Massachusetts has become 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 & Greater Merrimack Valley | Cape Cod & The Islands | Western Massachusetts
Greater Boston | North of Boston & Greater Merrimack Valley | Cape Cod & The Islands | Western Massachusetts
BOSTON
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.
2012 dates: September
BOSTON
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.
2012 dates: June 14-17
BOSTON
Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People
Cinemagic educates, motivates, and inspires young people through film and televison. Screening of Irish-made film, A Shine of Rainbows; free film and television production workshops at Emerson College (March 1); workshops about music for movies and videos games at Berklee College of Music.
2012 dates: February/March
BOSTON
Boston Irish Film Festival
Showcases films from Irish filmmakers around the world, films that expand the definition of Irish culture in the 21st century.
Boston Turkish Film Festival
Features contemporary Turkish cinema and Turkish filmmakers. Many films are North American or U.S. premieres.
BOSTON
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.
BOSTON & BROOKLINE
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.
BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE
Boston Latino International Film Festival
Feature films, documentaries, and shorts showcasing Latino issues, culture, and the Latina community.
BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE
Boston LGBT Film Festival
International films of all lengths and genres that tell stories of the contemporary and historic experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons.
BOSTON, CAMBRIDGE & BROOKLINE
Boston Palestine Film Festival
617-642-9640
Showcases the extraordinary narrative of Palestinians through the medium of cinema.
CAMBRIDGE
Boston Bike Film Festival
617 -523-8388
Comedies, shorts, and documentaries.
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.
2012 dates: September
BOSTON
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.
2012 dates: June 14-17
BOSTON
Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People
Cinemagic educates, motivates, and inspires young people through film and televison. Screening of Irish-made film, A Shine of Rainbows; free film and television production workshops at Emerson College (March 1); workshops about music for movies and videos games at Berklee College of Music.
2012 dates: February/March
BOSTON
Boston Irish Film Festival
Showcases films from Irish filmmakers around the world, films that expand the definition of Irish culture in the 21st century.
- 2012 dates: March 22-25
Boston Turkish Film Festival
Features contemporary Turkish cinema and Turkish filmmakers. Many films are North American or U.S. premieres.
- 2012 dates:
BOSTON
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.
- 2012 dates: April 25-May 2
BOSTON & BROOKLINE
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.
- 2012 dates: November
BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE
Boston Asian American Film Festival
Thought-provoking, entertaining lineup of independent cinema; 14 films, 5 screening events; workshop on Asian Americans in Film.
2012 dates:November
BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE
Boston Latino International Film Festival
Feature films, documentaries, and shorts showcasing Latino issues, culture, and the Latina community.
- 2012 dates: November
BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE
Boston LGBT Film Festival
International films of all lengths and genres that tell stories of the contemporary and historic experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons.
- 2012 dates: May 3-13
BOSTON, CAMBRIDGE & BROOKLINE
Boston Palestine Film Festival
617-642-9640
Showcases the extraordinary narrative of Palestinians through the medium of cinema.
- 2012 dates:
CAMBRIDGE
Boston Bike Film Festival
617 -523-8388
Comedies, shorts, and documentaries.
- 2012 dates: October 13
LAWRENCE
The Lawrence Film Festival
International features; discussions and Q&A sessions.
LOWELL
Lowell Film Festival
Documentaries from around the world focused on a specific theme. Guest speakers and panels throughout the weekend.
NEWBURYPORT
Newburyport Documentary Film Festival
Feature-length and short documentaries that focus on social issues.
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.”
The Lawrence Film Festival
International features; discussions and Q&A sessions.
- 2012 dates: June 25-27
LOWELL
Lowell Film Festival
Documentaries from around the world focused on a specific theme. Guest speakers and panels throughout the weekend.
- 2012 dates: April
NEWBURYPORT
Newburyport Documentary Film Festival
Feature-length and short documentaries that focus on social issues.
- 2011 dates: 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.”
- 2012 dates: March 1-8
CAPE
COD-PROVINCETOWN
Provincetown International Film Festival
508-487-FILM
Showcases American and international independent films, nurtures aspiring independent filmmakers, and honors industry luminaries.
CAPE COD
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.
MARTHA'S VINEYARD
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.
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.
MARTHA'S VINEYARD
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.
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.
Provincetown International Film Festival
508-487-FILM
Showcases American and international independent films, nurtures aspiring independent filmmakers, and honors industry luminaries.
- 2012 dates: June 13-17
CAPE COD
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.
- 2012 dates: July 28-August 4
MARTHA'S VINEYARD
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.
- 2012 dates: March 16-18
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.
- 2012 dates: March 16-18
MARTHA'S VINEYARD
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.
- 2012 dates: September 6-9
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.
- 2012 dates: June 20-24
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.
AMHERST, NORTHAMPTON & 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.
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.
WILLIAMSTOWN & NORTH ADAMS
Williamstown Film Festival
413-458-9900
Features drama, comedy, animation, and documentaries plus popular all-shorts programs. Panels, seminars, and Q&As with actors, writers, directors, and producers.
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.
- 2012 dates: February 8, 15, 22, 29; March 7, 14, 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25
AMHERST, NORTHAMPTON & 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.
- 2012 dates: March/April 7
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.
- 2012 dates: May 31-June 3
WILLIAMSTOWN & NORTH ADAMS
Williamstown Film Festival
413-458-9900
Features drama, comedy, animation, and documentaries plus popular all-shorts programs. Panels, seminars, and Q&As with actors, writers, directors, and producers.
- 2012 dates: October
Don't see your film festival
listed? Send information to culture@state.ma.us
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