The RIFF Music Fest. This is connected to the 12th annual Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) www.rvafilmfestival.com. In 2017, RIFF expanded its annual music showcases to include a music festival that takes place concurrently with the film festival.
If submitting a film, please see RIFF's other submission site on FilmFreeway as this is only for the music festival and band performers. To submit a film (not music), visit https://filmfreeway.com/RICHMONDINTERNATIONALFILMFESTIVAL
This music festival features up to 50 local, national and international bands. It's an international competitive festival where bands go through multiple rounds of judging to determine the official selection bands that will perform over the six day festival. Top honors and awards will be given across a variety of music genres as well as Critic Choice Award, Audience Choice Awards, and others.
The festival's aim is to bring cutting edge music to Richmond while providing a development platform for artists and filmmakers alike. This is an expansion of RIFF's early focus to showcase emerging music talent and create stronger dialogue between filmmakers, performers, and music industry professionals.
In addition to a week full of great performances, industry panels, song pitch sessions to filmmakers, industry think tanks, and RIFF jam sessions, the RIFF Music Fest is a platform for filmmakers and musicians to network and forge new working relationships. This festival is one of its kind in the mid-Atlantic region.
What They're Saying -
“We just wanted to send a personal thank you for the invitation this year to RIFF. It was an absolutely amazing experience! I think it was within the first hour we were at the Friday Night VIP Party that we started kicking ourselves for not being there the entire time. In the short time we were there, we made so many friends and connections - both in film and music. From the bottom of our collective hearts, thank you so much. It was by far the best experience we have had as a band. I cannot say enough good things about RIFF, you, and your entire staff for putting it on. Bravo to all of you! You are the real stars!" Frank and River Rabbitte / wht.rbbt.obj
“We would like to say a huge THANK YOU for allowing PipoBeats and his team perform at the 2022 Richmond International Film and Music Festival. We had a BLAST! Heather, your passion, vision and dedication for the arts; film and music, is unconditional. Same for your awesome team. So helpful and professional - beyond words!" PipoBeats & Team
"The doors RIFF Music Fest helped open have been phenomenal! I've met some incredible talent that's fostered great collaboration and helped me expand as a songwriter. From meeting folks in film who want to help expand my ideas visually, to having familiar faces at local networking events, RIFF Music Fest planted a strong seed. Mostly, the festival provided me access to an audience that hip-hop doesn't usually have in this city. It's always difficult to navigate the scene a bit, or command a certain level of respect for the genre. RIFF Music Fest provides a level playing field for creatives from multiple backgrounds and is such a beautiful way to reach people." - Chance Fischer, Musician
"This was a fabulous festival- Richmond is the friendliest and most hospitable hosts I’ve ever encountered - Everyone in the festival was super helpful. We had a great time. Thanks for making it so much fun!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟" -2022 Filmmaker
"RIFF is very special indeed. They have incredibly inspiring events and really go above and beyond to host a film and music festival that brings forth the beautiful and diverse qualities of Richmond. I am lucky to live in this wonderful town right now and we are so fortunate to have Heather and her team leading this welcoming and engaging festival."
-2022 Filmmaker
"Richmond was the best experience I've had at a film festival! An exceptional combination of music and film events, parties, mixers and panels. Can't wait to go back!"
-2022 Filmmaker
"Best festival experience for our fall 2021 - spring 2022 season. The quality of films were excellent. You'd be honored to be amongst the other officially selected. RIFF is also a music festival with a lot of opportunities to check out local venues and hear talented musicians from all over the world. The festival directors are courteous, accessible, and run an all-around impressive show." -2022 Filmmaker
"Fantastic festival hosted by its creator Heather Waters whose warmth, enthusiasm, efficiency and joy cast a long beautiful glow upon the entire event. Well worth the time and effort to show in or attend." 2022 Filmmaker
"RIFF was so fun! We had a blast hanging with so many awesome creators, musicians and artists...we can’t wait til next year!" -2022 Filmmaker
“Congratulations on yet another superb festival! It has been great working through the panels, meeting incredible people across film and music and watching wonderful movies. The music, especially from Europe was outstanding! We would love to work with some of these artists. Amazing experience..we are all thrilled. Xavier Keyz/Ashish and Ujjla Manchanda, Boon Castle Records”
The RIFF Music Fest will award the following prizes and awards.
All selected bands will receive full VIP badges to the RIFF Music Fest and the Richmond International Film Festival portion. The top winners in each music genre will also receive an award trophy at Sunday night's red carpet awards, and the overall top Grand Jury winner will also receive industry promotion and consultation on marketing and branding.
In addition to the overall Grand Jury winners in each music genre, special awards are given, which include: The Emerging Artist Award, Critic's Choice Award, and more. The six main genres awarded include: Contemporary/Pop, Rock/Alternative, Hip Hop/R&B, Reggae or Jazz/Blues, and Country/Bluegrass. If selected, all key band members will receive complimentary VIP badges, which grants entry into more than 120 film screenings, mixers, educational panels, the red carpet awards, and more. Value $2,500 and up in badge entries per band.