About Us

The FLICKERS RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (RIIFF), welcomes stellar filmmaking talents from all over the world to beautiful Providence, Rhode Island—one of America’s oldest and most beloved cities. For two decades, RIIFF has embraced its visitors with the sort of warm-hearted, independent spirit that fosters long-lasting friendships, sparks exciting creative projects, and inspires guests to return again and again. It’s little wonder that Chris Gore’s Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide praises RIIFF as “the kind of intimate festival experience that will change your life.”

RIIFF is proud to be one of 10 Festivals in the world that is an Academy Award qualifier in the Live Action, Animation and Documentary Short categories and a qualifier with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). With vanguard programming that seeks to showcase new voices in independent filmmaking from across the globe, RIIFF serves as an exceptional platform from which to launch exciting careers. Ten films that have premiered at RIIFF have won Academy Awards, and a total of 72 have been nominated, while many have gained distribution with the likes of HBO, Showtime, and IFC. A wide range of competitive categories—including Horror, Children’s, Gay & Lesbian, Documentary, Science Fiction, and Animated films—offers entrants and audience members a veritable buffet of great stories, surprises, and narrative formats. There’s even a screenplay and teleplay competition, designed to give talented screen scribes some well-deserved industry credibility.