A juried survey of new moving image arts by independent Northwest film and video makers, the Festival draws over 300 entries in all genres each year and is judged by a prominent filmmaker, curator or critic. Now in it's 36th year, the Festival provides a forum where outstanding independent work receives public recognition, critical appraisal, and an engaged and enthusiastic regional audience. Past judges have included Gus Van Sant, Matt Groening, Todd Haynes, Christine Vachon, Bill Plympton, Dan Ireland, Karen Cooper of Filmforum, B. Ruby Rich, Amy Taubin, Jim Hoberman, and John Cooper, Sundance and Outfest programmer. Generally, 30-45 shorts, features, and documentaries are screened during the Festival, then 10-15 shorts are selected for the Best of the Northwest Tour program which travels the following year throughout the Northwest to media arts centers, museums, arts councils, and universities. Total audience exceeds 6000.

For the Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy genres. Over 80% of features screened sold for DVD release. Entries have been received from over 23 countries. All styles, all types. Supported by local Film Commission. Known as "Sundance of the Weird."

Canyonlands Film Festival is about as far from Sundance as you can get. This small (but growing) showcase for independent films offers film aficionados a true small-town experience without sacrificing cutting-edge innovation.

"Sundance has Slamdance, now Newport has Clamdance" The unofficial sidebar to the Newport Film International Festival.