Do I Need to Attend a Film Festival in Person If My Film Is Selected?
This is one of the most common questions filmmakers ask after they receive an acceptance. The short answer is: it depends...
Year: 2026
What Should I Include in My Festival Submission Package?
When you’re submitting your film to a festival, the materials you include can really help your project stand out. Here’s...
How Do Film Festivals Actually Judge Films?
For many filmmakers, the judging process can feel like a black box. But at the Utah International Film Festival, we...
What Kind of Festival is Right for My Film?
Once you’ve got a finished film in hand, the big question is: Where does it belong? Not every festival is...
Should I Submit My Film to Big Festivals or Smaller Ones?
It’s the classic filmmaker dilemma: do you go big and aim for the star-studded festivals, or do you keep it...
How Many Film Festivals Should I Submit My Film To?
When filmmakers ask how many festivals they should submit to, what they’re really asking is: How do I do this...
What Makes a Film Stand Out to a Festival Programmer?
When filmmakers imagine a festival programmer, they often picture someone hunting for perfection. That’s not what we’re doing. We’re hunting...
Why Did My Film Get Rejected?
If you’ve ever opened a rejection email and thought, “What did I do wrong?” you’re not alone. Every filmmaker hits...
Sister Wives – Film Review
Louisa Connolly-Burnham’s Sister Wives just wrapped up an impressive festival run, picking up the W at the Utah International Film...
Do Film Festivals Really Watch Every Film?
Yes — real festivals do. But not all festivals are the same, and that’s where a lot of filmmaker anxiety...
The Pearl Comb – Film Review
The Pearl Comb picked up Best Narrative Short Film at the Utah International Film Festival and has gone on to...
What Length Should My Short Film Be for Film Festivals?
If there is one factor that influences your chances of getting into film festivals more than almost anything else, it’s...
Is My Film Good Enough for Film Festivals?
This might be the most common question filmmakers never say out loud. You’ve finished your film. You’ve watched it a...
A Rare Grand Alignment – Film Review
Recently, a film crossed my desk that immediately pulled me into a very specific moment in time and refused to...
I’ll Be Right Back – Film Review
I’ll Be Right Back places me in the middle of a quiet camping trip that turns tense fast. A father...
Filmmaker – Conrad Paur
I absolutely loved my experience with the Utah International Film Festival. Their love for all filmmakers both young and old...
And the Winners are…
UTAH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS JAN 5th, 2026 Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center Comedy A Ghosted Heart Connie & Clyde EL...
Filmmaker – Emily Rasmuss
UIFF is full of great opportunities and people. Venue, events, panels and, most of all, programming! I saw so many...
Filmmaker – Ben Coles
I cannot thank the festival team for such a wonderful film festival — I couldn’t have asked for a better...