MISSION & OBJECTIVE

The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival is dedicated to discovering and championing bold cinematic voices that exist beyond traditional industry boundaries. For nearly two decades, the festival has created a platform for filmmakers whose work embraces experimentation, cultural dialogue, technological innovation, and deeply personal storytelling. PIFF exists not simply to screen films, but to cultivate an independent filmmaking community rooted in conversation, discovery, and creative exchange.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Welcome to our 20th year!

The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival was built from the ground up by filmmakers, artists, programmers, technologists, musicians, and cultural organizers who believed Philadelphia deserved a truly independent international film festival — one connected as much to the streets, creative communities, and emerging technologies of the city as it is to cinema itself.

Founded in 2007 through the Media Bureau film initiative and emerging from the Philadelphia Underground Film Forum (#uff), PIFF was created during a transformative moment for independent media. What began as a grassroots digital screening collective responding to the growing demand for authentic independent film culture evolved into an internationally recognized annual festival that now attracts filmmakers and audiences from around the world.

Philadelphia itself remains central to the festival’s identity. The city serves as both backdrop and collaborator — a place where art, activism, music, technology, and diverse communities intersect. PIFF reflects that energy by bringing together filmmakers whose work pushes aesthetic, cultural, and narrative boundaries while remaining accessible to audiences seeking meaningful engagement with cinema.

Over the years, PIFF has become known not only for its screenings, but for the conversations that happen around them. The festival actively encourages dialogue between filmmakers, audiences, technologists, musicians, and community organizers both online and in person. Through partnerships with initiatives like Philly Tech Week, PIFF continues to explore how storytelling, emerging media, VR, music, and technology are reshaping the future of independent film culture.

The festival programs original work across 12 genres, including animation, experimental film, VR, documentary, and music video, with a strong emphasis on world and local premieres. At its core, PIFF remains committed to discovering new voices and supporting filmmakers who may not fit within conventional systems but whose stories deserve to be seen and discussed.

More than a festival, PIFF has become an evolving filmmaker ecosystem and cultural meeting ground — a place where independent cinema, creative technology, and community-building converge.

We hope you join us in May 2026, in Philadelphia, as we celebrate 20 years of independent film, global storytelling, and the enduring spirit of creative freedom.

Awards & Prizes

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

Richard Regen Screenwriters Award

*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. We will create a genre if you do not!

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.

Thank you!

82 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jackson McKeehan

    Thank you to the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival for programming our short, HVAC! Although we weren't able to attend in person, the communication was superb and we'd be honored to show there again!

    May 2026
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  • Vince Minniti

    I was extremely satisfied with the level of professionalism and respect this festival demonstrated. We went in person and engaged with so many like minded indie creatives and had a blast. I highly recommend this festival to all !

    May 2026
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  • Shontel Horne

    I had a great time at this festival and loved sharing my documentary with the audience. Thank you for having me.

    May 2026
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  • Corey Allen

    I appreciate being included in this year's PIFF line up. It was my first time attending the festival and there was an eclectic curation of films, probably something for every kind of filmgoer. I commend the programmers on their commitment to lifting up filmmakers from all over the globe. I look forward to checking it out again in the future as they settle in their new home.

    May 2026
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  • Athena Demos

    Im not sure what happened. We got notification that we were accepted here on Film Freeway but did not get an email from the festival till the week before. I tried to email several times however got no response. I even called the phone number listed on Film Freeway and another I found on facebook. It wasn't until the week before the festival that any email came that we were indeed accepted. When I replied it was several days before there was a response only to be introduced to people at the venue to coordinate with. This was a different venue then what was listed in the schedule. The venue people were very nice and helpful. However the day before the screening, the venue was told a different time then what I was told and what was on the schedule that had a different venue. The schedule never got updated with the correct venue. The morning of the screening they changed the time back to the time in the schedule which was difficult for the venue to jump with only hours left. They did so and we were ready to go. But since there was no notification to the audience at the festival about the venue change, no one showed up. So there was no one there to see our project. We got word that there were hundreds of people at the main venue down the street. With no announcement made that our screening was happening, our experience was a bust. No audience at all.

    May 2026
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