Rochester
International
Film Festival

Presenting the best in short films since 1959

Attend the 2027 Festival!

Come To Our 2027 Festival!

April 29 – May 1

The Best in Short Films

Join us! All four distinct screenings are FREE to attend at the George Eastman Museum’s famed Dryden Theatre 900 East Avenue in Rochester, New York.

  • April 29 Thursday, 7:30pm
  • April 30 Friday, 7:30pm
  • May 1 Saturday, 2pm matinee
  • May 1 Saturday, 7:30pm
3 DAYS. DOZENS of FILMS. Hundreds of FILM LOVERS.

Donations welcome. We are an all-volunteer non-profit organization.

Attend the 2027 Festival
View Programs from Previous Fests

Thank You To Our 2026 Sponsors!

West Rush Media, LLC

Special Thanks to West Rush Media, our 2026 Premiere Sponsor!

Don's Original
A 2026 Marquee Sponsor of our festival!
Kodak

A 2026 Marquee Sponsor of our festival!

GreenSpark Solar

A 2026 Marquee Sponsor of our festival!

The Little Theatre (WXXI)
A 2026 Marquee Sponsor of our festival!

The Rochester / Finger Lakes
Film Commission

A 2026 Spotlight Sponsor of our festival!
7Crest Financial Partners
A 2026 Spotlight Sponsor of our festival!

Attend
a scheduled
Best of the Fest
community event

Learn More about Community Events

Best of the Fest, 2026-2027
scheduled programs (open to the public)

September

  • Friday, September 4 at 1:00pm:
    Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Rd, Penfield*
  • Tuesday, September 15 at 1:00pm:
    Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd, Webster**

October

  • Friday, October 9 at 1:00pm:
    Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Rd, Penfield*
  • Tuesday, October 13 at 1:00pm:
    Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd, Webster**

November

  • Thursday, November 5 at 2:00pm:
    Greece Public Library, 2 Vince Tofany Blvd, Rochester
  • Friday, November 13 at 1:00pm:
    Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Rd, Penfield*
  • Tuesday, November 17 at 1:00pm:
    Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd, Webster**

December

  • Thursday, December 3 at 2:00pm:
    Greece Public Library, 2 Vince Tofany Blvd, Rochester
  • Friday, December 4 at 1:00pm:
    Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Rd, Penfield*

January, 2027

  • Thursday, January 7 at 2:00pm:
    Greece Public Library, 2 Vince Tofany Blvd, Rochester

* For programs at the Penfield Community Center, please call 585-340-8655 to reserve your seat.

** For programs at the Webster Public Library, no ticket or reservation required, but people are asked to call 585-872-7075 (option 3) so the staff can make sure they have enough chairs set up.

Raves & Praise

Audience members rave about our carefully selected programs of films from around the world. Many attend all four festival shows each year, year after year, and look forward to voting for the “Best of the Fest.” We hope this year you’ll be among them!

Kudos from RIFF Audience Members 2024-2025

“I have attended the RIFF each year for more than a decade and have never been sorry. It’s always an interesting mix of films from around the world. I am already looking forward to next year’s event!!
A big thank you to all the filmmakers and the volunteers who make this event possible.”
– RIFF attendee 2025
“Year after year, we love going to the Rochester Film Festival. The films are diverse, clever, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always intriguing. The Dryden is the perfect venue with palpable excitement as the curtain literally rises. We appreciate the behind the scenes work to curate each show and to bring filmmakers to town.”
– Karen R.
“What an accomplishment! We haven’t been to the film fest for quite a while and never attended all four sessions. Well, this year we went 4 for 4 and loved it. Such interesting films that I continue to think about and look forward to seeing some of them in the Best of the Fest series. Next year’s RIFF is already on our calendar. Thank you for supporting RIFF for so many years – it is quite a treasure.”
– Sue
“I have attended the RIFF for many years and I always enjoy the variety of films. I love movies that are inspired by true stories – they stay with me long after I’ve left the theatre. This year, two films inspired me. Lollie was so heart-warming. The young woman who formed a friendship with Lola and went out of her way to help her, really moved me. I truly believe that the young woman was an angel on earth. They Call Me The Cross Man truly touched my heart. Mr. Ennciso honored so many people that lost their lives. I especially loved that he built the crosses himself.”
– Colleen Shaughnessy
“The tireless effort, joy and time put in by the film’s writers, directors and actors was both striking and impressive! I was fascinated by the original and various subject matters. It was great that some of the film’s creators were able to visit the Rochester International Film Festival and speak directly to an eager audience. Overall, the Rochester International Film Festival staff and volunteers did an outstanding job organizing the Rochester International Film Festival.”
– Anthony Levatino
“We have been attending RIFF for many years. We truly look forward to this event and try to see as many shows as possible. The films can be funny, sentimental, deep, educational, beautiful, confusing, humbling, tough to watch at times and thought provoking. The films most appreciated and memorable are those you can’t wait to chat about afterwards! What was the hidden message? Did you understand everything the filmmaker was trying to convey? We always walk away knowing our eyes have been opened to a new and/or different world and for this we are very grateful!”
– Scott and Janet Rosenberg
“We eagerly anticipate the RIFF every year and are never disappointed. Such a great event for our community! We thought the films this year were outstanding!”
– Eileen Blakely
“The foreign films in this year’s festival provided unique insight into different cultures around the world.”
– Anonymous Film Fan
“The RIFF films are highly professional. They are short, but succeed brilliantly in both entertaining and making their point. No wonder this festival has been so successful for so many years.”
– Chris Pruszynski Director, Tom Hope Memorial Media Scholar Program
“The films were fabulous–great show.”
– Anonymous Film Fan
“Thank you and the filmmakers – so very excellent and uplifting.”
– Anonymous Film Fan
“It was a pleasure to attend the well-organized, well-attended, well-curated 2024 Rochester International Film Festival. An added bonus was that so many filmmakers were able to attend from all corners of the earth!”
– Taylor Whitney

Raves & Praise from Participating Filmmakers 2025-2026

Filmmakers appreciate the thoughtful feedback, audience reception, and engaging activities we offer them. Here’s how they describe some of the highlights that make coming to our festival a unique experience for them.

“I’ve attended many of the major short film festivals in the United States with my films, and RIFF is truly one of the very best. The festival offers an exceptionally curated selection of films, along with meaningful and useful activities for filmmakers… The hospitality was outstanding. Thank you, RIFF, for such a wonderful and memorable experience.”
– Mauricio Osaki, “A Dream for My Daughter” (2026)
“Both personally and professionally, this was one of the most wonderful film festivals I have ever attended. Beyond the outstanding film program, as well as the community-building events and receptions, we also had the chance to participate in professional programs, visit the Kodak factory, and discover the local studios and film infrastructure. I have rarely experienced such thoughtfulness at a film festival. The organizers truly put their heart and soul into the event, and thanks to them, we felt at home in Rochester throughout the festival, like part of a family.”
– Glória Halász, “Paravan” (2026)
“What a fest! Starting with the most important thing, the venue and attendance were amazing. 400+ people at the screenings and triple A projection and sound. This is THE venue to showcase your film!”
– Brian Russell, “Sit with Me While I Die” (2026)
“Participating in the Rochester International Film Festival was an unforgettable and deeply meaningful experience for me. I was especially grateful for the opportunity to meet filmmakers from different countries and share conversations beyond the screenings. Those exchanges made the experience even more valuable and inspiring. The audience response to Broken Dawn was incredibly moving for our team, and I will always remember the atmosphere of the screenings in Rochester. Thank you again for your generous hospitality and for creating such a welcoming space for filmmakers.”
– Park Hae-oh, “Broken Dawn” (2026)
“Rochester International Film Festival is one of the most special festival experiences I have had. The film community is incredibly warm, welcoming, and deeply rooted in cinema. I am deeply grateful to have been part of it and would highly recommend Rochester International Film Festival to filmmakers around the world.”
– Tej Sisodia, “Avni” (2026)
“We were very happy to be invited with our short Artist uncredited to RIFF. The communication is great before + after the festival, the organizers and the team are super friendly and caring, they provide great food, tours (Kodak!), meetings and homestay, which is great as Rochester is very walkable. The screenings were only one time but booked out with 400 people and great Q&A! It was a fantastic experience, and I will come again for sure!”
– Chris Hirschhaeuser, “Artist uncredited” (2026)
“Attending the Rochester International Film Festival was an absolute joy from start to finish. The organizers and volunteers truly went out of their way to create an unforgettable experience for the filmmakers. You can feel the deep respect this community has for the history of art and film. More than just a screening opportunity, this festival is a great opportunity for connection and inspiration. Highly recommended to any filmmaker looking for a warm, film-loving community that truly shows up.”
– David Gelb, “Laika” (2025)
“Truly a one-of-a-kind experience, especially for up and comers that should not be missed when given the chance. I could write a novel, but I think the other reviewers are already doing that, so I’ll leave mine brief; one of the best film festival experiences ever, without question.”
– Mason Beck, “Your Last Wishes” (2025)
“I have written, produced and directed 9 short films and attended numerous festivals. I can honestly say this was one of our best festival experiences by far. Marilyn, Donna, Bill and the RIFF team go all out, know how to run a first-class festival, and truly respect filmmakers. All films are screened in the famed Dryden Theatre with exceptional projection and sound, every screening is full… RIFF is a top notch festival and will always be a must submit for us.”
– Alfred Thomas Catalfo, “Mars Hill Bait and Ammo” (2025)
“Amazing festival, exclamation point! The staff was unbelievably hospitable, creating a wonderful environment and experience for everyone. The film selection was of unusually high quality, showcasing great works from around the world. It was a special experience that I will never forget.”
– Dylan Levine, “The Clock Painter” (2025)
“Lovely film festival. Each of the four blocks of short films were screened in a beautiful theater with a packed audience. The organizers (all volunteers) provided home stays, all meals, tours of Eastman Kodak factory and museum as well as RIT, and multiple filmmaker networking events. They really show their love of film and filmmakers! A truly unique festival!”
– Gabrielle Kardon, “Through Thin Ice” (2025)
“For three days, RIFF organizes immersive tours and local experiences at places like Kodak and the George Eastman Mansion. You’ll come away knowing every filmmaker by name — it’s intimate, personal, and community-driven in a way that few festivals are. For me, returning to Rochester — where I once worked as a news reporter — made this feel like a true homecoming. Having THIRTEEN screen here was deeply meaningful, and I will carry the memories of this weekend with me forever.”
– Allison Norlian, “Thirteen” (2025)
“If you are accepted to RIFF, beg or borrow the money to attend. This is a festival where the filmmakers are truly valued. The hardworking festival board and volunteers are film lovers who select a wide range of interesting and unpretentious shorts which will appeal to their appreciative audience. It was the best three days I’d had in a long time. Many thanks.”
– Mhairi Kerr, “The Loving Couple” (2025)
“One of the best festivals I ever attended. The organizers are so communicative and supportive. The festival selection quality itself is very high with many international filmmakers attending. The films are screened at a cinema-grade theater with over 300 seats. Over 3 days, the auditorium was sold out each night. It’s definitely worth it.”
– Sargon Saadi, “Mystery of the Flower” (2025)

Are You A Filmmaker?

Learn More About Submitting a Film