Mission Statement

To highlight the importance of supporting the arts, creativity, and culture, the Santa Fe International Film Festival showcases the city’s forward-thinking artistic vision and celebrates cinematic and media excellence, setting a national standard.

Festival History

During its history, Santa Fe International Film Festival (SFiFF) has presented an array of films ranging from major Academy Award winners to top international films to undiscovered indie gems—to more than 133,700 attendees. Founded in 2009, SFiFF is now one of the top annual events and the largest event of its kind in New Mexico, with more than 300 hours of programming each season.

Recent guests have included Oliver Stone, Godfrey Reggio, Catherine Hardwicke, Shirley MacLaine, Gena Rowlands, Robert Redford, Ethan Hawke, Wes Studi, Jay Roach, Ali MacGraw, John Sayles, Zahn McClarnon, Sterlin Harjo and Bryan Cranston. Santa Fe was host to a wealth of amazing theaters, like the 1930 built Lensic, and the Center for Contemporary Arts. In 2013 George RR Martin reopened the Jean Cocteau Cinema, and a year later the Violet Crown Cinema in Santa Fe’s Railyard was complete, making Santa Fe one of the world’s greatest movie theater cities. SFiFF was recognized nationally by IndieWire Magazine as “a young Sundance” and was named one of Moviemaker Magazine's “Coolest Film Festivals on the Planet,” and “50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.”

SFiFF has effectively extended the tourism season in Santa Fe, and SFiFF earned the award for Arts Innovator at the 29th Santa Fe Mayor’s Awards. Deadline Hollywood has called SFiFF, “Toronto, but on a much smaller scale.”

In 2022, the festival rebranded from the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival to become the Santa Fe International Film Festival.

Films that have been shown in the past include: FOE, ANATOMY OF A FALL, THE PROMISED LAND, ANSELM, PERFECT DAYS, WOMEN TALKING, CLOSE, MY POLICEMAN, BROKER, EO, SPENCER, FLEE, THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD, MLK/FBI, JUST MERCY, MARRIAGE STORY, ONLY THE BRAVE, HOSTILES, THE TRAITOR, THE HOMESMAN, SHOPLIFTERS, THE SQUARE

Santa Fe International Film Festival(SFiFF) is the premiere forum for international and independent cinema in the area. Focusing on artistic excellence, SFiFF serves as a creative center for film year-round, and as a presentation of the year's top films each October. SFiFF provides professional opportunities for artists, and unmatched audience participation in the world’s greatest little film city. 

Save the date for the 17th Annual Santa Fe International Film Festival: October 15th-19th, 2025.