BEACH BREAK BRINGS YOU A CALIFORNIA FILM MAKER'S FESTIVAL.
What began as a labor of love during the pandemic shutdown has grown into a thriving entertainment resource that has become an integral part of our beloved Coastside for both community and visitors. We are located on the coast just west of Silicon Valley.

Taking the break, literally, we have a selection committee choosing films to screen at our festival between Christmas and New Year's. We are looking for well-made and edited, compassionate stories that focus on sustainability and social impact, social justice. Compelling storytelling in other genres as well. We choose short films made in California, by California filmmakers to open each feature. We will screen feature-length dramatic or documentary films.

We do not accept horror films.

Awards & Prizes

Not only do you get to see your film on the big screen, but you get to interact with an engaged audience following the screening.
We have beautiful intimate receptions and offer fun goodie bags. We will welcome you to lovely Half Moon Bay with rides to the venue if need be. We offer an award for your submission acceptance.

Rules & Terms

All films submitted must be accessible by a digital link and or BlueRay.
Films must be received by no later than the closing date of October 10th, 2025 for consideration.
• Industrial, promotional or instructional films are not eligible
• Filmmakers are responsible for providing a good quality print for their screening.
• Filmmakers will be notified via email of entry status no later than November 15th.
• If selected to screen in the festival, you will be asked to provide an electronic press kit.
• ENTRY CHECKLIST:
The following must be included for each entry:
- Entry Form (Accepted online through FilmFreeway, 1 per entry)
- Online screener
- Entry Fee (Accepted online through FilmFreeway)
We DO NOT accept DCP format. Online digital only.
Optional materials:
- Brief Synopsis
- Filmmaker Bio and/or Filmography
- Press Kit
- Stills

We hope you'll grant us the honor to viewing and considering your creative works.
We will be offering a live Q & A after each selected screenings are shown and want filmmakers to join us for a couple of nights to enjoy Northern California's Coast for the week. More information is available upon acceptance. We have partnerships with a few local hotels and can offer discounts.

The festival will provide two complimentary filmmaker passes to each accepted feature length film and one complimentary filmmaker pass to each accepted short film.

Additional Screenings – Beach Break Entertainment Film Festival reserves the right to host one additional complimentary screening of any 2025 Beach Break Film Festival Juried Award and/or other Special Award winning films as long as such screening takes place prior to December 31, 2025.
* Shipping - If a film is invited to participate, the film must be shipped prepaid, insured and packed in proper containers. Beach Break Film Festival will be responsible for return shipping charges.

Entering your film is considered giving Beach Break Film Festival permission to screen your film during the festival. If, for some reason, after acceptance (but prior to the public announcement of the festival line-up) you choose not to screen with the Beach Break Film Festival, you must contact the festival immediately. Attempts to cancel a screening AFTER the official announcement cannot be acknowledged and the film will screen from the available copy on hand.
Beach Break 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 submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless Beach Break 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.

Complimentary Filmmaker Comp Passes are of no cash value, may not be sold to third parties.
Please note, we are a fiscally sponsored non-profit festival.