THE 20th ANNUAL ASHLAND INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL WELCOMES YOU!
The Ashland Independent Film Festival, twice cited by MovieMaker among the "25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World," is beloved by filmmakers and audiences for the quality of its programming, filmmaker hospitality, and intelligent audiences. AIFF is committed to providing filmmakers with the best festival experience possible. Our 20th festival will be virtual on our Eventive channel, supplemented by special outdoor and indoor events in Ashland. This year, every feature film selection will be paid an exhibition fee, and all short and feature films will be up for the cash prizes we give to our jury awardees. Short films screen in carefully programmed groupings throughout the festival while features run for exclusive 48 hour periods, receiving the full attention of our publicity team.
This is our second virtual festival, and the first one was listed among MovieMaker's "Best Online Film Festivals of 2020." Our festival drew plaudits for its programming ("the most thoroughly conceived virtual film festival anywhere," Gary Meyer, co-founder, Landmark Theatres) and for its filmmaker socializing and networking opportunities (virtual parties, filmmaker afterlounges, a Facebook group for festival filmmakers, etc.).
ABOUT AIFF:
• Fifteen days of 100+ narrative and documentary independent films shown virtually, outdoors, with art exhibitions and live performances
• The chance to win one of four audience awards and six juried awards selected by film professionals from across the U.S. Juried awards for best short and feature narratives and documentaries receive cash prizes.
• Only films made in the Americas are eligible for our jury competition, but films made outside the Americas may be included in our non-competition sections and are also eligible for audience awards.
• Q&A's led by renowned critics and industry professionals
• Lifetime, Artistic Achievement, Rogue, and Pride Awards with past awardees including Chris Cooper, Lynn Shelton, James Ivory, Julie Taymor, Albert Maysles, Barbara Hammer, Barbara Kopple, and Les Blank.
Thank you for creating your work of art; we would be honored if you share it with us. If you have any questions, please email us at entries@ashlandfilm.org.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT AIFF:
"I have received many honors; none of them have touched me as deeply and soulfully..." --Albert Maysles, AIFF Lifetime Achievement Award recipient
"Thank you!!! This experience has been incredible. We have felt connected and valued throughout this quarantine because of the hard work of everyone at Ashland film festival. We will cherish this memory for many many years!"
Hisonni Johnson, "Take Out Girl" AIFF2020
“The Ashland Independent Film Festival is one of those festivals that works like a great chorus: all the elements - the town, the landscape, the venues, the programmers, the audiences, the other filmmakers - all work together and resonate in a wonderful and powerful way. Our first time at the festival we hope will not be our last…" - Alex Rivera, "The Infiltrators" AIFF2019
AIFF'S MISSION: "Celebrate the diversity of human experience through the art of independent film by enriching, educating and inspiring all audiences"
2020 AIFF Awards
James Blue Filmmaker Award
This juried award will be given to a filmmaker whose first or second documentary or narrative feature exemplifies the values of Oregonian director James Blue (1930-80), whose work addressed complex issues of social justice and social/political change. The award, funded by the James Blue Alliance in the amount of $2,500, will be given to the selected film director on awards night of the Ashland Independent Film Festival.
Sponsor: James Blue Alliance
Cash Award Value: $2,500 USD
Les Blank Award: Feature Length Documentary
Juried award for best documentary 41 minutes or over.
Cash Award: $2,500 USD
Best Editing: Feature Length Documentary
Juried award for best documentary 41 minutes or over.
Rogue Creamery Audience Award: Feature Length Documentary
Audience award for best documentary 41 minutes or over.
Sponsor: Rogue Creamery
Best Short Film: Documentary
Juried award for best documentary 40 minutes or under.
Cash Award: $1,000 USD
Audience Award Best Short Film: Documentary
Audience award for best documentary 40 minutes or under.
Best Narrative Feature
Juried award for best narrative film 41 minutes or over.
Cash Award: $2,500 USD
Best Cinematography/The Gerald Hirschfeld A.S.C Award: Feature
Juried award for best cinematography in a narrative film 41 minutes or over.
Varsity Audience Award: Feature
Audience award for best narrative film 41 minutes or over.
Sponsor: Coming Attractions Theatres
Best Narrative Short
Juried award for best narrative short 40 minutes or under.
Cash award: $1,000
Jim Teece Audience Award: Best Narrative Short
Audience award for best narrative short film 40 minutes or under.
Sponsor: Ashland Home Net & Project A