List of film festivals in North and Central America

Film festivals

This is a list of film festivals that take place (or took place) in North America (Canada, United States and Mexico).

International festivals

Name Est. City State/Prov. Notes Website
100 Words Film Festival2014CharlotteNorth CarolinaCelebrating concise storytelling, each film must contain exactly 100 spoken words. Held annually in November.100wordsfilmfestival.com
168 Film Festival2003Los AngelesCaliforniaSpeed filmmaking competition and festival. Entries accepted from anywhere in the world. Held annually in April.168project.com
Action On Film International Film Festival2005MonroviaCaliforniaStarted as part of the World Martial Arts Trade Show and International Championships.
Ann Arbor Film Festival1961Ann ArborMichiganFilm festival showcasing experimental and independent film in North America. Held annually in late March.aafilmfest.org
Arlington International Film Festival2010ArlingtonMassachusettsThe 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 Festival2015Los AngelesCaliforniaInternational; held annually in October–November. asianworldfilmfest.org
Banff Mountain Film Festival1976BanffAlbertaInternational film competition and annual presentation of short films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports, and environment.banffcentre.ca
Bel Air Film Festival2008Los AngelesCalifornia An international festival held annually in November.belairfilmfestival.com
Berlin & Beyond Film Festival1996San FranciscoCalifornia German-language film festival outside of Europe, held annually in January.berlinbeyond.com
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival2000Big Bear LakeCalifornia Committed to presenting emerging talents of independent filmmakers and screenwriters, held annually in September.bigbearlakefilmfestival.com
Boston Film Festival1984BostonMassachusettsAnnually showcasing feature films, documentaries and shorts in September.bostonfilmfestival.org
Boulder International Film Festival2004BoulderColorado biff1.com
Burbank International Film Festival2009BurbankCalifornia burbankfilmfest.org/
Calgary International Film Festival2000CalgaryAlbertaHeld annually for 10 days in late September or early October.calgaryfilm.com
Cape Cod International Film Festival2014ChathamMassachusettsAnnual high-curation-standard global boutique festival, early-mid October on Cape Cod.cciff.org
Capital City Film Festival2011LansingMichiganCelebrates 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 Festival1994TorontoOntarioAll kinds of short films.worldwideshortfilmfest.com
Chicago International Children's Film Festival1983ChicagoIllinoisFestival of films for kids and youth in North America. Held annually in late October for 10 days. cicff.org
Chicago International Film Festival1965ChicagoIllinoisHeld annually in October.chicagofilmfestival.org
Cine Las Americas International Film Festival1997AustinTexasHeld annually in the spring showcasing Latin American, Latino and Indigenous films.cinelasamericas.org
CinErotic FilmFest2010AtlantaGeorgiaDebuted 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 Festival1977ClevelandOhio A 12-day event held annually in spring; includes feature and short subject films. clevelandfilm.org
Columbus International Film & Video Festival1953ColumbusOhioNorth American film festival, held annually in November. As a competition festival, it is also known as The Chris Awards.chrisawards.org
Dances With Films1998Los AngelesCaliforniaThe festival of unknowns (i.e. no celebrities)
DALLAS International Film Festival2006DallasTexas dallasfilm.org
DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival2000WashingtonDCHeld annually in October.apafilm.org
Denver Film Festival1978DenverColoradoHeld annually in November.denverfilm.org
Denver Underground Film Festival1997DenverColoradoHeld annually in May.duffcinema.com
Detroit Windsor International Film Festival2008DetroitMichiganHeld annually in June, and hosts the annual DWIFF Challengedwiff.org
Dominican International Film Festival2004Puerto PlataDominican RepublicHeld Annually in December for Spanish and Latin Independent Films.dominicaninternationalfilmfestival.com
DOXA Documentary Film Festival1998VancouverBritish ColumbiaDocumentary film festival held in Western Canada annually for ten days in May.doxafestival.ca
Edmonton International Film Festival1986EdmontonAlberta 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 Festival1997San Miguel de Allende and GuanajuatoGuanajuatoMexico's largest competitive film festival.expresionencorto.com
Festival du Nouveau Cinéma1971MontrealQuebec nouveaucinema.ca
Festivus film festival2006DenverColorado festivusfilmfestival.com
Film North - Huntsville International Film Festival (HIFF)2010HuntsvilleOntario For emerging Canadian and international filmmakers to exhibit, promote, entertain and inform the audience.filmnorth.net
Florida Film Festival1992MaitlandFlorida 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
Frameline Film Festival 1997San FranciscoCaliforniaFrameline Film Festival produces the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival which is the oldest ongoing film festival devoted to LGBT programming.frameline.org
French Film Festival - Richmond, Virginia1993RichmondVirginiaThe 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 Festival2015Atlantic CityNew JerseyThe 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 Contest2007New York CityNew YorkShowcase of new American and international cinema, with a competitive screenplay contest.gothamscreen.com
Golden Door Film Festival2011Jersey CityNew JerseyHeld annually in Octobergoldendoorfilmfestival.org
Guadalajara International Film Festival1988GuadalajaraJaliscoMexico and Latin American film festivalguadalajaracinemafest.com
Hamptons International Film Festival1993East HamptonNew York hamptonsfilmfest.org
Hawaii International Film Festival1981HonoluluHawaiiHeld 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 Festival2004New York CityNew YorkA hybrid of traditional and online film festivals that awards a prize of $25,000.haydenfilms.com
Heartland Film Festival1991IndianapolisIndianaThe 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 Festival2001RochesterNew 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 Festival2011Pine CityMinnesotaHeld 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 Festival1993TorontoOntarioNorth America's largest documentary film festival.hotdocs.ca
India International Film Festival (IIFF) of Tampa Bay2010TampaFloridaHeld 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 Festival2004IndianapolisIndiana indyfilmfest.org/
Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival1991TorontoOntarioCanada’s largest queer film and video festival, held over 11 days in Mayinsideout.on.ca
International Black Women's Film Festival2001San FranciscoCaliforniaExhibiting films by and/or featuring Black women from around the world in non-stereotypical roles.festival.ibwff.com/
Jacksonville Film Festival2003JacksonvilleFloridaHeld annually for 4 days in mid-May.jacksonvillefilmfestival.com
JAPAN CUTS: The New York Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema2007New YorkNew YorkNorth America's biggest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema. Held annually in July.japansociety.org/japancuts
KahBang Film Festival2009BangorMainePart 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 Festival2009Los AngelesCaliforniaHeld annually in the spring. Host of the L.A. Comedy Scripts screenplay competition.lacomedyshorts.com
Los Angeles Film Festival1995Los AngelesCaliforniaHeld 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 Festival2006Little RockArkansasHeld 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 Festival2011SanfordFloridaHeld around Valentine's Day. The festival screens only short films under 30 minutes in length.loveyourshorts.com
Marda Loop Justice Film Festival2006CalgaryAlbertaHeld annually in mid-November, it also includes screenings throughout the year. Free and community-orientatedjusticefilmfestival.ca
Margaret Mead Film Festival1976New York CityNew YorkShowcase 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 Festival2001ChilmarkMassachusettsHeld 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 Festival2006Martha's VineyardMassachusettsHeld annually in early September. Festival is hosted by the Martha's Vineyard Film Societymvfilmfest.com
Maryland Film Festival1999BaltimoreMarylandHeld 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 Festival2004Mexico CityMexicoAlso known as FICCO (Festival Internacional de Cine Contemporáneo), it is hosted by Cinemex.ficco.com.mx
Miami Short Film Festival2002MiamiFloridaShort film festival held annually in mid-November.miamishortfilmfestival.com
Mile High Horror Film Festival2010DenverColoradoThe 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
Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival1983Minneapolis-St. PaulMinnesotaHeld 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 Festival2012MontclairNew JerseyAn 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 Festival1977MontrealQuebec ffm-montreal.org
Moondance International Film Festival2000BoulderColoradoFilm 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 Festival2008NapervilleIllinoisAnnual film festival featuring the work of independent filmmakers.naperfilmfest.org
Nashville Film Festival1969NashvilleTennesseeFounded 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 Festival1996NantucketMassachusettsHeld 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 Festival1979New YorkNew YorkBiannual festival held at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian featuring indigenous works from across the Americasnativenetworks.si.edu
National Film Festival for Talented Youth2007SeattleWashingtonYouth film festival, showcasing the work of filmmakers from around the globe (aged 22 or under)nffty.org
Newport Beach Film Festival1999Newport BeachCaliforniaFounded 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 Festival1989New OrleansLouisianaFrequently referred to as Cannes on the Mississippi.neworleansfilmsociety.org
New York Film Festival1962New York CityNew YorkOne of North America's oldest film festivals.filmlinc.com
New York International Children's Film Festival1997New York CityNew YorkFilm festival for kids in North America, held annually from late-February to mid-March. gkids.com
Northeast Film Festival2013TeaneckNew JerseyFeatures 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 Festival2006OrlandoFlorida 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 Festivals2001Palm SpringsCalifornia
Palm Springs International Film Festival1989Palm SpringsCalifornia psfilmfest.org
Philadelphia Film FestivalPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaPresented by the Philadelphia Film Society, held annually in the fall.filmadelphia.org
Project Twenty1 Film Festival2006PhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaScreenings include the Philadelphia Filmathon and the annual 21-Day Filmmaking Competition.projecttwenty1.com
QFest1995PhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaFounded 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 Festival1999Port TownsendWashingtonAn international festival held annually the third weekend in September.ptfilmfest.com
Québec City Film Festival (QCFF) 2011 Quebec City Quebec Held annually in September, screens short and featured films in the Old Québec. qcff.ca
Red Rock Film Festival2007St. GeorgeUtahLocated beneath the red mountains of Southern Utah this international festival is held annually each November.redrockfilmfestival.com
Reel Shorts Film Festival2007Grande PrairieAlbertaInternational festival of short films in early May.reelshorts.ca
ReelAbilities2007New York CityNew YorkFilm 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 Festival1997ProvidenceRhode IslandHeld annually for 6 days during the second week of AugustRIFilmFest.org
Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival1987Colorado SpringsColoradoHeld 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 Festival2003RomeGeorgiaMovieMaker Magazine called it "one of the outstanding film festivals in the Southeast." romeinternationalfilmfestival.com
San Diego Film Festival2001San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and La JollaCaliforniaHeld in September, the festival showcases international narrative features, short films, documentary, Native American and Music for Film. sandiegofilmfest.com
San Francisco Green Film Festival2011San FranciscoCalifornia sfgreenfilmfest.org
San Francisco International Film Festival1957San FranciscoCalifornia sffs.org
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival1993San Luis ObispoCalifornia Held annually in March.slofilmfest.org
Santa Barbara International Film Festival1985Santa BarbaraCalifornia sbiff.org
Seattle International Film Festival1976SeattleWashingtonOne of the largest film festivals in the United States.siff.net
Sedona International Film Festival1994SedonaArizonaFilm festival in Arizona.sedonafilm.org
Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival1999BirminghamAlabama almovingimage.org/sidewalk-fest.html
Sonoma Valley Film Festival1996SonomaCaliforniaSet in the heart of California wine country, one of the smaller "destination" film festivals in the United States.sonomafilmfest.org
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival1980San FranciscoCaliforniaSFJFF is a year-round media arts organization that promotes awareness, appreciation and pride in the diversity of the Jewish people.sfjff.org
Sundance Film Festival1978Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, SundanceUtahHeld annually in January, Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States. institute.sundance.org
Tallgrass Film Festival2003WichitaKansasThis four-day festival, held in October, accepts independent short and feature submissions from all over the world.tallgrassfilmfest.com
Telluride Film Festival1974TellurideColoradoOnly 40 films are admitted each year.telluridefilmfestival.com
Three Rivers Film Festival1982PittsburghPennsylvaniaA program of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, emphasizing independent film.3RFF.com
Toronto International Film Festival1976TorontoOntarioFilm festival open to the general public, it is held annually in September.torontointernationalfilmfestival.ca
Tribeca Film Festival2002New York CityNew YorkFounded by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro.tribecafilmfestival.org
Traverse City Film Festival2005Traverse CityMichiganAnnual festival co-founded by filmmaker Michael Moore.traversecityfilmfestival.org
True/False Film Fest2003ColumbiaMissouriChampioning 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 Festival1982VancouverBritish ColumbiaHeld annually for two weeks in late September and early October.viff.org
Vancouver Asian Film Festival1996VancouverBritish ColumbiaAnnual film festival held in Vancouver, British Columbia for about 4–5 days in November. vaff.org
Vancouver Queer Film & Video Festival1988VancouverBritish ColumbiaLargest queer film festival in Western Canada. Held annually for eleven days in late August.outonscreen.com
Wisconsin Film Festival1999MadisonWisconsinAnnual showcase of independent and international documentary, narrative, experimental, student and animated films. Runs for four days in early April. wifilmfest.org
Yorkton Film Festival1950YorktonSaskatchewanNorth American film festival, held annually.yorktonshortfilm.org
Zero Film Festival2007Los AngelesCaliforniaFilm festival exclusive to self-financed filmmakers. zerofilmfestival.com

Special interest

Name Est. City State/Prov. Notes Website
Fantasia Festival1996MontrealQuebecDevoted to fantasy, horror, martial arts and science fiction genres.fantasiafest.com
Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival2009SeattleWashingtonDedicated to action, animation, cult, fantasy, horror, and science fiction cinema.mifff.org
Mods & Rockers Film Festival1999Los AngelesCaliforniaCelebration of rock music culture films.modsandrockers.com
New York Asian Film Festival2002New York CityNew YorkFeatures North American premieres and classic titles from Asian cinemas, especially horror, action and martial arts genres.subwaycinema.com
New York Jewish Film Festival1992New York CityNew YorkNew York showcase for world cinema exploring the Jewish experience. The NYJFF is presented by The Jewish Museum (New York) and The Film Society of Lincoln Center. thejewishmuseum.org/NYJFF
New York Polish Film Festival2005New York CityNew YorkDedicated to the cinema of Poland.nypff.com
Noor Iranian Film Festival2007Los AngelesCaliforniaDedicated to the cinema of Irannoorfilmfestival.com
Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival2008PhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaphillyasianfilmfest.org
Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival1997ChampaignIllinoisFounded by film critic Roger Ebert.ebertfest.com
Roxbury Film Festival1998BostonMassachusettsShowcase films that celebrate people of color.roxburyfilmfestival.org
San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival2004San AntonioTexasDedicated to Christian indie film.independentchristianfilms.com
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival1982San FranciscoCaliforniaDedicated to Asian and Asian-American films.asianamericanfilmfestival.org
Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival2005PittsburghPennsylvaniaCultural organization and film festival dedicated to Asian and Asian-American films.silkscreenfestival.org
South by Southwest1987AustinTexasSXSW Film was added to the annual music festival in 1994, focusing on new directing talent.sxsw.com
Springfield and the Ozarks 48-Hour Film Festival2006SpringfieldMissouriSATO48 challenges filmmakers to create a short film entirely from scratch over the course of 48 hours.sato48.com
Toronto After Dark Film Festival2006TorontoOntarioShowcases new horror, sci-fi, action and cult films from around the world.torontoafterdark.com
Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival1997TorontoOntario reelasian.com
Toronto Youth Shorts Film Festival2009TorontoOntarioExclusively showcasing short films made by youth filmmakers in the Greater Toronto Area.torontoyouthshorts.com
World of Comedy Film Festival2003TorontoOntarioAnnual showcase of feature-length and short comedies from Canada and around the world.worldcomedyfilmfest.com
YoungCuts Film Festival2001MontrealQuebecGreat short films by the world's best young filmmakers 25 and under.youngcuts.com

Others

Name Est. City State/Prov. Type Notes Website
.EDU Film Festival MinneapolisMinnesotaRegional, studentStudent 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.edufilmfest.org
ACE Film Festival2006New York CityNew YorkAmericanShowcase of American independent film and media. Held annually in September.acefest.com
Boomtown Film and Music Festival2005BeaumontTexasRegionalEstablished to foster interest in the artsBoomtownfestival.com
Kingston Canadian Film Festival2001KingstonOntarioCanadianLargest Canadian film festival in the world.KingCanFilmFest.com
Louisiana Film Prize2012ShreveportLouisianaRegionalShort films shot in North Louisiana compete for $50k.lafilmprize.com
Magnolia Independent Film Festival1997StarkvilleMississippiInternational and Regional 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 Festival2001Cedar RapidsIowaRegional accepting international entriesHeld annually the first full non-Easter weekend in April. crifm.org
Havana Film Festival1979HavanaCubaRegionalHeld annually, focuses on Latin-American films.habanafilmfestival.com
Marfa Film Festival2008MarfaTexasRegionalBorn 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 Festival2001Oklahoma CityOklahomaRegional"Designed to inspire growth in the local film industry and energize visiting film professionals."deadcenterfilm.org
Boston Asian American Film Festival2008BostonMassachusettsNorth AmericanHeld annually, focuses on Asian-American films.baaff.org

References

    External links

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Film festivals.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, May 06, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.