Art Scene West is excited to announce the inaugural Art Scene West Film Festival. Partnering with local San Diego non-profit ArtReach, proceeds from this event will contribute to their mission of providing art education to San Diego County with the guiding principles of cultivating artistic community and equitable access to art for all.

This festival takes place on April 25th and 26th in the Seaport Village, known for its charming cobblestone walkways, vibrant shops, and incredible dining options. Festival goers will experience picturesque views of the harbor and city skyline. The clear skies, open-air and warm San Diego weather is perfect for this outdoor event. It will be an intimate yet accessible space for both ticket holders and passersby, with a capacity of approximately 100 seated guests.

This is an open call for all cinematography styles under 25 minutes. This open call is for all film genres and styles, but must be PG-13. So whether it is a documentary, narrative, interview, 1st-person, comedy, drama, montage, romance… we want to review your film for chance to be one of the featured films that we screen! The accepted films will be projected onto a screen in traditional horizontal (landscape) orientation. Selected films will also play on our in-gallery television throughout our business hours after the festival. On Saturday, April 26th, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and runner-up placements will be announced. The Films will be reviewed by our panel of judges based on 1.) overall plot 2.) acting and character development 3.) directing and 4.) cinematography. We reserve the right to screen the best overall quality films without diversifying genres or styles.

Awards & Prizes

Cash awards will be given to the 1st ($250), 2nd ($150), and 3rd ($100) placements in our Feature Film category, as well as special promotion and prizes associated with selection and placement in the film festival.

Promotional prizes and non-cash awards will be distributed to all finalists.

Rules & Terms

Each film-maker submitting a project to be considered in the Art Scene West Film Festival is in compliance with and agrees to all of the following terms of this Agreement:

1.) The film submitted is an original creation of the submitting filmmaker(s).
2.) The individual submitting the film is at least 18 years of age and has the authority, without breaching any other agreement made by the filmmaker(s), to make the submission.
3.) Each film submitted and selected shall be viewed by the Art Scene West staff at our gallery at 803 W Harbor drive, San Diego CA 9210.
4.) Filmmakers grant Art Scene West express permission to show each film submitted and selected to the Art Scene West Film Festival during the public screening dates (April 25 & 26, 2025), as well as on our in-gallery television during our regular business hours for an undetermined time beyond the Film Festival dates.
5.) Filmmaker(s) agree that the content submitted to the Art Scene West Film Festival that are selected can be used for promotional purposes leading up to and beyond the screening dates of the Film Festival. Art Scene West may publicize the film, digital photos and film excerpts on our website, social media, and in-gallery television.
6.) All fees paid by the filmmakers as required by Art Scene West are non-refundable.
7.) Filmmakers retain all copyright ownership and credit of their films.
8.) It is the filmmakers responsibility to ensure the format of the video is acceptable and accommodating to the following formats: Apple Intermediate Codec, Apple ProRes, AVCHD, DV, MPEG-4 (MP4), MOV (QuickTime), HEVC, HDV, MPEG-1, and M4V.
9.) Filmmaker(s) agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Art Scene West LLC from any claim or demand, including attorney’s fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of your breach of these Terms or your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.
1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Josef Steiff

    Great communication. Great team of people. We loved being a part of this celebration!

    July 2025
    Helpful