The Northwest International Film Festival (NIFF) was founded to champion independent cinema, emerging voices, and culturally resonant storytelling from the Pacific Northwest and around the world. Rooted in a commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and artistic experimentation, NIFF serves as a platform where filmmakers, students, and audiences connect through screenings, panels, workshops, and community partnerships. By bridging local creative communities with global perspectives, the festival highlights bold narratives, innovative techniques, and socially engaged work—celebrating film not only as entertainment, but as a catalyst for dialogue, education, and creative exchange.
Founded in 2016, the festival began as the Nanocon International Film Festival, created as a collaborative student-driven initiative sponsored by the Science Fiction Club and the Business Club at Lower Columbia College. The early years positioned the festival as an experimental showcase aligned with Nanocon’s speculative and genre-focused roots, while still welcoming a broad range of independent voices. In 2020, the festival was placed on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting widespread disruptions across arts and academic communities. After a five-year hiatus, the festival was formally revived in 2025 under the sponsorship of Lower Columbia Rotaract, reaffirming its student-led mission and community service orientation. In 2026, to better reflect its expanded scope, regional identity, and international reach, the event was officially renamed the Northwest International Film Festival (NIFF).
NIFF 2025 Venues • Meet some of our Awesome Partners
Historic Columbia Theatre
Stageworks Northwest Theatre
Wollenberg Auditorium
NIFF 2019 – Celebrity Guest Host – Doug Jones
