MISSION & OBJECTIVE ~
The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival is committed to discovering and showcasing a unique cinematic experience unrestrained by conventional boundaries.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL ~
Welcome to our 18th year and what a year we hope it will be.

With the Metropolitan City of Philadelphia as its pallet, the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival seeks out and brings together a unique blend of innovation, technology, creativity, and diversity of film in an ever-evolving filmmaker ecosystem.

The festival launched in 2007 out of the mediabureau.com film initiative. The group had been meeting as part of the Philadelphia Underground Film Forum #uff and with surging and pent-up demand for Independent film at a crossroads, launched the first festival in 2008. What was once a digital screening group has blossomed into an annual 6-day event attended by filmmakers from all over the world.

The festival programs original film across 12 genres, animation, VR, and music video's and actively takes part in Philly Tech Week. We like to discuss the films we program, online and offline, using #piff #pifffilms #uff #DemocratizeContent across our active media networks. The vast majority of the festival program is world and local premier status.

We hope to hear from you and see you May 8-11 at the festival!

Awards & Prizes

Films are selected into the Underground Film Forum #UFF and then awarded with "Best of..." & Underground Film Forum selections.

*The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival is IMDB certified.

Rules & Terms

All work should be original with all licensing obtained.
All films must have been completed 20 months prior to the festival date.
All forms of film are accepted into competition.
Please specify your film in a genre if submitting it as a short or feature.

Feel free to discuss your film and its merit on festival social media properties @Philaindie. Lobbying your film is accepted but we reserve the right to delete any and all comments. Please respect we have only so many available slots to screen.

The festival reserves the right to revoke any submission at anytime.

77 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Megan McGurk

    The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival was a sheer delight. I was honoured to have my short film Sex Pirates of 1931 included in the programme. Everyone on the team was friendly and helpful, but Maarten Olaya really went above and beyond with helpful information and a warm welcome. PIFF was fabulous!

    May 2025
    Helpful
  • Walter Santucci

    the variety and quality of films selected for this festival is really world class and so I was both surprised and honored to be included! Thank you for helping keep the art of cinema alive!!

    May 2025
    Helpful
  • Add the Dog - Vanessa Esteves

    We were so sad that we could not attend the festival in person but we were so impressed by how friendly and organized the festival was. Thank you for hosting Christopher & the Bug for it's world premiere! Looking forward to join the festival in person next time!!

    May 2025
    Helpful
  • Julieta Quiroga

    I'm so sad I couldn't attend to the festival in person but I'm so thankful to have been able to have a US premiere of my short Humedad (Damp) at the Philly Independent Film Festival. The communication was great, the programming team was very kind and I received amazing comments from them! I hope I have the chance to attend another year!

    May 2025
    Helpful
    Officialselectionpiff
    Response from festival:

    We missed you! Thank you for the submission. Hope to meet up soon. First Fridays in the studios for open screenings.

  • Chase Antenucci

    Having my second short film “Weal” screened at the Philly Indie Film Festival was a truly rewarding experience. The programming was thoughtful and well-curated, with a real focus on personal storytelling. Communication from the organizers was clear and supportive throughout, and the screening environment felt passionate and welcoming, I’m grateful to have been a part of it. Can’t wait to submit again!

    May 2025
    Helpful