MISSION & OBJECTIVE ~
The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival was founded to enable an environment for its participants to observe and engage the local and international independent film and business community. We are committed to discovering and showcasing a unique cinematic experience unrestrained by conventional boundaries. We seek out new filmmakers.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL ~
Welcome to our 12th year! With the Metropolitan City of Philadelphia as its pallet the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival brings together the innovation, technology, creativity, and diversity of film in a unique filmmaker exhibition ecosystem.

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

The festival programs original films, animations, and video's across 12 genres and produces or sponsors yearly creative events since 1998. We like to discuss the films we program online and offline. During the most recent festival in 2018, we hosted 1,500+ film goers and filmmakers from 20 states and over 12 countries in 5 days. The vast majority of the festival program is world and local premier status.

Awards & Prizes

We award genre winners with "Best of..." genre.

The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival awards are *IMDB certified.

Rules & Terms

All work should be original. All forms of film are accepted into competition. Feel free to discuss your film and its merit online.
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Melissa De Leon

    I was happy to have been able to show my short film at this film festival. They put a lot of work into it and had good panels. Unfortunately, I couldn't attend the panels because of work, but when I got there for my showing they were welcoming and came to greet me and some of my crew members. The theater where the films were shown was also great! I think it added to the experience. Will definitely submit again in the future.

    June 2018
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  • Justin Rodriguez

    Great they gave an opportunity for a selection! Great Communitcation

    May 2018
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  • Eduardo Ramos Olivera

    Excellent! Thanks Philadelphia Independent Film Festival!

    May 2018
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  • Donna Santaniello

    One of the most congenial and welcoming festivals I have been too. Such nice, accommodating people at every level. Brandon E. Brooks is the man! He never made it feel like it was the festival committee's festival, but rather you truly felt that it was THE FILMMAKER'S festival. And that's a rare thing. Well done, my friend. And well done everyone at PIFF. Many thanks!

    May 2018
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  • Shawn Whitney

    Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to the festival but right from the start the folks at PIFF were very communicative and supportive. Thanks so much for the honour of inviting our film to the festival this year guys. I hope that next time material constraints won't get in the way of attending!

    May 2018
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