The California International Children’s Film Festival’s provides a showcase platform for entertaining, educational and inspiring children based projects from around the world.

The CICFF is a biannual event that focuses on bringing together talented filmmakers of all ages that want to share their diverse and compelling stories about and/or by children. We curate and present the best independent and international cinema projects so our audiences and filmmakers will have a delightfully worthwhile screening and networking experience. All projects must have one of the following criteria to be eligible for submission: Project must be based around children, have a child as one of the lead protagonist or must have a child in one of the main behind the scenes production positions (Producer, Director, writer, etc...).

There will be nine categories of entry including, Narrative short, Narrative Feature, Documentary Short, Documentary Feature, Student, Animation, Music Video, Experimental, and scripts. All genres of fiction and non-fiction are accepted. There will also be four awards up for grabs: Audience Award, Best Film, Best Documentary, and Best Script.

*Audience Award
*Best Of Festival
*Honorable Mentions
*Best Script

Project must be based around children, have a child as one of the lead protagonist or must have a child in one of the main behind the scenes production positions (Producer, Director, writer, etc...).

*We accept filmmakers of all ages.
*We accept all genres of fiction and non-fiction
*We do not have any premiere or distribution requirements.
*You may have multiple entries and submit to multiple categories.
*Each entry and submission category must have its own submission fee.
*Submission that are not in English must have subtitles
*Works in progress are accepted
*Films, videos and scripts can be produced from any year
*Entry Fees are in $USD
*Entry fees are non-refundable.
*No press kits are required for the initial submission process

The CICFF is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The Competition reserves the right to refuse entries. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless CICFF 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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ben St. James

    It is an honor to be featured as a finalist, especially considering this event is bi-annual.

    As a writer that creates family content, I can state there aren't very many festivals showcasing this genre. This was a rare opportunity and one I greatly appreciate.

    April 2026
  • Rain Story

    California International Children's Film Festival is a wonderful event to be part of. The staff, panel, and juries are friendly, fair, and helpful. They provide an excellent circuit experience!

    April 2026
  • Dijon (My-low) Milow-Russell

    It left a lasting impression on me knowing that I was able to help make a difference. In our young people and there families

    October 2025
  • Anyone who chooses talking animals in a zoo is a proper judge!

    October 2025
  • Derek Jaskulski

    I missed the meet & greet, but the organizers seem to be top rate and caring.

    April 2025