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List of film festivals

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of existing major film festivals, sorted by continent.

The world's oldest film festival is the Mostra internazionale d'arte cinematografica (Venice Film Festival), while the most prestigious film festivals in the world, known as the "Big Three", are (listed chronologically according to the date of foundation): Venice, Cannes and Berlin.[1] The most prestigious film festivals in North America are Sundance and Toronto.[2]

Africa

[edit]
Name Est. Location Country Type Notes
Africa International Film Festival 2010 Calabar  Nigeria International
Afro-Asian Film Festival 1958 Tashkent
Cairo
Jakarta
 Uzbekistan
 Egypt
 Indonesia
International Held during 1958, 1960, and 1964
Alexandria International Film Festival 1979 Alexandria  Egypt International
Amakula International Film Festival 2004 Kampala  Uganda International
Aswan International Women's Film Festival 2017 Aswan  Egypt International [3][4]
Cabo Verde International Film Festival 2010 Sal  Cape Verde National [5][6]
Cairo International Film Festival 1976 Cairo  Egypt International
Cairo International Women's Film Festival 2008 Cairo  Egypt International Introducing the works of female filmmakers.
Carthage Film Festival 1966 Carthage  Tunisia Regional Features films directed by those of African or Middle Eastern nationality.
Cinekambiya International Film Festival 2015 Banjul and Brikama  Gambia Regional Features films made in indigenous languages.
Dockanema 2006 Maputo  Mozambique Special interest Annual documentary film festival.
Durban International Film Festival 1979 Durban  South Africa International Largest film festival in Southern Africa. Most of the screenings are African premieres.
El Gouna Film Festival 2017 El Gouna  Egypt International
Encounters South African International Documentary Festival 1999 Cape Town  South Africa International Annual documentary film festival.
Festival International du Film Espoir 2022 Abidjan  Ivory Coast International Annual festival promoting African films
Festival International du Film Amateur de Kélibia (FIFAK) 1964 Kélibia  Tunisia International Annual festival for amateur filmmakers.
Île Courts 2007 Mauritius  Mauritius International Annual short film festival.
International Arab Film Festival 1976 Oran  Algeria International
International Festival of Cinema and Audiovisual of Burundi 2009 Bujumbura  Burundi International
International Film Festival of Marrakech 2001 Marrakech  Morocco International
Joburg Film Festival 2016 Johannesburg  South Africa International
Lights, Camera, Africa! 2011 Lagos  Nigeria International
Lola Kenya Children's Screen 2005 Nairobi  Kenya International East Africa children's course in filmmaking
Luxor African Film Festival 2012 Luxor  Egypt International
Out In Africa South African Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 1994 Cape Town and Johannesburg  South Africa International Gay and lesbian film festival.
Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou 1969 Ouagadougou  Burkina Faso international The largest African film festival.
Pearl International Film Festival 2011 Kampala  Uganda International
Rencontres du Film Court Madagascar 2006 Antananarivo  Madagascar Pan-African/regional The only film festival in Madagascar.
Rwanda Film Festival 2005 Kigali  Rwanda International
Sahara International Film Festival 2003 Sahrawi refugee camps  Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
 Algeria
International The only film festival in the world held in a refugee camp.
Silwerskerm Film Festival 2010 Camps Bay  South Africa National The only Afrikaans film festival in the world.
South African Horrorfest 2005 Cape Town  South Africa International Festival for horror and genre films; the longest running and only event of its kind in South Africa and the African continent
Tri Continental Film Festival (TCFF) 2002/5 Cape Town  South Africa International The 3 Continents Film Festival was held in 2002.[7][a] The Tri Continental Film Festival was first held in 2005.[9][10][11] Still going as of 2017.[7]
Uganda Film Festival Awards 2013 Kampala  Uganda National
Zanzibar International Film Festival 1997 Zanzibar City  Tanzania International An annual film, music and arts festival.
Zimbabwe International Film Festival 1997 Harare  Zimbabwe International

Asia

[edit]
Est. Location Country Type Notes
Abhimani Film Festival 2006 Colombo  Sri Lanka International Also known as Celluloid Rainbows, the Festival is the oldest LGBT+ Film Festival in the South Asian region.[12]
Abu Dhabi Film Festival 2007 Abu Dhabi  United Arab Emirates International Annual film festival showcasing films from the Arab world alongside international works.
Alpavirama South Asian Short Film Festival (Alpavirama)[13] 2011 Ahmedabad  India South Asian For short films from young filmmakers of southeast Asia.
Ambarnath Film Festival 2015 Ambarnath  India Regional An annual film festival showcasing Marathi Films.
Animation Nation 2004 Singapore  Singapore Animation An annual film festival showcasing international and local animation works.
Ankara Film Festival 1988 Ankara  Turkey International Annual film festival showcasing films from Turkey alongside international works.
ARY Film Awards 2014 Karachi  Pakistan International
Asia Pacific Film Festival 1954 Rotating Regionwide Regional First held in Tokyo, rotated annually.
Asian Queer Film Festival 2007 Tokyo  Japan East Asian Annual Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film
Bali International Film Festival 2007 Bali  Indonesia International An international film festival.
Bangalore Queer Film Festival 2008 Bangalore  India International Annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film festival.
Bangkok Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2015 Bangkok  Thailand International Annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film festival. (Inactive since 2017)
Bangkok International Film Festival 2003 Bangkok  Thailand International (Inactive since 2008)
Beijing College Student Film Festival 1993 Beijing  China
Beijing Independent Film Festival 2004 Beijing  China International Independent films and documentaries.
Beijing International Film Festival 2011 Beijing  China International
Beijing Queer Film Festival 2001 Beijing  China International China's first and longest-running annual LGBT film festival.
Bengaluru International Film Festival 2006 Bangalore  India International
Seven Sisters North East International Film Festival 2013 Guwahati  India International Held annually, focuses on promoting Northeast India cinema
Bring Your Own Film Festival 2004 Puri  India Special interest
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 1997 Bucheon  South Korea International Held annually in July, focuses on horror, thriller, mystery, and fantasy films.
Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) 1996 Busan  South Korea International First film festival in Korea, focusing on new films and first-time directors.
Calcutta International Cult Films Festival 2016 Kolkata  India International Film festival in Kolkata focusing international cult films
Changchun Film Festival 1992 Changchun  China International, regional Held biennially.
Chennai International Film Festival 2003 Chennai  India International Held annually.
Children's International Film Festival 2014 Dubai  United Arab Emirates International Annual film festival for children, held in UAE
Cinéma Vérité 2006? Tehran  Iran International Held annually, for documentary films
Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2005 Manila  Philippines National Held annually, it showcases independent films and shorts.
Cinemanila International Film Festival 1999 Manila  Philippines International Held annually.
Cinemela Film Festival 2006 New Delhi  India International Held annually.
Damascus International Film Festival 1979 Damascus  Syria International Held annually in November.
Development Film Festival 2008 Madurai  India International Films about the development of the poor and vulnerable communities.
Dhaka International Film Festival 1992 Dhaka  Bangladesh International A biennial film festival.
Dharamshala International Film Festival 2012 Dharamshala  India International An international film festival.
Didor International Film Festival 2004 Dushanbe  Tajikistan International
Dubai International Film Festival 2004 Dubai  United Arab Emirates International
Duhok International Film Festival 2011 Duhok  Iraq International Featuring films from Kurdish regions as well as world cinema.
Fajr International Film Festival 1982 Tehran  Iran International Held every February.
Filmsaaz 2008 Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh  India International International short film festival held since 2008.
FreedomFilmFest 2003 Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and Sarawak  Malaysia International Human rights film festival held annually.
Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards 1962 Taipei  Taiwan Regional The annual, month-long festival, featuring Chinese-language and Asian films.
Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival 2003 Guangzhou  China International
Haifa International Film Festival 1983 Haifa  Israel International Held annually on Sukkot, it is Israel's first film festival.
Hanoi International Film Festival 2010 Hanoi  Vietnam International Every 2 years.
Hiroshima International Animation Festival 1985 Hiroshima  Japan International ASIFA
Hiroshima International Film Festival 2009/2014 Hiroshima  Japan International From 2009-2013, Damah Film Festival
Hong Kong International Film Festival 1977 Hong Kong  Hong Kong International
Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 1989 Hong Kong  Hong Kong International Asia's first and longest-running LGBT film festival.
Hyderabad Bengali Film Festival 2014 Hyderabad  India Regional Annual film festival featuring works from the Bengali film industry.
Hyderabad International Film Festival 2007 Hyderabad  India International
ifva: Incubator for Film and Visual media in Asia 1993 Hong Kong  Hong Kong International Formerly known as the Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards
Image Forum Festival 1987 Tokyo, Kyoto and Yokohama  Japan International Japan's largest art films festival.
Indian Film Festival Japan 2012 Japan  Japan Indian and Indian themes Films of India and Japan.
Indonesian Film Festival 1955 Jakarta  Indonesia National Annual film festival devoted to Indonesian films.
International Film Festival of India 1952 Goa  India International First held in 1952, since 1975 it is an annual event.
International Film Festival of Kerala 1996 Thiruvananthapuram  India International, Regional Held annually in November or December.
Jaipur International Film Festival 2009 Jaipur  India International Held annually in January or February
Jakarta International Film Festival 1999 Jakarta  Indonesia International An international film festival.
Japanese Film Festival (Singapore) 1999 Singapore  Singapore Japanese Annual film festival devoted to Japanese films.
Jecheon Intl Music & Film Festival 2005 Jecheon  South Korea International A music-themed film festival.
Jeonju International Film Festival 2000 Jeonju  South Korea International Focuses on digital, independent, and art films.
Jerusalem Film Festival 1984 Jerusalem  Israel International Annual festival featuring films from all over the world.
Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival 2006 Yogyakarta  Indonesia International
Kara Film Festival 1992 Karachi  Pakistan International
KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival 2010 Mumbai  India International, Regional Held annually in May; showcases Indian and international LGBTQ films.
Kolkata International Film Festival 1995 Kolkata  India International Annual festival featuring films from all over the world since 1995
KOM:PAS 2012 Prague  Iran International Annual festival, formerly Festival of Iranian Films in Prague and later ÍRÁN:CI, now open to independent films from Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America
Korea Queer Film Festival 2001 Seoul  Republic of Korea International Annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film festival.
Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival 2007 Kuala Lumpur  Malaysia International Successor to the Kuala Lumpur World Film Festival.
Lethal Lesbian 2008 Tel Aviv  Israel International Festival screening independent films by and about women who love women
Luang Prabang Film Festival 2010 Luang Prabang  Laos International, Southeast Asian Annual festival, which showcases films from Association of Southeast Asian Nations-member countries.
Lux Style Awards 2001 Karachi  Pakistan National Lux Style Awards
Macau International Movie Festival 2009 Macau  China International
Malaysia Film Festival 1980 Malaysia  Malaysia National Malaysia's equivalent to the Academy Awards.
Metro Manila Film Festival 1975 Manila  Philippines National Focuses on Filipino films.
Mumbai International Film Festival 1990 Mumbai  India International Focuses on documentary, short, and animation films.
Mumbai Women's International Film Festival 2013 Mumbai  India International Annual film festival featuring films made by women directors and technicians.
Nepal International Film Festival 2018 Kathmandu  Nepal International International Film Festival
Nigar Awards 1957 Karachi  Pakistan International
Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema 1999 New Delhi  India Regional
Patna Film Festival 2006 Patna  India International International film festival.
Pride International Film Festival 2004 Manila  Philippines International Annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film festival.
Pune International Film Festival 2003 Pune  India International Annual festival with an International Competition and a Marathi Competition.
Pyongyang International Film Festival 1987 Pyongyang  North Korea International Biennial
Q! Film Festival 2002 Jakarta  Indonesia International One of Asia's largest annual LGBT film festival.
QCinema International Film Festival 2013 Quezon City  Philippines National and international Annual
Rainbow Reel Tokyo 1992 Tokyo  Japan International Japan's oldest LGBT+ film festival. 'Rainbow Reel Tokyo' is the new official name for the 'Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival' (since 2016).
Shanghai International Film Festival 1993 Shanghai  China International Mainland China's largest film festival.
ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival 2015 Shanghai  China International Annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film festival.
Shanghai Queer Film Festival 2017 Shanghai  China Chinese (English subtitling) Volunteer-run, not-for-profit LGBT+ film festival highlighting the films of Chinese filmmakers.
Singapore International Film Festival 1987 Singapore  Singapore International Singapore's longest running film festival, focusing on Asian works.[14]
siffcy 2015 New Delhi  India International Held annually in December.
Syne International Film Festival 2001 Cochin  India International Held annually in May.
Tagore International Film Festival 2017 Bolpur  India International Annual Film Festival
Taipei Film Festival 1998 Taipei  Taiwan International
Taiwan International Documentary Festival 1998 Taipei  Taiwan International Documentary film festival.
Taiwan International Queer Film Festival 2014 Taipei  Taiwan International Taiwan's first and only annual LGBT film festival.
Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival (Docaviv) 1998 Tel Aviv  Israel International The only film festival in Israel dedicated to documentary films, and the largest film festival in Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (TLVFest) 2006 Tel Aviv  Israel International The festival is focused on LGBTQ-themed film from around the world.
Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival 1986 Tel Aviv  Israel International Student film festival
Thai Short Film and Video Festival 1997 Bangkok  Thailand Special interest Featuring short films, primarily by Thai independent filmmakers.
Thrissur International Film Festival 2006 Thrissur  India International Second largest film festival in Kerala state.
Tigerland India Film Festival 2014 Bhopal  India International Annual wildlife and environmental film festival.
Tokyo Filmex 2000 Tokyo  Japan International Organized annually by Office Kitano.
Tokyo International Film Festival 1985 Tokyo  Japan International
ViBGYOR International Short and Documentary Film Festival 2006 Thrissur  India Special interest Short films and documentaries on issues and people's movements with an activist outlook.
Vietnam Film Festival 1970 different cities  Vietnam National, Vietnamese
Wathann Film Fest 2011 Yangon  Myanmar National First film festival in Myanmar, featuring mainly short films.
Women Make Waves 1993 Taipei  Taiwan International
World Film Carnival Singapore 2019 Singapore  Singapore International Monthly live screening International Film Festival
World Film Festival of Bangkok 2003 Bangkok  Thailand International Organized by Nation Multimedia Group. (Inactive since 2017)
Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 1989 Yamagata  Japan Documentary Biennial documentary film festival.

Europe

[edit]
Name Est. Location Country Type Notes
Africa in Motion 2006 Edinburgh  Scotland African cinema Annual film festival featuring African cinema.
Ale Kino! International Young Audience Film Festival 1969 Poznań  Poland International, children's film Films addressed to children and young adults.
American Film Festival 2010 Wrocław  Poland American cinema Annual film festival devoted to American cinema.
Angers European First Film Festival 1989 Angers  France European Showcasing new European cinema.
Annecy International Animation Film Festival 1960 Annecy  France International, animation The first animation film festival in history.
Al Jazeera Balkans Documentary Film Festival 2018 Sarajevo  Bosnia and Herzegovina International, documentary
Anifilm 2010 Třeboň  Czech Republic International, animation Held in Třeboň, dedicated to animated films.
Animator 2008 Poznań  Poland International, animation Dedicated to animated films.
Antalya International Film Festival 1963 Antalya  Turkey International Held annually in autumn.
Arctic Film Festival 2019 Svalbard  Norway International Held annually in September.
Baku International Film Festival East-West 1991 Baku  Azerbaijan International
Baku International Tourism Film Festival 2013 Baku  Azerbaijan International
Bergen International Film Festival 2000 Bergen  Norway International Also called BIFF, the festival is held annually in September or October.
Berlin International Film Festival 1951 Berlin  Germany International Also called the "Berlinale", the festival is held annually in February.
Brazilian Film Festival of London 2009 London  England Brazilian cinema Held annually in London.
British Urban Film Festival 2005 London  England Independent film Also called BUFF, the festival is held every year around September.
Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival 1983 Brussels  Belgium Special interest Annual venue for horror, thriller, and science fiction films.
Brussels International Independent Film Festival 1974 Brussels  Belgium Special interest
Cambridge Film Festival 1977 Cambridge  England International Held annually, currently in September.
Camerimage 1993 Toruń  Poland International Dedicated to the art of cinematography, held annually in November.
Caminhos do Cinema Português 1998 Coimbra  Portugal Special Interest Held annually in November, it has a special interest on Portuguese film.
Cannes Film Festival 1946 Cannes  France International One of the world's oldest, most influential, and prestigious festivals, it is held annually (usually at the end of May) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
Children KinoFest 2014 Kyiv  Ukraine International Held annually in the end of May, with short films and features from around the world.
CinEast 2008 Luxembourg  Luxembourg International/Central and Eastern European films Focuses on recent feature films, as well as documentaries, animated works and short films.
CineFest Miskolc International Film Festival 2004 Miskolc  Hungary International Held annually in September, features international and native films as Hungarian premieres (short, documentary, feature)
Media Wave International Film Festival 1991 Győr  Hungary International Held annually during April–May features international and native films as Hungarian premieres (short, documentary, feature)
CinemAsia Film Festival 2003 Amsterdam  Netherlands Asian film Held annually in April, features European and Dutch premieres of Asian movies (feature, documentary, animated, shorts).
Colchester Film Festival 2012 Colchester  England International Held annually in October.
Cork Film Festival 1956 Cork  Ireland International Held annually in November, it includes short films, features, documentaries, live soundtrack events and experimental filmmaking.
CPH:PIX 2009 Copenhagen  Denmark International Held from 27 September-10 October.
Croatian Minute Movie Cup 1993 Požega  Croatia International
Crossing Europe 2004 Linz  Austria European films Last week of April
Cyprus International Film Festival 2006 Nicosia  Cyprus International
Cyprus International Short Film Festival 2008 Nicosia  Cyprus International, short film
Diagonale 1998 Graz  Austria International Held annually in March.
Douro Film Harvest 2009 Douro  Portugal International A decentralized film festival.
Drama International Short Film Festival 1978 Drama  Greece International, short film Held annually in September
Dublin International Film Festival 2002 Dublin  Ireland International Succeeded Dublin Film Festival, held annually in February or March.
Edinburgh International Film Festival 1947 Edinburgh  Scotland International One of the longest continuously running film festival in the world, taking place annually in June.
East London LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2023 London  United Kingdom International Held annually in November.
Fantasporto 1982 Porto  Portugal Genre International fantasy, horror, action and science-fiction festival.
FEST 1971 Belgrade  Serbia International An international film festival held annually in February or March.
Festival del Cinema all'Aperto "Accordi @ DISACCORDI" 2000 Naples  Italy Regional
International
Annual three-month outdoor film festival
Festival du Film Merveilleux 2010 Paris  France International
Festróia - Tróia International Film Festival 1985 Setúbal  Portugal Special interest Held annually in June, the competition section is open to films from countries that produce fewer than 30 films per year.
Five Flavours Film Festival 2007 Warsaw  Poland Asian film Dedicated to the cinema of Southeast and East Asia.
Flanders International Film Festival Ghent 1974 Ghent  Belgium International
Film Festival Cologne 1991 Cologne  Germany International Held annually in October, Film and Television festival, formerly known as the Cologne Conference
Filmfest Hamburg 1992 Hamburg  Germany International
Flip Animation Festival 2004 Wolverhampton  England Animation Annual independent film festival held at the Cinema "Light House".
Folkestone Documentary Festival 2021 Folkestone  England International Held from 17-20 October.
Free Zone Film Festival 2005 Belgrade  Serbia International An international human rights film festival held annually across three cities in Serbia.
FreeNetWorld International Film Fest 2008 Niš  Serbia International Held annually.
Fresh Film Festival 2004 Karlovy Vary  Czech Republic International Student film, feature, documentary, animation, experimental.
Fribourg International Film Festival (FIFF) 1980 Fribourg  Switzerland International Festival devoted to international cinema. Held annually in March. The FIFF is one of the five most important film festivals of Switzerland.
Galway African Film Festival 2008 Galway  Ireland African cinema Films by African directors, covering all genres.
Geneva International Film Festival 1995 Geneva  Switzerland International Festival devoted to cinema, television, and digital creation held annually in November.
Gdynia Film Festival 1974 Gdynia  Poland Polish cinema Annual film festival featuring Polish cinema.
Giffoni Film Festival 1971 Giffoni Valle Piana  Italy International One of the largest film festivals for children, held annually in July, with short films and features from around the world.
Gijón International Film Festival 1963 Gijón  Spain International
Glasgow Film Festival 2005 Glasgow  Scotland International Annual festival held in February and/or March.
Glowflare Short Film Festival 2024 Yorkshire  England International Annual festival held in January.
Golden Apricot - Yerevan International Film Festival 2004 Yerevan  Armenia International Annual festival featuring new works by Armenian directors and producers, and foreign cinematographers of Armenian descent.
Göteborg International Film Festival 1979 Gothenburg  Sweden International Held annually in January to February.
La Guarimba International Film Festival 2013 Amantea  Italy International The biggest short film festival in Italy. Held annually in August.
Insight Film Festival 2007 Manchester  England Special interest Biennial interfaith, short-film festival focused on 'faith' as a genre and subject matter.
International Festival of Independent Cinema Off Camera 2008 Kraków  Poland International Film festival devoted to independent cinema.
International Film Awards Berlin 2012 Berlin  Germany International Held annually in August
International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg 1952 Mannheim, Heidelberg  Germany International Held annually in November
International Film Festival Rotterdam 1972 Rotterdam  Netherlands International Held annually in January or February.
Thessaloniki International Film Festival 1960 Thessaloniki  Greece International Held annually in November, focusing in work of new and emerging filmmakers.
Istanbul International Film Festival 1982 Istanbul  Turkey International Held annually around the end of April.
Jewish Motifs International Film Festival 2004 Warsaw  Poland International Held annually in April or May. Jewish-themed films.
Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival 1997 Jihlava  Czech Republic International, documentary Largest event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. Held annually in October.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 1946 Karlovy Vary  Czech Republic International One of the oldest film festivals and oldest in Central Europe, Organised annually.
Kastav Film Festival 2009 Kastav  Croatia International
Kaunas International Film Festival 2007 Kaunas  Lithuania International Held annually in October.
Kraków Film Festival 1960 Kraków  Poland International, short film Short film festival of global importance. The oldest film event in Poland.
Kratkofil International short film festival 2007 Banja Luka  Bosnia and Herzegovina International, short film Short film festival.
Küstendorf 2008 Drvengrad  Serbia International, short film Held annually in January, featuring short films.
Lausanne Underground Film & Music Festival 2002 Lausanne  Switzerland International Underground movies, experimental music. Held annually in October.
Leeds International Film Festival 1986 Leeds  England International
Let's All Be Free Film Festival 2013 London  England International A film festival dedicated to exploring what it means to be free.
Lisbon Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 1996 Lisbon  Portugal Special interest Featuring international LGBT film and video.
Locarno International Film Festival 1946 Locarno  Switzerland International One of the oldest film festivals held annually in August.
London Asian Film Festival 1999 London  England Asian film Held annually at the BFI or BAFTA in the spring.
London Film Festival 1956 London  England International Held annually by the British Film Institute.
London Independent Film Festival 2004 London  England International Specialises in low-budget independent films
London International Documentary Festival 2007 London  England International, documentary Also known as LIDF. Held annually in March/April, with extra screenings all year around.
Manaki Brothers Film Festival 1979 Bitola  North Macedonia International Official competition for cinematographers. Held annually in September.
Message to Man 1989 Saint-Petersburg  Russia International International documentary, short and animation film festival held in Russia.
Mobile Motion Film Festival 2015 Zürich  Switzerland International First will be held in 2015.
Molodist 1970 Kyiv  Ukraine International Competition devoted to student, first short and first full feature films from all over the world. Held annually in October.
Moscow International Film Festival 1935 Moscow  Russia International First held in 1935, from 1959 to 1995 it was held every second year in July (alternating with Karlovy Vary film festival), and since 1995 has been held annually.
Motovun Film Festival 1999 Motovun  Croatia Special interest Dedicated to independent film.
Mykonos Biennale 2013 Mykonos  Greece International Part of the Mykonos Biennale art festival, mainly shows shorts and art videos.
Nederlands Film Festival 1981 Utrecht  Netherlands National Both the home of Dutch cinema and the leading platform for the Netherlands' national film culture.
Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival 2000 Neuchâtel  Switzerland International A Swiss festival for fantastic films, Asian cinema and future images. Held annually in July.
New Horizons International Film Festival 2001 Wrocław  Poland International Held annually in the end of July.
North East International Film Festival 2021 Newcastle upon Tyne  England International Celebrating inclusivity and diversity, featuring a range of categories including F-Rated, LGBTQ+, and disability representation. Held annually in November.
Norwegian International Film Festival 1973 Haugesund  Norway International Held annually in August.
Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards 2010 Oslo  Norway International To honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Tamil film industry.
Odesa International Film Festival 2010 Odesa  Ukraine International festival held annually in July.
Odense International Film Festival 1975 Odense  Denmark International, short film Short film festival held annually in August. Oldest film festival in Denmark.
Oldenburg International Film Festival 1994 Oldenburg  Germany International Annual festival of independent film.
Pacific Meridian 2003 Vladivostok  Russia Specific interest Annual festival featuring films from Asian Pacific Countries.
Paris Lesbian and Feminist Film Festival 1989 Paris  France International Women-only festival featuring films by and about lesbians and feminism
Pluk de nacht 2003 Amsterdam  Netherlands International Open air film festival focusing on art house, short films and media art. Held annually in August.
Pravo Ljudski Film Festival 2006 Sarajevo  Bosnia and Herzegovina International Human rights
Public Health Film Festival 2014 Oxford  United Kingdom Films on health
Pula Film Festival 1953 Pula  Croatia Regional
Radiant Angel Film Festival 2007 Moscow  Russia International Held annually in November. International charity film festival.
Raindance Film Festival 1993 London  England Special interest A festival for independent films; also the founder of the British Independent Film Awards.
Reykjavík International Film Festival 2004 Reykjavík  Iceland International Held annually in September, featuring current independent and alternative cinema.
Rome Film Festival 2006 Rome  Italy International Held annually in October.
Rome Independent Cinema Festival 2018 Rome  Italy International Held annually in August.
Rome Independent Film Festival 2001 Rome  Italy International Held annually in November.
Romford Film Festival 2017 London  United Kingdom International Held annually in May.
Romford Horror Film Festival 2020 London  United Kingdom International Held annually in February.
Russian Film Week 2016 London, Cambridge, Edinburgh  United Kingdom Special interest A Contemporary Russian film and international films with a Russian connection
San Sebastián International Film Festival 1953 San Sebastián  Spain International An annual FIAPF "A" category festival.
Santorini Film Festival 2018 Santorini  Greece International Held annually in June.
Sarajevo Fashion Film Festival 2015 Sarajevo  Bosnia and Herzegovina International Showcases fashion films, advertising films, music videos and short documentaries on the fashion industry.
Sarajevo Film Festival 1995 Sarajevo  Bosnia and Herzegovina International Held annually in August.
Sarajevo Youth Film Festival 2008 Sarajevo  Bosnia and Herzegovina International Held annually in July, showcases student and youth-made films.
SCHLINGEL International Film Festival 1996 Chemnitz  Germany International Held annually in Autumn, spotlighting movies for children and young audience.
SEMINCI 1956 Valladolid  Spain International Indie Held annually in October. Also known as Valladolid International Film Festival or Semana internacional de cine de Valladolid
ShortCutz Amsterdam 2013 Amsterdam  Netherlands Short film Held annually, featuring short-films.
Sitges Film Festival 1967 Sitges  Spain Genre (fantasy) Held annually in October.
Sofia International Film Festival 1997 Sofia  Bulgaria International Also known as Sofia Film Fest. Held annually in March. Competitive specialized festival for first and second feature films.
Solothurn Film Festival 1966 Solothurn  Switzerland Swiss cinema Held annually in January.
Stockholm International Film Festival 1990 Stockholm  Sweden International Held annually in November.
Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival 2005 Strasbourg  France European Held annually in September.
Subversive Film Festival 2008 Zagreb  Croatia International
SUPERTOON International Animation Festival 2011 Bol  Croatia International, animation
Swansea Bay Film Festival 2006 Swansea  Wales International Held annually in May/June. Featuring international independent and experimental films.
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 1997 Tallinn  Estonia International Held annually in the end of November. Known also as PÖFF.
Taormina Film Fest 1955 Taormina  Italy International Held annually in June, featuring Italian, Mediterranean and international cinema.
Three Continents Festival 1979 Nantes  France Special interest Annual festival devoted to the cinemas of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Tirana International Film Festival 2003 Tirana  Albania International Held annually in September.
Tofifest 2002 Toruń  Poland International, independent film
Transatlantyk Festival 2011 Łódź  Poland International Moved from Poznań to Łódź in 2016.
Transilvania International Film Festival 2001 Cluj-Napoca  Romania International Held annually in June.
Tuzla Film Festival 2012 Tuzla  Bosnia and Herzegovina International Featuring south Slavic cinematography. Held annually in September.
Venice Film Festival 1932 Venice  Italy International The world's oldest film festival, it is held annually in late August or early September on the Venetian island of Lido.
Vienna Independent Shorts 2004 Vienna  Austria Short film Held annually in May.
Viennale 1960 Vienna  Austria International Held annually in October.
Vilnius International Film Festival 1995 Vilnius  Lithuania International Held annually in March.
VIVA Film Festival 2015 Sarajevo  Bosnia and Herzegovina International, documentary Documentary film with a focus on ecological, religious and touristic themes.
Warsaw International Film Festival 1985 Warsaw  Poland International An FIAPF category "A" film festival held annually in the Polish capital every October.
War on Screen 2013 Châlons-en-Champagne  France International Annual film festival on conflicts.
ZagrebDox 2005 Zagreb  Croatia International, documentary International documentary film festival.
Zagreb Film Festival 2003 Zagreb  Croatia International
Zagreb Jewish Film Festival 2007 Zagreb  Croatia International
Zero Film Festival 2007 London  England Self-financed cinema Held annually in London.
Zurich Film Festival 2005 Zürich  Switzerland International Held annually in Zürich

North America

[edit]
Name Est. Location State/Province Type Notes
Sacramento French Film Festival 2002 Sacramento California International Second largest French film festival on the west coast. Summer, Fall, and Winter events.
$100 Film Festival 1992 Calgary Alberta International Annual festival dedicated to screening short films on Super 8mm and 16mm film.
100 Words Film Festival 2014 Charlotte North Carolina International Celebrating concise storytelling, each film must contain exactly 100 spoken words. Held annually in November.
168 Film Festival 2003 Los Angeles California International International speed filmmaking competition and festival. Held annually in April.
Action On Film International Film Festival 2005 Pasadena California International Held annually in July, featuring independent and studio films.
American Black Film Festival 1996 Miami Florida International Held annually in various states, featuring African American throughout the film industry.
Ann Arbor Film Festival 1961 Ann Arbor Michigan International Longest-running film festival showcasing experimental and independent film in North America. Held annually in late March.
Arab Film Festival 1996 Various California International Largest festival of contemporary Arab films in North America. Held annually in October, with touring programs year-round.
Arlington International Film Festival 2010 Arlington Massachusetts International Focuses on multicultural awareness and the artistic and educational value of films from all around the world. Held annually in October.
Ashland Independent Film Festival 2001 Ashland Oregon International Presents international and domestic shorts and features. Held annually in April.
Asian World Film Festival 2015 Los Angeles California International Held annually in October–November.
Atlanta Film Festival 1977 Atlanta Georgia International Held annually in April, featuring independent films of every genre.
Atlantic Film Festival 1980 Halifax Nova Scotia International Held annually in September, featuring films from around the world.
Athena Film Festival 2011 New York City New York International Held annually in February, featuring films on and about women's leadership.
Austin Film Festival 1994 Austin Texas International Showcasing screenwriters in North America. Held annually in October.
Austin Revolution Film Festival 2011 Austin Texas International Held annually in February, featuring films with a Central Texas Premiere.
Bel Air Film Festival 2008 Los Angeles California International An international festival held annually in November.
Berlin & Beyond Film Festival 1996 San Francisco California Special Interest New films from Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival 2000 Big Bear Lake California International Showcasing Independent filmmakers from around the world, and includes a screenwriting competition. Held each September.
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2003 Missoula Montana International/Non-Fiction Featuring non-fiction films, held each February.
Beloit International Film Festival 2006 Beloit Wisconsin International A 10-day annual festival in late February. Feature length narrative & documentary films and short films.
Blow-Up Arthouse Film Festival 2012 Chicago Illinois International The festival celebrates intellectually stimulating arthouse cinema.
Boston Film Festival 1984 Boston Massachusetts International Annually showcasing feature films, documentaries and shorts in September.
The Boston Jewish Film Festival 1989 Boston Massachusetts Jewish A non-competitive annual festival that screens contemporary films on Jewish themes from around the world. Held in November.
Boston Palestine Film Festival 2007 Boston Massachusetts International
Boston Science Fiction Film Festival 1976 Boston Massachusetts Special Interest A 10-day annual festival held every February, showcasing feature and short science fiction films.
Boston Underground Film Festival 1998 Boston Massachusetts International An annual festival that specializes in alternative film and video.
Boulder International Film Festival 2004 Boulder Colorado International Held annually over the Presidents' Day weekend in February.
Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival 2013 Buffalo New York International 10-day festival held annually in November featuring independent genre films.
Buffalo International Film Festival 2004 Buffalo New York International 4 day festival held annually in the Fall (usually October) featuring mainstream and independent films.
Burbank International Film Festival 2009 Burbank California International
Calgary International Film Festival 2000 Calgary Alberta International Held annually for 10 days in late September or early October.
Calgary Underground Film Festival 2003 Calgary Alberta International Held annually for 7 days in April.
Camden International Film Festival 2005 Camden Maine Documentary
Canadian Film Festival 2004 Toronto Ontario Canadian
Cape Cod International Film Festival 2014 Chatham Massachusetts International Annual high-curation-standard global boutique festival, early-mid October.
Capital City Film Festival 2011 Lansing Michigan Regional/International Held annually in April. Initially focused on films made in Michigan, now includes films from across the nation and the world.
Castle Rock Film Festival 2009 Castle Rock Colorado Rocky Mountain Regional states Held annually in late September or early October.
Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival 2001 Cedar Rapids Iowa Regional/international Held annually the first full non-Easter weekend in April.
CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival 1994 Toronto Ontario International
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival 2010 Chagrin Falls Ohio Documentary Held annually in early October for 5 days.
Chicago International Children's Film Festival 1983 Chicago Illinois International First competitive festival of films for children in the US. Held annually in late October for 10 days.
Chicago International Film Festival 1965 Chicago Illinois International Longest running competitive film festival in the US.
Chicago International REEL Shorts Festival 2003 Chicago Illinois International Annual short film festival.
Chicago Palestine Film Festival 2002 Chicago Illinois International
Cincinnati Film Festival 2010 Cincinnati Ohio International
Cine Las Americas International Film Festival 1997 Austin Texas International Held annually in the spring showcasing Latin American, Latino and indigenous films.
Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival 1989 Sudbury Ontario International
Cinéfranco 1997 Toronto Ontario Francophone
Cinequest Film Festival 1990 San Jose California International The 13-day festival focuses on narrative films and includes shorts and student film programs.
Cine Pobre Film Festival 2003 Baja California Sur  Mexico International Curating The Word's Best Self Funded Films.
City University Film Festival 2009 New York City New York Regional, special interest Official festival of CUNY featuring films by student filmmakers.
Cleveland International Film Festival 1977 Cleveland Ohio International
COLCOA 1997 Los Angeles California International A week of French film premieres in Hollywood - in April.
Columbus International Film & Animation Festival 1952 Columbus Ohio International North America's oldest film festival, held annually in April.
Coronado Island Film Festival 2016 Coronado California International Annual four day festival with a monthly year round Classic Movie Series.
Crested Butte Film Festival 2011 Crested Butte Colorado International Held annually in September and the ACT Now award.
Crossroads Film Festival 2000 Jackson Mississippi International Annual three day festival held around April
CWRU Film Society Science Fiction Marathon 1976 Cleveland Ohio Special Interest A ~30 hour science fiction marathon held annually in January.
DALLAS International Film Festival 2006 Dallas Texas International
Dances With Films 1998 Los Angeles California International The festival of unknowns (i.e. no celebrities).
DaVinci International Film Festival 2017 Los Angeles California International Held annually in September at The Grove at Farmers Market honoring the arts & sciences with Leo Awards.
DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival 2011 Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. International
DC Shorts Film Festival 2003 Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. International The largest short film event on the East Coast of the US.[15]
Denver Film Festival 1978 Denver Colorado International Held annually in November.
Denver Underground Film Festival 1997 Denver Colorado International Showcasing independent filmmakers and avant-garde cinema since 1997. Held in October.
Detroit Windsor International Film Festival 2008 Detroit Michigan International Held annually in June; hosts the annual DWIFF Challenge.
Disposable Film Festival 2007 San Francisco California International Held annually in January.
Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival 2008 Los Angeles California International
DOXA Documentary Film Festival 1998 Vancouver British Columbia International Documentary film festival held annually for ten days in May.
Edmonton International Film Festival 1986 Edmonton Alberta International
Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital 1993 Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Special interest, international The largest and longest running environmental film festival in the United States.
Etheria Film Night 2014 Los Angeles California International Features fantasy, horror, science fiction, thriller, and action short films directed by women.
Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival 1999 Calgary Alberta LGBT
Fantasia Festival 1996 Montreal Quebec Special interest Devoted to fantasy, horror, martial arts, and science fiction genres.
Fantastic Fest 2005 Austin Texas International, genre
Festival du Nouveau Cinéma 1971 Montreal Quebec International An annual independent film festival featuring independent films from around the world.
Festival of Cinema NYC 2016 New York New York International
Florida Film Festival 1992 Maitland Florida International An annual international film festival.
Frameline Film Festival 1976 San Francisco California Special interest, international The longest-running LGBT film festival in the world.
French Film Festival - Richmond, Virginia 1993 Richmond Virginia French Held the last week-end of March, featuring world and American premieres of French-language features and shorts.
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 1998 Durham North Carolina International An annual international event dedicated to non-fiction cinema.
Garden State Film Festival 2003 Asbury Park New Jersey International New Jersey's Premier Independent Film Festival, held each spring.
GenreBlast Film Festival 2016 Winchester Virginia International Devoted to horror, fantasy, action, underground, and science fiction genres.
GI Film Festival 2005 Washington, D.C. / San Diego D.C. / California International Held in May and September, with a focus on preserving the stories of American veterans.
Gotham Screen Film Festival & Screenplay Contest 2007 New York City New York International Featuring new American and international cinema, with a competitive screenplay contest.
Green Bay Film Festival 2010 De Pere Wisconsin International Featuring films by independent filmmakers in Wisconsin and around the world.
Green Mountain Film Festival 1997 Montpelier Vermont International Featuring local, domestic and international films (features, documentaries, shorts, animation).
Guadalajara International Film Festival 1988 Guadalajara  Mexico International A week-long film festival held each March.
Guanajuato International Film Festival 1997 San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato  Mexico International Held annually in July.
Gulf Coast Film and Video Festival 1999 Seabrook Texas International Featuring new and emerging artists.
Hamptons International Film Festival 1993 East Hampton New York International
Havana Film Festival New York (HFFNY) 2000 New York City New York International Competitive film festival celebrating Latin American cinema with a special focus on Cuba and its film industry. Partner of International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana.
Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) 1981 Honolulu Hawaii International Held annually in the fall for two weeks, it shows features, documentaries and shorts from Asia, the Pacific, and Hawai`i.
Heartland Film Festival 1991 Indianapolis Indiana International Held annually, featuring independent films.
High Falls Film Festival 2001 Rochester New York International Featuring films by women filmmakers.
Highway 61 Film Festival 2011 Pine City Minnesota National Held annually in mid-October, featuring filmmakers in East Central Minnesota and other mid-western American cities.
Hollywood Film Festival 1997 Los Angeles California International Annual film festival.
Honolulu Film Awards 2007 Honolulu Hawaii International International film festival.
Horrible Imaginings Film Festival 2009 San Diego and Santa Ana California Genre Annually in September.
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 1993 Toronto Ontario International North America's largest documentary film festival.
Image+Nation 1987 Montreal Quebec LGBT
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival 1998 Toronto Ontario Indigenous
Independent Film Festival of Boston 2003 Boston Massachusetts International Independent films. Also known as IFFBoston or IFFB. Held annually in April.
Indianapolis International Film Festival 2004 Indianapolis Indiana International
Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 2003 Los Angeles California International
Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival 1991 Toronto Ontario International Featuring LGBT films, held over 11 days in May.
Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia 1996 Philadelphia Pennsylvania International Israeli films. Held annually in February–March.
Ivy Film Festival 2001 Providence Rhode Island Student
Jacksonville Film Festival 2003 Jacksonville Florida International Held annually for 4 days in mid-May.
Junction North International Documentary Film Festival 2013 Sudbury Ontario Documentary
KahBang Film Festival 2009 Bangor Maine International Held annually August, a four-day music, art, and film festival.
Kingston Canadian Film Festival 2001 Kingston Ontario Canadian
L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival 2007 Los Angeles California International Held annually in the spring. Largest comedy short film festival in the United States.
Little Rock Film Festival 2006 Little Rock Arkansas International Featuring regional, national and international filmmakers. Held annually in early June.
London Lesbian Film Festival 1991 London Ontario LGBT
Long Beach International Film Festival 2012 Long Beach New York International Held annually in late September, featuring independent, studio films, and films on the beach.[16]
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 1983 Los Angeles California International Showcase of Asian Pacific American and international cinema. Held annually in April–May.
Los Angeles Film Festival 1995 Los Angeles California International Held annually in June. Showcases independent, feature, documentary and short films, as well as music videos.
Louisiana Film Prize 2012 Shreveport Louisiana International A narrative short film contest.
Love Your Shorts Film Festival 2011 Sanford Florida International Held around Valentine's Day. Features only short films under 30 minutes in length.
Macabre Faire Film Festival 2012 Long Island New York International Held twice a year for independent films of the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres.
Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival 2009 Seattle Washington Special interest Devoted to action, animation, fantasy, horror, and science fiction cinema.
Magnolia Independent Film Festival 1997 Starkville Mississippi International and regional Held annually in February for one weekend, featuring short and experimental films.
Marda Loop Justice Film Festival 2006 Calgary Alberta International Featuring films dealing with human rights, environmental, and social issues.
Marfa Film Festival 2008 Marfa Texas International Annual film festival.
Margaret Mead Film Festival 1976 New York City New York International The longest-running festival for international documentaries in the US.
Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival 2006 Vineyard Haven Massachusetts International Held annually in September, featuring world cinema feature and short films.
Martha's Vineyard Film Festival 2001 Chilmark Massachusetts International Held annually in March, featuring action/activism-inspiring films.
Maryland Film Festival 1999 Baltimore Maryland International Held annually for 4 days each May.
Method Fest Independent Film Festival 1999 Beverly Hills California International The Method Fest is the Actor's Film Festival, a festival of discovery, seeking breakout-acting performances of emerging stars and established actors in story-driven independent films.
Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival 2004 Mexico City Mexico City International Also known as FICCO, it is hosted by Cinemex.
Miami International Film Festival 1983 Miami Florida International Held annually for 10 days in March.
Miami Short Film Festival 2002 Miami Florida International Held annually for 10 days in mid November.
Midwest Ski Film Festival 2008 Milwaukee Wisconsin Regional Takes place each October.
Mile High Horror Film Festival 2010 Denver Colorado International

Featuring independent horror, thriller, and sci-fi films from around the world. It takes place annually each October.

Mill Valley Film Festival 1978 Mill Valley California International Takes place each October, hosted by California Film Institute.
Milwaukee Film Festival 2009 Milwaukee Wisconsin International Takes place each September and October.
Milwaukee Short Film Festival 1999 Milwaukee Wisconsin Regional Takes place each September.
Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival 1983 Minneapolis-St. Paul Minnesota International Held annually in the spring.
Mods & Rockers Film Festival 1999 Los Angeles California Special interest Featuring rock music culture films.
Montclair Film Festival 2012 Montclair New Jersey International An annual, community-based film festival featuring international filmmakers.
Montreal International Documentary Festival 1998 Montreal Quebec International
Montreal World Film Festival 1977 Montreal Quebec International Largest North American competitive festival. Held late August to Labor Day. Focuses on films from around the world.
Monument Valley Film Festival 2007 Kayenta Arizona International Held annually in the summer, it is the only film festival on the Navajo Nation.
Moondance International Film Festival 2000 Boulder Colorado International An independent annual film festival and awards competition that takes place in the fall.
Nantucket Film Festival 1996 Nantucket Massachusetts International Held annually in June. Has both film and screenplay competitions.
Naperville Independent Film Festival 2008 Naperville Illinois International Annual film festival featuring the work of independent filmmakers.
Nashville Film Festival 1969 Nashville Tennessee International Founded in 1969 as the Sinking Creek Film Celebration. Features feature-length and short films from around the world.
National Film Festival for Talented Youth - NFFTY 2007 Seattle Washington International Showcases work by international filmmakers age 24 and under.
Native American Film and Video Festival 1979 New York City New York Indigenous Cinema Bi-annual film festival featuring indigenous works from throughout the Americas.
Nevada International Film Festival 2009 Las Vegas Nevada Independent Annual film festival, featuring American and International cinema.
New England Festival of Ibero American Cinema 2010 Providence Rhode Island Latin American Annual competitive film festival featuring Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American films.
New Media Film Festival 2009 Los Angeles California International Annual film festival that brings together the work of established and emerging New Media Content Creators and video artists around the world.
New Orleans Film Festival 1989 New Orleans Louisiana International Annual film festival, featuring international feature films and short films.
Newport Beach Film Festival 1999 Newport Beach California International Founded in 1999, featuring studio and independent films.
New York Asian Film Festival 2002 New York City New York Special interest Features Asian cinema, especially horror, action, and martial arts genres.
New York Film Festival 1962 New York City New York International One of North America's oldest film festivals.
New York International Children's Film Festival 1997 New York City New York International Features short films and features from around the world.
New York Polish Film Festival 2005 New York City New York Special interest Dedicated to the cinema of Poland.
Northeast Film Festival 2013 Teaneck New Jersey International Competition in features, shorts, documentaries and student films. Held annually in September.
Northwest Film Fest 1993 Thunder Bay Ontario International
Northwest Filmmakers' Festival 1973 Portland Oregon Independent Competition in features, shorts, and documentaries made by filmmakers in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska and British Columbia. Held annually in November.
Oaxaca Film Fest 2010 Oaxaca  Mexico International Held annually in November.
Oceanside International Film Festival 2009 Oceanside, San Diego County California International Held annually in August through 2020. Annually February since 2021.
Orlando Film Festival 2006 Orlando Florida International Held annually in October/November.
Ottawa International Animation Festival 1976 Ottawa Ontario International Held annual in September
Ottawa Canadian Film Festival 2015 Ottawa Ontario Canadian Held annually in November
Palm Springs International Film Festival 1989 Palm Springs California International
Pan African Film Festival 1992 Los Angeles California The largest black film festival in the United States.[17]
Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival 2008 Philadelphia Pennsylvania Special interest
Philadelphia Film Festival 1991 Philadelphia Pennsylvania International
Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival 1981 Philadelphia Pennsylvania International The second-oldest Jewish-specific film festival in the United States
Philadelphia QFest 1995 Philadelphia Pennsylvania International Originally the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
Québec City Film Festival (QCFF) 2011 Quebec City Quebec International Held annually in September, screens short and featured films.
Queer City Cinema 1996 Regina Saskatchewan LGBT
Queer North Film Festival 2016 Sudbury Ontario LGBT
Rainbow Visions Film Festival 2015 Edmonton Alberta LGBT
Red Rock Film Festival 2004 Zion Canyon, St. George, Springdale, Ivins Utah International Held annually in November.
Reel Rock Film Tour 2006 Boulder Colorado International Held annually, climbing and adventure films.
Reel Shorts Film Festival 2007 Grande Prairie Alberta International Festival of short films held annually for 5 days in early May.
Reel Pride 1987 Winnipeg Manitoba LGBT
Reelout Queer Film Festival 1999 Kingston Ontario LGBT
ReelWorld Film Festival 2001 Toronto Ontario International Screens films and music videos by filmmakers from racially diverse communities.
Renegade Film Festival 2017 Atlanta Georgia International Showcases films made by filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, including women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities.
Rhode Island International Film Festival 1997 Providence Rhode Island International Held annually for 6 days during the second week of August
RiverRun International Film Festival 1998 Winston-Salem North Carolina International Held annually each Spring.
Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival 1987 Colorado Springs Colorado International Held annually in early November showcasing films made by women.
Ebertfest 1997 Champaign Illinois Special interest Founded by the film critic.
Rooftop Films 1997 New York City New York International A summer-long outdoor festival that screens new independent films on rooftops and other outdoor spots.
Sacramento Film and Music Festival 2000 Sacramento California International Juried, all genre, includes student section, 10 days, late July.
San Antonio Film Festival 1994 San Antonio Texas International Held annually in the month of June. Awards
San Diego Asian Film Festival 2000 San Diego California International Held annually in November, with a spring showcase in April.
San Diego Black Film Festival 2002 San Diego California International
San Diego International Film Festival 2001 San Diego, La Jolla California International Held in October, a five-day independent film festival.
San Diego Latino Film Festival 1993 San Diego California International Held annually in March.
San Francisco Frozen Film Festival 2006 San Francisco California Special interest, independent
Sanford International Film Festival 2014 Sanford Maine Independent, horror, international Held in October. Dedicated to independent films, with a night dedicated to horror.
San Francisco Green Film Festival 2011 San Francisco California Special interest, international Dedicated to environmental films.
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival 1982 San Francisco California Special interest, international Dedicated to Asian and Asian American films.
San Francisco International Film Festival 1957 San Francisco California International
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival 1980 San Francisco California Special interest, international
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 1985 Santa Barbara California International
Santa Fe Film Festival 1999 Santa Fe New Mexico International Highlighting New Mexican film, new American and foreign films.
Sarasota Film Festival 1999 Sarasota Florida International
Science Fiction Fantasy Short Film Festival 2006 Seattle Washington Special interest Devoted to action, animation, fantasy, and science fiction cinema.
Seattle International Film Festival 1976 Seattle Washington International Largest film festival in the United States, held annually from May–June.
Sedona Film Festival 1994 Sedona Arizona International
Slamdance Film Festival 1995 Park City Utah International Focused on emerging filmmakers and low-budget independent films.
Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival 1999 Birmingham Alabama International Held annually the last weekend in August.
Sonoma Valley Film Festival 1996 Sonoma California International
South by Southwest 1987 Austin Texas Special interest A set of film, interactive, and music festivals.
Southern Utah International Documentary Film Festival (DOCUTAH) 2009 St. George Utah International Held annually for one week in September.
SouthSide Film Festival 2008 Bethlehem Pennsylvania Regional Held annually in June.
St. John's International Women's Film Festival 1989 St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador International Screens films made by women, to promote gender parity in filmmaking
Sundar Prize Film Festival 2024 Surrey British Columbia International Recognize and showcase films that tackle critical social causes and issues, inspiring action and raising awareness[18]
Nickel Independent Film Festival 2001 St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador International Conceived in 2001 to allow local filmmakers to exhibit their film and video work.
Smith Sound Film Festival 2017 George's Brook-Milton Newfoundland and Labrador International Originated in 2017 after wanting to show older works done on celluloid for the public to see, with building of a screen and projector commencing later.
Sundance Film Festival 1978 Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Sundance Utah International Held annually in January, Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States.
Tallgrass Film Festival 2003 Wichita Kansas International This four-day festival, held in October, screens independent short and feature films.
Telluride Film Festival 1974 Telluride Colorado International Held annually over Labor Day Weekend.
Telluride Mountainfilm 1979 Telluride Colorado Independent The oldest film festival celebrating the genre of mountain film in the US.
Three Rivers Film Festival 1982 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania International Emphasizing independent film.
Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2006 Toronto Ontario Special interest Annual festival of horror, sci-fi, action, and cult cinema.
Toronto International Film Festival 1976 Toronto Ontario International Held annually in September.
Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 1997 Toronto Ontario Special Interest Featuring Asian films.
Toronto Tamil Film Festival 2020 Toronto Ontario International International Tamil Film Festival held annually in September.
Traverse City Film Festival 2005 Traverse City Michigan International Founded by documentary film maker Michael Moore. Held annually in late July - early August
Tribeca Film Festival 2002 New York City New York International Founded by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro.
True/False Film Festival 2004 Columbia Missouri Documentary Documentary film festival.
St. Louis International Film Festival 1992 St. Louis Missouri International Annual event held in November with film events to advance film as an art form.
St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase 2000 St. Louis Missouri Special Interest Festival held annually in July, with films written, directed, edited, or produced by St. Louis natives or those with strong local ties.
Vancouver Asian Film Festival 1995 Vancouver British Columbia International Asian film festival. Held annually for 4–5 days in November.
Vancouver International Film Festival 1982 Vancouver British Columbia International Held annually for two weeks in late September and early October.
Vancouver Queer Film Festival 1988 Vancouver British Columbia International LGBT film festival. Held annually for eleven days in late August.
Ventura film festival 2004 Ventura California International
Vietnamese International Film Festival 2003 Los Angeles California Vietnamese Biennial film festival for Vietnamese filmmakers.
Virginia Film Festival 1987 Charlottesville Virginia International Hosted by the University of Virginia.
Vox Popular Media Arts Festival 2005 Thunder Bay Ontario International
Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema 2001 Waterloo Ontario International Screens feature animation. Held annually in November.
Whistler Film Festival 2001 Whistler British Columbia International
Windsor International Film Festival 2005 Windsor Ontario International Held annually for eleven days in late October and early November.
Wisconsin Film Festival 1999 Madison Wisconsin International Screens independent and international documentary, narrative, experimental, student and animated films.
Woodstock Film Festival 1999 Woodstock New York International Features independent films.
World Film Communities Network 2019 Palo Alto California International Showcase and screens Independent Films.
World Music & Independent Film Festival 2009 Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. International Screens independent and international music videos and independent films
WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival 1968 Houston Texas International
Yorkton Film Festival 1950 Yorkton Saskatchewan Independent Features Canadian films and filmmakers.
The YoungCuts Film Festival 2005 Montreal Quebec International Focuses on young filmmakers.
Young People's Film Festival 1976 Portland Oregon Youth, regional Features works of filmmakers grades K-12 living in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Zero Film Festival 2007 New York City, Los Angeles, Miami Beach New York, California, Florida Self-financed cinema Exclusive to self-financed filmmakers.

Oceania

[edit]
Name Est. Location Country Type Notes
Adelaide Film Festival 2002 Adelaide  Australia International A biennial, non-competitive film festival held over two weeks in late February.
Brisbane International Film Festival 1992 Brisbane  Australia International Focuses on films from the Pacific Rim.
Byron Bay Film Festival 2006 Byron Bay  Australia International
Canberra International Film Festival 1996 Canberra  Australia International Held annually in October.
Doc Edge 2005 Auckland, Wellington New Zealand New Zealand International Held annually from April to June, featuring documentary films from New Zealand and around the world.
Dungog Film Festival 2007 Dungog  Australia Australian Features new and classic Australian films.
CinefestOZ 2008 South West of Western Australia  Australia Australian & French Annually in August for 5 days.
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2010 Melbourne  Australia Indian and sub-continent Held annually in August, featuring Indian cinema.
Mardi Gras Film Festival 1978 Sydney  Australia International Held annually in February–March
Melbourne International Film Festival 1951 National  Australia International Held annually in July or August.
New Zealand International Film Festivals 1970 Major cities nationwide  New Zealand International Held in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, and Christchurch, the traveling festival offers a smaller program in 10 other cities.
A Night of Horror International Film Festival 2006 Sydney  Australia International Featuring horror films.
Revelation Perth International Film Festival 1997 Perth  Australia International

Annually in July; features independent feature films, documentaries, short films, and experimental works.

Show Me Shorts 2006 National New Zealand New Zealand International Annual short film festival.
Sydney Film Festival 1954 Sydney  Australia International Held annually for two weeks in June.
Tropfest 1993 Sydney  Australia International Annual short film festival.

South America and the Caribbean

[edit]
Name Est. Location Country Type Notes
Anima Mundi 1992 Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo  Brazil Regional, special interest Competitive Brazilian video and film festival devoted exclusively to animation.
Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema 1999 Buenos Aires  Argentina International Held annually in April.
Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre 2000 Buenos Aires  Argentina International Devoted to fantasy, horror, bizarre and science fiction genres.
CayFilm Cayman Islands International Film Festival 2013 George Town  Cayman Islands International
Cartagena Film Festival 1960 Cartagena  Colombia Regional Showcases Ibero-American feature films, shorts, and videos, as well as a national television competition.
Córdoba International Animation Festival - ANIMA 2001 Córdoba  Argentina International, special interest It is held biennially, on odd years, during September.
Festival de Cine de Bogotá 1984 Bogotá  Colombia International Held annually in October.
Gramado Brazilian and Latin American Film Festival 1973 Gramado  Brazil Latin American Held annually in August. Its awards are named the Kikitos.
Havana Film Festival 1979 Havana  Cuba Regional Held annually, with a principal focus on Latin American film.
Lusca Fantastic Film Fest 2007 San Juan  Puerto Rico International Held annually in October, with parallel events ranging from a fashion show to a zombie walk.
Mar del Plata Film Festival 1954 Mar del Plata  Argentina International Held annually in November, with a principal focus on independent and Latin American film.
Recife Cinema Festival 1997 Recife  Brazil Brazilian Competitive Brazilian film and audiovisual. Its awards are named Calunga. Held annually in April/May.
Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival 1998 Rio de Janeiro  Brazil International Held annually in October.
Santiago International Film Festival 2005 Santiago  Chile International There are two main competitions at SANFIC: the International Competition, and a Chilean Cinema Competition, each featuring nine shortlisted films. Held annually in October.
São Paulo International Film Festival 1976 São Paulo  Brazil International
Film and Folklore Festival 2009 Trinidad and Tobago  Trinidad and Tobago International Held annually with a focus on films in folklore, culture , traditions and beliefs . Festival also showcases music, food, activities and traditional games.
Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival 2006 Trinidad and Tobago  Trinidad and Tobago International Held annually in the second half of September, featuring films from the Caribbean and world cinema.
Uruguay International Film Festival 1982 Montevideo  Uruguay International International film exhibition and competition, held annually
Valdivia International Film Festival 1993 Valdivia  Chile International International film exhibition and competition, held annually in September/October
Viña del Mar International Film Festival 1962 Viña del Mar  Chile Latin American Held annually in the second half of October, featuring films and documentary films from Latin America.

Traveling and online festivals

[edit]
Name Est. Type Details
Sacramento French Film Festival 2002 International A VIRTUAL CINEMA hosts all the Festival's special screenings and film events
48 Hour Film Project 2001 Special interest Filmmakers are given 48 hours to create a film from assigned film elements.
Campus MovieFest 2001 Special interest The world's largest student film festival, held annually at over 30 universities.
CON-CAN Movie Festival 2005 International (awards ceremony held in Tokyo, Japan An audience-interactive online international short movie festival.
Dawn Breakers International Film Festival 2007 International Features Baha'i-inspired films.
Filminute 2006 International Features one-minute films from around the world.
International Random Film Festival 2009 International Celebrates randomness in cinema. Films, sites, and awards are selected randomly.
Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World 2021 International Annual film festival held in TURKSOY member states.
Spike and Mike's Festival of Animation 1977 Special interest Animated shorts, tours over 50 cities in the US and Canada annually.
World Film Communities Network 2019 International Showcases various indie films and experimental films worldwide.
Zero Film Festival 2008 Special interest An independent film festival exclusive to self-financed filmmakers.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ One source says September 2003, but probably incorrect?[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Valck, Marijke de; Kredell, Brendan; Loist, Skadi (February 26, 2016). Film Festivals: History, Theory, Method, Practice. Routledge. ISBN 9781317267218 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Scott Roxborough (February 16, 2020). "Berlin Rebooted: Festival Shuffles Lineup, Aims for Recharged Market". The Hollywood Reporter.
  3. ^ "Everything You Need to Know About Aswan International Women Film Festival". Cairo 360 Guide to Cairo, Egypt. January 31, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "Barbara Bouchet the guest of honor of AIWFF". EgyptToday. February 8, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  5. ^ Matos, João (October 14, 2017). "Sucesso do Festival Internacional de Cinema de Cabo Verde". RFI (in Portuguese). Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  6. ^ "Cinema em Cabo Verde: A ambição de fazer um festival". SAPO Muzika (in Portuguese). April 4, 2013. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Tri Continental Film Festival". YouTube. June 22, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  8. ^ "Tri Continental Film Festival". The Communication Initiative Network. January 11, 2004. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Botha, M. (2013). South African Cinema 1896-2010. Intellect Books Limited. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-78320-330-7. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  10. ^ Federation of Film Societies of India (2009). 5th TRI Continental Film Festival 09. Breakthrough. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  11. ^ "British Council Film: Tri Continental Film Festival". British Council Film Directory. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  12. ^ Rosanna Flamer Caldera (June 12, 2017). "Colombo PRIDE: Challenge and Change". Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  13. ^ "Alpavirama 2011 | National Institute of Design". Nid.edu. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
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