SLIFF is an internationally-themed film event dedicated to exploring cross-cultural understanding through the art of the cinema. The organization aims to showcase the best in international and American cinema. Believing that we discover something about ourselves when we learn about others’ cultures and perspectives, SLIFF offers programs that provide glimpses of the human experience from around the world and thoughtfully address issues of race, ethnicity, and sexual identity. The festival is especially concerned with allowing local filmgoers to see works that would otherwise never screen in St. Louis.
USA Today named SLIFF one of the 2019 top "10 amazing film festivals worth traveling for."
Cinema St. Louis, a not-for-profit organization, produces the festival.
SLIFF is one of the Top 100 Best Reviewed film festivals in the world.
PLEASE NOTE: After temporarily converting to a virtual fest in 2020 because of the pandemic, we have returned to a traditional in-person presentation for our festivals. We work with Encore Now to provide a screening opportunity for a month after the festival.
Cinema St. Louis, a not-for-profit organization, produces the festival.
PLEASE NOTE: After temporarily converting to a virtual fest in 2020 because of the pandemic, we have returned to a traditional in-person presentation for our festivals. However, if an in-person SLIFF cannot be presented safely, we'll again use the secure Eventive online platform and hold the fest virtually instead.
SLIFF presents approximately 10 juried and audience-choice awards. Juried awards include the Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Award ($5,000 cash prize) and the New Filmmakers Forum's Emerging Director Award ($500 cash prize).
Additionally, SLIFF is an Academy-sanctioned qualifying festival for both narrative and documentary shorts. The juried award winners for Best Live Action Short, Best Animated Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Short Short (Under 5 Minutes), Best International Short, Best Local Short and Best of Fest can submit to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar® consideration.
Full award information can be found on the Cinema St. Louis website.
