BHFF is a true celebration of cinema and the mavericks who do what it takes to get their vision to the screen. The festival spot lights the mountain town of Hill City, and other Black Hills Communities to promote world-class films and powerful workshops.
The filmmaker is the star of the Black Hills Film Festival. 2024 will be our fifteenth annual festival with live screenings at multiple venues around the area which are solidly attended by an engaged community of artists and movie buffs and paired with great receptions and mixers.
Producers Kevin Costner ("Dances with Wolves"), Jerry Bruckheimer ("National Treasure: Book of Secrets") and Director Chloe Zhao (Nomadland) knew great locations when they selected the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands for scenes in their films. Over the years, BHFF has hosted professionals such as Actors Stephen Lang (Avatar, Gods and Generals) and Connor Trinneer (Star Trek: Enterprise, American Made), Native American Director Chris Eyre (Smoke Signals), Producer Sean Covel (Napoleon Dynamite, Carter and June), Casting Director Rene Haynes, and Executives from Warner Bros Studios.
Will your film shine among the best from around the world? Enter now!

Winning films in Feature Narrative, Feature Documentary, Short Narrative and Short Documentary competition receive custom bronze sculptured trophies - the coveted “Bronze Fedora” valued at over $1,000. The winning Student film receives the "Rising Star" award.

RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Films that have been screened in South Dakota within a 100 mile radius of the Black Hills Film Festival to a paying public audience are not eligible for competition for prizes at the Black Hills Film Festival.
2. Only one title per entry.
3. Films must have been completed after January 1, 2021.
4. All films must be the completed final version for consideration. NO ROUGH CUTS.
5. All films submitted must be available for exhibition in digital format either for download or on a thumb drive mailed to the BHFF, with these specs: H.264 mp4 file with stereo audio, no larger than 1920 x 1080. BHFF will notify accepted films of presentation format needed including electronic.
6. International or Non-English speaking films must be subtitled or dubbed in English.
7. All physical copies of entries except DCP will become the property of the Black Hills Film Festival and WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
8. BHFF reserves the right to decline awarding a prize in any category.
9. Films may not be withdrawn after acceptance into the Festival.
10. Final presentation copies must be received at BHFF headquarters by the date requested in acceptance email or it will not be screened and no refunds given.
11. BHFF does not provide room, board or travel for filmmakers.
12. The entrant acknowledges and agrees that all matters not covered by these regulations, and questions arising from them, will be decided by Festival organizers or programmers at their discretion.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Selections: Films will be selected and entrants will be notified on or about June 30, 2024.
Promotional Usage: Participants agree that all materials related to their film may be published in the Festival Program, on the Web Page, in all other promotional materials in all media. Posters, images from the film, and film clips or trailers may be used independently to promote the Black Hills Film Festival.
Clearances: If selected for screening, all commercial/private property including trademark and/or copyrighted materials shown and recorded in the project must come with authorized permission for screening. The filmmaker remains entirely liable for any claims that may occur in result of screening the film.
Notification: Upon filmmaker notification, BHFF requires press kits for each film, sent to the Festival electronically complete with: a. One (1) to three (3) color photos representing the film to be used for advertising and the Festival program (not production stills), provided as digital images in the .jpeg, .tif, or .gif format b. Short description of the film and c. Exhibition copies of the selected film as defined in your notification for screening. ALL ITEMS MUST BE RECEIVED by the due date listed in your notification otherwise the film will not be shown and no refunds given.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tamila Nesterenko

    I am grateful to the Black Hills Film Festival. The festival team is ready to help whenever there are difficulties. I'm very grateful for this and wholeheartedly recommend this festival.

    November 2023
  • Black Hills Film Festival is so warm and inviting. I really enjoy the programming and the quality of films that come through. I am always honored to be a part of this festival.

    October 2023
  • Ashley Avis

    A truly wonderful festival! Hill City, South Dakota is so charming, we had a wonderful time exploring the area from his history to saloons and darling cabins. We also sincerely appreciated how generous and attentive the Black Hills team were with our travel and stay. What a wonderful place to spend a few days immersing in film and nature.

    October 2023
  • Max Hofer

    The Black Hills Film Fest team were very friendly and communicative about their event. I wasn’t able to attend in person, unfortunately. However, I’m incredibly honored that Kitman won ‘Best Short Film.’ I’m hoping to attend in the future! Thank you, BHFF Crew!

    October 2023
  • Joe Nyquist

    I had a wonderful experience with everyone involved in this gem of a festival. Great people, great line up, and great festival.

    May 2021