3RFF is the #3 Film Festival according to USA Today Readers and one of the top 50 Film Festivals worth the entry fee according to MovieMaker Magazine

Since 1982, Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Film Festival (3RFF) has been Southwestern Pennsylvania's premier independent film festival, spanning all genres including horror, documentary, international, animation, and a well known Shorts program.

3RFF also includes a nationally recognized script competition and a growing Filmmaker Conference that provides networking opportunities with fellow filmmakers during the Shorts weekend. Selected filmmakers will receive a complimentary all-festival badge that includes admission to the entire festival and Filmmaker Conference. Stipends for travel are available on a limited basis.

The mission of Film Pittsburgh is to celebrate independent filmmakers and curate diverse cinematic experiences to foster dialogue, learning, and human connection.

SHORTS & SCRIPTS can be submitted here: filmfreeway.com/pittsburghshorts

Awards & Prizes

The Three Rivers Film Festival has prizes of $1,000 each and beautifully designed trophies are awarded for Best International Independent Feature, Best Documentary, Best American Independent Feature, and the new Romero Award for Best Horror Feature as determined by our diverse jury of industry experts.

Rules & Terms

CRITERIA
Three Rivers Film Festival is open to all independent filmmakers.

Eligible films submitting to the Three Rivers Film Festival must adhere to the following criteria:

• Must be a Pittsburgh premiere (no prior public Pittsburgh screening)
• Must be a feature-length film with a run time in excess of 40 minutes
• Films must have been completed in 2024 or later
• Foreign language films must have English subtitles (burned in or SRT files)
• No generative AI can be used

Short films can be submitted by way of filmfreeway.com/PittsburghShorts - 3RFF's short film program.

ENTRY FORM
Entrants may submit more than one film. Each entry requires a separate submission and fee.

Please include the following as part of your submission:
• Film synopsis (50 word maximum)
• Country of Origin
• Languages spoken in the film
• Type of film (Live Action, Documentary, or Animation)
• Length of film
• Prior Festival Screenings and Broadcast History
• Honors and Awards
• Filmmaker contact information
• Director’s Bio (100 word maximum)
• Brief Personal Statement (100 word maximum)
• Answers to the questionnaire

ENTRY FORMAT:
Please submit online via FilmFreeway. Vimeo links are strongly preferred.

Questions? Email us at: Info@FilmPittsburgh.org

Additional Terms and Conditions (aka the boring legal stuff, by submitting your film you agree to the following):
Film Pittsburgh is not responsible for late, lost, damaged or ineligible entries. Entrants will retain all ownership rights to their submitted films. By entering this festival, the entrant certifies that they have the legal right to submit and exhibit the film. The applicant is responsible and liable for any breach of rights or the law in the submission and exhibition process. Award winners will be required to sign an affidavit confirming that their film is original and that he/she holds all rights. The undersigned assumes responsibility to ensure the submission payment information is complete and correct and agrees to reimburse Film Pittsburgh for any additional fees incurred by incorrect submission payments, submission disputes, and credit card chargebacks. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Film Pittsburgh for any and all fees, claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving submission payment disputes, copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the content submitted and/or screened. By entering the festival, the entrant grants the right to publish or transmit portions of the film for the purpose of press or promotion, unless otherwise noted. Additionally, entry constitutes permission to use winners’ name, likeness, and voice for advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation. Void where prohibited.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Brian Hartman

    Having our film “UNSINKABLE” open the Three Rivers Film Festival was an experience I will never forget. The love and respect that Kathryn Spitz Cohen and her nurturing team have for filmmaking and filmmakers is unmatched. From the programmer to the tech folks, to the marketing team and the ticket-takers, each and every individual walked us through each step with great care and professionalism. Whether it’s your debut or your 50th, your film’s first public exhibition can always be a bit scary. It’s like dropping your kid off on the first day of school. However, with this rock-star team and these wonderful venues, you knew your baby was in the best of hands from day one. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to Three Rivers for the experience of a lifetime. Brian Hartman (Producer/Screenwriter)

    December 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We were honored to be able to premiere your film, Brian, and grateful for the opportunity to do so. We're so pleased that you had a great experience and appreciate your kind words and thoughts here!

  • Brian Silverman

    Three Rivers Film Festival is everything a city film festival should be. Kathryn, Paul, Caroline, and the entire team are incredibly communicative and supportive. The venues are cool. And the promotion within the city is absolutely outstanding. Both of our screenings sold out. So many audience members mentioned reading a promotion in the paper, seeing it on a news show or hearing an interview on local radio. The quality of the films is outstanding. And after speaking with staff about the plans for the future, the festival is on a trajectory of excellence. Fantastic fest.

    December 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so very much, Brian, for sharing these kind words and for giving us the opportunity to share your film! We're thrilled to know that you had a good experience!

  • Clara Lehmann

    We had a fantastic time at Three Rivers! The entire staff, from programmers to theater managers to directors, were incredibly kind, generous, and organized. The festival helped ensure we could attend and that local audiences were aware of the screening.

    Our film played at a beautiful theater, was well-attended, and our moderator led a thoughtful discussion. It was one of our best screenings during our festival run. We're grateful for it.

    Filmmakers can feel comfortable applying to Three Rivers, knowing these are good people who love film. Many of the staff are filmmakers themselves. We'd love to return.

    November 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Clara, for the kind remarks and for allowing us to share your film as part of this year's festival. We are so happy to know you had a good experience with us!

  • Lance Kramer

    Had a wonderful experience at Three Rivers. The programming team was super personable, supportive, and put a lot of care and attention into the presentation of our film. The festival helped cover our travel and accommodations which made a huge difference. And they put a lot of effort into community engagement to get local partner organizations involved in the screening. Had an unforgettable experience in Pittsburgh. Highly recommend this festival and have lots of gratitude to the team!

    November 2022
    Helpful
  • Julia Reichert

    We were in good hands with our virtual screening of 9to5: The Story of a Movement. Thank you Paul and team for accommodating our requests and sharing our film with your audience!

    March 2021
    Helpful