Bisbee, a former mining town nestled high atop the Mule Mountains of Cochise County, Arizona, and overlooking the US/Mexico border, was revitalized by hippies and artists when the mines closed in the 1970s, but hasn’t had a movie theater in some time. Now, the Bisbee Royale, built as a church in 1917, just five years after Arizona became a state, has brought movie-going back to Bisbee, starting with the Royale Film Festival, which launched in 2024.
Last year the Royale projected more than 50 independent films onto its 18-foot screen at Club Royale at the 2nd annual event, including the reigning Academy Award winning documentary "No Other Land" and award-winning content from Arizona, Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Orlando, England, and Puerto Rico.
That same year we launched the 1st annual Bisbee Festival of Animation featuring 55 animated films from 24 countries, including this year's Oscar-nominated animated short "Papillon (Butterfly)" from France.
All selected films will be designated an OFFICIAL SELECTION of RFF's Bisbee Festival of Animation.
Jury and Audience awards will be given in categories to be determined. Winners will receive a custom plaque.
