The Ragtag Film Society is rolling out updates for the coming True/False Film Fest, starting with new dates set for the 2021 event: May 5 – 9, 2021. This adjustment is a one-year postponement from the typical early March dates, in response to the global pandemic. Film submissions for the 2021 festival are now open, with a few notable edits to programming guidelines.

This year, the Fest will not require filmmaker attendance, and will instead hold Q&As remotely. However, in the spirit of promoting the sustainability of independent filmmaking, the Fest will continue the Pay the Artists! Fund, which traditionally awards an honorarium to each visiting filmmaking team.

The slate of films for True/False 2021 will also shift, from around 40 features and 25 shorts to a tighter 10-20 features and 15-25 shorts. Film screenings will be primarily outdoors, with select offerings at Ragtag Cinema. 

Filmmaker support programs, such as PRISM, the Mentorship program, and the True Vision Award, will all continue — after a successful virtual Rough Cut Retreat this past July, the Fest is developing ways to re-work these as richly immersive virtual programs. 

More specifics for the 18th edition of the Fest will be forthcoming. Rather than shy away from the challenges presented by the pandemic, True/False is doubling down on its history as an “experimental” festival and leaning into a reputation for challenging and re-imagining what a film festival can be.

Says RFS Co-Custodian Arin Liberman, “We see this moment as an opportunity to shed what doesn’t serve us and to safely bring joyful community experiences back to our calendars.”