Submissions for the 2024 SFFILM Festival (April 25–May 5, 2024) open Wednesday, August 16.
Deadlines
Friday, September 29: Early Deadline—All films
Friday, November 3: Regular Deadline—All films
Friday, November 3: Final Deadline—Short films
Friday, December 1: 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 required.
- All feature entries must have been completed on or after January 1, 2023, and are only eligible if the film’s premiere date is after September 1, 2023. 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.
- Take special note that the SFFILM Festival will only accept film submissions entered via the FilmFreeway platform. We cannot consider any project that has not been officially submitted through FilmFreeway. Please refrain from sending direct messages via social media or emails to the SFFILM staff with your proposed titles(s). 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 your emails if your project has not been officially entered via FilmFreeway.
- 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: To be eligible you must upload or send a photo ID with date of birth (proof of 18 years and younger at time of film completion) (proof of 18 years and younger) 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.
- 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. By tracking responses each year, SFFILM is able to measure and improve upon our commitment to supporting artists from diverse backgrounds around the world. From 2022-2023, we saw a 14% increase in submissions from filmmakers belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, a 28% increase in submissions from filmmakers identifying as gender-expansive, and a 4% increase in submissions from emerging minority filmmakers.
- 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 29 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 19, 2024.
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, animated, and youth-produced work.
The juried Golden Gate Awards include the New Directors Prize for a first narrative feature with a $500 cash prize, Best Documentary Feature with a $500 cash prize, and Best Bay Area Documentary Feature with a $400 cash prize. The Golden Gate Award for Best Mid-Length Film (31–60 minutes) has a cash prize of $350, and the Cine Latino award has a cash prize of $400. Short prizes and cash awards for $300 will be given for Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Animated Short, and prizes for Bay Area Short Film, Family Short Film, and Youth Works Short Film.
Audience Awards for Best Narrative and Documentary Features will also be presented, decided by audience ballot.
Entry Fees by Deadline: Features (60+ mintues)
| September 29 | November 3 | December 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Prize—$500
Documentary Feature—$500
Bay Area Documentary Feature—$400
Critics’s Jury for Cine Latino—$400
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 31–59 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 29 | November 3 | December 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 29 | November 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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—$350
Narrative Short—$300
Documentary Short—$300
Animated Short—$300
Bay Area Short 1st Prize—$300
Family Film—$300
Youth Works—$300
All short film categories with works by Bay Area residents are also eligible for the Bay Area Short First Prize of $300.
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, Bill Plympton, 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)
| September 29 | November 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 – $300
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.
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 29 | November 3 | December 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Works Award | No entry fee | ||
Youth Works Award
Youth Works—$300
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. We encourage and urge all filmmakers to submit by the early deadline of September 29 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.