Why International Films Matter

One of the most important ways a film festival grows—artistically and culturally—is through international programming. For the Utah International Film Festival, international selections aren’t an add-on or a checkbox. They’re a core part of how we think about the future of the festival and the kind of platform we want to build.

When films from different countries screen alongside U.S.-based work, the entire program becomes richer. International films bring new rhythms, perspectives, cultural contexts, and storytelling traditions into the room.