Celebrating Independent Documentary Filmmakers
Lois Lipman, director of FIRST WE BOMBED NEW MEXICO, with Program Director Emily Abi-Kheirs at opening night of SFF 2024.
“Salem Film Fest and its programmers are welcoming, warm and so generous. This festival loves its filmmakers - and I love Salem Film Festival! Thanks SFF for honoring our film to screen opening night! I will always remember that night.”
Lois Lipman, FIRST WE BOMBED NEW MEXICO
Loulwa Khoury, director of WE NEVER LEFT (center) with Alia Haji, director of SHIP OF FOOLS (left) at SFF 2025.
“Our experience at Salem Film Fest was just lovely. The staff and festival is very hospitable and fun and really focus on the filmmakers but also bring the community closer to filmmakers through events and fun parties! Also shoutout to the team for a great film program. Our film WE NEVER LEFT was not only well paired with the short SHIP OF FOOLS but also well received by the Salem and MA community. I look forward to being back at SFF but also would recommend it to any doc filmmaker for their own films!” - Loulwa Khoury, WE NEVER LEFT
Filmmaker Mercedes Kane with subjects Arthur Johnston and José Pepe Peña of the film ART AND PEP at SFF 2023.
“We had the most incredible time at your festival. We're all still talking about it. Thank you for hosting us and for caring for filmmakers and appreciating our work. It makes all the difference!”
Mercedes Kane, ART & PEP
