Roosevelt Island Film Festival takes place on the stunningly beautiful, two-mile island, nestled between Manhattan and Queens and straddled by the 59th St. Bridge, Roosevelt Island. Also starting 2023 additional screenings will be held in NYC.

RIFF is dedicated to the discovery and development of independent American and international filmmakers. The festival seeks to discover, support, and inspire independent film, and introduce audiences to new exceptional works. We are open to all genres. Special categories include Female Directors, Comedy, International, and NYC Filmmaker.

RIFF hosts screenings, panels and social networking opportunities for everyone involved. Leading figures from all disciplines of the film industry including distributors and media will be in attendance.

RIFF will accept films in every genre, on any topic from every country around the world. 
The films will be selected by the Founders and judging juries. If your film is private please make sure you provide password. We look forward to seeing your work.

Feature Films / Short Films / Television Pilots.

BEST IN FESTIVAL FEATURE
BEST IN FESTIVAL SHORT

BEST DIRECTOR – FEATURE
BEST DIRECTOR- SHORT

BEST ACTOR - FEATURE
BEST ACTOR- SHORT

BEST ACTRESS – FEATURE
BEST ACTRESS – SHORT

BEST FEMALE FILMMAKER- FEATURE
BEST FEMALE FILMMAKER- SHORT

BEST NYC FILMMAKER - FEATURE
BEST NYC FILMMAKER - SHORT

BEST INTERNATIONAL - FEATURE
BEST INTERNATIONAL - SHORT

BEST COMEDY - FEATURE
BEST COMEDY - SHORT

BEST DRAMA - FEATURE
BEST DRAMA - SHORT

BEST SCI-FI/HORROR FEATURE
BEST SCI-FI/HORROR SHORT

BEST DOCUMENTARY

BEST EXPERIMENTAL

BEST ANIMATION FEATURE OR SHORT

BEST PILOT

BEST TRAILER

RIFF Rules and Regs 

1. RIFF accepts submissions for feature films, short films narratives, documentaries, pilots and one episode from a series.

2. All films submitted must have been completed on or after January 1, 2016.

3. All films must be submitted with an online screener

4. All feature  submissions must be between 50-130 minutes in length.

5. All short film  submissions must be under 30 minutes in length.

6. There is no premiere requirement

7. ALL SUBMISSION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

8. All Submission media completed forms, and submission fees must be received by specified First, Deadline, Early Deadline, Regular Deadline, Late Deadline, Extended Deadline and no later that Final Deadline for each festival season.

9. All films and videos in a language other than English "MUST BE SUBTITLED" for the festival

10. SCREENING REQUIREMENTS: If your film is selected for exhibitIon, please be advised that we will require AT LEAST MP4 1920 X 1080

11. LEGAL (By submitting you are agreeing to the following)

A. The Feature, Short, or Other Media I am submitting as my entry is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation; 

B. I am duly authorized to submit this Production to the RIFF.  I hold RIFF harmless from any damage to the print(s) or tape(s) or media en route or otherwise during the course of the Festival; 

C. I hold RIFF harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from my entry;

D. I certify that I have full rights to the use of the music in the Production; I give permission for RIFF to use excerpts of up to three minutes of the Production for promotional purposes;

E.  I give permission for RIFF to use stills, titles, copy, and/or information from the Production for promotional purposes;

F.  I give permission for RIFF to screen the Production at RIFF event as well as at ancillary Festival presentations, programs, and/or events;

G.  I own or have authorization to all necessary copyrights and licenses; (If requested) I will be able to provide model/actor release verification as well as provide music, product and other copyright licensing verification. As the Submitter/Producer, I agree to take on all copyright liability in regard to submitted film. 

H. Entry does not guarantee acceptance into RIFF.

I. No award will be given if there are no nominations for a category.

J. All awards are selected by the President and the judges.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Robin Johnson

    Wonderful festival! Toni, the organizer, is deeply passionate about the craft and leads a well organized, feel-good event. Definitely recommend!

    July 2023
  • Karim Azimi

    A successful festival with the selection of good films, each of which is admirable..and the brilliant and successful management of the Khabar festival is an important festival for short films in the world.
    Karim Azimi

    July 2023
  • Shaun Boyd

    Thank-you for screening my short film "The Anniversary" as a US premiere. We are grateful for your hospitality.

    July 2023
  • We were SO stoked to have our film Desert Sky screen at this awesome fest. I was so sad I was unable to attend due to a family emergency but communication was great and I look forward to getting there next time!

    July 2023
  • RIFF was my first visit with my film Flash/Crash playing in a short block together with well-crafted, inspiring shorts from amazing filmmakers. To Toni in particular, who from the get go via email all to meeting each other in person, showed true care and love for indie filmmakers. Myself and Natasja Pattipeilohy, who joined and supported me dearly beyond expectations, really had a great time and meeting new filmmakers and connect with them! I am definitely hoping to return with my follow up short! All best, Angelo Perez Lebbink.

    July 2023