Massachusetts is a major center for film production, and our passion for film is demonstrated by an impressive slate of film festivals – some international in scope, some focused on specific genres or subjects. In addition to screenings, the festivals provide an opportunity to attend lively panel discussions and Q&A sessions with directors, producers, and actors. Please check festival web sites for exact schedules, locations, and ticket information.
Select a Region to find Film Festivals
GREATER BOSTON | NORTH OF BOSTON | CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS | CENTRAL & WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Greater Boston
ARLINGTON
Boston Bike Film Festival
(617) 523-8388
Comedies, shorts, and documentaries.
October
ARLINGTON & WEST NEWTON
Belmont World Film
Features narrative and documentary films from top international film festivals and a family film festival with animated and live action films, and special events.
Family film festival, January
International film series, March-May
BOSTON
Boston Albanian Film Festival
Screens one Albanian feature each night plus additional shorts. Meet with directors, producers, and actors. All movies in Albanian with English subtitles.
October
Boston Baltic Film Festival
Three days of the latest award-winning films from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. World-class feature films and documentaries for all generations — a unique opportunity to get to know the Baltic soul — creative, reflective, and rebellious.
Phone (Tickets and festival program): 617-824-8400
Boston Film Festival
One of America’s longest running and most recognized celebrations of film. Entertaining, insightful, educational, and cutting-edge films; lively question-and-answer sessions with directors and actors. Stuart Street Playhouse.
September
Boston Irish Film Festival
Showcases films from Irish filmmakers around the world, films that expand the definition of Irish culture in the 21st century.
March
Boston International Film Festival
Brings together local, national, and international filmmakers. Screens independent and experimental films — feature-length, shorts, and student works.
April
Boston Turkish Film Festival
Features contemporary Turkish cinema and Turkish filmmakers. Many films are North American or U.S. premieres.
March/April
Boston Women’s Film Festival
The Boston Women’s Film Festival is the Boston area’s leading festival for international films created by women.
September
Dorchester Short Film Festival
An evening of award winning short films
October
Films at the Gate Festival
The event celebrates Asian culture in Boston with screenings of iconic films created by Asian filmmakers.
Late-August
Independent Film Festival of Boston
Showcases the best independent films from around the world — a mix of features, documentaries, and shorts. Panels and post-screen parties provide the opportunity to meet the directors, producers, and actors.
April
India International Film Festival of Boston
Showcasing the best independent films from South Asia (India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh) — a mix of features, documentaries, and shorts. Panels and post-screen parties provide the opportunity to meet the directors, producers, and actors.
September
Roxbury International Film Festival
Films celebrating people of color. Film screenings, workshops, and panel discussions take place at the Museum of Fine Arts, Massachusetts College of Art, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, the Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall, and the Coolidge Corner Theatre.
June
BOSTON, BROOKLINE & SUBURBS
Boston Jewish Film Festival
(617) 244-9899
The best contemporary films from around the world, which explore Jewish identity, the current Jewish experience, and the richness of Jewish culture in a diverse world. Features, shorts, documentaries, and conversations with visiting artists.
November
BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE
Boston Underground Film Festival
BUFF seeks the alternative, the confrontational, the political and the controversial; films that celebrate alternative visions and sounds, offering a platform that encourages new ideas and work that pushes the envelope in style and content.
March
Wicked Queer
International films of all lengths and genres that tell stories of the contemporary and historic experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons.
April
Boston Asian American Film Festival
Thought-provoking, entertaining lineup of independent cinema; workshop on Asian Americans in Film.
October
Boston Latino International Film Festival
Feature films, documentaries, and shorts showcasing Latino issues, culture, and the Latina community.
November
BOSTON, CAMBRIDGE & BROOKLINE
Boston Palestine Film Festival
(617) 642-9640
Showcases the extraordinary narrative of Palestinians through the medium of cinema.
October
BOSTON, HANOVER, NEWTON, SPRINGFIELD
ReelAbilities Boston Disabilities Film Festival
(617) 244-9899
Films about the lives of people with disabilities from a variety of communities.
February/March
CAMBRIDGE
The DocYard
Bi-weekly documentary film and discussion series at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge. In-person Q&As with filmmakers.
January-April
Arlington International Film Festival
Independent films from around the world: documentary and narrative features, shorts, animation, and experimental. Panel discussions and post-screen parties with directors, producers, and actors.
October
SOMERVILLE
Boston International Kids Film Festival
Films for, about, and by kids; workshops; mentoring opportunities. For children ages 10 and up.
November
SOMERVILLE & CAMBRIDGE
Massachusetts Independent Film Festival
A truly independent film festival founded by filmmakers for filmmakers. Each year the festival has a section devoted to New England filmmakers, while also presenting the best in independent film from around the world. Networking opportunities are provided throughout the year with screenings, panel discussions, and parties where you can meet the filmmakers.
August
North of Boston
NEWBURYPORT
Newburyport Documentary Film Festival
Feature-length and short documentaries that focus on social issues.
September
SALEM
Salem Film Fest
Best documentary films from around the globe that will “entrance you, trouble you, introduce you to new friends, and change your world.”
March
Cape Cod & The Islands
CAPE COD: ORLEANS
Orleans Surf Film Festival
(508) 255-7203
Two days of surf, cinema and stoke. Celebrating surf culture and showing local and national films in a pop-up gallery of Cape surf memorabilia and boards.
October
CAPE COD: PROVINCETOWN
Provincetown International Film Festival
(508) 487-FILM
Showcases American and international independent films, nurtures aspiring independent filmmakers, and honors industry luminaries.
June
CAPE COD: WOODS HOLE
Woods Hole Film Festival
(508) 495-3456
Eight-day showcase of independent film featuring daily screenings, workshops, panel discussions, staged readings, special events, parties, and awards ceremony.
July
MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival
(508) 645-9599
More than fifty films in a three-day immersion in film plus panel discussions and organic meals. Contiguous free children’s film festival at the Chilmark Library.
March
Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival
Four-day, fun-filled retreat dedicated to showcasing and honoring the works of independent and studio African-American filmmakers.
August
Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival
(508) 696-9369
Four days filled with the best feature and short films from top-notch festivals, such as Sundance, Berlin, and Cannes; great evening events; provocative forums; and live world music. Approximately 90 percent of all film selections are non-US productions, helping to fulfill the festival mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding through film. 2010 festival named by MovieMaker Magazine as one of its top 25 festivals.
September
NANTUCKET
Nantucket Film Festival
(212) 708-1278
The “screenwriters’ film festival.” Screenings consist of 35-45 independent, studio-produced, foreign, documentary, and short films in every genre, including premieres. Plus NFF Screenwriters Tribute, late-night storytelling, an informal morning coffee program with festival guests, and staged readings.
June
Central & Western Massachusetts
AMHERST
Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival UMass Amherst’s Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies presents new groundbreaking works by both emerging and established international filmmakers. Focuses on a different theme each year, highlighting topical issues in politics and art. Film scholars and filmmakers introduce films and participate in Q&As. Screenings are free.
February-April
AMHERST, CHICOPEE, GREENFIELD, LONGMEADOW, NORTHAMPTON, SHELBURNE FALLS, SPRINGFIELD & WEST SPRINGFIELD
Pioneer Valley Jewish Film and Arts Festival
(413) 439-1984
Three-week festival explores contemporary Jewish culture, secular and religious life, history, and politics. 20+ award-winning films from around the world, plus speakers, theatre performances, exhibits, concerts, and special events.
April
GREAT BARRINGTON
Berkshire International Film Festival
(413) 528-8030
Showcases the latest in independent feature, documentary, short, and family films plus lively panel discussions and special events focusing on filmmakers and talented artists from both sides of the camera.
June
WORCESTER
qFLIX
(855) 735-4987
A 5-day national and international film festival for, by, and about LGBTQ+ people and communities.
