| Name | Est. | Location | State/Province | Type | Notes |
|---|
| Sacramento French Film Festival | 2002 | Sacramento | California | International | Second largest French film festival on the west coast. Summer, Fall, and Winter events. |
| $100 Film Festival | 1992 | Calgary | Alberta | International | Annual festival dedicated to screening short films on Super 8mm and 16mm film. |
| 100 Words Film Festival | 2014 | Charlotte | North Carolina | International | Celebrating concise storytelling, each film must contain exactly 100 spoken words. Held annually in November. |
| 168 Film Festival | 2003 | Los Angeles | California | International | International speed filmmaking competition and festival. Held annually in April. |
| Action On Film International Film Festival | 2005 | Pasadena | California | International | Held annually in July, featuring independent and studio films. |
| American Black Film Festival | 1996 | Miami | Florida | International | Held annually in various states, featuring African American throughout the film industry. |
| Ann Arbor Film Festival | 1961 | Ann Arbor | Michigan | International | Longest-running film festival showcasing experimental and independent film in North America. Held annually in late March. |
| Arab Film Festival | 1996 | Various | California | International | Largest festival of contemporary Arab films in North America. Held annually in October, with touring programs year-round. |
| Arlington International Film Festival | 2010 | Arlington | Massachusetts | International | Focuses on multicultural awareness and the artistic and educational value of films from all around the world. Held annually in October. |
| Ashland Independent Film Festival | 2001 | Ashland | Oregon | International | Presents international and domestic shorts and features. Held annually in April. |
| Asian World Film Festival | 2015 | Los Angeles | California | International | Held annually in October–November. |
| Atlanta Film Festival | 1977 | Atlanta | Georgia | International | Held annually in April, featuring independent films of every genre. |
| Atlantic Film Festival | 1980 | Halifax | Nova Scotia | International | Held annually in September, featuring films from around the world. |
| Athena Film Festival | 2011 | New York City | New York | International | Held annually in February, featuring films on and about women's leadership. |
| Austin Film Festival | 1994 | Austin | Texas | International | Showcasing screenwriters in North America. Held annually in October. |
| Austin Revolution Film Festival | 2011 | Austin | Texas | International | Held annually in February, featuring films with a Central Texas Premiere. |
| Bel Air Film Festival | 2008 | Los Angeles | California | International | An international festival held annually in November. |
| Berlin & Beyond Film Festival | 1996 | San Francisco | California | Special Interest | New films from Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland. |
| Big Bear Lake International Film Festival | 2000 | Big Bear Lake | California | International | Showcasing Independent filmmakers from around the world, and includes a screenwriting competition. Held each September. |
| Big Sky Documentary Film Festival | 2003 | Missoula | Montana | International/Non-Fiction | Featuring non-fiction films, held each February. |
| Beloit International Film Festival | 2006 | Beloit | Wisconsin | International | A 10-day annual festival in late February. Feature length narrative & documentary films and short films. |
| Blow-Up Arthouse Film Festival | 2012 | Chicago | Illinois | International | The festival celebrates intellectually stimulating arthouse cinema. |
| Boston Film Festival | 1984 | Boston | Massachusetts | International | Annually showcasing feature films, documentaries and shorts in September. |
| The Boston Jewish Film Festival | 1989 | Boston | Massachusetts | Jewish | A non-competitive annual festival that screens contemporary films on Jewish themes from around the world. Held in November. |
| Boston Palestine Film Festival | 2007 | Boston | Massachusetts | International | |
| Boston Science Fiction Film Festival | 1976 | Boston | Massachusetts | Special Interest | A 10-day annual festival held every February, showcasing feature and short science fiction films. |
| Boston Underground Film Festival | 1998 | Boston | Massachusetts | International | An annual festival that specializes in alternative film and video. |
| Boulder International Film Festival | 2004 | Boulder | Colorado | International | Held annually over the Presidents' Day weekend in February. |
| Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival | 2013 | Buffalo | New York | International | 10-day festival held annually in November featuring independent genre films. |
| Buffalo International Film Festival | 2004 | Buffalo | New York | International | 4 day festival held annually in the Fall (usually October) featuring mainstream and independent films. |
| Burbank International Film Festival | 2009 | Burbank | California | International |
| Calgary International Film Festival | 2000 | Calgary | Alberta | International | Held annually for 10 days in late September or early October. |
| Calgary Underground Film Festival | 2003 | Calgary | Alberta | International | Held annually for 7 days in April. |
| Camden International Film Festival | 2005 | Camden | Maine | Documentary | |
| Canadian Film Festival | 2004 | Toronto | Ontario | Canadian | |
| Cape Cod International Film Festival | 2014 | Chatham | Massachusetts | International | Annual high-curation-standard global boutique festival, early-mid October. |
| Capital City Film Festival | 2011 | Lansing | Michigan | Regional/International | Held annually in April. Initially focused on films made in Michigan, now includes films from across the nation and the world. |
| Castle Rock Film Festival | 2009 | Castle Rock | Colorado | Rocky Mountain Regional states | Held annually in late September or early October. |
| Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival | 2001 | Cedar Rapids | Iowa | Regional/international | Held annually the first full non-Easter weekend in April. |
| CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival | 1994 | Toronto | Ontario | International | |
| Chagrin Documentary Film Festival | 2010 | Chagrin Falls | Ohio | Documentary | Held annually in early October for 5 days. |
| Chicago International Children's Film Festival | 1983 | Chicago | Illinois | International | First competitive festival of films for children in the US. Held annually in late October for 10 days. |
| Chicago International Film Festival | 1965 | Chicago | Illinois | International | Longest running competitive film festival in the US. |
| Chicago International REEL Shorts Festival | 2003 | Chicago | Illinois | International | Annual short film festival. |
| Chicago Palestine Film Festival | 2002 | Chicago | Illinois | International | |
| Cincinnati Film Festival | 2010 | Cincinnati | Ohio | International | |
| Cine Las Americas International Film Festival | 1997 | Austin | Texas | International | Held annually in the spring showcasing Latin American, Latino and indigenous films. |
| Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival | 1989 | Sudbury | Ontario | International | |
| Cinéfranco | 1997 | Toronto | Ontario | Francophone | |
| Cinequest Film Festival | 1990 | San Jose | California | International | The 13-day festival focuses on narrative films and includes shorts and student film programs. |
| Cine Pobre Film Festival | 2003 | Baja California Sur |  Mexico | International | Curating The Word's Best Self Funded Films. |
| City University Film Festival | 2009 | New York City | New York | Regional, special interest | Official festival of CUNY featuring films by student filmmakers. |
| Cleveland International Film Festival | 1977 | Cleveland | Ohio | International | |
| COLCOA | 1997 | Los Angeles | California | International | A week of French film premieres in Hollywood - in April. |
| Columbus International Film & Animation Festival | 1952 | Columbus | Ohio | International | North America's oldest film festival, held annually in April. |
| Coronado Island Film Festival | 2016 | Coronado | California | International | Annual four day festival with a monthly year round Classic Movie Series. |
| Crested Butte Film Festival | 2011 | Crested Butte | Colorado | International | Held annually in September and the ACT Now award. |
| Crossroads Film Festival | 2000 | Jackson | Mississippi | International | Annual three day festival held around April |
| CWRU Film Society Science Fiction Marathon | 1976 | Cleveland | Ohio | Special Interest | A ~30 hour science fiction marathon held annually in January. |
| DALLAS International Film Festival | 2006 | Dallas | Texas | International | |
| Dances With Films | 1998 | Los Angeles | California | International | The festival of unknowns (i.e. no celebrities). |
| DaVinci International Film Festival | 2017 | Los Angeles | California | International | Held annually in September at The Grove at Farmers Market honoring the arts & sciences with Leo Awards. |
| DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival | 2011 | Washington, D.C. | Washington, D.C. | International | |
| DC Shorts Film Festival | 2003 | Washington, D.C. | Washington, D.C. | International | The largest short film event on the East Coast of the US. [15] |
| Denver Film Festival | 1978 | Denver | Colorado | International | Held annually in November. |
| Denver Underground Film Festival | 1997 | Denver | Colorado | International | Showcasing independent filmmakers and avant-garde cinema since 1997. Held in October. |
| Detroit Windsor International Film Festival | 2008 | Detroit | Michigan | International | Held annually in June; hosts the annual DWIFF Challenge. |
| Disposable Film Festival | 2007 | San Francisco | California | International | Held annually in January. |
| Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival | 2008 | Los Angeles | California | International | |
| DOXA Documentary Film Festival | 1998 | Vancouver | British Columbia | International | Documentary film festival held annually for ten days in May. |
| Edmonton International Film Festival | 1986 | Edmonton | Alberta | International | |
| Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital | 1993 | Washington, D.C. | Washington, D.C. | Special interest, international | The largest and longest running environmental film festival in the United States. |
| Etheria Film Night | 2014 | Los Angeles | California | International | Features fantasy, horror, science fiction, thriller, and action short films directed by women. |
| Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival | 1999 | Calgary | Alberta | LGBT | |
| Fantasia Festival | 1996 | Montreal | Quebec | Special interest | Devoted to fantasy, horror, martial arts, and science fiction genres. |
| Fantastic Fest | 2005 | Austin | Texas | International, genre | |
| Festival du Nouveau Cinéma | 1971 | Montreal | Quebec | International | An annual independent film festival featuring independent films from around the world. |
| Festival of Cinema NYC | 2016 | New York | New York | International | |
| Florida Film Festival | 1992 | Maitland | Florida | International | An annual international film festival. |
| Frameline Film Festival | 1976 | San Francisco | California | Special interest, international | The longest-running LGBT film festival in the world. |
| French Film Festival - Richmond, Virginia | 1993 | Richmond | Virginia | French | Held the last week-end of March, featuring world and American premieres of French-language features and shorts. |
| Full Frame Documentary Film Festival | 1998 | Durham | North Carolina | International | An annual international event dedicated to non-fiction cinema. |
| Garden State Film Festival | 2003 | Asbury Park | New Jersey | International | New Jersey's Premier Independent Film Festival, held each spring. |
| GenreBlast Film Festival | 2016 | Winchester | Virginia | International | Devoted to horror, fantasy, action, underground, and science fiction genres. |
| GI Film Festival | 2005 | Washington, D.C. / San Diego | D.C. / California | International | Held in May and September, with a focus on preserving the stories of American veterans. |
| Gotham Screen Film Festival & Screenplay Contest | 2007 | New York City | New York | International | Featuring new American and international cinema, with a competitive screenplay contest. |
| Green Bay Film Festival | 2010 | De Pere | Wisconsin | International | Featuring films by independent filmmakers in Wisconsin and around the world. |
| Green Mountain Film Festival | 1997 | Montpelier | Vermont | International | Featuring local, domestic and international films (features, documentaries, shorts, animation). |
| Guadalajara International Film Festival | 1988 | Guadalajara | Mexico | International | A week-long film festival held each March. |
| Guanajuato International Film Festival | 1997 | San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato | Mexico | International | Held annually in July. |
| Gulf Coast Film and Video Festival | 1999 | Seabrook | Texas | International | Featuring new and emerging artists. |
| Hamptons International Film Festival | 1993 | East Hampton | New York | International | |
| Havana Film Festival New York (HFFNY) | 2000 | New York City | New York | International | Competitive film festival celebrating Latin American cinema with a special focus on Cuba and its film industry. Partner of International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana. |
| Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) | 1981 | Honolulu | Hawaii | International | Held annually in the fall for two weeks, it shows features, documentaries and shorts from Asia, the Pacific, and Hawai`i. |
| Heartland Film Festival | 1991 | Indianapolis | Indiana | International | Held annually, featuring independent films. |
| High Falls Film Festival | 2001 | Rochester | New York | International | Featuring films by women filmmakers. |
| Highway 61 Film Festival | 2011 | Pine City | Minnesota | National | Held annually in mid-October, featuring filmmakers in East Central Minnesota and other mid-western American cities. |
| Hollywood Film Festival | 1997 | Los Angeles | California | International | Annual film festival. |
| Honolulu Film Awards | 2007 | Honolulu | Hawaii | International | International film festival. |
| Horrible Imaginings Film Festival | 2009 | San Diego and Santa Ana | California | Genre | Annually in September. |
| Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival | 1993 | Toronto | Ontario | International | North America's largest documentary film festival. |
| Image+Nation | 1987 | Montreal | Quebec | LGBT | |
| imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival | 1998 | Toronto | Ontario | Indigenous | |
| Independent Film Festival of Boston | 2003 | Boston | Massachusetts | International | Independent films. Also known as IFFBoston or IFFB. Held annually in April. |
| Indianapolis International Film Festival | 2004 | Indianapolis | Indiana | International | |
| Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles | 2003 | Los Angeles | California | International | |
| Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival | 1991 | Toronto | Ontario | International | Featuring LGBT films, held over 11 days in May. |
| Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia | 1996 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | International | Israeli films. Held annually in February–March. |
| Ivy Film Festival | 2001 | Providence | Rhode Island | Student | |
| Jacksonville Film Festival | 2003 | Jacksonville | Florida | International | Held annually for 4 days in mid-May. |
| Junction North International Documentary Film Festival | 2013 | Sudbury | Ontario | Documentary | |
| KahBang Film Festival | 2009 | Bangor | Maine | International | Held annually August, a four-day music, art, and film festival. |
| Kingston Canadian Film Festival | 2001 | Kingston | Ontario | Canadian | |
| L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival | 2007 | Los Angeles | California | International | Held annually in the spring. Largest comedy short film festival in the United States. |
| Little Rock Film Festival | 2006 | Little Rock | Arkansas | International | Featuring regional, national and international filmmakers. Held annually in early June. |
| London Lesbian Film Festival | 1991 | London | Ontario | LGBT | |
| Long Beach International Film Festival | 2012 | Long Beach | New York | International | Held annually in late September, featuring independent, studio films, and films on the beach. [16] |
| Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival | 1983 | Los Angeles | California | International | Showcase of Asian Pacific American and international cinema. Held annually in April–May. |
| Los Angeles Film Festival | 1995 | Los Angeles | California | International | Held annually in June. Showcases independent, feature, documentary and short films, as well as music videos. |
| Louisiana Film Prize | 2012 | Shreveport | Louisiana | International | A narrative short film contest. |
| Love Your Shorts Film Festival | 2011 | Sanford | Florida | International | Held around Valentine's Day. Features only short films under 30 minutes in length. |
| Macabre Faire Film Festival | 2012 | Long Island | New York | International | Held twice a year for independent films of the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres. |
| Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival | 2009 | Seattle | Washington | Special interest | Devoted to action, animation, fantasy, horror, and science fiction cinema. |
| Magnolia Independent Film Festival | 1997 | Starkville | Mississippi | International and regional | Held annually in February for one weekend, featuring short and experimental films. |
| Marda Loop Justice Film Festival | 2006 | Calgary | Alberta | International | Featuring films dealing with human rights, environmental, and social issues. |
| Marfa Film Festival | 2008 | Marfa | Texas | International | Annual film festival. |
| Margaret Mead Film Festival | 1976 | New York City | New York | International | The longest-running festival for international documentaries in the US. |
| Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival | 2006 | Vineyard Haven | Massachusetts | International | Held annually in September, featuring world cinema feature and short films. |
| Martha's Vineyard Film Festival | 2001 | Chilmark | Massachusetts | International | Held annually in March, featuring action/activism-inspiring films. |
| Maryland Film Festival | 1999 | Baltimore | Maryland | International | Held annually for 4 days each May. |
| Method Fest Independent Film Festival | 1999 | Beverly Hills | California | International | The Method Fest is the Actor's Film Festival, a festival of discovery, seeking breakout-acting performances of emerging stars and established actors in story-driven independent films. |
| Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival | 2004 | Mexico City | Mexico City | International | Also known as FICCO, it is hosted by Cinemex. |
| Miami International Film Festival | 1983 | Miami | Florida | International | Held annually for 10 days in March. |
| Miami Short Film Festival | 2002 | Miami | Florida | International | Held annually for 10 days in mid November. |
| Midwest Ski Film Festival | 2008 | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | Regional | Takes place each October. |
| Mile High Horror Film Festival | 2010 | Denver | Colorado | International | Featuring independent horror, thriller, and sci-fi films from around the world. It takes place annually each October. |
| Mill Valley Film Festival | 1978 | Mill Valley | California | International | Takes place each October, hosted by California Film Institute. |
| Milwaukee Film Festival | 2009 | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | International | Takes place each September and October. |
| Milwaukee Short Film Festival | 1999 | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | Regional | Takes place each September. |
| Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival | 1983 | Minneapolis-St. Paul | Minnesota | International | Held annually in the spring. |
| Mods & Rockers Film Festival | 1999 | Los Angeles | California | Special interest | Featuring rock music culture films. |
| Montclair Film Festival | 2012 | Montclair | New Jersey | International | An annual, community-based film festival featuring international filmmakers. |
| Montreal International Documentary Festival | 1998 | Montreal | Quebec | International | |
| Montreal World Film Festival | 1977 | Montreal | Quebec | International | Largest North American competitive festival. Held late August to Labor Day. Focuses on films from around the world. |
| Monument Valley Film Festival | 2007 | Kayenta | Arizona | International | Held annually in the summer, it is the only film festival on the Navajo Nation. |
| Moondance International Film Festival | 2000 | Boulder | Colorado | International | An independent annual film festival and awards competition that takes place in the fall. |
| Nantucket Film Festival | 1996 | Nantucket | Massachusetts | International | Held annually in June. Has both film and screenplay competitions. |
| Naperville Independent Film Festival | 2008 | Naperville | Illinois | International | Annual film festival featuring the work of independent filmmakers. |
| Nashville Film Festival | 1969 | Nashville | Tennessee | International | Founded in 1969 as the Sinking Creek Film Celebration. Features feature-length and short films from around the world. |
| National Film Festival for Talented Youth - NFFTY | 2007 | Seattle | Washington | International | Showcases work by international filmmakers age 24 and under. |
| Native American Film and Video Festival | 1979 | New York City | New York | Indigenous Cinema | Bi-annual film festival featuring indigenous works from throughout the Americas. |
| Nevada International Film Festival | 2009 | Las Vegas | Nevada | Independent | Annual film festival, featuring American and International cinema. |
| New England Festival of Ibero American Cinema | 2010 | Providence | Rhode Island | Latin American | Annual competitive film festival featuring Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American films. |
| New Media Film Festival | 2009 | Los Angeles | California | International | Annual film festival that brings together the work of established and emerging New Media Content Creators and video artists around the world. |
| New Orleans Film Festival | 1989 | New Orleans | Louisiana | International | Annual film festival, featuring international feature films and short films. |
| Newport Beach Film Festival | 1999 | Newport Beach | California | International | Founded in 1999, featuring studio and independent films. |
| New York Asian Film Festival | 2002 | New York City | New York | Special interest | Features Asian cinema, especially horror, action, and martial arts genres. |
| New York Film Festival | 1962 | New York City | New York | International | One of North America's oldest film festivals. |
| New York International Children's Film Festival | 1997 | New York City | New York | International | Features short films and features from around the world. |
| New York Polish Film Festival | 2005 | New York City | New York | Special interest | Dedicated to the cinema of Poland. |
| Northeast Film Festival | 2013 | Teaneck | New Jersey | International | Competition in features, shorts, documentaries and student films. Held annually in September. |
| Northwest Film Fest | 1993 | Thunder Bay | Ontario | International | |
| Northwest Filmmakers' Festival | 1973 | Portland | Oregon | Independent | Competition in features, shorts, and documentaries made by filmmakers in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska and British Columbia. Held annually in November. |
| Oaxaca Film Fest | 2010 | Oaxaca | Mexico | International | Held annually in November. |
| Oceanside International Film Festival | 2009 | Oceanside, San Diego County | California | International | Held annually in August through 2020. Annually February since 2021. |
| Orlando Film Festival | 2006 | Orlando | Florida | International | Held annually in October/November. |
| Ottawa International Animation Festival | 1976 | Ottawa | Ontario | International | Held annual in September |
| Ottawa Canadian Film Festival | 2015 | Ottawa | Ontario | Canadian | Held annually in November |
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | 1989 | Palm Springs | California | International | |
| Pan African Film Festival | 1992 | Los Angeles | California | | The largest black film festival in the United States. [17] |
| Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival | 2008 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Special interest | |
| Philadelphia Film Festival | 1991 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | International | |
| Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival | 1981 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | International | The second-oldest Jewish-specific film festival in the United States |
| Philadelphia QFest | 1995 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | International | Originally the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. |
| Québec City Film Festival (QCFF) | 2011 | Quebec City | Quebec | International | Held annually in September, screens short and featured films. |
| Queer City Cinema | 1996 | Regina | Saskatchewan | LGBT | |
| Queer North Film Festival | 2016 | Sudbury | Ontario | LGBT | |
| Rainbow Visions Film Festival | 2015 | Edmonton | Alberta | LGBT | |
| Red Rock Film Festival | 2004 | Zion Canyon, St. George, Springdale, Ivins | Utah | International | Held annually in November. |
| Reel Rock Film Tour | 2006 | Boulder | Colorado | International | Held annually, climbing and adventure films. |
| Reel Shorts Film Festival | 2007 | Grande Prairie | Alberta | International | Festival of short films held annually for 5 days in early May. |
| Reel Pride | 1987 | Winnipeg | Manitoba | LGBT | |
| Reelout Queer Film Festival | 1999 | Kingston | Ontario | LGBT | |
| ReelWorld Film Festival | 2001 | Toronto | Ontario | International | Screens films and music videos by filmmakers from racially diverse communities. |
| Renegade Film Festival | 2017 | Atlanta | Georgia | International | Showcases films made by filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, including women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities. |
| Rhode Island International Film Festival | 1997 | Providence | Rhode Island | International | Held annually for 6 days during the second week of August |
| RiverRun International Film Festival | 1998 | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | International | Held annually each Spring. |
| Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival | 1987 | Colorado Springs | Colorado | International | Held annually in early November showcasing films made by women. |
| Ebertfest | 1997 | Champaign | Illinois | Special interest | Founded by the film critic. |
| Rooftop Films | 1997 | New York City | New York | International | A summer-long outdoor festival that screens new independent films on rooftops and other outdoor spots. |
| Sacramento Film and Music Festival | 2000 | Sacramento | California | International | Juried, all genre, includes student section, 10 days, late July. |
| San Antonio Film Festival | 1994 | San Antonio | Texas | International | Held annually in the month of June. Awards |
| San Diego Asian Film Festival | 2000 | San Diego | California | International | Held annually in November, with a spring showcase in April. |
| San Diego Black Film Festival | 2002 | San Diego | California | International | |
| San Diego International Film Festival | 2001 | San Diego, La Jolla | California | International | Held in October, a five-day independent film festival. |
| San Diego Latino Film Festival | 1993 | San Diego | California | International | Held annually in March. |
| San Francisco Frozen Film Festival | 2006 | San Francisco | California | Special interest, independent | |
| Sanford International Film Festival | 2014 | Sanford | Maine | Independent, horror, international | Held in October. Dedicated to independent films, with a night dedicated to horror. |
| San Francisco Green Film Festival | 2011 | San Francisco | California | Special interest, international | Dedicated to environmental films. |
| San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival | 1982 | San Francisco | California | Special interest, international | Dedicated to Asian and Asian American films. |
| San Francisco International Film Festival | 1957 | San Francisco | California | International | |
| San Francisco Jewish Film Festival | 1980 | San Francisco | California | Special interest, international | |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | 1985 | Santa Barbara | California | International | |
| Santa Fe Film Festival | 1999 | Santa Fe | New Mexico | International | Highlighting New Mexican film, new American and foreign films. |
| Sarasota Film Festival | 1999 | Sarasota | Florida | International | |
| Science Fiction Fantasy Short Film Festival | 2006 | Seattle | Washington | Special interest | Devoted to action, animation, fantasy, and science fiction cinema. |
| Seattle International Film Festival | 1976 | Seattle | Washington | International | Largest film festival in the United States, held annually from May–June. |
| Sedona Film Festival | 1994 | Sedona | Arizona | International | |
| Slamdance Film Festival | 1995 | Park City | Utah | International | Focused on emerging filmmakers and low-budget independent films. |
| Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival | 1999 | Birmingham | Alabama | International | Held annually the last weekend in August. |
| Sonoma Valley Film Festival | 1996 | Sonoma | California | International | |
| South by Southwest | 1987 | Austin | Texas | Special interest | A set of film, interactive, and music festivals. |
| Southern Utah International Documentary Film Festival (DOCUTAH) | 2009 | St. George | Utah | International | Held annually for one week in September. |
| SouthSide Film Festival | 2008 | Bethlehem | Pennsylvania | Regional | Held annually in June. |
| St. John's International Women's Film Festival | 1989 | St. John's | Newfoundland and Labrador | International | Screens films made by women, to promote gender parity in filmmaking |
| Sundar Prize Film Festival | 2024 | Surrey | British Columbia | International | Recognize and showcase films that tackle critical social causes and issues, inspiring action and raising awareness [18] |
| Nickel Independent Film Festival | 2001 | St. John's | Newfoundland and Labrador | International | Conceived in 2001 to allow local filmmakers to exhibit their film and video work. |
| Smith Sound Film Festival | 2017 | George's Brook-Milton | Newfoundland and Labrador | International | Originated in 2017 after wanting to show older works done on celluloid for the public to see, with building of a screen and projector commencing later. |
| Sundance Film Festival | 1978 | Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Sundance | Utah | International | Held annually in January, Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States. |
| Tallgrass Film Festival | 2003 | Wichita | Kansas | International | This four-day festival, held in October, screens independent short and feature films. |
| Telluride Film Festival | 1974 | Telluride | Colorado | International | Held annually over Labor Day Weekend. |
| Telluride Mountainfilm | 1979 | Telluride | Colorado | Independent | The oldest film festival celebrating the genre of mountain film in the US. |
| Three Rivers Film Festival | 1982 | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | International | Emphasizing independent film. |
| Toronto After Dark Film Festival | 2006 | Toronto | Ontario | Special interest | Annual festival of horror, sci-fi, action, and cult cinema. |
| Toronto International Film Festival | 1976 | Toronto | Ontario | International | Held annually in September. |
| Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival | 1997 | Toronto | Ontario | Special Interest | Featuring Asian films. |
| Toronto Tamil Film Festival | 2020 | Toronto | Ontario | International | International Tamil Film Festival held annually in September. |
| Traverse City Film Festival | 2005 | Traverse City | Michigan | International | Founded by documentary film maker Michael Moore. Held annually in late July - early August |
| Tribeca Film Festival | 2002 | New York City | New York | International | Founded by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro. |
| True/False Film Festival | 2004 | Columbia | Missouri | Documentary | Documentary film festival. |
| St. Louis International Film Festival | 1992 | St. Louis | Missouri | International | Annual event held in November with film events to advance film as an art form. |
| St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase | 2000 | St. Louis | Missouri | Special Interest | Festival held annually in July, with films written, directed, edited, or produced by St. Louis natives or those with strong local ties. |
| Vancouver Asian Film Festival | 1995 | Vancouver | British Columbia | International | Asian film festival. Held annually for 4–5 days in November. |
| Vancouver International Film Festival | 1982 | Vancouver | British Columbia | International | Held annually for two weeks in late September and early October. |
| Vancouver Queer Film Festival | 1988 | Vancouver | British Columbia | International | LGBT film festival. Held annually for eleven days in late August. |
| Ventura film festival | 2004 | Ventura | California | International | |
| Vietnamese International Film Festival | 2003 | Los Angeles | California | Vietnamese | Biennial film festival for Vietnamese filmmakers. |
| Virginia Film Festival | 1987 | Charlottesville | Virginia | International | Hosted by the University of Virginia. |
| Vox Popular Media Arts Festival | 2005 | Thunder Bay | Ontario | International | |
| Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema | 2001 | Waterloo | Ontario | International | Screens feature animation. Held annually in November. |
| Whistler Film Festival | 2001 | Whistler | British Columbia | International | |
| Windsor International Film Festival | 2005 | Windsor | Ontario | International | Held annually for eleven days in late October and early November. |
| Wisconsin Film Festival | 1999 | Madison | Wisconsin | International | Screens independent and international documentary, narrative, experimental, student and animated films. |
| Woodstock Film Festival | 1999 | Woodstock | New York | International | Features independent films. |
| World Film Communities Network | 2019 | Palo Alto | California | International | Showcase and screens Independent Films. |
| World Music & Independent Film Festival | 2009 | Washington, D.C. | Washington, D.C. | International | Screens independent and international music videos and independent films |
| WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival | 1968 | Houston | Texas | International | |
| Yorkton Film Festival | 1950 | Yorkton | Saskatchewan | Independent | Features Canadian films and filmmakers. |
| The YoungCuts Film Festival | 2005 | Montreal | Quebec | International | Focuses on young filmmakers. |
| Young People's Film Festival | 1976 | Portland | Oregon | Youth, regional | Features works of filmmakers grades K-12 living in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. |
| Zero Film Festival | 2007 | New York City, Los Angeles, Miami Beach | New York, California, Florida | Self-financed cinema | Exclusive to self-financed filmmakers. |
