"OIFF is a filmmaker's dream!" - Linh Tran; Slamdance Grand Jury Prize Winner

We take care of filmmakers. From financial support for travel and lodging to catered meals, we put the filmmaker experience first. It’s one reason MovieMaker Magazine named us one of the “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2026.”

Nestled in the mountains of southwest Colorado, the Ouray International Film Festival is an intimate four-day celebration featuring films, food, panel discussions, workshops, and parties. Organized events, along with informal meetups at mountain homes, local parks, and the occasional rooftop, create space for meaningful connection among filmmakers that often continue long after the weekend.

As a one-screen festival with no competing programs, every film receives the audience’s full attention at the historic Wright Opera House, built in 1888 and equipped with a 4K laser projector and modern sound system. We also intentionally build time into the schedule for filmmakers to experience Ouray, known as the “Switzerland of America,” through scenic hikes, natural hot springs, vapor caves, Jeep rides, local breweries, shops, and stunning mountain views. The 8th annual festival will take place in June 2027, with exact dates to be announced.

"The Ouray Film Festival Creates Encouraging Space for Art" - Brian Tallerico, Managing Editor of RogerEbert.com

https://www.rogerebert.com/festivals/the-ouray-film-festival-creates-encouraging-space-for-art

Ouray named one of the "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2026" by MovieMaker Magazine

https://www.moviemaker.com/50-film-festivals-worth-the-entry-fee-2026/

Awards & Prizes

The Grand Jury Prize will receive a cash award of $1,000.

A jury determines winners in approximately eight categories. Winners in each category are awarded a custom medallion handmade by local artisan Cie Hoover.

Winning films are eligible for our Awards Retrospective Film Block, which has screenings at venues in Los Angeles, New York City, Virginia, and Texas.

We also award the only in-person award from Short of the Week, which includes online distribution on the Short of the Week platform.
https://www.shortoftheweek.com/news/short-of-the-week-award-ouray/

Previous award recipients include The Ross Brothers, Erica Tremblay, Jay Duplass, Michael Strassner, Paul Raci, Jim Cummings, Tiffany Hsiung, and Alexandria Bombach.

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES (please read all of these):

* We rarely screen films that have been released online. Online presence also can factor into your awards eligibility. If your film will be released online before the festival, please reach out and explain the circumstances.
* All submissions must have been completed no earlier than January 1, 2025.
* Each submitter may only submit one entry per category
* While we enjoy hosting premiers, we welcome submissions from films that have screened at other film festivals.
* Films that have screened theatrically, on television, or online are not eligible for submission, unless under special circumstances.
* Films that were not selected in previous years are not eligible to resubmit this year.
* Foreign-language films must supply English subtitles.
* We do accept works in progress. Notes are helpful to let us know what stage the project is in. We MUST have a final cut of the project before our final deadline to be accepted.

CATEGORIES

We encourage submissions in the following five categories:

Narrative Feature Films (40 minutes or more)
Documentaries Feature Films (40 minutes or more)
Short Films (40 minutes or less)
Student Short Films (40 minutes or less)
International Cinema (40 minutes or less; the majority of the film must be in a language other than English)
Music Videos (music videos may be available online as long as their production and posting occurred after Jan. 1, 2024. The Original video file must be submitted via FilmFreeway).

We encourage animators to submit their work in any category!

USE AGREEMENTS

* By submitting your film to the Ouray International Film Festival, you grant permission to the festival to screen your film at the festival if your film is selected.

* Accepted films grant that they have secured all the necessary permissions to enter this film to the Ouray International Film Festival and that the film does not infringe the rights, including copyright, of any third party. This includes use of music and literary material.
38 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Keely Kernan

    The Ouray International Film Festival was a wonderful experience! The festival team was incredibly supportive, and the intimate setting created a real sense of community among filmmakers. It was a great opportunity to connect and spend time with other filmmakers, and the audience turnout and engagement were fantastic. I’m so grateful to have been part of such a welcoming and thoughtful festival!

    July 2026
    Helpful
  • Arielle Knight

    Ouray is simply the best. Location incredible, films outstanding, organizers, volunteers, community, all memorable — this is a festival I’ll gladly return to over and over again. A truly special experience.

    July 2026
    Helpful
  • Grant Conversano

    "A rising tide lifts all boats." we know there is wisdom in this saying, yet few film festivals are designed with this ethos in mind. Ouray is the rising tide that lifts everyone participating in the festival from the lauded feature filmmakers to someone who has made their first short film. Jake and Jared have cultivated a communal environment where people feel supported, and when filmmakers feel supported, they are more capable and willing to support each other. Submit your next film to Ouray!!!

    July 2026
    Helpful
  • BRAIDS FILM

    Charming, lovely, kind, and welcoming is how I would describe my time at this Ouray International Film festival - They all truly care about filmmakers and love telling good stories, I highly recommend this festival! The beautiful location is unbelievable and relaxing in-between screenings. <3 you all :)

    July 2026
    Helpful
  • Kiubon Kokko

    Now this is how you run a festival. Efficient communication, outstanding hospitality, a place where you belong. That's where they're creating here at OIFF. I can throw out so many more good adjectives to describe this festival, but please know that they will champion you, care for you, and will push and praise your art the way it deserves to be. The hype is real when it comes to this festival in the mountains of Colorado. I love how all the short blocks are curated so well, not giving them any titles or anything but specifically choosing each block to complement each other. The whole community comes together to watch movies together and that experience is invaluable. You'll leave OIFF and be on a high for a year until you come back again.

    July 2026
    Helpful