About the Festival

Presenting the best of new fiction, documentary and experimental filmmaking by international filmmakers, the Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival seeks to cultivate an appreciation of film and the moving image, to inspire audiences to a deeper understanding of the world's cultures through film, and to celebrate past, present and future achievements of international filmmaking within a university setting. Our culturally diverse films are screened for the benefit of students, faculty, and the interested public, with critical introductions by scholars and filmmakers.  The MMFF was founded by Prof. Catherine Portuges, who curated and directed 25 seasons. Prof. Shawn Shimpach has directed three seasons since 2017.

We are happy to announce that the MMFF will continue this year with the same new format and a new guest curator, Prof. Laura McGaugh, in collaboration with festival co-directors Prof. Daniel Pope and Prof. Shawn Shimpach

Festival screenings at UMass Amherst are free and open to the public. 

A one-credit colloquium (FILM 296F) is available to undergraduate students. UMass Amherst students may enroll through SPIRE.

Presented by the Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Prof. Barbara Zecchi, Program Director.