The organization assigns several teams of filmmakers and gives them two weeks to write, shoot, and edit a complete, original short film.
Started in 2002, there have been 12 RIPFEST events in New York City and Los Angeles, producing more than 80 original short films.
[citation needed] For each group, a producer, writer, composer, director, cinematographer, editor, and 2–4 actors are chosen.
[citation needed] RIPFEST began as the film division of a non-profit arts organization called Raw Impressions, in May 2002.
Founding members include David Rodwin, Erik Bryan Slavin, Chris Tiné, Jackie Stolfi, and Bruce Kennedy.