1999 marked the debut of Sullivan County's first official gathering of filmmakers and fans in the historic Delaware River hamlet of Narrowsburg. The brainchild of Jocelyne Castellano, the Narrowsburg International Independent Film Festival, sponsored and supported by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance and the Sullivan County Visitors Association, garnered international acclaim for its four day program of screenings, seminars, panels and, at the end of each day, networking, dinner and dancing. Although filmmaking in the Catskills dates back to D.W. Griffith and Harold Lloyd, it took this industrious person to stage its renaissance in our scenic county. Again in the year 2000, the NIIFF has exciting plans for not only filmmakers from around the globe but area residents, weekenders and day-trippers who want a peek behind the scenes of moviemaking.

Mission Statement

The Narrowsburg International Independent Film Festival was created to discover new talents in the independent film world. The role of NIIFF is to make connections among filmmakers, producers, writers, emerging new media technology, and provide an opportunity for them to meet and screen their work. Our goal is to encourage the independent film industry while bringing a new and exciting cultural experience to our community.

About Narrowsburg, New York

Narrowsburg is a small town situated on the Delaware River in the area between the Catskill and Pocono Mountains. Centered in the Upper Delaware River corridor, it is surrounded by mountains, forests, and lakes. It overlooks the Big Eddy, a popular fishing spot and the deepest point in the Delaware River. It also overlooks the Narrowsburg Bridge, which crosses the river at its narrowest point (hence the name Narrowsburg).

Canoers flock to the area to float down the clean and tranquil waters of the Delaware. At any time, one can chance upon a blue heron, a fawn or in the winter, a bald eagle. A scenic highway follows the Delaware River along its entire Upper Delaware segment. The famous '69 Woodstock Festival site is only 15 minutes away.

Narrowsburg has also developed a strong arts and cultural community. It is home to the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, the Delaware Valley Opera and Delaware Valley Chamber Orchestra, the Tusten Theatre, Fort Delaware and the Tusten-Cochecton Library.