The DOCUTAH International Film Festival at Utah Tech University brings together filmmakers and film lovers for an electric weekend celebrating the art of documentary, seeking to open hearts and minds to the world through beautifully crafted stories on film, promoting education while creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and community.

In its 17th season, DOCUTAH brings the best documentaries from around the world to the red canyons of southern Utah. Founded by 30-time Emmy Award winning filmmaker, Phil Tuckett, DOCUTAH was dubbed one of the “25 coolest film festivals” by Moviemaker Magazine. Submit your film for 2027 and join us in our mission to actively change the world through the creative business of filmed storytelling.

Awards are offered in the following categories:
Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best International Film, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Activist, Enlightenment, Humanitarian, Environmental, Distinctive Piece, Production Design, Emerging Artist, Best Score, Audience Favorite Feature, and Audience Favorite Short.

A distinguishing award, the Trailblazer, is also given to recognize the recipients' contribution to society.

Rules and Regulations
1. The festival is open to all motion picture makers throughout the world.
2. The language of the festival is English and dialogue or narration must be in English, dubbed in English or with English sub-titles provided by the producer.
3. Entries must have been released within the past two years.
4. Entrants will be advised of the projection format if their entry is accepted into the festival.
5. Entries may be entered into one of four documentary categories: Professional Feature, Professional Short, Student or Foreign.
6. If a documentary is part of a series only one episode can be entered in the appropriate class.
7. The producer must secure all copyright clearances where applicable and hold DOCUTAH harmless against any infringement.
8. Only one submission per entry.
9. Filmmakers are required to include with their submission: a short synopsis of the film, details of the producer and crew, photographs and a trailer. Photographs should be submitted as jpeg files and text as word files.
10. The judge’s decisions are final and binding on the entrants and the organizers.

Entry Requirements

1. Payment of entry fees may be in US dollars payable to DOCUTAH by credit card.
2. Receipt of entries will be acknowledged by e-mail.
3. Whilst great care will be given to all entries neither the Festival nor its sponsors or organizers is responsible for damage or loss.
4. DOCUTAH is granted permission to make copies of short clips for promotional purposes.
5. A list of the winning entries will be published on the DOCUTAH website and in appropriate journals.
6. Entries and screening copies will be returned ONLY if filmmaker includes request and paid return shipping labels. Copyright permission forms relating to films being housed in the university library are contained in the Filmmaker Acceptance Packet. Films will be housed in the Utah Tech library should the filmmaker choose to grant permission.
7. Foreign entries should be submitted digitally with screening copies sent by Air Parcel Post or Air Small Package. Please check your local postal regulations for shipping and let us know if any special regulations apply.
8. Please allow at least one week for US entries, three weeks for Canadian entries and one month for air mail International entries. When entries are received after the closing date we will notify the entrant and hold them for next year's Festival.
9. Filmmakers must provide a film synopsis of 35 words or less, promotional stills, a film trailer, director’s bio, and list of previous screenings and awards (be brief.)
10. It is suggested that your submission includes press materials, film and filmmaker stills. (Any digital images should be tiff, gif or jpeg format. 300 dpi. No image larger than 1 MB.)

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mia Weinberger

    The DOCUTAH team was so lovely and welcoming. We saw an excellent selection of documentaries and were honored to be included among them with our feature A Moment In The Sun. A great reason to travel to such a gorgeous part of the country!

    April 2026
  • Laura Paglin

    This is an excellent little doc fast that I highly recommend! Staff was positive and communicative from the beginning. Not only was the festival thoughtfully curated but the projection was excellent (all films were shown at a multiplex) and there was a good size audience for every film - even those shown on a week day morning! In addition, the festival hosted a nightly mixer where they served us delicious pizza and they provided every filmmaker with two free hotel nights. You also can't go wrong with having Mount Zion as your backyard. Congrats to Tisa and Karman for hosting such a thoroughly enjoyable festivals!

    March 2026
  • Kimberlee Bassford

    I'm still aglow from my experience at DOCUTAH. Tisa, Karman, Karin and the whole team put on an incredibly friendly, warm and well-run festival. From the frequent and clear communications prior to the festival, to the daily mixers (with free food!) encouraging connections between filmmakers and festival staff, to the high-quality projection and sound during the screenings, it's clear the festival puts so much thought and care into the event. I'm also grateful that BEFORE THE MOON FALLS was featured in a DocTalk Masterclass in addition to a regular screening and that the festival arranged for a local mental health professional to be in the discussion with me to expand on the mental health themes in the film. St. George itself is a stunning location (I literally had to stop the car while driving to admire the red rocks everywhere!). I highly recommend this festival and applaud its team for being such consummate hosts!

    March 2026
  • Filipe Amado

    Great festival! Thank you for selecting "Dust & Color" in the lineup. Karman, Tisa, and Karin were super welcoming, communication was clear, and they had a great range of documentaries at the festival.

    March 2026
  • Couldn't of had a better experience. Thanks DocUtah for gong above and beyond.

    March 2026