmfestival.us |
| Garden State Film Festival |
2015 |
Atlantic City |
New Jersey |
The Garden State Film Festival was 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. |
gsff.org |
| 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 |
| Golden Door Film Festival |
2011 |
Jersey City |
New Jersey |
Held annually in October |
goldendoorfilmfestival.org |
| Guadalajara International Film Festival |
1988 |
Guadalajara |
Jalisco |
Mexico and Latin American film festival |
guadalajaracinemafest.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." |
hiff.org |
| Haydenfilms International Film Festival |
2004 |
New York City |
New York |
A hybrid of traditional and online film festivals that awards a prize of $25,000. |
haydenfilms.com |
| Heartland Film Festival |
1991 |
Indianapolis |
Indiana |
The annual Heartland Film Festival introduces audiences to transformative independent films from around the world. Heartland awards more than $135,000 in prize money every year at the festival. |
heartlandfilmfestival.org |
| High Falls Film Festival |
2001 |
Rochester |
New York |
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. |
highfallsfilmfestival.com |
| Highway 61 Film Festival |
2011 |
Pine City |
Minnesota |
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. |
highway61filmfestival.org |
| Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival |
1993 |
Toronto |
Ontario |
North America's largest documentary film festival.[citation needed] |
hotdocs.ca |
| India International Film Festival (IIFF) of Tampa Bay |
2010 |
Tampa |
Florida |
Held annually. Feature films, short films, and documentaries that are produced by Indians, films with Indian actors or actresses, or films with Indian themes. |
iifftampa.com |
| 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 |
| International Black Women's Film Festival |
2001 |
San Francisco |
California |
Exhibiting films by and/or featuring Black women from around the world in non-stereotypical roles. |
festival.ibwff.com/ |
| Jacksonville Film Festival |
2003 |
Jacksonville |
Florida |
Held annually for 4 days in mid-May. |
jacksonvillefilmfestival.com |
| JAPAN CUTS: The New York Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema |
2007 |
New York |
New York |
North America's biggest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema. Held annually in July. |
japansociety.org/japancuts |
| KahBang Film Festival |
2009 |
Bangor |
Maine |
Part of the KahBang music-art-film festival, built on discovering the best emerging filmmakers, narrative and documentary features, comedy films, short films, and music docs, and awarding one notable filmmaker with the "Kevin Norwood Bacon Award for Achievement in Cinema". Held annually in August. |
kahbang.com |
| L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival |
2009 |
Los Angeles |
California |
Held annually in the spring. Host of the L.A. Comedy Scripts screenplay competition. |
lacomedyshorts.com |
| Los Angeles Film Festival |
1995 |
Los Angeles |
California |
Held annually in June. Presented by Film Independent and the Los Angeles Times. Showcases independent, feature, documentary and short films, as well as music videos. |
lafilmfest.com |
| Little Rock Film Festival |
2006 |
Little Rock |
Arkansas |
Held annually in the beginning of June. This southern film festival features narrative film, documentary films, short film, panels, and unforgettable events |
littlerockfilmfestival.org |
| Love Your Shorts Film Festival |
2011 |
Sanford |
Florida |
Held around Valentine's Day. The festival screens only short films under 30 minutes in length. |
loveyourshorts.com |
| Marda Loop Justice Film Festival |
2006 |
Calgary |
Alberta |
Held annually in mid-November, it also includes screenings throughout the year. Free and community-orientated |
justicefilmfestival.ca |
| Margaret Mead Film Festival |
1976 |
New York City |
New York |
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. |
tmvff.org |
| Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival |
2006 |
Martha's Vineyard |
Massachusetts |
Held annually in early September. Festival is hosted by the Martha's Vineyard Film Society |
mvfilmfest.com |
| Maryland Film Festival |
1999 |
Baltimore |
Maryland |
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 (filmmaker). |
mdfilmfest.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 |
| Mile High Horror Film Festival |
2010 |
Denver |
Colorado |
The Mile High Horror Film Festival is held annually each October. Its mission is to showcase the very best independent horror films from around the world. |
milehighhorrorfestival.com |
| Milwaukee Film Festival |
2009 |
Milwaukee |
Wisconsin |
Held annually in the fall, the Milwaukee film festival shows over 120 films and over 10 collections of shorts, running for 15 days with over 60,000 attendees |
mkefilm.org/festival |
| Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival |
1983 |
Minneapolis-St. Paul |
Minnesota |
Held annually in the spring. Showcases more than 200 films from around the world. Presented by The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul. |
mspfilm.org |
| Montclair Film Festival |
2012 |
Montclair |
New Jersey |
An annual, community-based film festival that showcases filmmakers from a variety of countries while creating a cultural focal point for the Township of Montclair, surrounding communities and the region. |
montclairfilmfest.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-qualifying festival for Best Short Film and Best Animated Short Film. Features feature-length and short films from around the world. |
nashvillefilmfestival.org |
| Nantucket Film Festival |
1996 |
Nantucket |
Massachusetts |
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. |
nantucketfilmfestival.org |
| 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 |
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 multicultural event, attracting over 40,000 attendees to Orange County. |
newportbeachfilmfest.com |
| New Orleans Film Festival |
1989 |
New Orleans |
Louisiana |
Frequently referred to as Cannes on the Mississippi.[citation needed] |
neworleansfilmsociety.org |
| New York Film Festival |
1962 |
New York City |
New York |
One of North America's oldest film festivals.[citation needed] |
filmlinc.com |
| New York International Children's Film Festival |
1997 |
New York City |
New York |
Film festival for kids in North America, held annually from late-February to mid-March. |
gkids.com |
| Northeast Film Festival |
2013 |
Teaneck |
New Jersey |
Features both US and international films with competition in feature length and short fiction as well as documentaries and student films. The Northeast Film Festival is run by founder and festival director Larry Rosen. Held annually in September. |
nefilmfestival.com |
| Orlando Film Festival |
2006 |
Orlando |
Florida |
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. Held annually in October/November. |
orlandofilmfest.com |
| Palm Springs Festival of Festivals |
2001 |
Palm Springs |
California |
|
|
| Palm Springs International Film Festival |
1989 |
Palm Springs |
California |
|
psfilmfest.org |
| Philadelphia Film Festival |
|
Philadelphia |
Pennsylvania |
Presented by the Philadelphia Film Society, held annually in the fall. |
filmadelphia.org |
| Project Twenty1 Film Festival |
2006 |
Philadelphia |
Pennsylvania |
Screenings include the Philadelphia Filmathon and the annual 21-Day Filmmaking Competition. |
projecttwenty1.com |
| 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. |
phillycinema.org |
| Port Townsend Film Festival |
1999 |
Port Townsend |
Washington |
An international festival held annually the third weekend in September. |
ptfilmfest.com |
| Red Rock Film Festival |
2007 |
St. George |
Utah |
Located beneath the red mountains of Southern Utah this international festival is held annually each November. |
redrockfilmfestival.com |
| Reel Shorts Film Festival |
2007 |
Grande Prairie |
Alberta |
International festival of short films in early May. |
reelshorts.ca |
| ReelAbilities |
2007 |
New York City |
New York |
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. |
reelabilities.org |
| Rhode Island International Film Festival |
1997 |
Providence |
Rhode Island |
Held annually for 6 days during the second week of August |
RIFilmFest.org |
| Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival |
1987 |
Colorado Springs |
Colorado |
Held annually in early November showcasing films made by Women. The festival features a mix of documentary, short and narrative films. |
rmwfilmfest.org |
| The Rome International Film Festival |
2003 |
Rome |
Georgia |
MovieMaker Magazine called it "one of the outstanding film festivals in the Southeast." |
romeinternationalfilmfestival.com |
| San Diego Film Festival |
2001 |
San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and La Jolla |
California |
Held in September, the festival showcases international narrative features, short films, documentary, Native American and Music for Film. |
sandiegofilmfest.com |
| Salt Flats Film Festival |
2014 |
Utah |
United States |
|
saltflatsfilmfestival.com |
| San Francisco Green Film Festival |
2011 |
San Francisco |
California |
|
sfgreenfilmfest.org |
| San Francisco International Film Festival |
1957 |
San Francisco |
California |
|
sffs.org |
| San Luis Obispo International Film Festival |
1993 |
San Luis Obispo |
California |
Held annually in March. |
slofilmfest.org |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival |
1985 |
Santa Barbara |
California |
|
sbiff.org |
| Seattle International Film Festival |
1976 |
Seattle |
Washington |
One of the largest film festivals in the United States. |
siff.net |
| Sedona International Film Festival |
1994 |
Sedona |
Arizona |
Film festival in Arizona. |
sedonafilm.org |
| Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival |
1999 |
Birmingham |
Alabama |
|
almovingimage.org/sidewalk-fest.html |
| Sonoma Valley Film Festival |
1996 |
Sonoma |
California |
Set in the heart of California wine country, one of the smaller "destination" film festivals in the United States. |
sonomafilmfest.org |
| San Francisco Jewish Film Festival |
1980 |
San Francisco |
California |
SFJFF is a year-round media arts organization that promotes awareness, appreciation and pride in the diversity of the Jewish people. |
sfjff.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 |
| 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 |
| Telluride Film Festival |
1974 |
Telluride |
Colorado |
Only 40 films are admitted each year. |
telluridefilmfestival.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 |
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 |
| Vancouver International Film Festival |
1982 |
Vancouver |
British Columbia |
Held annually for two weeks in late September and early October. |
viff.org |
| Vancouver Asian Film Festival |
1996 |
Vancouver |
British Columbia |
Annual film festival held in Vancouver, British Columbia for about 4–5 days in November. |
vaff.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 |
| Wisconsin Film Festival |
1999 |
Madison |
Wisconsin |
Annual showcase of independent and international documentary, narrative, experimental, student and animated films. Runs for four days in early April. |
wifilmfest.org |
| Yorkton Film Festival |
1950 |
Yorkton |
Saskatchewan |
North American film festival, held annually. |
yorktonshortfilm.org |
| Zero Film Festival |
2007 |
Los Angeles |
California |
Film festival exclusive to self-financed filmmakers. |
zerofilmfestival.com |
