Louisville's International Festival of Film has explored, encouraged, and enriched the next generation of film-making and new media artists for over fifteen years.

Final notifications will be on September 5th, but we will notify accepted films on a rolling basis.

Filmmakers worldwide have been thrilled by the enthusiastic audiences, and the one‐of-a‐kind Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat inscribed with the name of the winning film in each category.

LIFF is proud to be working with the legendary Muhammad Ali Center to create a unique film program to honor all who aspire to greatness in their chosen fields.

In addition to awards for each category, LIFF will offer 56 And 5 Added Programming Block to highlight projects that in some way embody one or more of Muhammad Ali’s Six Core Principles: Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect or Spirituality.

LIFF also offers a separate Homegrown Award for the best film of any length shot in Kentucky.

Industry experts and the public will attend industry seminars produced by the film festival organizers. The strong connections and partnerships of the organizers enable our festival to continue to grow. LIFF is proud to announce that studio and development executives in Hollywood have agreed to return to be part of the judging panel for entrance into the festival.

In addition to the Kentucky Derby, Louisville is a City of Parks, with one of the nation’s most significant park expansions underway, adding 4,000 new acres of parkland and the 100-mile Louisville Loop trail encircling the entire community. Filmmakers from all over the world enjoy Louisville's unique qualities, scenery, and Bourbon! The city embraces the arts, and there is growing excitement for the return of Louisville's International Festival of Film

The Louisville Film Arts Institute (LFAII) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting the film arts in Kentucky. To help facilitate this goal, it has created Louisville’s International Festival of Film (LIFF), a sustainable annual film festival located in Louisville, KY. The festival will showcase independent films worldwide while supporting the area's cultural diversity.

Our Co-Founder, CONRAD BACHMANN (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0045497/), a Louisville native and graduate of Valley High School, attended the University of Kentucky before venturing out west in 1957 to pursue his Hollywood dream. Over his distinguished career, Conrad earned credits in over 35 films, hundreds of television shows, and countless commercials. He served as Governor of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for 12 years and on the Academy Executive Committee. As Chair of the Activities for the Academy, he produced countless productions of hit television shows for a professional development series for all Peer Groups. Fifty Years later, Conrad came full circle with the announcement of his plan to develop an annual international film festival in his hometown of Louisville.

With the creation of LIFF, Conrad is helping to make a difference in the lives of future filmmakers worldwide. Although Conrad moved to Hollywood over 50 years ago, his heart never left Louisville. He aims to bring Hollywood and the artistic filmmaking process to the region and state. LIFF is his way of giving back the opportunities given to him while offering a unique forum for others to achieve their dreams. Conrad is passionately dedicated to the festival's success and wants to share his beautiful Commonwealth of Kentucky with the world.

Awards & Prizes

Cash and prizes will be distributed at the end of the festival. Winners must be in attendance to receive any award other than monetary awards.

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSION MUST INCLUDE
• Title, the origin of the film, length of the film, director, producer, writer, short synopsis (2-4 sentences), category of film, and whether it's a world or Kentucky premier.

ELECTRONIC PRESS KITS MUST INCLUDE
•1920X1080 (landscape) or 16:9 (landscape) ratio poster to use, if selected, for the program and website. The image must be in high-res JPG format.

FORMATS
• Entries may have been shot in any format.
• Entries must be submitted on DVD or Blu-ray (Region 0 or 1). Two copies must be provided.
* If entry is submitted initially via electronic submission, you will be notified of preliminary acceptance so that you will have time to send the required DVD's to be shown at the festival. We will not be creating these DVD's from your electronic submission. If we do not receive the requested DVD's the preliminary acceptance may be revoked with no refunds given.

CATEGORIES
• Usually films are entered in one category only but if a film is submitted in two or more categories then an entry fee must be submitted for each.
• A full entry fee must be paid for each category entered.
• If the Festival determines that work has been entered in the wrong category, it will be reassigned and the entrant notified.

ENTRY ELIGIBILITY
• Entries may have been shot in any format.
• Entries must have been completed on or after January 1, 2012. Although in exceptional circumstances, the festival organizers reserve the right to make exceptions to this requirement.
• Entries without the proper fee will not be considered.
• We do not accept promotional or commercial works.
• Works in progress will not be accepted for consideration.
•All filmmakers whose films are accepted must sign a rights and clearances form, and filmmakers are responsible for obtaining all permissions and clearances for material contained in their film.

ENTRY FEE
• All entries must be RECEIVED by the deadline date.
• Entry fees must be paid in U.S. funds by money order or credit card.
• Entry fees are non-refundable.
• Entries without the appropriate fee will not be considered.
• LIFF cannot waive entry fees or provide discounts beyond that
specified below.
• The ONLY exception is for selected filmmakers from Louisville's sister cities or such exceptions as the festival organizers may grant.
44 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jon McWilliams

    Such an honor to premiere my film at a local film festival that is both iMDb qualifying and internationally accredited. This is a great festival for locals and tourists alike.

    March 2023
    Helpful
  • Celina Torrealba

    Thanks to the whole team of the Louisville International Festival of Film! It was so great to show my film "THE BREEDING SHED" also virtual format. Next time I am planning to be there physically & to be totally immersed in all the activities!

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Jake Cole

    Amazing festival with just as amazing organizers. Thank you to the entire team at LIFF for including us, we are truly honored.

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Elias Feghaly

    Thank you LIFF 🫶♥️✨ sincere honor. Truly appreciate you selection Play ✨

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Erik Jacobsen

    I"m very thankful to the festival for selecting my film "Eygpt" for screening. I wish I could have attended! It sounds like everyone had a good time.
    Michelle was very helpful. Erik Jacobsen

    October 2022
    Helpful