rochester high falls international film festival - spotlighting the cinematic works of women - brings the finest independent motion pictures and film artists to Rochester and Western New York audiences. RHFIFF is one of only 40 film festivals worldwide that celebrates the work of women filmmakers, and is the largest, longest running women’s film festival on the East Coast.

Over the course of the festival, over 120 features, documentaries, shorts, children’s and young adult programs are presented, along with student filmmaking competitions, panel discussions, master classes, public parties, private receptions, and informal “Coffee With” events featuring visiting filmmakers and stars. Past guests include actors Rita Moreno, Christine Lahti, Angela Bassett, Candice Bergen, Bill Pullman, Joan Allen, Jane Alexander, Famke Janssen, Sally Kellerman, Nancy “Bart Simpson” Cartwright, and others.

Each year RHFIFF boosts economic spending in downtown Rochester, with some 10,000 attendees who spend an estimated $1 million in and around our festival sites. The Festival’s mission is to feature exceptional work of women in all areas of film, video and new media, highlighting Rochester’s standing as the home of motion picture film (George Eastman) and the women’s rights movement (Susan B. Anthony).

In 2008, the festival merged with the Rochester International Film Festival (organized by Movies on a Shoestring), and the two festivals worked together under the RHFIFF banner. In 2009 the two festivals amicably agreed to part ways due to a difference in programming preferences. Lead staff from both festivals now enjoy the chance to attend each others' festivals as audiences, and further Rochester's reputation as a city rich with many film loving activities.

THE MOVIES

RHFIFF continues to attract nearly 100 films each year, including:

? 40+ feature-length films, with audience selections that have gone on to win Academy Awards

? Four programs of short films, animation and documentaries

? A program of international children’s shorts plus young adult feature films

? Read about past Audience Award winners

THE STARS

RHFIFF features special celebrity guests every night of the Festival. Past stars have included:

? Christine Lahti, Candice Bergen, Rita Moreno, Angela Bassett, Bill Pullman, Joan Allen, Sally Kellerman, Diane Ladd and more

? Hollywood mega-producer Lauren Shuler Donner

? Acclaimed directors Vicky Jenson (SHREK), Agnieszka Holland (THE SECRET GARDEN), and more

? Read about how our guest stars are celebrated at the festival

THE PARTNERS

? RHFIFF works with The George Eastman House, The Rochester International Jazz Festival, Rochester Institute of Technology School of Film and Animation, and a number of other premiere organizations to guarantee the best possible programming at the Festival and throughout the year.

STAFF

? Read more about the staff and the board of directors

THE AUDIENCE

? RHFIFF grew by 15% in 2008, and continues to draw a highly educated audience with significant discretionary income. They are very loyal to the festival and practice high sponsor patronage (measured data available).

THE COVERAGE

? In 2008 the Festival received over 11 million media impressions as a result of extensive coverage by broadcast, radio, print and internet outlets. In addition, media partnerships deliver marketing initiatives that add several million more impressions, so that Festival sponsors can reach the widest possible audience. Past and current media partners include Time Warner Cable, Entercom Communications, More Magazine, City Newspaper, Rochester Woman, and others. In 2008, the Festival’s web site received 1/2 million hits in the six weeks leading up to the event.

THE MARKET

? Rochester outranks Nashville in arts spending; nonprofit arts and cultural groups pump $198.9 million a year into the local economy, and help attract some 2 million visitors annually. In the month of May, tourists enjoy the Film Festival in conjunction with the world famous Lilac Festival and other arts and cultural activities. Two of the top five “Best Places to Work” are located in Rochester (according to the Society for Human Resource Management), and the city is one of the few in the nation to show a growth in real estate purchases in 2007. Rochester is experiencing an unprecedented period of growth; over $450 million is currently invested in downtown development.