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 17th 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!

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.

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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Philadelphia Independent Film Festival - aka PIFF was an absolutely wonderful and exciting event for 2023. It was a world premier in a major city at one of the coolest venues I've ever screened at. Ben, Martine, Stefan and the staff were on top of everything introducing filmmakers to like-minded souls and the programming put kindred films together. PIFF always has rad venues, probably the best venue list over 16 years of ANY festival worldwide. There's no snobbery here. If your film is cool, it has a real shot. Totally legit up and coming festival getting better every year. Congratulations to all at PIFF! - Jet Wintzer

    May 2023
  • Anis Hamdoun

    I believe that this festival is a true voice for the real Cinema

    May 2023
    Officialselectionpiff
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Anis, we work hard to curate a unique experience. e appreciate the input!

  • I had the pleasure of attending the 16th annual Philadelphia Independent Film Festival to screen Storage. I have nothing but love for this fest. Thank you for being the first fest ever in Philly to allow me to show what I can do!

    May 2023
    Officialselectionpiff
    Response from festival:

    Colin - great to screen with you! the Canal Street Film Center thanks you! :)

  • Thank you, PIFF, great job!

    May 2023
    Officialselectionpiff
    Response from festival:

    Jane - what a great and inspiring film. Thank you for screening and discussing this film over the previous months. We hope to meet up with you and jim soon!

  • Rodrigo Moreno-Fernandez

    Wonderful festival! Great communication and attention to detail!

    May 2023
    Officialselectionpiff
    Response from festival:

    Rodrigo - thank you. Glad you had a good experience. We look forward to more and meeting up soon. Regards!