Submissions for the 2023 SFFILM Festival (April 13–23, 2023) are now being accepted.
Deadlines
Friday, September 30: Early Deadline—all films
Friday, November 4: Regular Deadline—Mid-Length and Feature films
Friday, November 4: Final Deadline—Short films
Friday, December 2: Final Deadline—Youth Works, Mid-Length, and Feature films
General Information for Entries
- As of 2020, a California premiere is required for all feature films. This does not apply to mid-length or short submissions, though a Bay Area premiere is strongly preferred.
- All feature entries must have been completed on or after January 1, 2022, and are only eligible if the film’s premiere date is after September 1, 2022. This does not apply to mid-length or short submissions.
- Any film (feature, shorts, and mid-length) previously exhibited publicly—either theatrically, via television, VOD, or internet broadcast—is not eligible for submission. Festival participation in other states does not disqualify a work’s eligibility for the SFFILM Festival.
- All filmmakers must provide accurate and complete information when submitting to the SFFILM Festival. SFFILM requires each filmmaker to include the following specifications:
- Filmmaker name, email, mailing address (city, state, ZIP code)
- Production credits
- Film language
- Run time
- Completion date
- Student project
- Youth Works submissions: You will be asked to send or upload photo ID with date of birth (proof of age 18 years and younger) to gga@sffilm.org with the subject line: Youth Works Submission + FFW Confirmation Code.
- Incomplete application / entry forms will not be accepted and will need to be re-submitted.
- A complete application includes participation in SFFILM’s demographic survey.
- Bay Area filmmakers (directors and producers only, not production crew or cast) are eligible for entry fee discounts and additional Bay Area awards given in recognition of the rich variety of work that has established Northern California as a center of independent production. Bay Area awards are presented to a documentary feature film and a short film. To qualify for a Bay Area award, entries must have been made by a filmmaker who is a current resident of the San Francisco Bay Area (the area from Monterey to Mendocino: postal ZIP codes 93901 to 95457).
- 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 30 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.
- Narrative, documentary, and animated short films (under 30 minutes) can also be considered for inclusion in our popular Family Films program. Family Films should be suitable for ages 7 and up. Selections in this category engage and entertain the entire family. This program traditionally mixes emerging talent with established filmmakers such as Domee Shi, Glen Keane, Bill Plympton, Cartoon Saloon, Aardman Animations, and Tonko House.
- Rough cuts or works-in-progress are accepted and reviewed. However, filmmakers are urged to submit as close to the final cut as possible. The Festival will not accept new versions of an entry unless requested by the programming staff. If you update the film link on your submission page after applying to SFFILM, we cannot guarantee the new version will be considered.
- All entrants will be notified of the Festival’s decision by March 23, 2023.
Entry Fees & Awards
Golden Gate Awards Competition
The Golden Gate Awards recognize the best of international and independent cinema by honoring excellence and superior innovation in narrative, documentary, shorts, experimental, animated, and youth-produced work. In 2023, a total of $30,750 in cash awards will be awarded in a dozen categories.
The juried Golden Gate Awards include the New Directors Prize for a first narrative feature with a $5,000 cash prize, Best Documentary Feature with a $5,000 cash prize, and Best Bay Area Documentary Feature with a $3,000 cash prize. This year we are excited for the continuation of the Golden Gate Awards for Best Mid-Length Film (31–60 minutes) with a cash prize of $2,000, and the Critics Jury Prize (features only) with a cash prize of $3,000.
Audience Awards for Best Narrative and Documentary Features will also be presented, decided by audience ballot.
Entry Fees by Deadline: Features (60+ mintues)
| September 30 | November 4 | December 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Entries | $60 | $75 | $90 |
| Bay Area Residents and College Students* | $50 | $65 | $80 |
*Must include proof of enrollment status at time of production.
Feature Film Awards
New Directors—$5,000
Documentary Feature—$5,000
Sloan Science in Cinema Honorarium—$5,000
Bay Area Documentary Feature—$3,000
Critics Jury—$3,000
The SFFILM Festival is also a qualifying festival for the 15th annual Cinema Eye Honors for nonfiction filmmaking, which was founded in 2007 to honor exemplary craft in documentaries.
Mid-Length and Short Films
SFFILM has created a new Mid-Length category and Golden Gate Award in recognition and support of innovative work by filmmakers working outside of the traditional short film format. Mid-Length films are 31–60 minutes. Some notable award-winning mid-length films which have screened at past SFFILM Festivals include American Justice on Trial, Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma, End Game, and The Time of the Fireflies.
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 qualify for short film categories.
Entry Fees by Deadline: Mid-Length Films (31–59 minutes)
| September 30 | November 4 | December 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Entries | $50 | $65 | $80 |
| Bay Area Residents and College Students* | $40 | $55 | $70 |
*Must include proof of enrollment status at time of production.
Entry Fees by Deadline: Short Films (under 30 minutes)
| September 30 | November 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Entries | $35 | $50 |
| Bay Area Residents and College Students* | $30 | $45 |
*Must include proof of enrollment status at time of production.
Mid-Length and Short Film Awards
Mid- Length—$2,000
Narrative Short—$1,500
Documentary Short—$1,500
Animated Short—$1,500
Bay Area Short 1st Prize—$1,500
Family Film—$1,000
Youth Works—$750
All short film categories with works by Bay Area residents are also eligible for the Bay Area Short First Prize of $1,500.
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. Past filmmakers include Domee Shi, Glen Keane, Cartoon Saloon, Bill Plympton, Pixar, Aardman Animations, Weston Woods Studios, and Tonko House. All genres are welcome.
Entry Fees by Deadline: Family Films (under 30 minutes)
| September 30 | November 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Entries | $35 | $50 |
| Bay Area Residents and College Students* | $30 | $45 |
*Must include proof of enrollment status at time of production.
Family-Friendly Short Film Award
Family Film – $1,000
Youth Works
Youth Works category submissions must include with the application a copy of a photo ID indicating proof of age (18 and younger) at the time of production. Adult participation in Youth Works is limited to an advisory role.
Entry Fees by Deadline: Youth Works (under 30 minutes)
| September 30 | November 4 | December 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Works Award | No entry fee | ||
Youth Works Award
Youth Works–$750
Preview Format
For review purposes, entries must be uploaded to FilmFreeway.com.
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. 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.