Welcome to the Block Island Film Festival! We are filmmaking professionals who love film, connecting with filmmakers and the process of filmmaking.

The annual Block Island Film Festival boasts notable actors, directors, screenwriters, filmmakers, students and entertainment professionals, on the beautiful resort destination known as Block Island, located 13 miles off the coast of Rhode Island.

A consortium of global filmmaking professionals gather to mingle with contemporaries in intimate public settings, such as film screenings, spotlight film programs, signature forums and programs, award ceremonies, and nightly social mixers.

The Atlantic Ocean is a short distance from venues during the film festival, which is a non-profit event designed to benefit the arts, education, student filmmakers and the Block Island community.

Please note that the focus of the Block Island Film Festival is on celebrating filmmakers and screenwriters. We encourage our official selection filmmakers and screenwriters to attend the event. Every filmmaker and screenwriter receives an opportunity to discuss their work in depth, while making valuable network connections. The reviews on this site should give you a sense of how the film festival operates, including how the BIFF team treats filmmakers and screenwriters. If selected we hope that you can join us on Block Island for a celebration of your work and career.

Awards & Prizes

Selected winners of the Block Island Film Festival are awarded the coveted lighthouse award, and spotlight lighthouse award, and receive valuable networking opportunities.

The festival awards finalists in each category with a Laurel Wreath official selection. Finalists selected to compete in the competition receive one VIP Festival Pass for the duration of the film festival, and have their name and work promoted by the Block Island Film Festival on its informational and social media platforms.

Please visit www.blockislandfilmfestival.org for more information.

Rules & Terms

Submissions to the Block Island Film Festival must be the original work of the author or filmmaker, and identified as such on the materials that are submitted. The Block Island Film Festival has express permission to use production stills posted with a submission on its FilmFreeway page for publicity purposes on its various social media pages, website, news media publications, etc. Filmmakers must submit two Blu-Ray copies of their film by the requested deadline for inclusion in the competition.

For students: Students submitting work for consideration in the film festival competition need to identify their school in the credits when submitting. A student submission should include the name of the school denoting it under the film’s title on the film and screenplay. Note if your school is a high school, or a college.

Screenplays must be the original work of the writer/applicant(s). If the story is based on another person’s life, or upon a book, or other underlying work, writer/applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation or rights agreements to the Block Island Film Festival. Neither the film festival, nor its jurists, investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights.

By submitting the material, the writer/applicant hereby agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Block Island Film Festival, its employees, directors, representatives, and affiliates from any liability, claims, and damages in connection with the submission of material and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorney’s fees that any of them may incur in connection therewith.

Please note that we encourage filmmakers and screenwriters to attend the film festival, as the question and answer forums following each screening are devoted to discussion that celebrates the filmmaker and their work. Screenwriters who congregate during our screenwriting forums exchange ideas, form bonds with other writers, and network. So, if you submit your work, consider attending the film festival in-person.

81 Reviews
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  • Andrew Gerstenblatt

    I had an absolute blast at the 2026 Block Island Film Festival. We were honored to take home the Lighthouse Award for Best Short Film, Drama/Comedy for our film The Extraordinaries. This festival is definitely worth the submission, and the trip. It's so great to see a community of filmmakers thriving in my home state of Rhode Island. This is my second time at BIFF, and I can't wait to come back.

    The festival team (Cash, Kristin, Henry, and Kim), are so welcoming and engaging, and truly make you feel right at home. This festival is a fantastic opportunity for filmmakers of all ages to screen their work, meet industry connections, and participate in valuable Q&A sessions. The festival is also great for students - as they have several student award categories and opportunities for mentorship and growth.

    I was able to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and immerse myself in the beautiful scenery of the island. I highly encourage filmmakers to submit their work to the Block Island Film Festival.

    June 2026
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  • Eric Lotter

    The Block Island Film Festival is a fantastic event that deserves a spot on every indie film lover's radar. It manages to pull off something rare: a highly professional film lineup paired with a relaxed, intimate island vibe that makes everyone feel welcome.

    The Perfect Setting: Block Island Maritime Institute
    Hosting the event at the Block Island Maritime Institute (BIMI) is a huge part of the festival's charm. Right on the waterfront, the venue offers a scenic, coastal backdrop that immediately sets a great tone for the weekend. Watching independent films in a space steeped in local maritime history adds a unique layer to the experience. It’s comfortable, beautifully situated, and a refreshing break from the usual dark, sterile theater seats.

    Exceptional Hosting
    The host deserves immense credit for making the festival run so smoothly. Striking the perfect balance between professional coordination and genuine hospitality, they set a welcoming tone from day one. Their passion for the films is obvious, and they do a great job keeping Q&As engaging and panels moving without ever taking themselves too safely or seriously. It’s clear they genuinely care about both the filmmakers and the audience.

    The Verdict
    Between the scenic venue at BIMI and the thoughtful hosting, the Block Island Film Festival is a genuinely enjoyable, well-crafted event. It skips the pretension of larger festivals and focuses on what matters: great storytelling, great views, and great people.

    June 2026
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  • Kathleen Morgan

    Premiering Framing Freedom at the Block Island Film Festival was a wonderful experience. Although I was unable to attend in person, the festival team was an absolute pleasure to work with. From start to finish, the entire process was seamless, professional, and incredibly welcoming.

    May 2026
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  • Molly P

    What an amazing festival! I am a Senior in High School from NJ and won the Coveted Spotlight Lighthouse Award for my film "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: High School Edition ITF 2025 Documentary"! I had such a great time meeting with like-minded Filmmakers who have such a passion. I had great networking opportunities. I handed out over 50 business cards and met people from all different states. I was very lucky that not only was my film selected as the Student Spotlight Feature, but the local Block Island Middle School and High School Drama club came to see my documentary as part of Arts Education. I have been submitting my films for festivals for a little over a year, and out of all of the festivals I have attended so far, this has been the best one. If you are thinking about submitting, DO IT! This festival is like a little family. It was great to make connections up in Rhode Island, and fun fact: the people who run the event don't get paid, so the money you are paying to submit your films goes straight to funding the event. 10/10 can't wait to submit for next year! Shout out to Cash Shuman, Kristin Carey, Henry J. LeBlanc, and Kim Estes for putting together this amazing Festival

    May 2026
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  • Felicia Ricci

    Thank you for honoring our film with 5 awards in the Features category! Outstanding experience full of heart, soul, and wonderful films in an idyllic and inspiring setting. With a mission statement to forge connections and to empower indie filmmaking, the vibe is so welcoming and the founders are entirely accessible and present the whole time. Thank you to Cash, Kristin, Henry, and Kim for putting in the time, energy, and love to make this event one of our favorite festivals by far. Hope to see you again in future years!

    May 2026
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