Fall Film Festivals

If you want to catch the latest independent films, upcoming movie producers and perhaps even see a few stars, enjoy fall film festivals in September or October. From traditional film festivals to specialty screenings of horror and Halloween films, you can see enough movies at these events to overwhelm the average moviegoer. Select your film festival this autumn from among these:

Christmas Holiday Throwback Series at Union Station - Kansas City, MO - Nov 18 to Dec 29, 2023
Watch classic and retro holiday movies including National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Elf, and the Polar Express, all at Regnier Extreme Screen, the largest movie theater screen in the region. Each movie will screen for a few days, check the website for the schedule and tickets.

Cucalorus Film Festival - Wilmington, NC - Nov 15 to Nov 19, 2023
Founded in 1994 this annual festival screens over 200 films at several area venues. Dress up for the red carpet and enjoy your nights out. Recent addition can help venture capitalists and entreprenteurs meet at the Cucalorus Connect conference, which featured more than 50 events (in addition to the film festival) such as panels and workshops.

St. Louis International Film Festival - St. Louis, MO - Nov 9 to Nov 19, 2023
Going virtual for 2020, see event website for details. Normally: Annual event with almost 400 screenings and programs at more than 10 venues.

Fairhope Film Festival - Fairhope, AL - Nov 9 to Nov 12, 2023

Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival - Rehoboth Beach, DE - Nov 8 to Nov 12, 2023
The oldest and largest event of its kind in the State of Delaware. RBIFF has developed into a mid-Atlantic fall destination event for film enthusiasts from more than fifteen states. The eleven day event is held every November and offers a wide variety of American and international feature, documentary and short films.

Hot Springs International Horror Film Festival - Hot Springs, AR - Nov 3 to Nov 5, 2023
Independent film festival with a variety of films in the horror, sci fi, and thriller genres, with premieres, networking and exhibition opportunities.

New Orleans Film Festival - New Orleans, LA - Nov 2 to Nov 12, 2023
Hosted by multiple theatres across the city, the film festival gives out awards in seven different categories with prize packages that include thousands of dollarsÂ’ worth of camera packages, software, film stock, cash prizes and more. In addition to screenings, there are parties and other events, and celebrities are often in attendance. Individual screening tickets are available but can go quickly, so the All-Access Pass (which among other benefits guarantees tickets to all festival screenings) is the better bet

Rome International Film Festival - Rome, GA - Nov 2 to Nov 5, 2023
This event is known for its screenings of independent films. MovieMaker called it one of the outstanding film festivals of the Southeast.

UrbanWorld - New York, NY - Nov 1 to Nov 5, 2023
Unique 5 day film festival includes film screenings, panel discussions, live readings and music performances.

Austin Film Festival - Austin, TX - Oct 26 to Nov 2, 2023
Film pass permits access to 180 premieres, indie films, narrative and documentary competition, shorts program and more.

Lake Placid Film Festival - Lake Placid, NY - Oct 26 to Oct 29, 2023
View films and shorts, attend panels and more

Vermont International Fall Festival - Burlington, VT - Oct 20 to Oct 29, 2023
Film festival with a variety of programming actoss the week.

Santa Fe Independent Film Festival - Santa Fe, NM - Oct 18 to Oct 22, 2023
Brings the latest independent films and directors, Native cinema, New Mexico films, student films, and masters discussions to several venues in Santa Fe.

Dayton LGBT Film Festival - Dayton, OH - Oct 13 to Oct 15, 2023
The Dayton LGBT Film Festival has been bringing the best and newest of LGBT cinema to the Miami Valley for well over a decade. They’ve brought close to 200 feature length and short films to town since their inception, and they’ve hosted over 20 guest artists

Freak Show Horror Film Fest - Orlando, FL - Oct 13 to Oct 15, 2023
This film festival supports independent filmmakers in the international horror genre.

Atlanta Horror Film Festival - Atlanta, GA - Oct 13 to Oct 15, 2023
They’ve screened thousands of independent horror features and shorts since 2006.

A.C. Cinefest - Atlantic City, NJ - Oct 13 to Oct 15, 2023
Celebrating the art of independent moviemaking. Meet the celebrities from stage and screen up-close at this annual film festival.

Telluride Horror Show - Telluride, CO - Oct 13 to Oct 15, 2023
Colorado’s first and longest-running horror film festival returns for another year, with the latest genre films from all around the world, and visitors from near and far for a three-day gathering in the mountain resort town of Telluride. Enjoy horror, suspense, thriller, dark fantasy, sci-fi and dark comedy in various venues, with over 20 feature films and 50+ short films (some making their US premiere for the first time!) plus special programs, guests and other events.

Bend Film Festival - Bend, OR - Oct 12 to Oct 15, 2023

Portland Film Festival - Portland, OR - Oct 12 to Oct 16, 2023
MovieMaker Magazine called it one of the coolest film festivals in the world. This festival brings a week of film premieres, networking, workshops, guest speakers, Q&A’s and more to Portland.

New Hampshire Film Festival - Portsmouth, NH - Oct 12 to Oct 15, 2023
Screens more than 100 films during the course of the event. Includes Young Filmmaker’s Workshop and closing ceremonies with presentation of the Granny Awards.

Montana Film Festival - MIssoula, MT - Oct 12 to Oct 15, 2023
Watch screenings of new independent films plus the work of emerging artists.

Chicago International Film Festival - Chicago, IL - Oct 11 to Oct 22, 2023
Exhibiting films from around the world for five decades.

Urban Mediamakers Film Festival - Atlanta, GA - Oct 9 to Oct 22, 2023
The annual event takes place at various locations in metro-Atlanta and Lawrenceville. There are also guest speakers and workshops, as well as a competition for middle and high schoolers.

Lake Charles Film & Music Festival - Lake Charles, LA - Oct 6 to Oct 7, 2023
Annual event for 5+ years. Independent film screenings, seminars, parties, networking, live music, cajun food and more.

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival - Hot Springs, AR - Oct 6 to Oct 14, 2023
A 9-day all-documentary festival, makes its home in the Historic Spa City of Hot Springs, with all screenings and parties held within easy walking distance. Known for its eccentric charm and unbeatable hospitality, the city of Hot Springs is an ideal place to mix and mingle with industry professionals, filmmakers, and celebrity guests far from the intensity of the Hollywood scene. Each October, film-lovers and filmmakers gather to immerse themselves in more than 100 of the best international features and shorts the documentary world has to offer, and to attend unforgettable events and parties.

California Avocado Festival - Carpinteria, CA - Oct 6 to Oct 8, 2023
One of the largest free festivals in Cali with a great lineup of music and fabulous food.

Grand Junction Art Festival - Grand Junction, CO - Oct 6 to Oct 7, 2023
Visit Downtown galleries and local businesses to see local talent displayed in various forms of artwork. Meet local artists, enjoy street art, sample wines from local wineries, and more!

Heartland Film Festival - Indianapolis, IN - Oct 5 to Oct 15, 2023
Since the inaugural Festival in 1992, Heartland has grown from a four-day event with less than 20 films to an 11-day celebration featuring more than 100 independent films, 200 visiting filmmakers and 300 film screenings.

Tacoma Film Festival - Tacoma, WA - Oct 5 to Oct 12, 2023
A celebration of independent film in Western Washington’s second largest city.

Queen City Film Festival - Cumberland, MD - Oct 5 to Oct 8, 2023
Four days of screenings of films from around the world. QCFF categories are: Animation, Appalachian, Cult, Documentary, Horror/SciFi, Kids/Family, LGBT, and Music

Mill Valley Film Festival - San Rafael, CA - Oct 5 to Oct 15, 2023
An eleven-day, internationally acclaimed cinema event welcoming more than 200 filmmakers from 50 countries.

FirstGlance Film Fest Philadelphia - Phoenixville, PA - Oct 5 to Oct 8, 2023
Independent film festival in Philadelphia, offering premiers from all genres and lengths, plus chances to vote for your favorites and meet the filmmakers, cast and crews.

Chagrin Documentary Film Fest - Chagrin Falls, OH - Oct 4 to Oct 8, 2023
A five day celebration of documentary films.

Chesapeake Film Festival - Easton, MD - Sep 30 to Oct 8, 2023
For 2023, both virtual and in person programming. The annual program focuses on stories about the Maryland region and local communities

Charm City Fringe Festival - Baltimore, MD - Sep 29 to Oct 8, 2023
The annual Charm City Fringe, Baltimore’s 11-day festival of experimental theater and performance art, returns to the Bromo Arts District with more than 90 performances by artists from all over North America

Reel Pride Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - Fresno, CA - Sep 29 to Oct 1, 2023
Annual event brings a variety of LGBTQ cinema and entertainment to Cental Valley.

Oregon Independent Film Festival - Portland, OR - Sep 27 to Sep 30, 2023
Screens 75+ films from 10+ countries over two weeks at multiple venues including The Clinton Street Theater in Portland and the Bijou and Metro cinemas in Eugene.

Twin Cities Arab Film Festival - Minneapolis, MN - Sep 27 to Oct 1, 2023
TCAFF 2023 is a hybrid film festival, screening independent Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) cinema virtually for audiences across the United States and in-person at the Main Cinema in Minneapolis. The festival seeks to provide Arab American and Arab film artists support and exposure, build the local Arab American community, and present to the general public the diverse ways in which Arabs view themselves and the world they live in through the powerful and accessible medium of film.

Cinefest Latino Boston Film Festival - Boston, MA - Sep 27 to Oct 4, 2023
Annual event featuring films made by Latinos, about various themes and in different genres. Formerly called the Boston Latino International Film Festival (BLIFF)

Lady Filmmakers Film Festival - Beverly Hills, CA - Sep 27 to Oct 2, 2023
A film, music, and art festival dedicated to celebrating women filmmakers, artists, and musicians and the men who collaborate with them. Voted one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “Coolest Film Festivals in the World”.

Woodstock Film Festival - Woodstock, NY - Sep 27 to Oct 1, 2023
Innovative film and music festival with great concerts, workshops, variety of films, celebrity led panels, an awards ceremony and fantastic parties. Often sells out so get your tickets early.

San Francisco Dance Film Festival - San Francisco, CA - Sep 22 to Oct 15, 2023
Dance films from San Francisco and around the world, including experiemental shorts, live performance capture, dance documentaries, live performances and more.

The Chicago LGBT International Film Festival (Reeling) - Chicago, IL - Sep 21 to Oct 8, 2023
The first Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival took place in April 1981 in a 90-seat folding-chair screening room, with nearly every screening sold out. The demand and enthusiasm for the festival made it an annual event that has been going strong ever since. The mission of Reeling is to recognize the important artistic contributions that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender filmmakers have made, educate the general population, and investigate the history of LGBTQ+ film, and to counteract this sterotyping with valid, meaningful and diverse portrayals of those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Great Lakes International Film Festival - Erie, PA - Sep 21 to Oct 7, 2023
For 2023, both virtual and in person film screenings. Annual event featuring independent digital films, from feature-length to short length films from a variety of genres, plus music videos from all types of musical genres. The festival has showcased more than 2000 films since 2002, many of which have gone on to be screened at other film festivals, television, and other distribution deals. Attend in person at various venues in Erie or attend the virtual festival!

Port Townsend Film Festival - Port Townsend, WA - Sep 21 to Sep 25, 2023
Over 80+ films in eight theatres. Venues are in the walkable National Historic District. Passes available starting at $40.

Fantastic Fest - Austin, TX - Sep 21 to Sep 28, 2023
A genre film festival specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi and action movies from around the world. Held at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

Crested Butte Film Festival - Crested Butte, CO - Sep 21 to Sep 25, 2023
100 films over four days.

Chicago South Asian Film Festival - Chicago, IL - Sep 21 to Sep 24, 2023
The film festival aims to advance diversity in Chicagoland through cinema, conversation, and culture, and gives South Asian talent, stories, and themes a world platform. Held in several venues in downtown Chicago, the festival includes screenings of films, panel discussions, and other opportunities for attendees to connect with filmakers, and attend musical performances, industry workshops, tributes to major artists and awards galas

MINT Film Festival - Billings, MT - Sep 21 to Sep 24, 2023
Montana International (MINT) is a five day film festival, organized by filmmakers for filmmakers. Enjoy premieres (past premieres include Stanley Tucci and Emma Thompson in The Children Act), walk the red carpet, and visit panel discussions, after parties and more.

Ohina Short Film Festival - Honolulu, HI - Sep 20 to Sep 20, 2023
The Ê»Ohina Short Film Showcase debuted in 1999 to support local independent filmmakers and to give them an opportunity to exhibit their films to the community. Named with the Hawaiian term for “gathering” or “collecting,” Ê»Ohina provides an annual exclusive venue for a collection of works by HawaiÊ»i filmmakers to be gathered and presented to the communit

Global Peace Film Festival - Orlando, FL - Sep 18 to Sep 24, 2023
A carefully curated selection of movies to help further the cause of peace on earth. Multiple venues across Orlando, check out the Venues tab of the event’s website for Venues and Parking.

Arizona Underground Film Festival - Tucson, AZ - Sep 15 to Sep 23, 2023
Arizona’s only premier genre cult film festival, with 9 days of programming

Camden International Film Festival - Camden, ME - Sep 14 to Sep 25, 2023
For 2023, both virtual and in person programming. Annual documentary film and art festival for 10+ years in mid-coast Maine. Over 80 films are screened from dozens of countries.

South Dakota Film Festival - Aberdeen, SD - Sep 14 to Sep 17, 2023
A filmmaker-friendly small town event with a casual vibe. Since 2007.

Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival - Cleveland, OH - Sep 14 to Sep 22, 2023
It showcases regional, national and international urban culture as well as providing a platform for talented minority independent filmmakers, screenwriters and actors of greater Cleveland.

Fargo-Moorhead LGBT Film Festival - Fargo, ND - Sep 13 to Sep 16, 2023
This festival seeks the LGBT-lived experience through the visions of innovative film and video makers.

Soo Film Festival - Sault Ste Marie, MI - Sep 13 to Sep 17, 2023
The festival is once again headquartered in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, with films screening at the historic Soo Theatre and Bayliss Public Library, a Superior District Library.

Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival - Vineyard Haven, MA - Sep 5 to Sep 10, 2023
Explore the local area, live music and enjoy 40+ films from around the globe by international film makers, plus conversations with filmmakers and others, live musical events, and more

Telluride Film Festival - Telluride, CO - Sep 1 to Sep 4, 2023
Annual film festival in Telluride

Cinecon - Burbank, CA - Aug 31 to Sep 4, 2023
A classic film festival in Hollywood over Labor Day weekend.

ChangeFest Film Festival - Chicago, IL - Jul 25 to Jul 25, 2023
For 2023, a mid summer film watch party/discussion. Normally: Enjoy films that promote ideas with action.

Vortex Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror Film Festival - Providence, RI - Oct 15 to Oct 23, 2022
Screenings of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror films, plus other events. Children under 14 not admitted without adult du to content of most films being intended for mature audiences.

Scottsdale Film Festival - Scottsdale, AZ - Nov 5 to Nov 12, 2021
Uses film to share and create dialog about the unique perspectives of other countries and cultures, allowing attendees to gain a deeper connection to local and global communities. Founded in 2001.

Portland Queer Film Festival - Portland, OR - Oct 1 to Oct 7, 2021
Cinema 21 hosts a festival of features, documentary, and short films made aroud the world, by, about, or of interest to the LGBT community

Kansas International Film Festival - Overland Park, KS - Nov 6 to Nov 12, 2020
Early bird passes and event-long passes are available each year, as well as a limited number of tickets to individual events. Held at the Glenwood Arts Theatre.

Flyway Film Festival - Pepin, WI - Oct 8 to Oct 11, 2020
An independent film festival on the shores of the Mississippi River.

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