The Big Sur Film Festival is a monthly online independent short film competition.
We are based in the beautiful artist community of Big Sur, California.

Our goal is to promote and showcase emerging filmmakers. We believe every story deserves to be told and we want to provide that opportunity.

Each month, our jury made up of local artists and filmmakers selects the winners through private screenings. Monthly winners will have the option to be featured on our official website/instagram (with filmmakers consent) and be qualified to participate in our live festival in the fall.

Awards & Prizes

Each month, Big Sur Film Festival will award the best projects through private screenings.

Every submitter can enter multiple categories in order to increase their chances to receive an award.

Every Official Selection will receive our Official Laurel.

All WINNERS will additionally have the option to purchase one of our beautiful Big Sur Film Festival trophy.

* PLEASE NOTE: The Best Indie Short category also acts as a qualifier for our yearly, in-person festival. Please add this category along with your other submissions if you would like to be considered.

Rules & Terms

Minimum runtime per film: None
Maximum runtime per film : 35 mins.
All foreign language submissions must be subtitled in English.
Films must be submitted via online screener ONLY through FilmFreeway.
Your film will be privately screened and evaluated by our team of filmmakers, artists, and producers, and is subject to multiple screenings based upon how many categories you have entered.

10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mofieni Iniya

    Thank you Big Sur Film Festival for selecting my short film, The Time of Your Life!

    April 2021
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  • Chris Oledude

    From Christopher R. Owens, President, CESO Enterprises, Inc. crowens@cesony.com: On behalf of CESO ENTERPRISES, INC., Alyssa Dann, Chris Oledude, and all of our production participants, I would like to compliment the organizers and operators of the Big Sur Film Festival.
    When we created our first music video (which was long enough to be a short film), we knew nothing about film festivals. With the help of FilmFreeway, we started researching. The categories were good. Everyone who contacted us on behalf of this festival was helpful. The submissions looked excellent.
    It was indeed exciting to discover this new world and to be so warmly welcomed by the inhabitants! To have GEORGE FLOYD: SAY THEIR NAMES selected for inclusion was an honor in and of itself. So, to be awarded BEST INSPIRATIONAL SHORT was thrilling and beyond what we expected!
    We were happy to “get the word out” and continue motivating people worldwide to consider the injustices embedded within our nation’s criminal justice system. After all, situations where a powerful segment of the population uses its law enforcement apparatus to abuse and oppress other segments of the population are recognizable in and common to many societies.
    We recommend submitting your work and we certainly intend to participate again in the future. Peace and stay safe!

    April 2021
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  • APOLONIA DAVALOS

    We are HONORED "The Making of: LOVING ARMS" was a selection of the Big Sur Film Festival. Great communication, promotion, and active engagement via social media. We highly recommend submitting to this festival. Thank you, Big Sur, for a professional and hospitable experience!

    February 2021
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  • Darren Haskins

    Thank you for the opportunity of giving my short film comedy, Will Works, a wider audience. Look forward to more interaction in the future.

    February 2021
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  • Rob Steger

    Great communication and look forward to the possible live event post-COVID. Thanks for picking The Funny Runner as Best Inspirational Short, truly an honor.

    February 2021
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