Natchitoches has a long and intimate history with American cinema. The Cane River film festival represents the latest chapter in that history and we are as diverse as the community that we represent.

Our mission is to showcase, nurture, and support the emerging creative International student and independent filmmakers stories. We want to share their films with an audience, seek opportunities for distribution and celebrate their achievement in telling their story that they want to tell.

The Cane River film festival is not just a film festival it's an experience.

Awards & Prizes

The Cane River Film Festival gives International students and independent filmmakers an opportunity to network with Producers, Directors, Agents, Politicians and Sponsors in this fall's lineup making this event more interactive and engaging.
The recipient of the CRFF award:
Some of the prizes include- Final selection in the 2025 CRFF lineup, $1,000.00 cash award , $500.00 travel expense grant,2025 CRFF Award Certificate, film debut at Parkway Cinema 6 and advertising on all event promotions. We will also have a plethora of directors, agents, producers, sponsors and industry insiders that will attend and participate in the festival excited to meet new faces. Our 2025 Judges are Producers & Directors in the Entertainment Industry .The Judges Top Four Winners, will consist of One Grand Prize Winner and Three Filmmakers , that will debut films and be featured in the event. We wish you all the best and look forward to supporting your art in the 2025 8th Annual Cane River film festival.

Rules & Terms

The Cane River film will Award International student and Independent filmmakers films. Those eligible for entry in the student / independent film category will pay a $30-$40 submission fee.

Rules for submission:
In addition to eligibility requirements listed above, filmmakers must comply with the following submission rules to be considered as a finalist.
* the submitting filmmaker must be a film student/ independent filmmaker.
*a completed official entry on www.caneriverfilmfestival.com must be digitally signed by the filmmaker.
*payment of the non-refundable entry fee must accompany the submission.
*submit Poster Art for film.

3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Giorgi Tkemaladze

    That’s awesome festival, so professional stuff, thanks you so much, go head save your professional team..
    All the best “l’m your “

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your support we truly appreciate you friend,,,Congratulations on being apart of our 7th Annual CRFF Winning Directors we wish you all the very best.

  • David Luck

    Fantastic!!!! Kelly Jackson, the festival director receives 5 Stars across the board!!!

    March 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks David Luck for your support and being apart of this year's Judges Top Five Winners..we truly enjoyed you and your family at the film festival events..look forward to seeing you next year friend.

  • Langston Williams

    Still some kinks to work out for the future, but great connections made! This is a festival that you can tell someone's heart went in to.

    April 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Langston Williams for your support ...I am glad that our film "Stay Woke" was apart of this years award winning films. I look forward to having you back next year as a Judge and Q&A guest panel...