TRINITY’S TRIUMPH IS SOLD OUT!

THANK YOU TO ALL THE FILMMAKERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR FILMS THIS YEAR! GOOD LUCK!

Celebrating our 12th anniversary, the Ridgewood Guild’s Annual International Film Festival has grown from a two-day event to a five-day festival celebrating and focusing on the independent film maker.

Some of our special events include Panels/Master Classes as well as our World Cinema Night, our Student Night, our One-Day Human Rights Festival and our Main Festival all showcasing creative and inspiring filmmakers and films from around the globe.

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 Animation, Best Student, Best Documentary, Best Musical Video, Best Web/New Media and Best International Film. Each year a $500 scholarship is awarded to the Best High School Student and Undergrad 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, Press Coverage, Celebrities, Panels, Master Classes, Awards Ceremony, Hollywood-style After Party, 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 and centered in Ridgewood surrounded by many popular restaurant options, RIFF is an ideal festival hub for both visitors and locals alike.

Red Carpet Ceremony with Press and Celebrities. Personalized Awards for the 'Best of' Winners and Certificates of Participation are presented at the Filmmaker's Award Ceremony & Afterparty.

A $500 cash scholarship is presented to each of the 2023 RIFF high school student and undergraduate college student 'Best of' winners!
* NOTE: ONLY STUDENTS CURRENTLY IN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS 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 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.

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

If selected, The filmmaker must grant permission for the materials to be used in all publicity pertaining to the Ridgewood Guild International Film 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 completed required information 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.
*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 ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A 'SPECIAL 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 and/or teacher].
*ALL UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE STUDENTS 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 and/or teacher].
*GRADUATE COLLEGE STUDENTS & FILM SCHOOL STUDENTS MUST PAY THE STANDARD FEE.
*Confirmation of the filmmaker[s] legal rights to all music, images and content in the submitted entry if not original music.
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
  • Trevor Anderson

    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
  • Tom Procida

    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
  • Asher Anantham

    Excellent opportunity for young filmmakers!

    May 2023