rfn indie fest

SEASON 2, EPISODE 4 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Our fourth and final quarter fest for Season 2 kicks off on Saturday, November 15 at The Park RVA and will showcase 18 films—7 from Virginia, 6 national (CA, NY, CA, MA, PA), and 5 international (Iran, Ireland, Russia, Scotland, UK). Ten filmmakers are scheduled to appear and will take part in our filmmaker Q&As moderated by Zakiya K. Roberts.

Which film will win the coveted Audience Choice Award? Which screenplay submitted to our Screenwriter Showdown will win Best Screenplay? And which films that graced our screens year long will win our jury awards, including Best Film? Get your tickets to find out!

12 PM NEGATIVE SPACE - In art, negative space refers to what’s left unseen or unsaid—the quiet between shapes, the silence that defines the sound. In this collection of poetic, introspective films, that same stillness speaks volumes. Each film occupies the space between presence and absence, myth and memory—inviting us to listen, to look closer, and to feel what lingers in the quiet. TICKETS

2 PM SHARP TURNS - This shorts block starts with a tense crime drama and quickly takes a sharp turn into comedy. From a high-stakes police encounter to absurd courtroom antics, a chaotic play rehearsal, and surreal battles with fate, this block proves that life—and film—can change direction in an instant. TICKETS

4:30 PM DISTURBANCES - Six shorts explore the fractures beneath ordinary lives, where obsession, deceit, and dark forces are disruptors. From sinister rituals and twisted experiments to haunted minds and supernatural encounters, these stories reveal the unsettling truths lurking just beneath the surface. TICKETS

SEASON 2, EPISODE 3 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Our third quarter fest for Season 2 kicked off on Saturday, August 9 at The Park RVA with a feature paranormal dramedy THE HITCHHIKER EFFECT, followed by a Q&A with writer/director Zack Van Eyck, moderated by Zakiya K. Roberts.

By the end of the night, we screened 18 films—11 from Virginia, and 7 national (NY, CA, MI)—with 13 filmmakers present.

The short crime thriller “The KKKennel,” directed by Julian Banks won the coveted Audience Choice Award.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 2 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Our second quarter fest for Season 2 kicked off on Saturday, May 17 at The Park RVA with our feature documentary BLUFF CITY CHINESE (directed by Thandi Cai) followed by a Q&A with writer and historian, Emerald Dunn, moderated by Chad Morris.

By the end of the night, we screened 16 films—10 from Virginia, 4 national, and 3 international—with 14 filmmakers present.

The feature documentary Faith Healers, directed by Regina Aquino won the coveted Audience Choice Award.

sEASON 2, EPISODE 1 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Our first quarter fest for Season 2 kicked off on Saturday, February 8 at The Park RVA with our keynote conversation REEL JUSTICE: the Documentary Films of Loki Mulholland, featuring Loki Mulholland in a moderated discussion with Dr. Sherri Mehta that included clips from his nine films on social justice and his work as executive director of The Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation.

By the end of the night, we screened 16 films—7 from Virginia, 4 national, and 5 international—with 13 filmmakers present.

“Wigglers” won the coveted Audience Choice Award.

sEASON 2 finalists

The following films earned finalist designations after screening in Episode 1, 2 or 3, with winners to be announced at our November 17 finale:

BEST FILM

BEST STUDENT FILM

BEST DIRECTING

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

BEST EDITING

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

BEST SCORE

BEST SCREENPLAY

BEST ACTRESS

BEST ACTOR

AUDIENCE CHOICE WINNER

meet the jury

At RFN Indie Fest, our esteemed jurors play a pivotal role in shaping the festival experience. Tasked with viewing and evaluating all film submissions, they carefully help determine the Official Selections that grace our main stage. Additionally, our jurors determine award winners in numerous categories, honoring exceptional talent and storytelling across the entire season of four quarterly festivals. Their expertise ensures that every selection and accolade reflects the very best in independent filmmaking.

about rfn indie fest

RFN Indie Fest is an experience that celebrates bold independent cinema in Richmond, Virginia. Season Two, Episode Two lands May 17!

Held quarterly on Saturdays at The Park RVA, Richmond’s premier entertainment venue, RFN Indie Fest offers immersive, day-long events featuring the best in independent cinema. Our lineup is crafted for the true cinephile—films that go beyond mainstream offerings and engage in fresh storytelling, daring themes, and visual eye candy. In addition to screenings, RFN Indie Fest offers dynamic programming such as keynote conversations, live table reads, panel discussions, or filmmaker workshops, designed to entertain, inspire, and inform.

We believe community is as important as the art itself, and RFN Indie Fest is a perfect space to connect, collaborate, and engage with like-minded creators. Our quarterly format keeps the festival a constant cultural presence, making it a catalyst for collaboration and new ideas. It’s a space to experience impactful storytelling alongside a community of creators who may become your next collaborator. Whether you're a filmmaker looking to share your voice, or a film lover craving original content that reflects today's world, join us for a festival series where films, filmmakers, and fans come together, and leave inspired and ready to create!

Volunteer, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities available! Contact us for more information.