The American Independent Film Festival is an American film, culture and lifestyle festival that aims to use the popularity of the cinema, but also the cultural values propagated by it, to fulfill cultural, educational, training, professional and humanitarian objectives, among an audience Romanian in whose education these values have a significant place. The project presented in Romania, throughout the seven editions held so far, a selection of the latest independent productions made in the USA, appreciated by critics and selected in the circuit of major North American festivals such as Sundance, New York, Tribeca, Telluride or Toronto or at big festivals like Berlin, Venice or Cannes. Year after year, the films attest to the vitality of a cinema located outside of Hollywood conventions and are divided into specific sections, joined by events, masterclasses, Q&As, open talks, and profile workshops.

AIFF also has an essential humanitarian mission: all the proceeds of the organizers are donated to non-governmental organizations.

The American Independent Film Festival has had the honor of hosting international actors such as Joaquin Phoenix, Ethan Hawke, John C. Reilly, Sebastian Stan, Mary-Louise Parker and directors such as Roberto Minervini and Jacques Audiard, who have accepted invitations to be present in Bucharest and to share their professional and life experience with the public. The festival also mediated live conversations between the Bucharest cinephile audience and some of the great directors of contemporary American cinema: Barry Jenkins, Sean Baker, Kent Jones, Paul Schrader, Benh Zeitlin or Steven Spielberg.
This year’s edition from Bucharest, the one with number 8, will take place between June 7 and 13, at the Elvire Popesco Cinema and the Muzeul Țăranului Cinema.