"A venue for the true Independent Filmmaker"

Festival Background
The California Independent Film Festival is a California Not for Profit Corporation with State and Federal tax-exempt status under IRS code section 501(c) 3. Tax ID Number 48-1272276.

Film advocate and independent producer Derek Zemrak founded the festival in 1999. Zemrak started the film festival to give the true independent filmmaker a venue to screen their work. Since, 1999 over 1,200 films have been screened to the general public through the California Independent Film Festival.

Leonard R. Pirkle, Esq., serves as the Executive Director for the association, leading an Executive Committee and a Festival Planning Committee with 30 Members with expertise in film, entertainment and tourism.

Dates and Location
The festival is held annually in San Francisco and Orinda, California.

Category Submissions:
Categories include Documentaries, Features, Shorts, Animation, Children, LGBTQ and Music Videos.

Estimated Attendance:
5,000 guests including over 60 filmmakers from as far as Japan, England and Germany

Festival Location:
Orinda, California
San Francisco, California

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The California Independent Film Festival has a very strong fifteen- year history, showcasing over 1,550 Independent Films during its 22 seasons.

The Year 2019 Festival was a huge success, screening over 65 films from around the world.

ORGANIZERS
Derek Zemrak (Executive Producer) ; Derek Zemrak (Founder and President) ; Joanne Foy (Vice President) ; Leonard Pirkle

GENERAL RULES
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE THE DEADLINE YOU ARE PAYING FOR.

- Online screeners ONLY. For the screenplay competition, please submit an original screenplay in the industry standard format.
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Daniel Talbott

    I’m really excited to be a part of this fest next year, especially being from the Bay. This fest is wonderful!

    September 2020
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  • Sean Chandler

    I am grateful and honored to have "Running" be an Official Selection in the California Independent Film Festival!!! They are very communicative and appreciative of the screenwriter's contribution to the film-making process. I would highly recommend their festival!!!

    September 2020
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  • Cindy Wathen-Kennedy

    A truly wonderful experience! I highly recommend them. They were incredibly professional and supportive.

    April 2020
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  • Andrew Koponen

    Awesome festival. Derek and his team did a wonderful job. Great movies. Hope I can make it back next year.

    Andrew Koponen

    September 2019
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  • Mary Lou Belli

    This is the single festival I try to attend whether I have an official selection in it or not....why? Because it is so much fun! I love the folks who run it! I love the camaraderie of the filmmakers, love the fabulous vendors who support the festival...yes, that means awesome food...and this year I found an insurance broker who wrote me a policy for a project a few days after the fest! And I haven't even gotten started about the film selections. Derek Zemrak and his team program fun, interesting, beautifully shot films. This is a fabulous festival in a community of film lovers.

    September 2019
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