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Utah Film Festival

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And the Winners are…

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Bring the Movies to Your Town

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Filmmaker – Conrad Paur

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Filmmaker – Emily Rasmuss

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Featured

John Lyde on the set of Love Swap
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  • Filmmaker Interviews
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Filmmaking with Friends: On the set with Director John Lyde

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65 Story Prompts For Your Next Film

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Exploring Utah’s Enchanting Filming Locations: A Cinematic Journey

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Abandoned Western Movie Sets

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The Top 20 Most Financially Successful Independent Films of All Time

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Best Free & Cheap Screenwriting Software

March 6, 2026

When you decide to write your very first screenplay, it is easy to get caught up in the fantasy of...

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4 Awesome Apps to Make Your First Movie4 Awesome Apps to Make Your First Movie
  • News

4 Awesome Apps to Make Your First Movie

March 5, 2026

Have you ever watched a movie at the Utah International Film Festival and thought, “I want to make one of...

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  • News

How to Get Your Film Selected at UIFF

March 5, 2026

Recently, I sat down with Rebekah Louisa Smith, the Film Festival Doctor, to pull back the curtain on how we...

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Pitchtank
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How to Perfect Your Film Pitch

March 4, 2026

Stepping into the Pitch Tank at the Utah International Film Festival can feel scary.  You may have spent years writing...

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How to Make Your First Short Film: A Step-by-Step Guide

March 3, 2026

Do you want to make your first short film but don’t know where to start? Making your first short film...

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Rare Utah Locations (and where to find them)

March 2, 2026

I have been working as a location manager for over 8 years. Bring that time I have needed to find...

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50 Horror Story Prompts for Your Next Short Film

March 1, 2026

When you finally have the time to start working on your latest horror short, your brain goes completely blank.  Fear...

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Locations You Can Film for FREE

February 28, 2026

A lot of new filmmakers make the excuse that they don’t have any money to make their first short film,...

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What Indie Filmmakers Can Learn From YouTubers Who Went Theatrical

February 27, 2026

For years, indie filmmakers and YouTubers felt like two different worlds. Film festivals on one side. Online creators on the...

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Is Vertical Filmmaking Taking Over?

February 26, 2026 0

Vertical dramas are not just a trend anymore (RIP Quibi). They are now a real part of the film industry,...

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Is premiere status really that important?

February 25, 2026 0

Few topics create more confusion among filmmakers than premiere status. Ask ten filmmakers what it means, and you’ll often get...

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What actually gets a film rejected

February 24, 2026 0

One of the most emotionally loaded moments in a filmmaker’s journey is the rejection email. Just a polite variation of...

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Make the most out of your 1st film festival experience

February 23, 2026 0

Your first film festival can feel a little surreal. There’s energy everywhere. Filmmakers talking shop in hallways. Packed screening rooms....

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Should I add laurels to my poster?

February 22, 2026 0

On the surface, it feels like an obvious yes. You worked hard. Your film was accepted. Maybe it even won...

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Where to get a DCP

February 21, 2026 0

If you spend enough time around film festivals, one technical acronym eventually starts to haunt your inbox: DCP. A DCP...

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I Submitted to a Lot of Festivals. Is That Good?

February 20, 2026 0

Short answer: it depends on why you did it and what you expect to happen next. Submitting to a lot...

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Tips for Promoting Festival Screenings as a Filmmaker

February 19, 2026 0

There’s a myth that festivals will fill your screening for you. Sometimes they do. Often they don’t. Even strong festivals...

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Are Western Film Festivals Favoring Political Films?

February 18, 2026 0

Yes, there are film festivals throughout the United States that favor political films over other genres. That is part of...

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  • News

10 Fundraising Ideas for Filmmakers (That Aren’t Crowdfunding)

February 17, 2026 0

Crowdfunding is the film industry’s version of standing on a digital street corner with a tip jar. Sometimes it works....

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What should I look for before submitting to festivals?

February 17, 2026 0

With thousands of festivals and awards programs out there, being selective is smart. The challenge is knowing what to look...

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When should I release my short film’s trailer?

February 16, 2026 0

Release it too early and it feels like momentum without a destination. Release it too late and you miss opportunities...

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Welcome to the 16th Annual Utah International Film Festival, Utah’s premier film festival celebrating international independent cinema.

We like to have fun with words, but the Utah International Film Festival (UIFF) is serious about one thing—celebrating cinema that makes an impact. Our mission has always been to Inspire, Create, and Innovate, but most of all, to connect filmmakers from around the world in one unforgettable experience.

From the moment your film is selected, you’re part of a community that genuinely cares. Filmmakers, screenwriters, and actors gather here not just to showcase their work, but to share ideas, form partnerships, and grow together.

🎬 “It was such a great experience to screen my film So Much for Solidarity at UIFF! The festival was so well-organized, people were very friendly, and Dora and Warren are such excellent hosts. I had a blast meeting other filmmakers and attending the various panels and networking events.” — Alexandra Christensen

✨ “Premiering my feature film at the Utah International Film Festival was an unforgettable experience. The team worked hard to keep things running smoothly, and Dora personally responded to my questions—which made the process even better. What really stood out was how they brought together such a diverse group of industry professionals. It was inspiring to connect with so many talented people.” — Spencer Fackrell

📜 “I absolutely LOVED attending the Utah International Film Festival. My short script Delphy was there, and it was so wonderful how much they celebrated screenwriters. The table reads, panels, and networking events made it such a special experience. Dora and Warren put so much love, dedication, and passion into the festival—it truly shows!” — Lea Pfandler

Filmmakers who attend UIFF walk away with new friendships, career opportunities, and the kind of recognition that lasts. Whether you’re premiering your first film or your tenth, UIFF is a place where every storyteller feels at home.

At UIFF, the fun doesn’t stop at the theater doors:
🎭 Workshops & Panels
📜 Screenplay Competitions
🍳 Filmmakers’ Breakfast
🎤 PitchTank
🏆 Awards Show & VIP Dinner and so much more.

⭐️ “As a filmmaker, I couldn’t be more grateful for the experience. From selection to screening, the festival team showed incredible enthusiasm and support. The panels, including PitchTank, were well-organized and full of valuable insights. Winning Best Music Score for ARTIFEX made it all the more unforgettable.” — Alan Lucchetti

From humble beginnings in 2010 to now hosting filmmakers from across the globe, UIFF has become one of Utah’s most dynamic and filmmaker-focused festivals. Our alumni have gone on to earn major industry recognition—including Academy Award nominations and a win for I’m Not a Robot – Best Live Action Short Film.

Over the years, the festival has also featured icons like Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone), Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon), Danny Trejo (Machete), Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon), and Margaret Cho (The L Word).

But the real magic happens in the moments between screenings—the conversations, the laughs, and the friendships formed over the 5 days.

💡 “It was my first time attending a film festival, and the entire event was amazing. I felt so welcomed, met lots of incredibly talented people, and learned valuable skills that will help me move forward in my screenwriting career.” — Cari Stewart

🎞 “Brilliant festival run by a brilliant team. They really care about all the participants and make the whole festival a great experience.” — Michael Winter

Your film belongs at UIFF.
Your voice deserves to be heard.
And we can’t wait to celebrate it with you.

Contact us

Info@UtahFilmFestival.com

Utah International Film Festival | CoverNews by AF themes.