Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF)

Overview

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is New England's largest film festival and the only Academy Award-qualifying film festival in the region. Founded in 1997 and held annually in August in Providence, the festival presents over 500 films from more than 40 countries across five days.

Providence's identity as a small creative city with significant arts infrastructure -- home to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), one of the world's most prestigious art and design schools, and Brown University -- creates an unusually arts-engaged audience for a city of its size. RISD's presence in particular gives the festival strong connections with visual arts and design communities.

The Academy Award qualifying status makes RIIFF uniquely important among New England festivals, as a competitive win in the short film categories qualifies the film for Academy Award consideration.

Key Sections

• Short Film Competition -- Academy Award-qualifying competitive program
• Feature Film Competition -- competitive international and American features
• Documentary Competition -- nonfiction features
• Student Film Competition -- films by university students
• Rhode Island Showcase -- films by Rhode Island filmmakers

What Filmmakers Should Know

RIIFF accepts open submissions. The Academy Award-qualifying short film competition is the festival's most strategically important element for short filmmakers. For New England filmmakers, RIIFF provides the region's most important competitive platform.

Major Awards

• Best Short Film -- Academy Award-qualifying
• Best Feature Film
• Best Documentary
• Audience Award

Festival History

RIIFF was founded in 1997 and has grown into New England's largest and most strategically important film festival.

See Also

For short film strategy, see Film Festival Strategy. For New England festivals, see Independent Filmmaking Strategies.