What's the DIFF?

… It’s the DaVinci International Film Festival (DIFF), but also a question many independent filmmakers ask themselves as they browse and filter through dozens, if not hundreds, of film festivals online — what makes DIFF stand out from the others?

It starts with our brand — our name.

The way we see it, Leonardo da Vinci was the epitome of the divergent and creative mind— a luminary—and so we aim to recognize much of the same at our festival. Creatives who break boundaries and draw us into new worlds.

Like many festivals, we set out to honor the best in independent cinema from around the world, and do so by taking into account the full-scope of creative integration in any given project. From performances to color correction; score to sound design, our Jury is tasked with assessing each film based on an overall cohesiveness as it relates to storytelling. In addition, DIFF shines a very important light on screenwriting through our sister-brand, STORYLINE℠ with quarterly and annual competitions. Learn more at: storylinefestival.com.

DIFF founders are intimately familiar with, and appreciate the full cycle of, independent filmmaking and the demands therein. From perils of financing, through the distribution of any given work — the process is often complex and unforgiving. Most of these creative projects can take a short lifetime to complete, and whether or not your work is showcased at DIFF, we want to encourage you to keep pressing forward.

Another standout at DIFF is the DaVinci Film Institute. A non-profit arm of the festival that offers a student grant for one qualified filmmaker. DIFF is committed to donating a portion of entry proceeds (per quarter) toward the grant program. Learn more about the Institute and apply at: davincifilminstitute.org.

FESTIVAL FORMAT:

DIFF qualifies Vitruvian Award™ winners quarterly through an internal selection process. These quarterly winners ("Vitruvians") in feature film, short format (live action or animation), documentary and screenwriting will [then] be invited to screen at our Live Showcase Event at the end of the festival season. Here, filmmakers and screenwriters will compete against other quarterly Vitruvians for their shot at our most prized commendation, the Leo Award.

More at: davincifilmfestival.com

Projects will screen at our red carpet event for family, friends, and industry professionals, followed by filmmaker Q&A and VIP After Party, where DIFF sponsors will present their respective awards to our winners.

We understand that you have many options in festivals, and we appreciate your interest in the DaVinci International Film Festival. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Good luck!

DaVinci Film Festival

Awards & Prizes

- THE LEO (Feature, Short, Documentary, Screenplay)
- VITRUVIAN AWARD™ (Quarterly Feature Film, Short Format, Documentary, Screenplay)
- DIFF CERTIFICATE & WINNERS LAUREL (Quarterly category winners)
- SPONSOR prize package

Rules & Terms

You must fully comply with these Entry Rules & Regulations, including all deadlines, film length, entry material(s), and accepting terms (unscripted) prior to submission, as well as these listed below. For STORYLINE (Screenplay) competition, please visit storyline.davincifilmfestival.com for a full list of rules and qualifications:

1. All non-English speaking films must be presented in their original version with English subtitles.
2. Short Film Entries should not exceed 40 minutes in duration including titles and credits.
3. Film previously entered into DIFF are not eligible for re-entry in subsequent years.
4. All submissions are screened and evaluated by the DIFF Preview and Selection Committee, appointed by the Festival Director. Their reports are final and confidential. Long and short format films that are received by DIFF and win the Vitruvian Award, will be screened at our Live Event Showcase Event.
5. In the event of a film is withdrawn, DIFF will not refund or return any materials.
6. ONE ENTRY FEE PER CATEGORY. The same film can be entered into more and one category, but each category require an entry fee. If the filmmaker choose to enter more than one category with the same film, please add an incremental numerical addendum in brackets after the title; i.e. "Film Title" (1), "Film Title" (2), etc. as the system requires this differentiation in the case of multiple entries with the same title.
7. Student filmmakers are encouraged to apply, but must present their valid Student ID in order to benefit from our student discount.
8. All entries should be submitted via FilmFreeway.com portal. Please DO NOT send us any material unless requested.
9. Unfortunately we DO NOT accept works in progress at this time.
10. Unscripted entries must first accept DIFF submission Policy prior to entry. Please visit: https://davincifilmfestival.com/release-form/ NO EXCEPTIONS. Once the Release Form is submitted, an email will be sent directly with a password to continue your submission.
11. STORYLINE (Screenplay) competition series must review eligibility and rules at: storyline.davincifilmfestival.com prior to submission.
12. DIFF DOES NOT OFFER ANY WAIVERS OR REFUNDS
28 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Cristina gámez

    Has been very motivating for us to have been finalists in this festival. thank you very much for the great efficiency you show as a festival and how you work in favor of the new filmmakers and the most experimental projects

    June 2019
    Helpful
  • Herbert Golder

    A wonderful and very intelligently curated festival, featuring independent films of a very high, distinctive, and original character, made all the more meaningful by being an homage of sorts to the spirit of Leonardo, who embodied radical innovation and creative daring all across the sciences and all the arts. The festival is very well organized and the hosts and organizers warm and gracious. Very much a filmmakers' festival. Saw some films, across genres, that were absolutely stunning. A very special event and experience. It was truly an honor to be invited to be a part of, and to participate in, DaVinci.

    July 2019
    Helpful
  • Jamie Anderson

    This festival was so well done! Elevated, prestigious, and well organized... Definitely a favorite! Can't wait for next year!

    July 2019
    Helpful
  • Irati Santiago

    DaVinci Film Festival was such a wonderful and friendly experience. We were given the Vitruvian Award for our short film "Aberne" and it was a beautiful glass piece! I highly recommend this film festival because the communication was spot on and the hospitality made us, the filmmakers, feel truly welcome. They showcase a lot of work from diverse filmmakers across the world and going there to screen and then win was a treat and one for the books. Definitely will be submitting any future films I have in the future!

    June 2019
    Helpful
  • Sohil Vaidya

    DaVinci Film Festival is a great experience. They really do care about their filmmakers. My film Difficult People screened this year and won the Leo Award which is a beautiful custom made bronze statue. It's literally the best statue I have seen from a film festival! Their communication is prompt. Raleigh Studios is a great venue to have the films screened in Los Angeles! I would highly recommend applying.

    June 2019
    Helpful