Annual festival featuring American and international feature film premiers,documentaries, short films and music videos. Additionally features the work of Native American and women filmmakers.

Annual event in LA since 1997, and the largest festial in the world dedicated to excellence in short films. Features educational panels, interactive and entertaining events, and awarding over $100,000 annually in awards and prizes. The first place winners from each of the festival's film categories (except for documentary) have been eligible for for Academy Award consideration since 2000.

A "discovery festival of films and technology forums," named the Top 10 festival in the world by the Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide. Sponsored by Cinequest, a 501(c)3 film institute dedicated to "empowering the Maverick" filmmakers through their festival and through distribution. *See also Cinequest Online under Distribution.

Annual festival featuring independent national and international films. They encourage independent filmmakers, celebrate "industry luminaries" and provide other educational forums.

Annual independent film festival in LA produced by Film Independent, featuring national and international films from dramas to comedies. Also See: Film Independent.

Annual competitive short film festival in San Francisco celebrating the rebellious nature of great filmmaking.

North Los Angeles County based festival with standing-room only crowds and lively post-screening discussions, founded in 1997. In 2005, the festival launched a new educational program funded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. AVIFF also offers a weekly Cinema Series, which showcases historically significant classic, foreign, and independent films on 35mm every Tuesday night with a pre-film lecture and post-screening discussion.

Chicano Film Festival held annually in Los Angeles, founded in 1995.

Founded in 1996, an annual festival celebrating Latino cultural expression through film, presented by the International Latino Film Society.

A not-for-profit, annual "floating festival" video compilation of short films which is distributed to independent video stores across the U.S. The goal of Cliffhouse Productions, based in San Francisco, is to support short film as an art form and to bring independent short films to general movie viewing audiences.

One of the longest running film festivals in the America's SFIFF has been running since 1957. Organized and sponsored by the San Francisco Film Society, this competitive festival features a wide array of new national and international films and live events.

Annual independent film festival founded in 1998 by Jeff Ross. SF Indiefest also sponsors and produces three other annual film festivals: The Hole in the Head Festival of Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy, The Annual Might Ruckus featuring music, film and arts, and DocFest, featuring the best Indie Docs from around the globe. A truly indie conglomoration of festivals, not to be missed.

Annual short film festival touring event which takes place in LA, Singapore and Myanmar, and has established itself as a unique, Japanese-born film festival showcased worldwide. The winner of Short Shorts' grand prix is eligible to receive an Academy Award nomination.

Annual independent film festival since 2001 featuring films from around the globe in an effort to foster cultural understanding and tolerance.

Annual event in Venice Beach, founded in 2004 and showcasing international independent films of all lengths and genres, music videos, and themed works from youth, political and women directors. Known for additional features like their filmmaker Q&As, DJs and bands, a curated art show, and conceptual architecture installations.

Annual festival since 1995 focused on showcasing emerging styles in both film and music, nationally and internationally. Additionally the festival is known for it's filmmaker/musician receptions, workshops, Lifetime and Career Achievement Awards and its Sunday morning Hot Air Balloon Ride.

Annual September film festival in San Francisco showcasing independent and experimental films and videos directed by women from around the globe. Focusing on work that is inventive and visionary, the festival is known for its outstanding programming.

Annual competitive short film festival in Palm Springs each August, featuring the best of national and international independent short films. HOsted by the Palm Springs International Film Society.

Annual event since 1989, hosted by the Palm Springs International Film Society each January, featuring the best of international and national independent film.

A five day retreat and international film market. As of 2007 the festival will be held in Los Angeles California, though it originated in Mexico in 1997 and then moved to Florida in 2002. Their mission is to strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, collaboration and career development.