The American Documentary and Animation Film Festival and Film Fund (AmDocs) is one of the largest Docs and Animation festivals in the United States, located near the media capital of Hollywood in beautiful Palm Springs. This unique event focuses on international films in both the short and feature categories as well as showcasing animation and music videos. Recipients of the festival’s qualifying awards will be eligible for consideration in the Documentary Short Film Category of the Academy Awards® as well as Animated Short Film Category of the Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules. In conjunction with the festival is the American Documentary Film Fund where U.S. filmmakers compete for start-up or finishing funds in order to complete their film masterpieces. Typically, the festival program proudly consists of at least 95%+ from film submissions. AmDocs, where reality meets imagination.

For the Film Fund, competing filmmakers can win up to $50,000 in cash and post-production prizes.

Since 2021, Film Fund Competitors will have the opportunity to partner with European co-producers as the Pitch Competition will take place in Jihlava, Czech Republic during the Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival, late October 2025.

The festival is open to all categories within the documentary and animation film genres. The film should not be more than 3 years old, though in certain circumstances, a retrospective may be screened and/or a "hidden gem" never seen before by public.

Festival shall screen films digitally and, therefore, you must submit film as a media file in order to be transferred to a Digital Cinema Projection file for screening purposes if you do not already have a DCP file for exhibition. Filmmaker is RESPONSIBLE for the Digital Cinema Projection file. Festival shall do all it can to negotiate discounted rates for filmmaker if they do not have their own DCP file. Filmmaker may be required to provide a rendered disc of their film as a blu-ray back-up.

If you are sending a "work-in-progress" please note how long you are from completion and approximately when you are sending completed version. (Please note on completed copy your original reference number provided by FilmFreeway.)

Filmmakers are encouraged to attend festival if their film is invited. They shall receive an "all festival" pass, including films and events. Moreover, housing shall be provided either in resident homes or hotel discounts near theaters.

Any payment by check must be made out to:

American Documentary And Animation Film Festival

Please make certain that when submitting you note your tracking number on all relevant materials, i.e., shipping envelope and disc(s). Also, each disc must have the contact information of the submitter. The festival is not responsible for returning submitted materials. We do not dispose of submitted material, it will remain in our festival archives unless instructed otherwise.

Film submissions must not have played at any other festivals within a 70 mile radius of Palm Springs, California.

FILM FUND SUBMISSIONS:
Filmmakers should provide for their works-in-progress for aid in completion funding or works to be begun :
1. Outline of the story/film; 2. An exact Three (3) minute excerpt or promo of said film, even if not started, we require this trailer-teaser; 3. A budget of said film, what has been paid, what is required for the completion funds, i.e., $2,500 for coloring; 4. (for FilmFreeway submission, we only need the three (3) minute trailer teaser via upload- if invited to finals, Budget and Outline as well as disc(s) will have to be sent to AmDocs via hard-copy);
5. If invited, filmmakers must attend the Film Fund's pitch competition in person and take part in said pitch to jury as well as potentially, the live audience in attendance at film festival.
6. If project wins a prize, filmmaker(s) agree to these basic criteria in order to receive prize: 1. "The American Documentary Film Fund" will receive a title card within the credits, either at beginning or end; and, upon completion of the film, it will screen at the soonest American Documentary Film Festival from said completion.

American Documentary And Animation Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless American Documentary Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. FILM FUND SUBMISSIONS: American Documentary Film Fund is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless American Documentary And Animation Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Overall Rating
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Networking
  • Laura deNey

    This was the best film festival experience - the love and care the team put into every film, taking care of every filmmaker, was just extraordinary. We loved it and can't wait to return!

    June 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Laura, thank you for these lovely words and for "getting it". We were honored to host you and your great work.

  • Lindsay Nyman

    I can’t say enough good things about AMDOCS! The communication was excellent and thoughtful. The team goes above and beyond to make filmmakers feel valued! A truly rewarding experience and so grateful to have been a part of it.

    May 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Lindsay, you're a fine filmmaker and an even better human being who will go a long way in this industry.

  • AmDocs is a celebration of films and filmmakers that every festival should strive to be, showcasing a wide-range of engaging, fascinating, and powerful films and animations. I was blown away by the quality of the programs every single day. It's in a beautiful location, the theaters and sound systems are incredible, and you just feel taken care of from the moment you arrive. It is truly a special experience to be welcomed into a supportive and passionate community of storytellers. So grateful to have screened two films here and hope to be back in the future!

    May 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Ryan, you're such a talent, advocating for the betterment of society. We've now be honored to premiere two of your stellar works. Just keep making these impactful films.

  • AmDocs is worth the price of submission and is worth going out to no matter where you're coming in from! It was my first time at a film festival as a director and first time winning something. The homestay program and their offering to drive filmmakers around are two big points I bug every film festival I attend after going to this one. While it's not the biggest festival there is, it makes you feel like you're the biggest there is. Makes me look at bigger film festivals that neither provide travel nor lodging cockeyed. There's a throughline of classic hollywood throughout the entire event (from the people behind making it happen to people I recognize at the various parties I'm a fan of). There is a person that has been very quick and efficient getting to my various inquiries leading up to AmDocs. However because this person was working remotely the entire time, the head of the festival is doing a lot of the heavy lifting directly with the volunteers which lent itself to various small miscommunications. That does not negatively effect any of the highlights for me. While I do wish the awards ceremony allotted filmmakers time to physically, or record remotely, some kind of an acceptance speech; it's worth noting that getting to do an interview on their AmDocs youtube channel was a really nice thing to have whenever I discuss my time with my friends and family who weren't able to attend. All that to say, I will beat the drum of this festival always. AmDocs for life

    April 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for sharing your work with us and our audiences Hunter, keep entertaining the world!

  • VL None

    One of the most special film festivals I’ve ever been to as a filmmaker! The city and community of Palm Springs opens its arms wide to all the filmmakers for a week of non-stop impressive screenings, talks, activities, and wonderful parties hosted in some of the most spectacular spaces in Palm Springs. Such a welcoming and interactive festival - even if attending solo. Don’t miss the opportunity to partake of the full week should your film be selected! Teddy and all of the volunteers really put on a spectacular event that is every bit worthy of festival being rated in the top 100! Thank you, AmDocs, for selecting “Wyld Canopies” to be part of the magic!

    April 2025
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    Response from festival:

    We were so glad that we were able to share your work and that you were able to be a participant at AmDocs 2025- you made us better.