7 American Film Festivals That Showcase Fresh Talent

7 American Film Festivals That Showcase Fresh Talent

5 Reasons To Watch Independent Films

1. Check out up & coming filmmakers
2. See unique stories
3. Enjoy the artist's undiluted vision
4. Gain a new perspective
5. Support the local community

Equipment That All Aspiring Filmmakers Should Own

• Camera
• Lighting kit
• Microphone
• Laptop
• Tripod
• Lenses
• Editing software

The Importance of Film Festivals

In Depth

Not only do film festivals provide excellent opportunities for the public to see hotly anticipated titles from around the globe, they also serve as ideal launching pads for up-and-coming filmmakers looking to gain exposure and professional viability. Many of the most eminent directors started this way, their careers significantly boosted by such a supportive platform. Cannes, Venice, and Toronto may get all the attention, but there are plenty of smaller fests that are equally inspiring and vital. From Massachusetts to Oregon, here are, in no particular order, seven American film festivals that spotlight fresh filmmaking talent.

For #1 we have the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival. Located amidst the ranches and vineyards of California's central coast, the six-day-long SLOIFF offers a diverse program of classic and contemporary film screenings. Fueled by a belief in the socially transformative power of cinema, it seeks to cultivate budding filmmakers and inspire and educate filmgoers of all persuasions. The festival exhibits its movies at a handful of locations in the region, including at the Fremont Theatre in downtown San Luis Obispo and in nearby Paso Robles wine country.

Loyal to the cause of honoring and elevating the work of independent filmmakers, SLOIFF runs a competition devoted to global independent cinema. It includes categories for both feature-length and short-form narrative and documentary films, as well as a category for college student work of varying lengths. According to the fest, over 85% of the screenings have their filmmakers in attendance. In its aim to nurture young talent, SLOIFF also dedicates a competition to students in primary through high school. To support the festival, consider becoming an event sponsor by choosing from a variety of donation options on its website.

To support the festival, consider becoming an event sponsor by choosing from a variety of donation options on its website.

At #2 is the Pan African Film and Arts Festival. The biggest black film festival in the U.S., the Los Angeles-based PAFF promotes and celebrates African heritage through the moving image. Introducing over 150 new films each year, as well as over a hundred artists from around the world, the organization aims to showcase the diversity of black experience, dismantle stereotypes, and foster racial understanding. It also runs a bevy of special programs including panels, educational outreach initiatives, and the popular ArtFEST, which invites international artists to display creative works done in a wide array of media.

PAFF bestows both juried and audience awards upon the best in black narrative and documentary film. In partnership with the City of Los Angeles, it also features the John Singleton embRACE L.A. Short Film Competition, named in tribute to the famous director. The competition, which rewards three emerging black filmmakers with funding to produce their own scripts, is designed to build creativity and opportunity among African-American creators. Deepening the wider embRACE L.A. initiative, its films are intended to raise social consciousness by highlighting civil rights issues. You can help spread the festival's word by making a personalized meme on its website.

For #3 we get the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Founded by the American Jewish Committee in 2000, AJFF uses cinema to explore and embolden Jewish culture and identity. Through a breadth of international films, it strives to enhance awareness of the experiences of Jewish communities across the globe, revealing multifaceted perspectives that address social issues and challenge reductive assumptions about the culture. The festival takes place over a period of around three weeks, and is held in six venues throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Through a breadth of international films, it strives to enhance awareness of the experiences of Jewish communities across the globe, revealing multifaceted perspectives that address social issues and challenge reductive assumptions about the culture.

Equally compelling and educational, AJFF's diverse program of documentaries and fictional narratives tackles topics such as Arab-Israeli relations, LGBTQ rights, and the arts. The festival hands out a number of jury prizes, including ones for narrative, documentary, and short films, as well as one for emerging filmmakers. Reinforcing its humanitarian ethos, it also awards the film that best embodies its mission of building bridges between communities. Among the many yearly programs AJFF hosts is a youth festival on the campus of Emory University. By becoming a member, you can both support the organization and get benefits such as discounts and priority seating.

Arriving at #4 is the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. Taking place against the majestic mountains of the Arkansas spa city since 1991, HSDFF is the longest-running film festival in North America devoted entirely to documentaries. Spread over nine days in October, the festival features a wide-ranging assortment of both domestic and international films, which are complemented by sundry panels, industry tributes, and celebrity guest attendees. Its categories include feature-length and short films, as well as ones dedicated to sports stories and depictions of the American South.

In addition to the annual festival, HSDFF organizes many educational outreach programs that teach young people and incipient filmmakers the art of documentary. These encompass free screenings, workshops for teens, and master classes. Committed to giving students the opportunity to connect with and learn from professionals, the organization makes it a goal to bring as many of its visiting filmmakers as possible to local classrooms. Moreover, it offers a program that gives middle and high school kids hands-on experience working with seasoned industry players. Volunteering as a driver or theater attendant is a great way to aid the festival's operations.

Moreover, it offers a program that gives middle and high school kids hands-on experience working with seasoned industry players.

For #5 we come to the Wisconsin Film Festival. Organized by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Division of the Arts and the Department of Communication Arts, WFF stands as the largest university-run film festival in the United States. Held in the spring over eight days, it showcases around 150 films spanning independent, classic, documentary, and avant-garde cinemas from America and abroad. Looking beyond the mainstream, WFF is dedicated to giving a platform to stylistically eclectic works that are often not shown in commercial theaters. Screening venues stretch from the university's campus throughout downtown Madison.

Central to WFF's mission is emboldening the state's film culture by highlighting the work of regional artists. This is the impetus for its Wisconsin's Own Competition, which presents movies that are either largely shot in Wisconsin or were made by residents, current students, or alumni from the state. It accepts documentary, animated, narrative, and experimental films, and gives jury-determined Golden Badger awards to works exhibiting superior artistry. For much younger audiences, the Big Screens, Little Folks series features a curated collection of family-friendly feature-length and short films. Gifts made to the Real Butter Fund go exclusively to supporting WFF.

Landing at #6 is the Woods Hole Film Festival. Screening a program of over 100 independent films, this Cape Cod-set festival aims to promote emerging filmmakers both in New England and from around the world. Over eight summer days, it showcases a lineup of full-length and short films that encompass fictional narratives and documentaries from a diversity of budding talent. The festival schedules many programs and events to complement the films, including panels, workshops, and parties. It also hosts series throughout the year such as Film Falmouth and Dinner and a Movie, both of which offer monthly screenings.

Over eight summer days, it showcases a lineup of full-length and short films that encompass fictional narratives and documentaries from a diversity of budding talent.

With a strong focus on science-themed cinema, WHFF devotes a program to movies that explore everything from space travel to taxidermy. Furthering this emphasis is an initiative that was created to facilitate collaboration between filmmakers and scientists. Offering conferences, workshops, and fellowships, the initiative gives participants the tools to produce powerful and educational films that raise awareness of issues pertaining to the sciences. WHFF partners with TripZero to provide hotel deals on Cape Cod that eliminate your carbon footprint. When you make a reservation, the organization helps fund carbon projects working to protect the environment.

Finally, for #7 we arrive at the Ashland Independent Film Festival. Established in 2001 by the Southern Oregon Film Society, A.I.F.F. exhibits the best of independent cinema in an intimate and historic Pacific Northwest setting. Along with a wealth of screenings taking place across three venues over five days, it offers ample programs that allow attendees to interact with the filmmakers and other industry professionals. The organization's cultural and educational outreach programs, including a family day at the ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum, are designed to inspire the community to embrace the possibilities of the cinematic arts.

A.I.F.F. is especially committed to engaging young people in the spirit of movie-making. Reflecting this investment is the Launch program, a free competition that solicits short films from kindergartners to college students who live in the surrounding counties. Another significant initiative is A.I.F.F. Learn, which provides programs for youth such as curated screenings and industry talks at local schools. Teen Press, meanwhile, gives aspiring teen filmmakers and video journalists real-world experience. A rewarding way to support the organization is by buying wine from its partner, the Weisinger Family Winery. All proceeds from your purchase go to helping the fest.