NEWS

PITTSBURGH, PA—The Three Rivers Film Festival, presented annually by Film Pittsburgh, has been named the #3 Best Film Festival in the United States in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, a nationwide poll recognizing standout cultural attractions and experiences.

Held each fall, the Three Rivers Film Festival is the oldest and largest annual film festival in Pittsburgh, showcasing independent films from around the world alongside visiting filmmakers, special events, and community conversations about cinema.

The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards spotlight top destinations, attractions, and experiences across the country, with nominees selected by a panel of travel experts and editors before the public votes to determine the final rankings.

The recognition places this long-running Pittsburgh event among the top film festivals in the country, as voted on by readers across the United States.

“Since 1982, the Three Rivers Film Festival has been bringing the best in independent film to Pittsburgh, and we invite cinephiles from across the country to discover what Pittsburgh has to offer this November when we debut the newest edition of the festival,” says Shanna Carrick, Executive Director of Film Pittsburgh. “We are proud to be the stewards of the legacy of Pittsburgh’s premiere film festival, presenting Oscar-caliber films alongside our local talent.”

The 45th annual Three Rivers Film Festival (3RFF) returns November 5–15, 2026, with a dynamic lineup of independent features, shorts, panels, parties, and special events across multiple venues in the city, including the 6th annual Filmmaker Conference. The festival is currently accepting submissions, with the full lineup to be announced October 2026.

Photo taken at the 2025 Three Rivers Film Festival. Photo credit: Jeremy/Picture Taking Grasshopper