"Exquisite taste in an exquisite place... this festival just keeps spotting great talents on the rise. It’s a near-perfect start-of-summer festival." - MovieMaker Magazine, 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee 2023
The Provincetown International Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing new achievements in independent film and honoring the work of emerging as well as acclaimed directors, producers, and actors. Taking place in America's oldest art colony, PIFF continues a long tradition of supporting and connecting artists by providing easy networking opportunities and access to filmmakers and industry in one of the most culturally rich and naturally beautiful towns on earth.
Now in its 28th year, PIFF has established itself as the largest cultural event on lower Cape Cod, attracting thousands of filmgoers, tastemakers, and arts patrons. This festival showcases over 90 US and international independent narrative and documentary features, and short films as well as panel discussions and special events. PIFF welcomes audiences and supporters, new and seasoned, young and old, to a quality showcase of emerging films, enticing events, informative panels, special programs, and exuberant celebrations.
All accepted films are eligible for the Audience Awards presented to Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature.
The Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) is proud to announce that The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences® has named the Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) as a qualifying festival in three Short Film categories. Winners of the Best Narrative Short Film, Best Documentary Short Film, and Best Queer Short Film awards at PIFF may qualify to enter the Academy Awards® for the concurrent season, provided the films otherwise comply with the Academy rules. Please see the Academy's qualifying and eligibility rules: https://www.oscars.org/oscars/rules-eligibility
Juried Award categories include:
• John Schlesinger Awards (presented to a first-time narrative and documentary feature filmmaker)
• Best Narrative Short Film (Academy Award® Qualifying)
• Best Documentary Short Film (Academy Award® Qualifying)
• Best Queer Short Film (Academy Award® Qualifying)
• Best Animated Short Film
• Best New England Short Film
Honorable Mentions bestowed at the discretion of PIFF jury.
Honorary awards include the Filmmaker on the Edge Award given to a film artist whose outstanding achievement, innovation and vision continue to push the boundaries of the medium throughout their body of work.
Past honorees include: Ari Aster, Andrew Haigh, Luca Guadagnino, Sofia Coppola, Richard Linklater, John Cameron Mitchell, Sean Baker, Ang Lee, David Cronenberg, Darren Aronofsky, Mary Harron, Guy Maddin, Quentin Tarantino, Todd Solondz, Gregg Araki, Jim Jarmusch, Todd Haynes, Gus Van Sant, Christine Vachon, and John Waters.
Excellence In Acting Award recipients include: Colman Domingo, Billy Porter, Murray Bartlett, Tilda Swinton, Molly Shannon, Chloë Sevigny, Gael Garcia Bernal, Alan Cumming, Vera Farmiga, Patricia Clarkson, Dale Dickey and Judith Light.
Past Next Wave Award honorees include: Aubrey Plaza, Bowen Yang, Jenny Slate, Julio Torres, Megan Stalter, Chloë Grace Moretz, Joel Kim Booster, Mae Martin, Eva Victor, River Gallo, Jillian Bell, Mya Taylor, and Natalie Morales.
