Select a Region to find Film Festivals
Greater Boston | North of Boston & Greater Merrimack Valley | MetroWest & Central MA | Cape Cod & The Islands | Western Massachusetts
GREATER BOSTON
ARLINGTON
Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay & Music Festival
The Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay & Music Festival showcases “stories aching to be told”.
2024 dates: August 20 – 25
BOSTON
Boston 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.
2024 dates: September 19 – 22
BOSTON
Boston Globe Black History Month Film Festival
The Boston Globe honors films and filmmakers documenting the Black experience and the continued plight of systemic racism in the United States. Throughout the month of February, view and discuss newly-released films alongside time-honored classics.
2024 dates: Starting February 5th
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.
2024 dates: June 20 – 28
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.
2024 dates: TBD
BOSTON
Boston Turkish Film Festival
Features contemporary Turkish cinema and Turkish filmmakers. Many films are North American or U.S. premieres.
2024 dates: April 5 – 28
BOSTON
CineFest Latino Boston
Annual film festival conducted in Boston, highlighting stories by and about Latinos. The festival is committed to using the power of film to break stereotypes, bring cultures and communities together and reveal the complex issues affecting the Latinx community in the United States
2024 dates: September 25 – 29
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.
2024 dates: May 1 – 8
BOSTON
Boston International Film Festival
Brings together local, national, and international filmmakers. Screens independent and experimental films — feature-length, shorts, and student works.
2024 dates: April 11 -16
BOSTON
Boston Baltic Film Festival
The Boston Baltic Film Festival (BBFF) showcases the best contemporary films from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The BBFF seeks to broaden local awareness of the Baltic film tradition and promote deeper cross-cultural understanding and perspective.
2024 dates: March 1 – 3
BOSTON
Just A Minute Film Festival
The Just a Minute Festival is an online event that celebrates short visual production made or created in any format, media or equipment: Cell phone, Film, Video, Animation, Flash, Machinima or whatever.
2024 dates: March 1
BOSTON
Global Cinema Film Festival of Boston
Global Cinema Film Festival of Boston (GCFF) is committed to bringing the best of global cinematography to Boston. GCFF’s mission is to spotlight films that make people care and showcase unconventional styles that speak to the evolution of the narrative and documentary form.
2024 dates: May 17 – 19
BOSTON & BELMONT
Belmont World Film
Belmont World Film is an international film series that promotes cross-cultural understanding through film. This year’s series, “Bound by Beliefs,” nine foreign language films from the world’s top film festivals paired with speakers, performances, and ethnic cuisine. A special series, “Justice for All,” featuring films about human rights issues, runs June 11-25. The annual Family Festival for children age 3-12, runs during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend each January.
2024 dates: January 13 – 15
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.
2024 dates: November (In Theaters – Nov. 6 – 17, Virtual – Nov. 18 – 20)
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.
2024 dates: October 17 – 27
BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE
Boston Latino International Film Festival
Feature films, documentaries, and shorts showcasing Latino issues, culture, and the Latina community.
2024 dates: TBD
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.
2024 dates: March 20 – 24
BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE
Boston Women’s Film Festival
The Boston Women’s Film Festival is the Boston area’s leading festival for international films created by women. The festival will host panel discussions by leading figures in the media industry bringing together creators and audiences for a weekend of celebrating the diversity and power of women’s cinema.
2024 dates: TBD
BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE
Wicked Queer Film Festival
International films of all lengths and genres that tell stories of the contemporary and historic experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons.
2024 dates: April 5 – 14
BOSTON, CAMBRIDGE & BROOKLINE
Boston Palestine Film Festival
617-642-9640
Showcases the extraordinary narrative of Palestinians through the medium of cinema.
2024 dates: January 19 – 25
BOSTON, HANOVER, NEWTON
ReelAbilities Boston Disabilities Film Festival
617-244-9899
Films about the lives of people with disabilities from a variety of communities.
2024 dates: TBD
BROOKLINE & CAMBRIDGE
The GlobeDocs Film Festival
The GlobeDocs Film Festival is a five-day documentary film festival designed to engage, promote, and celebrate film and production talent.
2024 dates: October 22 – 27
CAMBRIDGE
Arlington International 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.
2024 dates: April 8
CAMBRIDGE
Taiwan Film Festival
Taiwan Film Festival of Boston (TFFB) is a non-profit organization striving to bring Taiwanese stories and films to the United States and the world. Through compelling stories of growth, identity, discovery, and adventure, these films transcend and illuminate culture.
2024 dates: September 28 – 29
SOMERVILLE
Boston International Kids Film Festival
Films for, about, and by kids; workshops; mentoring opportunities. For children ages 10 and up.
2024 dates: TBD
SOMERVILLE
Boston SciFi Film Festival
The Boston Science Fiction Film Festival(“Boston SciFi”) is an 11-day cinematic event held at the historic Somerville Theatre and is one of the longest running genre fest in America. The first nine days consist of a traditional film festival. Whether they be features, shorts, webisodes, workshops, parties or a new Hollywood film, BostonSciFi emphasizes emerging directors with distinct visions from around the globe.
2024 dates: February 14 – 19
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.
2024 dates: April 25 – 28
NORTH OF BOSTON & GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY
NEWBURYPORT
Newburyport Documentary Film Festival
Feature-length and short documentaries that focus on social issues.
2024 dates: September 20 – 22
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.”
2024 dates: March 21 – 24
METROWEST & CENTRAL MA
WORCESTER
CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
CAPE COD-PROVINCETOWN
Provincetown International Film Festival
508-487-FILM
Showcases American and international independent films, nurtures aspiring independent filmmakers, and honors industry luminaries.
2024 dates: June 12 – 16
CAPE COD-HYANNIS
Hyannis Film Festival
Annual film festival showcasing movies and related media with a focus on content produced locally or of interest to Hyannis and surrounding communities.
2024 dates: TBD
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.
2024 dates: August 2 – 10
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.
2024 dates: March 20 – 24
MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival
508-696-9369
Annual festival 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.
2024 dates: September 3 – 8
MARTHA’S VINEYARD
WOMEN IN FILM Film Festival
508-696-9369
The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society Women In Film Festival (WIFF) is a celebration of women as filmmakers: in front of and behind the camera. This festival will feature stories that have not been told from a woman’s perspective.
2024 dates: October 18 – 20
NANTUCKET
Nantucket Film Festival
(646) 480-1900
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.
2024 dates: June 19 – 24
SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
NEW BEDFORD
New Bedford Film Festival
The New Bedford Film Festival celebrates authentic cinematic stories, cultivates bold storytellers, and champions the city’s growing creative economy. The festival is committed to spotlighting the diverse human experience through cinematic storytelling such as short & feature films, episodic, music videos, documentaries, and PSA shorts through a yearly film festival.
2024 dates: April 18 – 21
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.
2024 dates: February 21 – May 1
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.
2024 dates: April 4 – 11
EASTHAMPTON
Easthampton Film Festival
This 4-day festival celebrates the latest in independent short and documentary films with a heavy focus on local (MA-based) talent and themes, plus talkbacks, panel discussions, workshops, and networking events.
2024 dates: May 2 – 5
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.
2024 dates: May 30 – June 2