Festival



The Independent Features Film Festival was originally launched in 2006. At the time it was dubbed "The first film festival in which film selection is done online via a web-based competition." Our catchphrase was “Critics take a seat; the audience has spoken!” In an article in the Pioneer Press, an industry veteran shot down the idea of streaming video saying “How do you get a good look on a web site? It’s like looking at the Grand Canyon on a thimble.” Much has changed since then. With so much streaming content, independent theaters have been closing at an alarming rate. The Independent Features brand has relaunched to help preserve the theater experience for moviegoers and revive the downward trend of independent theaters. 


The 2023 Manhattan Film Festival will take place June 15-25, 2023 with screenings at Cinema Village