The 69th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 23–May 3, 2026) opens for submissions on August 13, 2025. Entry information is listed on this page as well as on our FilmFreeway page where films are submitted.
Deadlines
Thursday, September 26: Early Deadline—All films
Thursday, November 12: Regular Deadline—All films, and Final Deadline—Short films
Thursday, December 10: Final Deadline—Youth Works, and Feature films
About the Festival
The San Francisco International Film Festival (presented by SFFILM) is the longest-running film festival in the Americas, it’s an essential stop for emerging voices and established filmmakers around the globe since 1957. In 2026 we celebrate the 69th iteration of the San Francisco International Film Festival, Apr 23 – May 3.
11 days of in-person screenings, events, filmmaker talks and parties hosted across San Francisco and the Bay Area. We don’t just show films—we show what films can do!
Why the SFFILM Festival?
- World-class talent from the past seven decades including Akira Kurosawa, Steven Soderbergh, Ousmane Sembène, Greta Gerwig, Celine Song, Spike Lee, Michelle Yeoh, Francis Ford Coppola, Christopher Nolan, Shah Rukh Khan, Charlize Theron, and so many more
- Engaged, eager, film‑savvy audiences, and a vibrant local film community
- Expertise all around—thoughtful on stage moderation, strong presence of film industry veterans, and notable annual juries
- Industry talks and pitch sessions to discuss future projects and funding resources through SFFILM Programming and Artist Development
- School visits, student screenings, and hands-on workshops through SFFILM Education
- College visits through our College Days program, bringing films and filmmakers to classrooms
- Exclusive experiences for attending filmmakers to unwind, connect, and explore with curated events featuring gorgeous San Francisco as the backdrop: Filmmaker Brunch, parties, happy hours, city walks, talks, and so much more
Submission Info
Premiere Requirements & Eligibility
- California premiere for competition features
- Bay Area premiere for shorts and mid-lengths. Please note the Bay Area includes all nine counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma).
- Films are only eligible if the film premiered after June 1, 2025
- Films previously shown theatrically, on VOD, web, or broadcast are not eligible. Films shown in festivals in other states are eligible.
Golden Gate Awards: Juried Competitions and Audience Awards
The San Francisco International Film Festival is proud to be:
- An Academy Awards® Qualifying Festival for short films in Live Action, Documentary, and Animation.
- A Cinema Eye Honors Qualifying Festival for nonfiction filmmaking.
Golden Gate Awards (GGA)
First awarded at our very first festival in 1957, the Golden Gate Awards have nearly 70 years of honoring the best in international and independent cinema, celebrating excellence and innovation across narrative features, documentaries, mid-lengths, shorts, animation, and youth-produced work.
Our festival juries, composed of influential industry professionals, will recognize winners in Documentary, New Directors, Global Visions, Cine Latino, and several shorts categories.
- $5,000 Kirby Walker Documentary Award — Best Documentary Feature
- $5,000 Global Vision Award — Best Feature in the Global Vision section
- $5,000 New Directors Award — Best Feature in the New Directors section
Additional cash prizes will be awarded for Cine Latino, Mid-Length, and Short categories.
Recognition
All finalists receive official festival laurels and inclusion in our dedicated Awards press release. Audience Awards for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature are determined by audience ballot.
Questions about eligibility? Contact gga@sffilm.org.
Rules & Terms
Premiere Requirements
- CA premiere required for competition features
- Bay Area premiere required for shorts and mid-lengths. Please note the Bay Area includes all nine counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, SF, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma)
Eligibility
- Films are only eligible if the film premiered after September 1, 2025
- Films previously shown theatrically, on VOD, web, or broadcast are not eligible. Films shown in festivals in other states are eligible.
Bay Area Discounts
Directors or producers (only) who are current residents of the San Francisco Bay Area (from Monterey to Mendocino: ZIP codes 93901 to 95457) are eligible to receive an entry-fee discount and are eligible for our Bay Area awards, presented to a documentary feature film and a short film.
How to Submit
We accept entries only through FilmFreeway. Projects sent by email, post or social media will not be considered. SFFILM may, but is not required to, disqualify or reject any film that is not submitted in this manner and cannot promise a response to inquiries if the project has not been officially entered via FilmFreeway.
Incomplete application / entry forms will not be accepted and will need to be re-submitted.
All applicants must complete a brief survey. By tracking responses each year, SFFILM is able to measure and improve upon our commitment to supporting artists from diverse backgrounds around the world.
Entry Fees
- Entry fees are non-refundable .
- Submit by the early deadline (Sep 26) to lock in the lowest fee.
- The Festival is unable to waive entry fees or provide discounts.
Multiple Titles
You may submit any number of titles; however, a separate entry form, preview copy, and entry fee are required for each title. If the Festival determines a work is entered in the wrong category and needs to reassign it, any discrepancy in entry fees between the categories must be paid by the filmmaker.
Family Films Program
Narrative, documentary, and animated shorts under 30 min that suit ages 7+ may be considered in our popular Family Films program. Note “Family Films” on your application. This program traditionally mixes emerging talent with established filmmakers such as Domee Shi, Glen Keane, Aaron Blaise, Bill Plympton, Cartoon Saloon, Aardman Animations, and Tonko House. Please indicate on your application to be considered for the Family Films program.
Works-in-Progress
Rough cuts or WIP are accepted and reviewed. However, filmmakers are urged to submit the most finished version possible. We cannot guarantee review of updated links once a project is submitted .
All entrants will be notified of the Festival’s decision by March 19, 2026.
Submission Fees
Entry Fees by Deadline: Features (60+ mintues)
| Sept 26 | Nov 12 | Dec 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Entries | $70 | $85 | $100 |
| Bay Area Residents and College Students* | $60 | $75 | $90 |
*Must include proof of enrollment status at time of production.
Short Films
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) recognizes SFFILM Festival as a qualifying festival for their short film (live action, documentary, and animated) competitions. NOTE: In line with AMPAS rules regarding short films, Mid-Length Film winners DO NOT not qualify for short film categories.
Entry Fees by Deadline: Mid-Length Films
| Sept 26 | Nov 12 | Dec 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Entries | $50 | $55 | $70 |
| Bay Area Residents and College Students* | $35 | $50 | $65 |
*Must include proof of enrollment status at time of production.
Entry Fees by Deadline: Short Films (under 30 minutes)
| Sept 26 | Nov 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Entries | $40 | $55 |
| Bay Area Residents and College Students* | $35 | $50 |
*Must include proof of enrollment status at time of production.
Family-Friendly Short Films
Suitable for ages 7 and up. Selections in this category engage and entertain the entire family-from first-time moviegoers to grandparents. This program traditionally mixes emerging talent with established filmmakers such as Domee Shi, Glen Keane, Cartoon Saloon, Aaron Blaise, Pixar, Aardman Animations, Weston Woods Studios, and Tonko House. All genres are welcome. Please indicate on your application to be considered for the Family Films program.
Entry Fees by Deadline: Family Films (under 30 minutes)
| Sep 26 | Nov 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Entries | $40 | $55 |
| Bay Area Residents and College Students* | $35 | $50 |
*Must include proof of enrollment status at time of production.
Youth-Produced Short Films
To be eligible for the Youth Works category you must upload or send a photo ID with date of birth (proof of 18 years and younger at time of film completion) within the FilmFreeway submission. You can also send the photo ID to gga@sffilm.org with the subject line: Youth Works Submission + FFW Confirmation Code. Please do not submit to this category if you are not 18 years or younger. Adult participation in Youth Works is limited to an advisory role.
Entry Fees by Deadline: Youth Works (under 30 minutes)
| Sept 26 | Nov 12 | Dec 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Works | No entry fee | ||
Subtitled Entries
All non-English language entries must have English subtitles for preview and for Festival presentation.
Payment
The Festival is unable to waive entry fees or provide discounts beyond those indicated. Entry fees are not refundable. We encourage and urge all filmmakers to submit by the early deadline of September 26 before fees increase. You may submit any number of titles; however, a separate entry form, preview copy, and entry fee are required for each title. If the Festival determines a work is entered in the wrong category and needs to reassign it, any discrepancy in entry fees between the categories must be paid by the filmmaker.
Questions? Contact a dedicated staff member at gga@sffilm.org with any questions or submission concerns.