local ENGAGEMENT
SIGN UP FOR THE PANEL NETWORK SERIES THROUGH EVENTBRITE HERE
ATTENDANCE TO THIS EVENT IS FREE.
MUSIC AUDITIONS FOR 2025 FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES:
If you or your band would like to be considered for a 2025 Official Selection Music Performance, apply HERE by April 15.
ARTIST CALL:
If you are an artist who would like to be considered for the 2025 Festival poster, get in touch with us! The festival will review work in April 2025 with final selections in May.
RIFF POSTER ARTWORK
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The Richmond International Film Festival is releasing an open call to artists in 2025 similar to ‘23.
The artwork will be featured in the official poster to commemorate the 2025 theme, BARE NAKED.
In ‘23 theme was “Togetherness” and artist in residency went to Will @themsqshop.
Create your artwork as a drawing, painting, photo, or mixed media. Your artwork will be judged by a panel of Jurors and festival staff on its creativity, how well it fits into the theme, and the overall quality of the artwork.
The aim for this collaboration is to bring a spirit of inclusivity, build awareness and support for our artist community, and bolster art production and exhibition opportunities in Richmond.
Contest Framework
Submissions open to the arts community, all schools/universities, general public & local organizations.
Concept to capture: “Togetherness” theme (any form of art accepted such as drawing, painting, photography or mixed media/finishings)
Submit proof of concept or mock up by May 10 for RIFF feedback via staff@rvafilmfestival.com
Submit final artwork by May 22nd to staff@rvafilmfestival.com. Preferred dimensions: 11 x 17 or resizing options can be completed later.
(3) Top finalists will be selected
Jury and Staff will vote on final winner. Festival reserves the right to forgo using artwork in the official poster, however, regardless it will receive full recognition and all other benefits.
Winner selected will be announced by June 1. RIFF Staff will work with the winner on final dimensions and deliverables.
Benefits: Winner will receive acknowledgement in the official festival program, press release inclusion, showcased at the festival’s First Friday unveiling exhibition event, and receive recognition at the annual red-carpet awards at the Byrd Theatre. The winner will also be given an All-Access Platinum VIP Badge for festival week and for their plus one, a film & music passport.
Submission Format: JPEG resized to at least 1,500 pixels.
For more information, please email Catherine Cook at staff@rvafilmfestival.com or Jaika Mendieta at jaika@rvafilmfestival.com.
RIFF’S First Friday Events
The Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) occasionally does pop up events during First Fridays. In this summer’s, RIFF is doing an open call for artwork or photography that will be on exhibition at RIFF’s First Friday annual event. This event is also in collaboration and to benefit the RIFF Arts Institute (RAI), the non profit affiliate that conducts year-round artist development and connects artists with the industry and community.
The opportunity is for emerging artists with the aim of providing exhibition platforms and exposure.
Selection criteria: Your artwork or photography will be judged by a panel of Jurors on its creativity and the overall quality. Top finalists will be selected for the festival’s exhibition event, which takes place in August at the Quirk Hotel.
Contest Framework
● Submissions open to greater Richmond area.
● All styles of paintings and photography eligible to submit. Submit by June 1.
● Top 5 -10 selected for RIFF's First Friday Exhibition benefiting the RIFF Arts Institute.
● Live auction of the artwork will take place after the poster/theme unveiling presentation mixer. Artists must be willing to donate the artwork for the auction to benefit the RIFF Arts Institute, however, RAI will give back 50% to the artists.
● Opportunity to support the Institute plus receive exposure through the Richmond International FIlm Festival and engage with its audience and general public. At the event will be a range of attendees including filmmakers, musicians, and patrons.
● Artists will also receive recognition on the RAI website and in the RIFF Newsletter.
● How to submit? Must provide a jpeg of the artwork by June 1. Send to staff@rvafilmfestival.com and include your name, university, type of artist, and contact info.
● Top winners will be announced by June 15. Artists must then deliver the painting or framed photograph print no later than July 31, or work with RIFF staff to coordinate drop off the morning of the event.
● Submission Format: Send JPEG of artwork resized to at least 1,500 pixels.
For more information, please email staff@rvafilmfestival.com.
RIFF Specialty Cocktail Raffle!
There are multiple opportunities to win free passes & prizes to the festival this year! Check them out below!
Visit New York Deli, Vagabond, Virago or the Quirk Hotel to participate!
Each venue has created their own signature rendition of the “Rooted” RIFF Cocktail! The more you try, the more chances you get to win. Winner receives 2 tickets to the Festival opening night!
HOW DO I ENTER?: Take a selfie inside a RIFF partnering venue (mentioned above) with your cocktail, share it on your story and tag @RIFFRVA & the partnering venue. *Each partnering venue you visit counts as an additional entry
WHEN?: August 15th-31st. The raffle winner will be announced on our story September 1st!
RIFF Scavenger Hunt
For the weeks of September 1st, 8th & the 15th, we will be hosting a scavenger hunt on the official RIFF Instagram story @RIFFRVA! Tune in on those weeks to get hints and clues on where the RIFF button pins are hidden amongst the city. We will be rewarding 2 free passes to various events for every button found. These buttons can be redeemed at any event box office during festival week, so get out there and find them before someone else does!
