THE WEYAUWEGA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
November 12-15, 2025

2025 will mark the fifteenth annual Weyauwega International Film Festival in Weyauwega, Wisconsin.

We are here to celebrate film and filmmaking and to bring filmmakers together from around the world to share their work with our film going public as well as with each other.

WIFF encourages filmmakers to attend the festival and will provide local housing for visiting filmmakers as well as local transportation if needed. We have had filmmakers from around the world attending WIFF.

Films are screened at the historic Gerold Opera House in the charming small town of Weyauwega, Wisconsin.

The Gerolds - We award cash prizes to the best jury selected films in seven categories: The Gerolds go to best Narrative Feature, Narrative Short, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short. There is a Bloch Award for the Best of Psychofest and awards for Best Animated Film and Best Student Film.

Whatever reflects your own sense of the world, of people, of the ties between people and conveys this personal sensibility to us will be valuable. At WIFF we show the work of filmmakers who are finding or at least listening for their own voice. There is no one way. We are looking for all genres of film: narratives, documentaries, features, shorts, comedies, experimental, animation, etc. Half of the films screened at WIFF are foreign language films. WIFF also hosts filmmaker forums, events and parties.

PSYCHOFEST! Horror, Sci-Fi and Thrillers!
Friday nights feature horror, sci-fi and thrillers. The best Psychofest selection receives the Bloch Award. Sixty years ago in 1959, the novel Psycho was written by Robert Bloch while living with his wife and daughter here in Weyauwega. He was inspired by the nearby Ed Gein murders in Plainfield, Wisconsin. Hitchcock purchased the rights to the novel and sent his art designer to the area for inspiration. You can spot the places on which many of the main locations were based including the Lake Shore Motel and the Bates Mansion.

Some of our past Midwest Premieres and Features include PARASITE, THE GRIM GAME, THE LOVE WITCH, HOLY MOTORS, ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW. Our 2013 pick for best documentary short, THE LADY IN NUMBER SIX won the Academy Award and our 2012 best narrative feature, WEST OF THUNDER has gone on to be awarded both the Best Film (Peace) and Best Film (Human Rights) 2012 by the Political Film Society of Hollywood, CA.

The festival is held in the historic 1915 Gerold Opera House. The opera house features a bar as well as an international menu from the Wega Bistro offering table service while screening films. A true destination festival! Set in the scenic farm country of Central Wisconsin, Weyauwega is located about 25 miles from Appleton, Wisconsin, and about 45 miles from Green Bay. The area is noted for its many lakes, cheeses and world class local beer!

WIFF is presented by Wega Arts, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to creating original works in film and theater.

WIFF is also made possible by assistance from the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Awards & Prizes

Gerold Awards and Cash prizes are awarded in the following categories:
Best Narrative Feature - $500
Best Narrative Short - $250
Best Documentary Feature - $500
Best Documentary Short - $250
Robert Bloch Award for best of Psychofest - $250 (Horror, Thriller or Sci-Fi)
Best Animated Film - $200
Best Student Film - $200

Plus Honorable Mentions for each category

Rules & Terms

1) The Weyauwega International Film Festival will present their 15th Festival from November 12-15, 2025 at the Gerold Opera House in Weyauwega, Wisconsin. Filmmakers are encouraged to attend.

2) We have a panel of judges. Winners will be announced at the festival on Saturday, November 12th. The first prize winner in each category will win $500 for features, $250 for shorts and Bloch Award. $200 awards for Best Animated Film of any length and Best Student Film of any length or genre. Students must have produced the film while a student. There are also original hand crafted trophies awarded for each category.

3) People whose films have been selected will be notified by October 10, 2025.

4) Submitted films will not receive a screening fee if screened at the Weyauwega International Film Festival.

5) Weyauwega International Film Festival will provide local housing for visiting filmmakers whose films are selected for screening at the festival on a limited basis based on availability. Details about housing will be sent to selected filmmakers in early October, 2025 along with their notifications. Housing is prioritized for those traveling from out of Wisconsin or from out of the United States.

6) There may be distributors present but no distribution is guaranteed.

7) Weyauwega 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 Weyauwega 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. USB Drives or other media will not be returned unless a prepaid mailer or label is included.

51 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Vicki Topaz

    Unfortunately, I was unable this amazing festival. However I cannot say enough about the detailed communication, organization and attentiveness to various queries and such. It was an honor for our film, BY MY SIDE, to be selected. Thank you Ian and team.

    December 2024
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  • Craig Knitt

    The Weyauwega International Film Festival has an AMAZING commitment to quality for its audiences as well as it's filmmakers! Whether it's their dedication to showcasing "Wisconsin's Own" filmmakers or their international friends from around the world, Kathy and Ian collect an incredible batch of films every year! This has always been a great place for inspiration and entertainment, as well as a bit of 'elbow-rubbing' with others that share your passions!

    November 2024
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  • Daniel Wheeler

    The Weyauwega International Film Festival was a wonderful venue for the premiere screening of my short film "The Last Witch in Wisconsin". The festival directors were well organized and answered all questions with speed and clarity - something I always appreciate! It was an amazing night, Thank You!

    November 2024
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  • Tasso Feldman

    Weyauwega International Film Festival is a gem! The programming at WIFF is thoughtful and delightfully eclectic. The curators are invested in weaving a rich tapestry of stories from all over the world.
    During the two full days I spent watching films, I met an enthusiastic and discerning audience whose appetite for film and conversation was refreshingly authentic.

    This intimate festival is also an ideal place to meet other independent filmmakers working in a variety of genres who share a passion for interesting stories, an obsession with filmmaking, and the grit it takes to give their stories a cinematic life.

    The Gerold Opera House is a great venue. Top notch projection and sound made watching films for two days an immersive experience. There is a bar in the back of the theater, and you can order delicious food from the WEGA Bistro and they will bring it right to your table. It’s like being at an Alamo Drafthouse, only…better!

    Kathy and Ian and the team at WIFF were wonderful hosts. Communication before, during, and after the festival was clear, with a personal touch. They provided housing and local transportation, which helped make the trip to Weyauwega, Wisconsin possible. If you can go, Go!

    It was a pleasure to attend WIFF 2024. Thank you for screening PIRANDELLO ON BROADWAY. I hope to return.

    November 2024
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  • Benjamin Cook

    Ian and hosts are fantastic. One of the best festivals I've attended yet. It's a wonderful event that really connects filmmakers. Hope to return soon!

    November 2024
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