The Anchorage International Film Festival (AIFF) is the largest film festival in Alaska, founded in 2001 to bring independent and international films to Anchorage and showcase high-quality independent films made in Alaska. Our mission is to develop, promote, and sustain a film festival that supports new media and independent filmmaking in Alaska and around the world, enriching cultural and entertainment opportunities for Alaskans.

AIFF is a cosmopolitan festival that reflects the diverse character of Anchorage by screening captivating and well-crafted independent films from across the globe. It also provides a platform for independent Alaska filmmakers to showcase their work and network with fellow filmmakers. Several films awarded at AIFF have gone on to win Academy Awards and honors at prestigious festivals such as Hot Docs, Tribeca, Sundance, SXSW, Sheffield Doc Fest, and Seattle International Film Festival.

Our programming features a wide array of independent films, as colorful as the Northern Lights, in categories such as Narrative and Documentary Features, Dramatic, Comedy, Documentary, and Animated Shorts, as well as films Made in Alaska. We also offer beloved youth and family programming and a Feature Screenplay competition.

New this year are two exciting awards: the Explorer’s Achievement Award, celebrating filmmakers who push the human spirit to new heights through their work, and the Real-World Impact Award, honoring documentaries that drive change and challenge global issues.

Anchorage, home to about 40% of Alaska's population, is a modern city known for its striking natural beauty, nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. It’s a short drive from glaciers, ski resorts, and unparalleled hiking and biking trails. Anchorage has a vibrant arts community, two universities, and the world-class Anchorage Museum. The city's cultural diversity is reflected in the 99 languages spoken by students in the Anchorage School District as of 2014.

We encourage filmmakers to attend the festival and experience the breathtaking beauty of an Alaskan winter. AIFF draws filmmakers from all over the world for ten days of watching films, exploring the winter wonderland, and forging lifelong connections. Visiting filmmakers are consistently impressed by the enthusiasm, sophistication, and passion of the AIFF audience, and the festival is known for the warmth and care shown by its staff. We are the warmest festival in a cold climate!

Our main venue is the 400-seat Bear Tooth Theatre, a brew-pub where moviegoers can enjoy drinks and delicious food while watching films. Additional excellent venues, including the Anchorage Museum, host films and events throughout the festival.

We invite you to submit your films and join us this December, where the dramatic beauty of winter meets the discovery of “Films Worth Freezing For.”

New this year are two exciting awards: the Explorer’s Achievement Award, celebrating filmmakers who push the human spirit to new heights through their work, and the Real-World Impact Award, honoring documentaries that drive change and challenge global issues.

The AIFF award categories are:

Narrative Feature
Documentary Feature
Animation Feature
Explorer’s Achievement Award
Real-World Impact Award
Made in Alaska Narrative Feature
Made in Alaska Documentary Feature
Narrative Short
Documentary Short
Comedy Short
Animation Short
Made in Alaska Narrative Short
Made in Alaska Documentary Short
Screenplay (Feature and Short)

Some award categories may be combined based on the total number of films accepted in each category.

The 2024 Anchorage International Film Festival is open to any film that has premiered after January 1, 2022, regardless of content, subject, or origin. Submitting your film to the 2024 AIFF is not a guarantee of selection.

A film will only be eligible for the 2024 AIFF jury competition if fees and forms are submitted with the film by the August 15, 2024 final deadline. We support independent film and encourage all genres to enter.

The AIFF will not refund any fees if the filmmaker fails to submit the film in the correct category. Films submitted without the correct fees or proper submission media may be deemed ineligible at the discretion of the AIFF programming director or executive director. The AIFF will not refund any fees if the filmmaker fails to submit a suitable exhibition copy in an acceptable format.

Once a film is accepted and becomes an official selection in the festival, AIFF WILL NOT consider screening fees of any kind. If accepted to the festival, the applicant grants the 2024 AIFF the right to show the submitted film publicly in Alaska until December 31, 2024, UNLESS written notice is provided to AIFF. If a selected film is chosen for an outdoor screening, AIFF has the right to play film audio over necessary radio channels. Failure to submit film in the correct category and/or non-payment of submission fees could disqualify film for selection at the discretion of the programming director.

If film is selected, exhibition media MUST BE IN THE REQUESTED FORMAT and should also be clearly marked with the film title, director, and exact running time.
AIFF will ONLY return EXHIBITION MEDIA if the proper packaging with correct postage is provided by the film submitter at the time the film is submitted.

AIFF WILL NOT RETURN OTHER MATERIALS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, i.e. posters, postcards, director statement, or press kits. Send only the type and number of other materials requested by the programming director. Failure to follow any of these guidelines could lead to disqualification of the film, at the discretion of the programming director. Films must be insured by the film submitter. The AIFF is not responsible for damaged or lost media during shipping.

The AIFF is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The film submitter/director/producer shall indemnify and hold harmless AIFF from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening media entered.

Unless negotiated with the festival programming director, all shipping fees are the responsibility of the filmmaker. Any other arrangements must be agreed to in writing by the programming director. If a film is accepted for the festival, the filmmaker will be informed well in advance on the type of exhibition media to provide.

Questions should be directed via email to the AIFF Programming Director at programming@anchoragefilmfestival.org.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Matt Mazany

    When I started my festival run with Big Brothers, the AIFF was one I really wanted to go to. I was born and raised in Alaska and when I was growing up, there was never anything like a film festival there so I would just go to movies like crazy at the Bear's tooth and Totem Theater. When Big Brothers got accepted, I had huge expectations for the festival.

    I just want to say it lived up to my high bar. It was great fun. I think it's a uniqe thing to get to share Anchorage in the winter with a lot of filmmakers not from there. The AIFF team was super welcoming and were great ambassadors for the joys of Alaska. On top of that, the programming was great, I got to watch a lot of great films and meet some cool filmmakers.

    I would reccomend to any filmmaker to put AIFF high on their list if they want to have a great fun experience and screen to enthusiastic local crowds.

    January 2025
  • Carrie Wachob

    This festival exceeded my expectations. It was amazing and I felt that the festival team was really interested in every project and took the time to make the filmmakers feel welcome. Made new friends and look forward to attending again in the future, with or without a film.

    January 2025
  • William Turner

    AIFF is one of the best festivals I've ever attended and I see it only going from strength to strength with the great festival organisers they have and the strong community of film fans in Anchorage!

    Adam and Pat have really taken to festival directing like fish to water. I've never met more committed festival directors in my life. They were at every screening, Q&A, mixer, and filmmaker excursion. Speaking of which, the festival excursions to the glacier hike, Indigenous cultural centre, and Northern Lights experience were incredible.

    I've never been made to feel more at home in the city hosting a festival than AIFF. Not only because of these excursions immersing us in the region's stunning environment and rich cultural landscape but also thanks to the great community of festival organisers and film fans. I would love to share another pint with not only Adam and Pat, but James, Dean, Nadeem, Cheryl, Kim, Mike, and the rest of the team.

    On top of that the programming, venues, and accommodation were all top-notch. All of this meant that AIFF was a great festival to meet and bond with fellow filmmakers. I've made some filmmaking friends I hope to collaborate with and keep in touch with for years to come!

    TLDR: Epic festival!

    January 2025
  • Jeremy Pion-Berlin

    I had a blast at Anchorage International Film Festival! They took us on two amazing excursions and we got to hike across a Glacier! Plus it was all for free. The films were engaging and unique, thoughtful Q&A's, great venues, and lots of events to connect with filmmakers and the community. I would highly recommend this festival and hope to be back next year.

    January 2025
  • Samantha Clay

    So cool and amazing!!! I'll definitely be applying next year! The movies were all impressive. It was an honor to be among such talent!

    December 2024