Cindependent Ranks No. 7 on MovieMaker's Coolest Festivals
Cincinnati's film festival placed seventh on MovieMaker Magazine's 2026 list of the 25 coolest film festivals in the world.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Arthouse
MovieMaker Magazine ranked Cincinnati's Cindependent Film Festival No. 7 on its 2026 list of the 25 coolest film festivals in the world, released November 10. The festival, a nonprofit founded by Allyson West in 2017, recently merged with the Over-the-Rhine Film Festival.
Why it matters
The ranking puts Cincinnati's festival on a national and international stage of independent film events, highlighting the city's role in supporting filmmakers. The merger with the Over-the-Rhine Film Festival, which previously appeared on the same list, consolidates two local festival brands.
MovieMaker's list ranks Cindependent No. 7 of 25 festivals, with the magazine noting more than 25 entries because of ties. The source does not disclose the number of festivals the magazine evaluated before compiling the ranking.
The players
MovieMaker Magazine
An independent film industry publication that compiles annual rankings of film festivals based on input from filmmakers and industry experts.
Cindependent Film Festival
A Cincinnati-based nonprofit film festival founded in 2017 by Allyson West, held in the city and centered on independent cinema.
The details
MovieMaker Magazine contacted filmmakers and film experts it met during festival travels to compile the list, choosing experts who had screened films at a wide range of festivals and who sought to boost festivals that support filmmakers. The Over-the-Rhine Film Festival, originally organized by LADD Inc., a disability services and advocacy nonprofit, had also appeared on the magazine's list before merging with Cindependent.
Timeline
September 2026: Cindependent held its latest edition following the merger with the Over-the-Rhine Film Festival.
2017: Allyson West founded Cindependent Film Festival as a nonprofit.
November 10, 2026: MovieMaker Magazine released its 2026 list of the 25 coolest film festivals in the world.
Industry Dynamics
Cincinnati's Cindependent joins a list that MovieMaker builds from outreach to filmmakers and experts, reflecting how festival recognition tracks the support festivals give to independent creators. The merger with the Over-the-Rhine Film Festival consolidates two entries previously recognized on the magazine's list.
Film fans in Cincinnati can attend Cindependent's screenings and events, which the festival holds each September. The merged festival consolidates the programming of both former events into one schedule.
The takeaway
Recognition from national film publications can signal the value of local festivals to both filmmakers and audiences. Readers interested in independent cinema can track festival lineups in their own cities.
Further reading
Explore more on Arthouse films and festivals across Cincinnati.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cincinnati.
