DIFF is a nonprofit organization formed to promote the art of filmmaking by conducting annual festivals to provide unknown independent filmmakers with opportunities to display their films and by sponsoring symposiums on filmmaking. DIFF is defined as a 501(c)(3) non-profit by the IRS. 

DIFF embraces the work of filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and communities. It is our philosophy to honor their work as filmmakers and not place their work in separate categories based on race, sexual orientation, or gender identification. We have been proud to honor films from every community as Official Selections and Award Winners, honoring their work as filmmakers without being balkanized as "Black filmmakers" or "LGBTQ filmmakers" or "Women filmmakers." At DIFF, all of our filmmakers are filmmakers and we honor them equally.