WE ARE AIFF – FILMMAKER-FIRST, TRULY UNFORGETTABLE
Celebrating 25 years, the Anchorage International Film Festival (AIFF) returns for ten unforgettable days from December 5–14, 2025—where the screenings are just the beginning. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Denai’na land, the festival brings films to life across four stunning venues in Anchorage, with our main stage at the iconic 300-seat Bear Tooth Theatre—a brewpub where moviegoers can enjoy craft drinks and delicious food while taking in incredible films. And for two of those days, we step away from the screens and into the wild, embarking on unforgettable Alaskan excursions together.
As independent filmmakers ourselves, we know how vital a meaningful festival experience is. AIFF isn’t just Alaska’s largest film festival—it’s a one-of-a-kind creative adventure, built by filmmakers, for filmmakers.
From underground gems, daring debuts, to award-winning powerhouses, our lineup is bold, diverse, and impossible to ignore. It brings together fresh voices and established talent from around the world, but what truly sets us apart is what happens off the screen. We’re here to fuel your creativity, expand your community, and offer you an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
Where else can you attend a festival that includes a fully sponsored glacier hike?
That’s right. In 2024, we brought visiting filmmakers on a breathtaking, all-day hike across ancient Alaskan ice. It wasn’t just a sightseeing trip—it was a reminder of why we tell stories. A shared experience among artists who connected on a deep, personal, and creative level. That’s what we’re about.
Our filmmaker excursions also included:
A Native American Heritage Sightseeing Tour
A Northern Lights bonfire gathering, complete with drinks, food, and real conversation
This isn’t a “shake hands and leave” kind of event. At AIFF, we offer longform Q&As, in-depth panels, and real bonding opportunities where filmmakers can meet potential collaborators, investors, and lifelong friends.
In 2024, we screened 115 films from around the world, welcoming over 100 filmmakers. With sold-out audiences and dynamic discussions, AIFF became more than just a festival—it became a community.
AIFF is internationally recognized for showcasing fearless new voices and powerful stories that demand attention. We’ve hosted films from Sundance, SXSW, DOC NYC, Berlin, Toronto, and Tribeca, and we’re not stopping there. We make room for the trailblazers—especially Alaskan filmmakers, whose raw talent and untold stories light up the screen like nothing else. We’re also proud to elevate Native American voices, giving them the platform they deserve. From the wilds of Alaska to the farthest reaches of the globe, AIFF celebrates the filmmakers pushing boundaries, breaking norms, and telling stories that matter.
In 2024, Porcelain War received the Outstanding Documentary Director win at AIFF and was nominated for Best Feature Documentary by the Academy just a few months later. As we like to say, AIFF is THE ICY ROAD TO THE OSCARS!
This is your invitation to go deeper. To connect. To reflect. To be inspired. Come to AIFF and rediscover why you make films in the first place.
Join us in Anchorage this December.
Films Worth Freezing For.
As we prepare for our 25th anniversary edition in 2025, we’re proud to announce new award categories:
Best Sports Documentary
Best Music Documentary
Native Voices Award
Best Music Video
Best iPhone Short
Best Original Television Pilot: Scripted or Unscripted
These join our already celebrated awards lineup, including:
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Animation
Best Made in Alaska
Explorer’s Achievement Award
Real World Impact Award
And of course our Audience Awards!