The River's Edge International Film Festival brings independent film to the smart, arts-oriented, mid-American river town of Paducah, Kentucky. It is an easy transition to make. Paducah already has a burgeoning visual and performing arts scene, and the film festival is right in the center of this cultural hub.

The River's Edge International Film Festival is a four-day event built around the showing of quality independent film from around the world. Our focus is both on the film lover, providing multiple venues in which to experience the best the world of cinema has to offer, and on the filmmaker, offering opportunities for exhibition, education, and networking with contemporaries.

The Festival will be held in multiple venues, all within walking distance of one another. Downtown Paducah offers great theater, fine dining, eclectic shopping and exquisite art galleries along a beautiful river front. Patrons can see films in a number of welcoming and comfortable locations, and enjoy the scenic landscape and temperate weather in-between.

Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Animation
Best Experimental

An award is given for Best of the Fest as well as at the discretion of our jury panel. We take great care in selecting jurors from all facets of the filmmaking and film festival world.

Films submissions are accepted in the following categories:
- Narrative Feature (between 70 and 120 minutes)
- Narrative Short (less than 70 minutes)
- Documentary Feature (between 70 and 120 minutes)
- Documentary Short (less than 70 minutes)
- Animation (maximum of 100 minutes)
- Experimental (maximum of 60 minutes)

Films must be submitted for review in the following format:
- .MPG (MPEG or MPEG2)
- .MOV (QuickTime)

If accepted films must be submitted in the following format for exhibition:
- .MPG (MPET or MPEG2)
- .MOV (QuickTime)

A digital press kit is required upon acceptance of film.

River's Edge International Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless River's Edge International Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • We were very proud to have our film included in River's Edge International Film Festival. It's a longstanding and esteemed festival. We wish we had been able to attend in person. The festival was very easy and pleasant to work with, and we are so appreciative!

    November 2022
  • I am so honored that my documentary short “An Artist’s Journey from China to America '' was selected and shown at the Maiden Alley Cinema. The MAC is an important theater in Paducah. I had a wonderful time meeting other filmmakers, and celebrated friendship with many of my friends, students, and my colleagues. Thanks to the Festival Director, Rebecca Madding and Technical Director John Holt for providing me such great supporting.
    Director, BiLan Liao

    November 2021
  • Film chi

    Thank you for having our films. I hope that our films can attend to River's Edge International Film next year.

    December 2020
  • Carly Bryant

    Wonderful festival. So grateful to be selected. Thanks you from all at Needs Must Film.

    August 2020
  • My co-producer (Mark Stoffel) and I had a great time at the festival. It's a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and we had a nice crowd and Q&A after our screening. It's always great to meet other filmmakers and had that opportunity both at our screening, and at the reception on Saturday night. Only wish the crowds were larger, but I assume that Landee and her crew wish that, too.

    November 2018