RIFF celebrates its 10th Edition May 15-18, 2025 and we are once again excited to present ALL SCREENINGS at the superb state-of-the-art, Prospector Theater in Ridgefield, Connecticut. NEW THIS YEAR, the festival is partnering with The Prospector to present an ACCESSIBLE FILM FESTIVAL. This means that audiences for all films screened at the festival will have the option of screening the film using closed captions and/or audio descriptions through the theater's accessibility systems. To help filmmakers meet this new requirement, RIFF will create the audio description track through 3Play Media, a premier media accessibility provider, and cover the cost. After the fest, RIFF will provide filmmakers who participate in the festival an ADA compliant copy of the audio description for their film. Accepted films will be required to submit a closed caption SRT file along with their film files. MP4, Pro Res and various files are acceptable and all films are screened in DCP created by our tech team.
The Ridgefield Independent Film Festival (RIFF) seeks to make the world a more compassionate place through the sharing of stories through cinema. We are a boutique film festival celebrating independent films from around the world that enlighten, entertain, and inspire moviegoers through compelling visual storytelling. Each year we bring films, filmmakers and film enthusiasts together in the culturally vibrant community of Ridgefield, Connecticut for an annual festival that includes screenings, panel discussions, special events, and parties.
At RIFF our focus is on the independent filmmaker. We strive to give the indie filmmaker an opportunity to showcase their work with a quality screening in front of an audience of their peers and an enthusiastic general public. RIFF screenings often sell out. Again, this year, CT filmmakers will have a chance to shine through our MADE IN CT film program. Please choose this category if you are a CT filmmaker or have made your film with locations shot in Connecticut. In celebration of our 10 year anniversary, we have a new category for ten minute and under films. Please choose this category if you have told your story in ten minutes or less!
In 2021 Ridgefield earned the distinction from the state of Connecticut as the first Connecticut town with an official Cultural District. This is our beautiful downtown area where many of our venues reside.
All films are screened and selected by members of our vibrant community with an eye toward discovering new talent and a focus on visual storytelling, whatever the genre. Entries are judged on a point system for craft, originality, and storytelling.
So what are you waiting for? Come #RIFFwithUs
Emerging Filmmaker Award - $500.
Fountain Award - original work of art by local artist.
Other Awards as we see fit.
