Syracuse International Film Festival

What Syracuse International Film Festival does

The Syracuse International Film Festival (SIFF), also stylized as "SIFF," is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 26-1969924) founded in 2003 and headquartered in Syracuse, New York, that produces, presents, and promotes film, media, and entertainment programming across Central New York. The organization operates an annual flagship festival — its 22nd anniversary was celebrated in October 2025 and the 23rd edition is scheduled for October 1-4, 2026 at Catherine Cummings Theatre in Cazenovia, NY — alongside year-round themed programming that includes the Sophia Award (its flagship recognition for outstanding creative achievement in independent cinema, designed by Peter Yenawine), the Honoring Outstanding Black Filmmakers event, the New Filmmakers Showcase, Horror Fest, and the Terrorama event. Core technology is not proprietary; the festival relies on third-party platforms including Eventbrite for ticketing, FilmFreeway for filmmaker submissions, and Showare for institutional partner ticketing.

SIFF's business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: ticket sales from screenings and special events (priced transactionally via Eventbrite, with some events offered free), donations from community supporters enabled by its 501(c)(3) status, film submission fees processed indirectly via FilmFreeway, and sponsorship/contributions from local sponsors (Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, Showtime Photo Booth), regional arts bodies (CNY Arts, Syracuse University VPA, Onondaga County), venue partners (Palace Theatre, Catherine Cummings Theatre, Manlius Library, Le Moyne College), and tourism partners (Visit Syracuse). Its primary customer segments are local film-going audiences in Central New York and independent/emerging filmmakers seeking exposure and recognition; supporting segments include cultural communities served by diversity-focused programming.

The festival is led by Festival President Michelle and governed by a board of directors. It has no parent company, no disclosed funding rounds, and operates as an independent community-owned nonprofit. Strategic positioning emphasizes diversity, equity, and intersectional representation, regional cultural and economic value creation (in partnership with the Onondaga County Film Commission), and accessibility through free community screenings. Distribution channels span Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, an email newsletter, local earned media (Syracuse.com, WRVO, The Daily Orange), and partnerships with regional arts and educational institutions.

Name

Syracuse International Film Festival

Legal name

Syracuse International Film Festival

Website

https://syracusefilmfest.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Syracuse International Film Festival (SIFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 in Syracuse, NY, that runs an annual independent-cinema festival and year-round film and media programming serving audiences and filmmakers across Central New York.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPADAKAD

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

SECONDARYTHAHABAN

Arts, Culture, Entertainment & Fan Conventions Organizers

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Exhibition & Trade Show Organizers

SECONDARYMPADAKAH

Community & Cultural Screenings (Museums, Cultural Centers)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

Keywords

• Independent film festival
• Film screenings
• Filmmaker showcases
• Community arts programming
• Independent cinema events

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from the sale of tickets to film screenings, special events, and festival programming at various venues including the Palace Theatre and Catherine Cummings Theatre.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The festival operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 26-1969924) and accepts donations to support its mission of engaging, entertaining, informing, and inspiring the community through film and media programs.
3. Film Submission Fees: Filmmakers submit films through FilmFreeway platform, likely with associated submission fees for festival consideration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Syracuse International Film Festival (SIFF) curates, presents, and promotes an annual festival and year-round film/media programs featuring independent international cinema for the Central New York community. Its offerings include film screenings, filmmaker showcases (e.g., New Filmmakers Showcase, Honoring Outstanding Black Filmmakers), genre events (Horror Fest, Terrorama), and the flagship Sophia Award recognizing outstanding creative achievement in independent cinema. The festival sells tickets through Eventbrite and accepts film submissions via FilmFreeway.

Product overview

The Syracuse International Film Festival (SIFF) operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that runs an annual film festival featuring independent cinema, along with year-round entertainment-based special events. The core offerings include the main annual festival, the Sophia Award for outstanding achievement in independent cinema, the Honoring Outstanding Black Filmmakers event, the New Filmmakers Showcase, and genre-specific events like Horror Fest and Terrorama. The festival works in partnership with the Onondaga County Film Commission and various local venues including the Catherine Cummings Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Manlius Library to present its programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Syracuse International Film Festival Annual film festival engaging, entertaining, informing, and inspiring the Central New York community through innovative programs in art, fashion, film, music, and media, featuring independent cinema from around the world.
• Sophia Award

Quantifiable outcome

• 22 years of continuous operation since 2003
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• FilmFreewaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFilmFreeway serves as the festival's official film submission platform, allowing filmmakers globally to submit their work for festival consideration. Listed as a key partner/venue in the Partners section.
• Palace TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor venue partner for the Syracuse International Film Festival, hosting Horror Fest events, Terrorama events, and major festival screenings including the 2025 anniversary celebrations.
• Catherine Cummings TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary festival venue for the October 2025 festival at 22 Lincklaen St, Cazenovia, NY. Also host for the 2026 festival (Oct 1-4).
• Le Moyne CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner hosting special screenings such as the Sherlock Jr. event on September 9, 2025 at their showare.com ticketing platform.
• Manlius LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity venue partner hosting free festival events including the 2025 Outstanding Black Filmmakers kickoff and Thursday October 16, 2025 FREE event.
• Onondaga County Film CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe festival works with the Onondaga County Film Commission to make possible local, national, and international filmmaking projects that add economic, cultural, and educational value to Syracuse and Central New York.
• Visit SyracusesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal tourism organization listed as a partner, supporting promotion of the festival and Syracuse as a cultural destination.
• Women in Film Video (WIFVNE)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association for women in the entertainment industry listed as a partner, aligning with the festival's commitment to diversity and intersectional representation.
• Syracuse StagesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal theater organization listed as a partner in the Syracuse arts ecosystem.
• Showtime Photo BoothminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhoto booth rental company providing photo opportunities at festival events since 2013. Described as the go-to company for experiential brand activations and events.
• Guadalajara Mexican RestaurantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant listed as a sponsor/partner supporting the festival.
• Creators Film FestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm festival partner listed in the Partners section.
• Sci-Fi Horror FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenre-specific film festival partner, potentially collaborating on Horror Fest programming at the Palace Theatre.
• Syracuse University Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerSyracuse University's arts college listed as a sponsor, supporting the regional film and arts community.
• Onondaga CountysecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal government entity listed as a sponsor supporting the festival and regional cultural initiatives.
• CNY ArtssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional arts organization supporting the Central New York creative community.
• Lincklaen HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal venue/hospitality partner listed as a sponsor.
• Filmmakers AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational platform for filmmakers listed as a sponsor.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sundance Film Festival: The dominant U.S. independent film festival and nonprofit organization operating at vastly larger scale. Defines the prestige hierarchy within which SIFF competes for filmmaker submissions, audience attention, and sponsor dollars.

Direct peers

• Sidewalk Film Festival: Regional independent film festival with year-round programming, educational components, and a similar sponsor/partnership model. Closely aligned with SIFF in scale, structure, and target audience.
• Napa Valley Film Festival: Regional U.S. film festival showcasing independent cinema with multi-venue programming and tourism-tied positioning. Directly comparable in scale, geographic scope, and event-driven festival model.
• Cleveland International Film Festival: Mid-sized nonprofit U.S. film festival focused on international independent cinema with year-round programming and educational outreach. Operates at similar scale to SIFF with a comparable mix of ticketed screenings, submissions, and donor support.
• Austin Film Festival: U.S.-based nonprofit film festival emphasizing screenwriters, independent filmmakers, and year-round education programs. Comparable in mission, scale, and event-driven nonprofit operating model to SIFF.
• Sarasota Film Festival: Regional nonprofit U.S. film festival featuring independent and international cinema, with educational and year-round programming elements. Closely mirrors SIFF's structure, programming cadence, and community-engagement orientation.
• Provincetown International Film Festival: Long-running nonprofit regional film festival with celebrity involvement, awards, and year-round community programming. Shares SIFF's brand-driven award recognition and regional nonprofit operating model.
• Traverse City Film Festival: Michigan-based nonprofit film festival founded by Michael Moore focused on independent cinema with strong community and educational programming. Comparable mission, regional nonprofit structure, and year-round event footprint.

Regional players

• Woodstock Film Festival: Another New York State-based regional film festival focused on independent cinema. Comparable in scale, nonprofit orientation, and mission-driven programming serving a regional audience with year-round events.
• Hamptons International Film Festival: Long-running independent film festival operating in a single New York region with strong sponsor and celebrity involvement. Shares SIFF's nonprofit structure, independent-cinema focus, and award-based recognition model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SYRACUSEFILMFES
• Facebookfacebook.com/SyracuseInternationalFilmFest
• Instagraminstagram.com/syracuseinternationalfilmfest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/syracuse-international-film-festival-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Syracuse International Film Festival