Costa Rica International Film Festival (CRIFF)

Overview

The Costa Rica International Film Festival (CRIFF) is Costa Rica's most important film festival. Founded in 2008 and held annually in San Jose, the festival presents Central American and international cinema in one of Latin America's most stable, democratic, and environmentally conscious nations.

Costa Rica's extraordinary environmental heritage -- over a quarter of the country's land is protected -- and its internationally recognized commitment to sustainability give the festival a particular resonance for documentary films addressing environmental and ecological themes. The country's peaceful history (it abolished its army in 1948) and its strong civil society create an audience that engages with socially conscious cinema.

Central American cinema has been developing steadily, and CRIFF provides the most important regional platform for films from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica itself.

Key Sections

• Costa Rican Film Competition -- new Costa Rican features and shorts
• Central American Panorama -- films from across Central America
• Environmental Film Program -- films addressing ecology and sustainability
• International Competition -- competitive international programming
• Documentary Program -- nonfiction features

What Filmmakers Should Know

CRIFF accepts open submissions. For Central American filmmakers, the festival provides the most important regional platform. For environmental documentary filmmakers, the festival's Costa Rican context creates a particularly receptive audience.

Major Awards

• Best Costa Rican Film -- jury prize
• Best Central American Film
• Best Environmental Film
• Audience Award

Festival History

CRIFF was founded in 2008 and has grown into Central America's most important film platform.

See Also

For Central American cinema, see International Film Markets. For environmental documentary, see Documentary Filmmaking Guide.