Welcome to Ridgway Independent Film Festival (RIFF) 2025
Join us in Year 11 for an unforgettable event.

October 16-19, 2025

Our Call for Submissions is Open!

Our festival centers on short films by emerging voices in filmmaking.
With a smaller program of longer-form films from emerging and established filmmakers, we celebrate and examine films that may have flown under the radar during their release, or are undiscovered. We value storytelling, experimentation, and community building through art.

Ridgway is fiercely independent as a community, and prides itself on offering a festival experience that is intimate, genuine, unique and exciting.

Here you'll make deep, long lasting connections with creatives, community, industry leaders, artists, musicians, athletes, and change-makers.

Ridgway is a dark sky community overflowing with natural beauty, creativity and passion for the outdoors. Nestled between two stunning mountain ranges on Colorado's Western Slope, Ridgway has been a certified Creative District since 2013.

Every year is a brand new amazing journey. Take that journey with us this year. Submit your film today, and start making your travel arrangements early.

We are so pleased to be anchored at the historic Sherbino Theater on Clinton Street.

Ridgway Independent Film Festival offers a number cash awards and cash juried prizes.
Please check back for our 2025 jurors and prizes.

1) Filmmakers are asked to submit creative, high-quality, independent films. Strong storytelling and out-of-the-box creativity, are highly valued.

2) Films should be submitted with captions in English for accessibility.

Films that are selected for screening will be screened and promoted via RIFF to the public as part of our 2025 festival. This may include VOD and in person screenings. Films may be selected for subsequent viewings beyond the festival dates. Films and stills may be selected for projections on exterior walls of buildings in Ridgway, inclusion in social media, web promotion, and print promotion.

Filmmakers who are motivated to attend in person are very welcome.

Please submit entries at the festival page on the FilmFreeway website. If an applicant cannot submit their entry online for some reason, they should contact the festival organizers.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • June K. Inuzuka

    My film was accepted in twelve film festivals between 2022-2024 including England, Toronto, France, LA, Denver and Washington DC. The one I enjoyed the most was Ridgway. In my experience the larger, more prestigious film festivals are overrated. A small, independent filmmaker gets lost in the crowd. Ridgway, with its honest, unpretentious atmosphere was a welcome change. Small filmmakers had a chance to shine and engage with other filmmakers in a more open and personal sharing that I did not experience at other festivals. I learned several key insights from more experienced filmmakers that will help me grow my own work. Arielle Bielak, the head of the festival, was spontaneous, charismatic and very supportive and created a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Thank you Ridgway for recognition as the "Director's Choice" Award. It is an honor I will always remember, especially when things get rough, as they always do for filmmakers.

    April 2025
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    Response from festival:

    June--we were so happy that you were able to attend in person! You contributed so much to the festival and to your fellow filmmakers. Your praise means a lot to us! We look forward to seeing more of your work in the future. --RIFF

  • Levi Kramer

    The feeling to be accepted to this festival is a huge honor, as it is a staple to western Colorado's film festival circuit. Everyone I have talked to from Ridgway has been so kind. Unfortunately could not make it this year due to work, but looking forward to submitting (and attending) in the future!

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Levi! It was an incredible festival!! See you next time!

  • Paper Horse Pictures

    Being part of the Ridgway Independent Film Fest was an incredible experience. Although we couldn’t attend due to scheduling conflicts, we were truly impressed by the festival’s exceptional support and commitment to both the films and filmmakers. Their professionalism really made a lasting impression.

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Parker, we love your film, and appreciate your feedback!! We really enjoy the work that we do, and supporting filmmakers! We hope to cross paths with you again soon!!

  • Michelle Muldoon

    Great people. Great communication skills. Excellent programming. Proud to be a part of my block with Last Stand to Nowhere.

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Michelle,
    Thank you so much for participating in the festival and for sharing your work with us! You rock, and we can't wait to see what you do next!

  • Can't imagine a most beautiful place to have a film fest than Ridgway. The sound system at Sherbino was impressive for its size, with a monster low end, giving extra heft to the music in some of the films. We loved talking with Conner about his film, "Venus Or Bust." Thanks for having us!

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    DEan, you guys are great, and we love your energy, creativity and passion! See you again soon!!!!