Recently named as a "Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" by MovieMaker Magazine, Cordillera features: State of the Art Venues. Cash Prizes. Lodging Provided for all Official Selections. Iconic & Emerging Voices Grand & Special Jury (see below). Industry Networking Events, Red Carpet Premieres, Panels, Parties and CIFFNV PITCHFEST! featuring in-kind production and cash prizes – we’re a film festival created by filmmakers for filmmakers.
Located in the stunning Reno-Tahoe region of Nevada, the Cordillera Int’l Film Festival prides itself on amazing venues with packed houses - we can't wait to introduce you to our amazing region!
As filmmakers, we understand we are all going through uncertain times, and choosing what festivals are worthwhile can be challenging. Since day one, Cordillera has provided the following to all our Official Selections – yes, all of them:
Lodging – What!? We know - it's awesome – and so is our host hotel!
Filmmakers Lounge – MEALS, SNACKS & DRINKS. The cost of meals can become challenging, so we provide up to 3 meals a day - every day of the festival. The lounge is a perfect place for Filmmakers, VIP Guests and Jury Members to meet-up for great conversations and enjoy drinks and snacks with a Hosted Wine & Beer bar.
5th Day Fun – Film Nevada Initiative VIP Experience - Official Selections are invited on a first-come-first served basis to join us on the Monday after the festival for a day spent on the water and in the mountains, exploring our beautiful region as a VIP.
HERE ARE SOME EXCITING THINGS TO EXPECT IN 2024:
ONE – In-kind production and cash prizes, including an incredible production package for our CIFFNV PITCHFEST! winner courtesy of our Industry Partners and the Film Nevada Initiative as well as select members of our 2024 Grand Jury and Special Jury.
Notable Awards include our Best Female Focus Film, Best Indigenous & LGBTQIA+ Film, and our Innovate award - all of which come with a $500 - $1000 cash prize.
Our Impact Award (Formerly the John Singleton Impact Award) celebrating stories that inform & inspire change includes a $1,000 cash prize.
TWO – Our Grand Jury & Special Jury! Led by our Chairman of the Board, Disney Legend and beloved voice of Goofy for the last 35+ years, Bill Farmer, we look forward to a prestigious Grand & Special Jury joining us in 2024! Past members include Dawn Gilliam (Boyz n the Hood, Black Panther, Star Wars: Episode VII), Bilali Mack (The Whale), Kelly Ward (Grease, Former VP Metro Goldwyn Mayer & Universal Studios) Jeff Arch writer of Sleepless in Seattle, Brian Currie the Oscar wining writer of Green Book; Actor Wes Studi of Dances with Wolves and Last of the Mohicans; Actor, Writer & Director Kristoffer Polaha who was most recently seen in DC's Wonder Women:1984 and Jurassic World: Dominion. For a complete list of past members, please head to: www.ciffnv.org/grand-jury
THREE – CIFFNV PITCHFEST! - Pitch your project to an incredible Line-up of Cordillera Grand & Special Jury Members for a chance to win an impressive Prize Package courtesy of our Industry Partners, the Film Nevada Initiative as well as select members of our 2024 Grand Jury and Special Jury.
Our CIFFNV PITCHFEST! Panelists consist of our 2024 Grand & Special Jury members and will be announced at least 24 hours in advance.
FOUR - Panels, Filmmaker Q&As & Table Readings of our Finalist Screenplays!
At Cordillera, we love what we do and we can't wait to see what the 2024 season brings to us. We look forward to getting to know you and your projects and hope to celebrate your project in July!
Thanks to the support of our amazing sponsors, the Cordillera International Film Festival gives out custom, engraved awards and a series of impressive in-kind production and cash prizes.
CASH & IN-KIND PRIZES:
2024 Grand Jury Prizes -
Grand Jury Award - Best of Fest - Feature Film - $1,000 Cash Prize.
Grand Jury Award - Best of Fest - Short Film - $1,000 Cash Prize.
Special Jury:
Impact Award (Formerly the John Singleton Award) - Stories that inform & inspire change. $1,000 Cash Prize.
Innovate Award - Stories told in bold, refreshing & unexpected ways. $500 Cash Prize.
Best LGBTQIA+ Film - $500 Cash Prize.
Best Female Focus Film - $500 Cash Prize.
Best Indigenous Film - $500 Cash Prize.
Best Nevada Film - $500 Cash Prize.
Best Music Video - $500 Cash Prize.
Best Short Screenplay - Wins option to be produced in Reno, NV by the multiple award-winning Cordillera Films team with an in-kind value up to $10,000 courtesy of the Film Nevada Initiative.
Audience Awards:
Best of Festival - $500 Cash Prize - Highest Scoring Project via Audience Vote Overall
Best Nevada Film
Best Short Film
Best Feature Film
Best Screenplay
FESTIVAL AWARDS:
Feature Films -
Best Documentary Feature Film
Best Narrative Feature Film
Best Performance Feature Film
Best Director Feature Film
Short Films -
Best Series (Episode or Pilot)
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Family Short Film
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Short Film
Best Horror
Best Thriller Short Film
Best Comedy Short Film
Best Drama Short Film
Best Int'l Short Film
Best Student Short Film
Best Performance Short Film
Best Director Short Film
Screenplay Awards -
Best Feature Screenplay
Best Short Screenplay - Wins option to be produced in Reno, NV by the multiple award-winning Cordillera Films with an in-kind value up to $10,000.00 courtesy of the Film Nevada Initiative.
Best Genre Feature Screenplay
Best Comedy Feature Screenplay
Best Dramatic Feature Screenplay
CIFFNV PITCHFEST! - Pitch your project to an incredible Line-up of Cordillera Grand & Special Jury Members for a chance to win an impressive Prize Package courtesy of our Industry Partners, and the Film Nevada Initiative as well as select members of our 2024 Grand Jury and Special Jury.
Finalists: 10 Projects will be selected to Pitch in-person, on the morning of Sunday, September 29th 2024 during our annual film festival.
Lottery Drawing: Everyone who submits for CIFFNV PITCHFEST! and attends the festival in-person, will be entered into a Lottery Drawing where 5 lucky projects will get selected to Pitch!
Time: This is a 3 minute pitch, followed by 3 minutes of questions/feedback from panelists.
TO SUBMIT:
Email info@ciffNV.org with the following information:
1. Your Name.
2. Your FilmFreeway Tracking Number - individuals may submit more than one pitch, but each submission must have it's own tracking number. Note: No individual will be allowed to pitch more than one project during the actual event. CIFF will select which of your submitted projects will be pitched.
Upon verifying your entry, you will be emailed a custom link to upload your materials.
The link will ask you to provide: Project Name, Project Type (Narrative or Documentary. Feature Film or Short. Web or Television Series.) Project Logline & Synopsis. Optional Materials: Pitch Deck and/or One Sheet. Please do NOT send scripts or treatments.