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.

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