RIDGEWOOD GUILD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS
APRIL 25, 2024

Celebrating our 13th anniversary, the Ridgewood Guild’s Annual International Film Festival has grown to a well respected film festival celebrating and focusing on the independent film maker.

Some of our special events include Industry Panels/Master Classes as well as Networking events.

We screen most of our films at a real movie theater with a very large screen. Some of our films screen at our library in town, often as part of our World Cinema Night or Human Rights focus. Whether you are a seasoned professional, an aspiring filmmaker or a student, our festival is your opportunity to screen your artistic vision. We have been showcasing creative and inspiring filmmakers and films from around the globe for a dozen years.

Our Festival programming provides film entertainment that covers a wide variety of genres, offering something for just about everyone. It gives independent film artists a platform for sharing their work with audiences that might not otherwise have the opportunity to see them.

At the RIFF, ALL films are fully reviewed ensuring that each film submitted receives fair and equal consideration. Films are eligible for jury awards. All jurors are industry professionals. The winners of jury awards receive outstanding personalized trophies for Best Short, Best Documentary, Best Animation or Music Video, Best Documentary, and Best International Film. Each year two $500 student scholarships are awarded to the Best Middle or High School filmmaker and the Best Undergraduate College Student filmmaker.

Our festival is the place to be for action and excitement in Ridgewood in the spring. With its Red Carpet, Launch Party, After Party, Press Coverage, Panels, Master Classes, Awards Ceremony, film screenings complemented by lively and informative Q&A sessions with cast members and filmmakers, the annual RIFF is highly anticipated by independent filmmakers, professionals, film lovers and enthusiasts as well as students.

With easy access to New York City by train and bus, and centered in Ridgewood surrounded by many popular restaurant options, RIFF is an ideal festival hub for both visitors and locals alike.

Red Carpet Interviews of Filmmakers with Press on hand and someCelebrities. Personalized Awards for the 'Best of' Winners are presented at the Filmmaker's Award Ceremony & Afterparty. (One free pass per film.) Certificates of Participation and laurels are emailed to filmmakers who are accepted into our festival.

$500 is awarded to the winner of Best Film by a middle or high school student.
$500 is awarded to the winner of Best Film by an undergraduate college student.

* NOTE: ONLY STUDENTS CURRENTLY IN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ELIGIBLE AND QUALIFY FOR ‘STUDENT FEE’.
* Eligible above-mentioned students, if they qualify, MUST include proof of current student status at time of production [copy of student ID or letter from current school and/or teacher].
*NOTE: ALL UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A 'REGULAR STUDENT FEE' Any above-mentioned students who qualify, MUST include proof of current student status at time of production [copy of student ID or letter from current school].
*GRADUATE COLLEGE STUDENTS & FILM SCHOOL STUDENTS MUST PAY THE STANDARD FEE AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT THEIR FILMS IN THE STUDENT CATEGORY.

Each submission must include a short synopsis of the entry, a short trailer, a bio of the filmmaker, a photo of the filmmaker, the genre/category, the production year, DOWNLOAD BUTTON ACCESS MUST BE ALLOWED, a MPAA rating if any, and the length of film. Also, a designation of who is to receive an award if one is given to the film.

If selected, the filmmaker must grant permission for the materials to be used in all publicity and promotion pertaining to the Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival, including before and possibly after that year's festival.

The act of submitting your film constitutes acceptance without reservation of all rules of the RGIFF.

NOTE: Entry fees are in U.S. Dollars, are per film and are non-refundable. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify a submission, without refund of any kind, if eligibility requirements are not met including if eligibility status changes post-submission.
*Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Entry fees are not refundable.
*Only entries with full payment and with all required information completed will be considered.
* Filmmakers MUST include their physical address. Please do not submit a film without giving us your address, which we need for our records and to communicate with you.
*If any materials need to be mailed, the cost of shipping an entry to the festival must be paid by the entrant. Collect or COD shipments will not be accepted.
*Student submissions:
ONLY STUDENTS CURRENTLY IN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A 'SPECIAL STUDENT FEE'. Any above-mentioned students who qualify, MUST include proof of current student status at time of submission [copy of student ID or letter from current school and/or teacher].
*ALL UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A 'REGULAR STUDENT FEE' Any above-mentioned students who qualify, MUST include proof of current student status at time of submission [copy of student ID or letter from current school and/or teacher].
*GRADUATE COLLEGE STUDENTS & FILM SCHOOL STUDENTS MUST PAY THE STANDARD FEE. They cannot enter their films in the college undergraduate category.
*Confirmation of the filmmakers' legal rights to all music, images and content in the submitted entry if not original music. (This is important.)
Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. RIFF expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dyan Machan

    A richly rewarding experience in one of the most enchanting small towns.

    June 2023
  • Great communication, and we were honored to be nominated at the event.

    May 2023
  • Mike Timoney

    This festival was a wonderful experience. We were delighted our short film HOPE was chosen to show here. It was a terrific event and afterparty and we loved chatting with organizers Jim Suozzo and Rosie Gunther McCooe as well as other filmmakers. I highly recommend the Ridgewood International Film Festival!

    May 2023
  • Ridgewood International Film Festival is one of the best film festivals I attended. Everything was very well organized, the venue was beautiful, and the communication was outstanding. The festival truly cares about filmmakers. It was an honor for me to receive the "Best High School Student Film" award for my film "Fitting In"! I can highly recommend this festival. Many thanks to the entire team who made this festival such a great experience!

    May 2023
  • This was a well attended, professionally run festival that cares about its filmmakers and screens quality films at a nice venue in a beautiful town. The hospitality was outstanding and I made several contacts. It was an honor to have been selected and more so to have my project win Best Short Film and Best Actor. An absolutely outstanding festival! Much thanks to the entire staff and organizers. I hope to return.

    May 2023