The Riverside Short Film Festival furthers the art and craft of film-making by supporting, promoting and recognizing the art of short film and its artists. The goal of the festival is to amplify our collective and individual awareness by bringing the world to New Haven, Mo, and beyond, to celebrate fresh voices and differing global perspectives with the hope that these programs will enlighten audiences, provide exposure for filmmakers, preserve the art of the short film and present inspired entertainment for all.

The Riverside Short Film and Video Festival was created by Patti Ryan of Grinning Bear Studios LLC. Patti passed the torch to Gary Rice and Tara Steffens in 2015. Tara then brought on Leigh Kellmann Kolb and Andrew Saunders to serve as producers and judges. We look forward to many more years at our new location in New Haven, MO.

Cash Prizes for 1st place, 2nd place an Audience Choice
Laurels provided for official selections and winners

1. The Board of Directors invites and selects the films that will be presented in the competition and for screening.

2. "Short Films" are classified as not exceeding 30 minutes in length, including credits.

3. Once a film has been selected, it cannot be withdrawn from competition.

4. Any non-English-speaking films must be presented in their original version with English subtitles. All subtitling expenses, if required, are to be met by the producer.

5. The Board of Directors selects all members of the jury for competition and screening. Each jury member will vote by a secret ballot. No person having taken part in the production or promotion of a film in competition may be on the jury.

6. All films submitted for the official selection must be entered by the deadline and submitted through FilmFreeway. Submissions will not be accepted outside of FilmFreeway, unless they are solicited by he Board of Directors.

7. Complete documentation for each submitted film is to be made available to the Festival, if required.

8. You will not be reimbursed for any costs or mailing costs. All expenses for the transportation and insurance of prints are also the responsibility of their owner.

9. Submission does not guarantee screening. If your film is chosen for screening, a high quality copy may be required.

10. We reserve the right to change the category of your submission.

11. Participation in the Festival implies acceptance of all the aforementioned regulations and respect of submission and screening conditions. Furthermore, by completing the initial online submission form, (you/your company) agree to the Festival’s terms of the release as follows:

[You/The Company] hereby grant(s) the organizers of the Festival permission to screen the film during the Festival and other associated promotional events. For the avoidance of doubt, the location and timing of any screenings of the film shall be the sole decision of the organizers of the Festival.
[You/The Company] [have/has] obtained signed release forms in relation to copyright and all other rights now known from all the cast, crew and any freelance contributors who were involved in the making of the film.
The film contains no material which is obscene, libelous or defamatory.
[You/The Company] [have/has] obtained the appropriate copyright clearances for all music used in the film (if required).
[You/The Company] will be solely responsible for all costs resulting from the submission of the film to the Festival including but not limited to postage or insurance of the film, transport costs of the film to and from the Festival and travel costs and expenses of your staff or any representatives of the film.
[You/The Company] will indemnify the organizers of the Festival against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the Festival or from claims by any third parties.
[You/A Director of The Company] [have/has] read, understood and agree[s] to be fully bound by the Rules and Regulations of the Festival.
[You/The Company] understand[s] and agree[s] that any failure to follow and adhere to the Rules and Regulations of the Festival will result in the disqualification of the film.
[You/The Company] hereby give[s] the organizers of the Festival a non-exclusive license to use [your/its] name, [photograph/logo] and likeness in connection with any and all publicity and promotional activities relating to the Festival, and its promotional activities and events.
[You/The Company] understand[s] that the Festival is not obliged to return the copy of the film that [you/The Company] submitted to the Festival and confirm that [you/The Company] [have/has] retained at least one other copy of the film.
[You/The Company] understand[s] that the organizers of the Festival accept no liability for the loss or non-receipt of the film.
[You/The Company] understand[s] that there are no fees [due to you/it] for screening the film at the Festival or for any other matters arising from the submission of the film to the Festival and accept that the organizers of the Festival are therefore under no obligation to pay you any sums.
[You/The Company] agree[s] to be bound by the decision of the judges of the Festival, whose decision will be final. [You/The Company] further understand[s] and agree[s] that the judges are not obliged to give any feedback to you regarding the film.
[You/The Company] confirm[s] and warrant [s]that [you are/it is] the author of the film and the sole and exclusive owner of all rights now known in the Film and [have/has] full and exclusive rights to submit the film to the Festival. [You/The Company] further warrant[s] that the film is not under option, nor has it been purchased by any third party. [You/The Company] also warrant[s] that there is no current dispute as to the ownership of the film and that no rights or permissions are required from any third parties before the film can be screened at the Festival.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • MICHAL HALL BRAVO RAMÍREZ

    It was an honor for Forest Under Stress our short-mixed media documentary to be selected at Riverside Short Film Festival. The short movie was entirely created by a mother daughter duo to bring awareness to the declining health of our forest in the state of Oregon. By selecting Forest Under Stress this continues to help people understand the forest is more than just trees. Thank you, Rachel Lee Hall-- Producer.

    April 2023
  • This is a great festival. My only issue it was only a 4 hour festival on a Saturday afternoon. I wish it were longer. The people were very nice, the communication from the festival staff was top notch. I truly enjoyed myself and would love to attend again. I was surprised at some of the festival selections but it's simply a taste thing, nothing more particularly after the feedback from the audience. But I was happy to be there and receive an audience choice award. Thank you Riverside!!!

    April 2023
  • Anthony Bradley

    Great platform to showcase up and coming filmmakers.

    April 2017