Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival

The Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival channels the rebellious spirit of the Molly Maguires, welcoming the boldest, most defiant filmmakers to present their work, shatter convention and incite spirited debate.  Our credo is “eyes and minds wide open” and we mean it.  JTIFF cares deeply about diversity and strives to give the under-represented filmmaker a chance.  So we make a concerted effort to promote films by women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and student filmmakers.

90 incredible films from all around the world, including many world premieres and numerous US and Pennsylvania debuts, were presented at JTIFF last year.  From gritty underground and experimental pieces to polished classic storylines, these movies addressed every genre and topic.  

The previous five years have seen tremendous growth for JTIFF.  Out of more than 5,000 festivals, we continue to rank among "The Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals" on FilmFreeway.  Since 2018, we have had the distinction of working with PBS 39, who will produce material for the festival and show some of the greatest local films that were winners.

This isn't your father's film festival, to put it briefly.  Drama, documentary, comedy, horror, science fiction, experimental, animation, and LGBTQ-related topics are among the genres covered.