The 15th annual NCFF kicks off September 10-13, 2015. Since 2001, NCFF has brought top independent film, music and comedy, along with attracting thousands of attendees, international filmmakers, and industry guests to the historic Gold Rush era town of Nevada City, California.

NCFF is often referred to as the “Sundance of the Sierra” for its emphasis on fiercely independent cinema that showcases innovative, progressive and exciting new voices in film.  Independent films offer a necessary alternative to mainstream movies.  Independent film focus on creative and inspiring storytelling rather than box office sales
and are driven by people with a pure artistic vision versus a film studio.

Independent film festivals can be a lot of fun, but they are also a living forum for new voices to be heard and new visions to be shared. NCFF brings together a likeminded community of film lovers and filmmakers where their voices and visions connect and resonate with welcoming and adventurous audiences.

NCFF is known for recognizing and supporting new talent including up and coming filmmakers such as Jonathan Krisel (Portlandia), Patrick Brice (CREEP, The Overnight), Academy Award-Winning director Lucy Walker (Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom, The Crash Reel), Academy Award-nominee director and animator Daisy Jacobs (The Bigger Picture), director Kat Candler (Hellion), director Rick Alverson (Entertainment), animator and performance artist Miwa Matryek,
director David Zellner (Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter), animator Galen Pehrson, and directors Mark and Jay Duplass, among others.

In previous years NCFF has hosted filmmakers such as Mike Mills, Miranda July, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim (Cartoon Networks Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!), and comedians including Nick Kroll (FX’s The League, and Comedy Central’s Nick Kroll Show), Natasha Leggero (Chelsea Lately), and Marc Maron (WTF Podcast). Past NCFF judges have included award-winning producers and directors, plus writers from The Huffington Post, New York Times, McSweeneys, San Francisco Chronicle, Rolling Stone Magazine, and Pop-Up Magazine.

Professional, student, and amateur filmmakers are invited to submit short and feature length films including documentaries, animation, narrative, and comedy.  Last year, NCFF featured over 70 shorts and 10 feature lengths from across the globe.