The Festival
THE story of the WORLD'S BIGGEST TINY FESTIVAL
PARTY LIKE IT'S 2024!
Every summer, NCFF makes art into a party, bringing an audience of movie lovers together with emerging and top independent filmmakers to showcase award-winning short and feature length films from around the world.
With more than 23 film festivals, countless sold-out comedy shows, numerous films and outdoor screenings, local filmmaker grants and showcases, NCFF continues to make good on its commitment to serve Nevada County and nearby regions by providing art, entertainment, education and culture through the medium of film.
What we're about
Since 2001, the Nevada City Film Festival (NCFF) has brought top independent film, music and comedy, along with attracting thousands of attendees, international filmmakers, and industry guests to the historic town of Nevada City, California. Nevada City is known for its sophisticated and supportive arts and cultural scene, and makes screening a film here a positive, encouraging and exciting experience.
NCFF is often referred to as the “Sundance of the Sierra” for its emphasis on fiercely independent cinema that showcases innovative, progressive and exciting new voices in film. In 2020, NCFF was named by USA Today as the #3 Best Festival in the US. In 2023, we were so proud to be included in Moviemaker Magazine’s 25 Coolest Film Festivals list. In 2024, NCFF was named for the fourth time by Moviemaker Magazine as one of the top 50 film festivals in the world worth the submission fee for filmmakers.
THE PEOPLE
Big names in a small town
In previous years NCFF has hosted filmmakers such as Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris, Mike Mills, David Zellner, Jonathan Krisel, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and comedians including Beth Stelling, Maria Bamford, Tig Notaro, Nick Kroll, Eric Andre, Kate Berlant, John Early, and Marc Maron.
Past NCFF judges have included award-winning producers and directors, other like-minded festival programmers and directors, plus writers from The Huffington Post, New York Times, McSweeneys, San Francisco Chronicle, Rolling Stone Magazine, and No Film School.
THE EXPERIENCE
ABOUT NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
THE SETTING
Not all small towns are the same
Located at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, surrounded by the Tahoe National Forest and the wild and scenic Yuba River, are the beautifully preserved historic towns of Nevada City and Grass Valley.
Steeped in history and with the most famous gold-mining district in California, Nevada City and Grass Valley experienced a “cultural revolution” that reshaped the local economy and continues to influence the statewide arts scene. Starting in the ’60s, Beat Generation and deep ecology poet Gary Snyder, singer Utah Phillips, and a host of authors and musicians settled here. Now, an outpost for digital nomads, creative workers, cottage industry entrepreneurs, and organic farming – creativity occurs in peaceful, natural environments far from major urban centers.
Between them,
Nevada City and Grass Valley are home to the Nevada Theatre, the oldest theater in California, and more than 100 arts-related organizations producing upwards of 1,000 events a year, scores of annual festivals, street fairs, art walks and studio tours, and a generous base of artists and makers.
As well as for its arts, the district is known for its expanding vineyards, wineries, and tasting rooms, and a trail network of outstanding natural beauty. The Nisenan lived in the region for thousands of years as part of a perfectly balanced ecosystem, thriving on the Yuba, Bear, and American river watersheds – and, over time, their sacred places are being rediscovered and cherished.
FESTIVAL GUIDELINES
HOW TO maximize your enjoyment!
1. Have fun!
First rule of business in this town in FUN. We aim to make that the case whether you’re lining up for a show, wandering the town between screenings or getting lost at midnight.
2. Get Inspired
You’re going to leave this festival wanting to make a movie, regardless of whether you know your Bolex from your Botox.
Ask Questions
Keep a Journal
Meet a Filmmaker
3. relax
Take this weekend to relax, recharge, and renew your love and appreciation for the beautiful and magical art form that is cinema.