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 15th 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 2025 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, Enlightenment, Humanitarian, Emerging Artist, Best Score, Audience Favorite Feature, and Audience Favorite Short.

A distinctive award, the Trailblazer, is also given to recognize an artists' contribution to the industry.

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
  • Rebekah Louisa Smith

    An excellent festival run by a passionate team who really care about their filmmakers - thank you so much for screening 2 of my clients films and looking after them like royalty. You are the best!

    March 2024
  • Ross Taylor

    What a great time. Lovely venue and great people running the event. It was a pleasure to be a part of it and I'm grateful to be selected for the festival! Beautiful area, too.

    November 2022
  • Alex Sangha

    Thank you for selecting VInay Giridhar's award-winning debut feature documentary, Emergence: Out of the Shadows, at your wonderful festival.

    November 2022
  • Few festivals treat the filmmakers as well as DocUtah does. This was the second time at the fest, and impressed with how much caring and attention is paid. Thank you so much, you make me want to create more films!

    November 2022
  • We were thrilled to be welcomed into the St. George community during the festival. Seeing our independent documentary in a real movie theatre was a thrill! The Q/A created a moment in time of true community. The organizers were so hospitable with suggestions of area sights to see, including gorgeous Zion National Park! It truly was an unforgettable event.

    November 2021