Film festivals are where filmmakers get to network and share their work, people in the industry get to scout for talent, and audiences get some exposure to new and/or exceptional films. Irrespective of the reason for attendance, if one enjoys participating in film festivals, they can find many such events throughout the year. A few major film festivals are held in the country. So, one can easily plan a trip to the host cities.
1. Park City, Utah—Sundance Film Festival
Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the country, known for supporting the discovery of groundbreaking talent and original storytelling. This is the place for true cinema buffs looking to engage with new and emerging voices in the film industry. In 2025, the Sundance Film Festival will be held over 11 days in Park City, Utah. As always, the festival is expected to offer cinematic work spanning wide-ranging genres.
2. Atlanta, Georgia—Atlanta Film Festival
This international film festival is a prominent event in the country, being one of USA Today’s “10 Best Film Festivals,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Best Spring Festival,” and MovieMaker Magazine’s “25 Coolest Film Festivals”. Key highlights of the Atlanta Film Festival are that it screens over 150 films for 27,000+ people each year and organizes Creative Conference events, which are educational sessions for industry professionals, new filmmakers, and festival goers. So, a trip to Atlanta might be worth it for anyone looking to engage with world cinema.
3. New York City—Tribeca Film Festival
If looking for the top USA film festivals to attend in 2025, the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City is worth considering. This event sees around 150,00 attendees annually. Here, one will find film premieres, live performances by award-winning musicians, talks conducted by thought leaders across disciplines, and exclusive panel discussions. Tribeca also presents a unique networking opportunity for not just filmmakers but various types of creators, including podcasters, developers, and writers.
4. Austin, Texas—Austin Film Festival and South by Southwest
In addition to being the live music capital of the world, Austin also hosts a couple of major film festivals each year. The Austin Film Festival is a popular platform for screenwriters, filmmakers, and industry professionals, screening hundreds of films and television premieres each year over a range of genres and storytelling styles. Festivalgoers can also be part of the informative panels that discuss the details of the filmmaking process.
Another must-visit film festival in Austin, Texas, is South by Southwest (SXSW), which combines the celebration of music, film, technology, education, and culture. This is known to be a great networking platform for emerging talent, as producers rely on SXSW to find incredible artists. SXSW also has a diverse program catalog consisting of panels and sessions that dive into the future of film and television, content distribution, and digital streaming.
5. Ann Arbor, Michigan—Ann Arbor Film Festival
If one has a Michigan trip scheduled for 2025, the Ann Arbor Film Festival (AAFF) is one stop in the US that film enthusiasts should not miss. The six-day event will feature over 40 carefully planned programs, screening over 180 films from around the world. The work showcased at the event spans a range of lengths, formats, and genres, including documentaries, animated media, narratives, and avant-garde pieces. The AAFF is also a unique space for entertainment producers to find fresh talent and dive into versatile storytelling techniques.
6. Los Angeles, California—Slamdance Film Festival and American Film Institute Festival
LA’s Slamdance Film Festival is the go-to annual event for emerging independent filmmakers and artists. A much smaller event than other major film festivals on the list, Slamdance offers film enthusiasts and professionals in the industry a chance to engage in intimate screenings and discussions with producers, filmmakers, and other industry insiders.
Another treat for film festival enthusiasts is the American Film Institute Festival held in the city. Unlike other festivals on the list, this event is dedicated to the best cinematic feats around the world. So, here, one will find high-profile films from other major film festivals like Cannes, Venice, and Berlin.
7. Telluride, Colorado—Telluride Film Festival
This prestigious film festival typically showcases diverse visual media, including feature films, short films, and revival programs representing countries around the world. Here, festival goers will also have access to panels, discussions, and other events to celebrate films of the present and past. A key highlight here is that while one can buy a pass to get access to more screenings, many sessions are also offered at no charge. So, anyone visiting the beautiful town of Telluride in the fall can add the film festival to their plans.
8. New Orleans, Louisiana—New Orleans Film Festival
Although New Orleans is known for its delicious food and thriving music scene, it also hosts a film festival each year, showcasing over 150 films to more than 12,000 people. The New Orleans Film Festival also partners with non-profit organizations to offer free tickets to festivalgoers. The goal here is to promote the screenings and ensure that the movie-watching experience isn’t exclusive. The festival also prioritizes offering a fair lineup of new films, so it ensures diversity in filmmaker selection and sources 90% of the screenings from submissions.
To avoid missing out on the top USA film festivals in 2025, one can refer to domestic travel guides and the year’s film festival schedule while planning their next vacation. Then, based on the chosen travel timeline, one can book a trip to the host cities.