MIFFF was the premiere Pacific Northwest event devoted to action, animation, fantasy, horror and science fiction cinema from around the globe.

The "Founding Fathers"[1] of MIFFF are Eric Morgret, Isaac Alexander, Rick Tillman, Gabe de los Angeles & Dan Doody.

[3][4] The event was created to offer exposure to films that traditionally are overlooked by the mainstream festival circuit from genres including action, animation, fantasy, horror, and science fiction.

MIFFF was registered shortly thereafter as a Washington State non-profit and acts as the parent organization of the Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival.

The festival featured a diverse selection of cult genre cinema from around the globe – with the possibility of artists presenting the works themselves.