The BSFF is part of a 501(c)(3) organization with the goal to celebrate the cinematic arts in our community. We love the atmosphere of an old-fashioned film festival, and do our best to create that traditional experience.
We feature single-venue-screenings, great local attendance, a catered opening gala, a filmmaker networking event, our catered Saturday party, panel discussions, workshops, hang-outs, and a catered grand award ceremony.
And, through the generosity of the Laureen and Joyce Callo Foundation, the BSFF is continuing to offer a $1,000 cash prize to American based female directors!
We also offer the $1,000 cash prize "Laara Award" for most inspirational film.
The BSFF takes place in one of the most beautiful locations in the world, Borrego Springs, CA. Our vibe is desert eclectic. Vintage trailers, refined mid-century modern neighborhoods, primitive pup-tent camping, or even world class resort living, it's all here.
If you're making your first film or your twentieth, come and be a part of our celebration. Our selection committee embraces a wide scope of productions. Everything from highly crafted films to sentimental favorites are part of our programming.
We excel simply because we truly offer a great time, remarkable local attendance, and we go out of our way to accommodate our filmmaker guests.
You’ll meet and greet your audience, lounge with other filmmakers, and interact with everyone. We even have homemade cookies. Do you know about our homemade cookies? You need to find out about Pam's homemade cookies. Cookies!
“Best fest ever and we've been to many. These folks really appreciate the filmmakers…If you only enter one festival this year, make it BSFF. — Ronn Kilby, Director, “Dog Star”
The Laureen and Joyce Callo Foundation sponsors a $1,000 cash prize for Best Female Director of a narrative film of any length. The award is designed to encourage and support American based female filmmakers who are woefully under-represented in the film industry.
"The Laara Award," presented by the family of late BSFF founding member Laara Maxwell, is an $1,000 prize for the best inspirational film.
Our submission categories are the main competition for awards:
Best Short Under 20 Minutes
Best Short 20 to 50 Minutes
Best Feature Film
Best Animation
Best Documentary Over 30 Minutes
Best Documentary Under 30 Minutes
Best International Film
Best Youth Film Under 18
Best Student Film 18+
Various sub categories of competition are also awarded:
Best Comedy
Best Director Feature
Best Director Short
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Music Score
Best Performance Comedy
Best Performance Drama
Additionally, top audience votes for will win the BSFF "PEOPLE'S CHOICE" award(s).
The BSFF committee will also offer "THE GOLDEN COOKIE" awards for films we believe resonate with the attitudes and sentiments of the Borrego Springs audience.