about us

We, the students of Cal Poly Humboldt, have been inviting filmmakers (working in traditional, experimental, and non-traditional modes) to enter their film shorts into our festival since 1967 and that makes us the world’s oldest student-run film festival.

Our students judge the entries from September to March. The finalists then show for three evenings for our guest industry judges and local audience. The Humboldt International Film Festival has been held in person at the Historic Minor Theatre in Arcata, CA, almost every year.

Our festival promotes the art of film, not only as a means of entertainment, but also as a vehicle for self-expression and a stimulus for dialogue about social, political and cultural issues. To dive into our extensive history check out the link below!

our mission

To create a space for independent filmmakers to express themselves, free from the censorship of mainstream media. The Humboldt International Film Festival is particularly aware of the power of short, independent film, and we seek those which inspire social and environmental change.

MEET THE TEAM

  • Adrian Anderson

    CO-DIRECTOR

    Adrian Anderson is a junior film major and cinephile, currently attending Cal Poly Humboldt. He has experience working as an Assistant Editor for Big Table Media in Sacramento, California and hopes to gain more experience on the programming side through his work with HIFF. He has a passion for all things related to film and hopes to one day operate his own independent film production company that produces feature-length films. He hopes to use the festival as a way to connect with fellow filmmakers on both a local and international level, as well as an opportunity to contribute to the legacy of a long-running institution.

  • Jett Supler

    CO-DIRECTOR

    Jett Supler is a sophomore at Cal Poly Humboldt majoring in film. After stints in the U.S. Navy's nuclear sector and in Los Angeles working as a Production Assistant, Jett moved to the North Coast to nurture his lifelong passion for cinema while fulfilling a long-held dream to live amongst the redwoods. Enamored by how technological advancements have democratized filmmaking and provided independent artists the tools they need to tell their stories, Jett hopes to harness these tools to inspire innovative and subversive new works. As co-director for HIFF's 58th year, Jett is looking forward to meeting new artists, fostering collaborative relationships, and creating a space in which voices from underrepresented communities can be heard.

  • Zoe Reed

    CO-DIRECTOR

    Zoe Reed is a Critical Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Major and Communications minor in her senior year at Cal Poly Humboldt. In 2022 she founded the Cinema Club on campus which is devoted to showcasing both classic and underground films that deserve a spotlight. Her time leading Cinema Club and her knowledge of social structures and cultural issues inform her understanding of film programming as an important tool for creating change. For Zoe, HIFF is the perfect opportunity for her to showcase and practice her critical analysis and programming of films.

Nicola Waugh

FESTIVAL FACULTY ADVISOR

Nicola Waugh is an independent producer, film programmer and communications expert working between Arcata, California and Calgary, Canada. She has produced several short and feature films including Events Transpiring Before, During, and After a High School Basketball Game, which premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival and is currently streaming on major platforms in the US and Canada. Her recent feature documentary projects include 'A'-t'i' Xwee-ghayt-nish (Still, We Live On), Borrowed From Nature and Orphaned. Nicola holds a Master's Degree in Communication and Culture from Ryerson University in Toronto, and has a background in film programming and criticism. She has worked with several film festivals and artist-run centres, including the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers, Artifact Small Format Film Festival, Calgary Underground Film Festival, Calgary Cinematheque, Regent Park Film Festival, and Reel Asian Film Festival, and is the co-founder of the online film and media art publication LUMA Quarterly.