Filmmakers and audience members love our festival! Movies On a Shoestring, a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1959, produces and presents the annual Rochester International Film Festival. It's one of the longest running, continually held short film festivals in the world. No wonder we've been voted "BEST Local Film Festival" by readers of City Magazine since 2014, despite stiff competition in our festival-rich region.
Selected entries are screened in four separate programs at the George Eastman Museum's historic Dryden Theatre in Rochester, NY. We foster a love of motion pictures by screening short films from around the globe that are rich in artistic expression. We also educate viewers in art and technique, resulting in an eager reception for your cinematic creations. Audience members and filmmakers enjoy a Q & A session following each screening.
While the Rochester International Film Festival does not offer cash prizes, it delivers hospitality and recognition galore! All films screened at the fest receive our unique Shoestring Trophy and commemorative program book. During the fest we host filmmaker homestays, meals, networking opportunities, outings, private tours, and parties. We issue Certificates of Merit to films not screened but of notable technical or thematic quality, and we list Honorable Mentions in the program book and on our website. And every filmmaker who submits to our festival receives a detailed critique letter summarizing the impressions and suggestions of our preliminary screening committee.
AWARDS & PRIZES
Films screened at the fest:
• Distinctive Shoestring Trophy
• Commemorative program
• Homestays or assistance locating accommodations
• Special lunches, dinners, tours, etc.
• Filmmaker swag bags
• Local press coverage
Films not selected for screening, but deemed notable:
• Honorable Mention or Certificate of Merit, listing in program book and on our website
EACH film submitted:
• Critique Letter