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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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Testimonials

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  • Testimonials

Filmmaker – Conrad Paur

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Filmmaker – Emily Rasmuss

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Featured

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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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  • Film Reviews

In Need of Seawater – Film Review

November 29, 2025 0

Directed by Richard Yeagley WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS! In Need of Seawater is a film that draws you in...

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  • News

If Everyone’s Telling the Same Story, How Will Yours Stand Out?

November 17, 2025 0

Every year, the Utah International Film Festival receives hundreds of submissions from storytellers all over the world. And while each...

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  • Film Reviews

Bad Timing – Film Review

October 17, 2025 0

WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS! Directed by Lenni Uitto and Musa Ali Aden, Bad Timing is one of those short...

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Screenwriters are VITAL to Film Festivals

October 12, 2025 0

Submitting your screenplay to film festivals can be worth far more than the laurel you collect or the trophy you...

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  • News

Use Festivals to Market Your Movie

October 10, 2025 0

Many filmmakers see festivals purely as exhibition windows, wishing that a distributor will magically swoop in. But festivals are far...

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  • News

Why Horror Is the Perfect Genre for Indie Filmmakers

October 8, 2025 0

When the lights go out, imagination takes over. That’s why horror has always been the filmmaker’s secret training ground —...

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  • Film Reviews

City in Observation – Film Review

October 5, 2025 0

WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS! Inspired by the Croatian filmmakers of the 1960s and ’70s, City in Observation (directed by...

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  • Filmmaker Interviews

Passion vs. Tradition: Inside the Story of ‘Fili’

October 5, 2025 0

Fili Tanuvasa, a recent graduate torn between following his father's footsteps in football or pursuing his hidden passion for acting,...

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  • Filmmaker Interviews

A closer look at ARTIFEX

October 4, 2025 0

Artifex takes audiences on a journey where history, myth, and the supernatural collide. Set to premiere at the Utah International...

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  • Filmmaker Interviews

Exploring Loneliness, Connection, and Humanity in “Animal”

October 4, 2025 0

Ethan Hawkins, a filmmaker known for his character-driven sci-fi stories, takes audiences on a deeply emotional journey with co-director Taylor...

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  • Filmmaker Interviews

The Purple Glasses: A Nostalgic Journey Back to 80s Middle School Friendship

October 4, 2025 0

"The Purple Glasses," a film crafted from the memories of director Susan Sullivan, brings to life the essence of middle...

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  • News

Marketing Strategies for Indie Filmmakers

October 3, 2025 0

Marketing an independent film on a shoestring budget can be difficult, but many filmmakers have found creative ways to build...

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  • Testimonials

Filmmaker – Spencer Fackrell

October 2, 2025 0

Premiering my feature film at the Utah International Film Festival was an unforgettable experience. The festival team worked hard to...

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  • Testimonials

Filmmaker – Rachid Ait

October 1, 2025 0

An absolutely beautiful festival full of excitement. The passion that Dora and the entire UIFF team put into this is...

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  • Film Reviews

Volume 7 – Film Review

September 23, 2025 0

Directed by Panos Pappas & Despina Charalampous WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS! The future has always fascinated me—not just as...

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  • Film Reviews

What we imagined – Film Review

September 23, 2025 0

Directed by Shubhavi Arya WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS! Every so often, a short film sneaks up on me and...

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  • News

Utah Enters the Vertical Drama Space

September 12, 2025 0

The Utah film community is on a new frontier of storytelling with the release of The Billionaire’s Secret Heir, now...

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  • Festival News

Bring the Movies to Your Town

August 27, 2025 0

The Utah International Film Festival is taking independent cinema on the road! Our Rural Film Screenings program brings award-winning short...

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  • Film Reviews

The Call – Film Review

August 11, 2025 0

WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS! Death may be the only certainty in this world, yet we are never truly prepared...

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  • News

“A Perfect Fit” Brings UIFF Alumni Together in Magical Short Film

August 1, 2025 0

HELPER, UT – The whimsical short film A Perfect Fit, featuring Elijah Amodt and Charla Bocchicchio, is set to captivate...

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  • Film Reviews

The Random Guest – Review

July 29, 2025 0

There’s a beautiful, unsettling mystery to the way lives intersect. We are taught that no encounter is an accident, that...

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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.