*As we continue to navigate through tricky times brought on by the current Covid-19 Pandemic, we want to let everyone know that we'd love nothing more than to say the upcoming festival will happen as planned and without a hitch.

Our new event date is now July 29th through Aug 1st.

For the time being, no matter your personal feelings on the scope of the pandemic, take proper precautions to keep yourself and everyone around you safe.

Much love to you all from Team Desertscape.*

St. George, UT--as well as a handful of its beautiful surrounding areas-- represents grand desert country at its most breathtaking. This, among other things, makes it a perfect spot for a film festival. Attend the fest and then stick around and check out all the incredible sights and sounds southern Utah has to offer.

The Desertscape International Film Festival invites and encourages filmmakers from all around the globe to submit their work. Shorts, features, student films, etc. If you're proud of it, submit it! Furthermore, all genres are welcome.

All selected entries will be presented in a theatrical setting to enthusiastic festival attendees over the course of 4 fun-filled days in one of most beautiful cities in the U.S. And yes, awards will be handed out to the best of the best!

Our inaugural festival saw 35 films, shorts and features of multiple genres, from all over the world. Included; The world premiere of Jeff Sanders's provocative thriller, "Lay Me Down to Sleep," the Utah premiere of Kyle B. Thompson's touching drama, "The Boy Hero," the Utah premiere of Eric Gordon's unflinching Alzheimer's documentary, "When All That's Left is Love," Will Kindrick's sci-fi romance, "Storm" fresh off its buzz-worthy Tribeca premiere, and the recent brilliant Oscar-nominated short film, "Brotherhood." Additionally, Desertscape: Year One saw a staggering 60% filmmaker attendance rate, virtually unheard of for a first year film festival.

The cinematic adventure that is The Desertscape International Film Festival: Year Two will enjoy its magical run from July 29th - Aug 1st in beautiful St. George, UT!

If you're a filmmaker, what are you waiting for? Submit your film now! This is a great opportunity to share your work!

This is an event you won't want to miss! Conversations with storytellers, panels, special industry guests, live music, and of course, a wide variety of films for your viewing pleasure!

The Desertscape International Film Festival! Celebrating film from around the globe!

Awards & Prizes

Submitting your film is not a guarantee of selection. All the official selections and award winners will be listed on our website www.fmasu.com/desertscape. Trophies and/or certificates will be awarded to the best of the best in various categories. You do not need to submit your film more than once as we will place it in the category that we feel best for programming.

Awards will be chosen by a jury select made up of knowledgeable film industry professionals and experts.

Best of the Fest

Best Feature

Best Feature (International)

Best Short

Best Short (International)

Best Student Film

Best Music Video

Best Animated Short

Best After Dark Film

Best "Made in Utah" Film

Best VR Short

Best Feature Screenplay

Best Short Screenplay

*Desertscape Categories & Awards are subject to change.

Rules & Terms

Filmmakers! Please thoroughly read the following before submitting your film:

DESERTSCAPE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ENTRY RULES AND REGULATIONS:

1. All film submissions must include submission fee and completed online FilmFreeway entry form.

2. Feature films (45 minutes to 120 minutes) and short films (45 minutes or less) of all genres are accepted. Digital files only!

3. All films must either be in English or include English subtitles.

4. Once films are submitted, no alterations may be made.

5. When final films are selected, filmmakers may be contacted for alternative film formats for programming purposes.

6. Films that have screened and or have received awards at other festivals can be submitted provided they adhere to all rules and regulations.

7. Only films that have been completed by June 2015 or newer will be accepted as part of the competition process.

8. Films with distribution may still be eligible for award consideration.

9. The Desertscape International Film Festival reserves the right to accept, reject, or disqualify any submission at their discretion without a refund. That said, it should be noted that we will watch every film in its entirety we receive.

10. Not all films selected will necessarily be in competition but filmmakers will be notified either way.

11. The Desertscape International Film Festival does not maintain ownership of any film submitted but does have the legal right to use images and as much as 30 seconds of footage for current and future festival promotional materials.

12. Film submission entry fees must be paid through the FilmFreeway portal as instructed.

13. Award winners will be revealed at the Desertscape International Film Festival at the awards ceremony on the evening of Saturday, June 20th, 2020.

14. Filmmakers will be notified whether or not their film has been accepted to the Desertscape International Film Festival no later than May 18th, 2020.

15. There is no 15th rule

LEGALITY DISCLAIMER:

The filmmaker releases the Desertscape International Film Festival from any and all liability for damages or destruction of the entered film file. The filmmaker understands that the programmed material will be retained in a secure facility by the festival, and every effort will be taken to protect and control the viewing of this film. The festival assumes no liability whatsoever for theft, copyright violations or piracy of the entry.

The Filmmaker accepts and understands that the festival will do everything possible to present the film in the best possible manner but the festival is not responsible for any malfunctions during screenings. All entries are carefully pre-screened prior to the public showing to assure that the films are in working order. The Desertscape International Film Festival assumes no responsibility for any technical difficulties in the presentation of a film at the actual event.

The Desertscape Film Festival reserves the complete right to make changes in the program dates and times and to possibly not screen a film, despite it being selected for the festival.

It is the sole responsibility of the filmmaker to obtain the legal use of any and all copyrighted material presented in a film before submitting to a festival. The Desertscape Film Festival is not liable should a filmmaker fail to do so.

RETURNS:

Promotional items and/or any programming materials will not be returned.

All shipping costs are the sole responsibility of the sender.

FINAL NOTE:

BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, I/WE HEREBY AGREE TO DEFEND THE DESERTSCAPE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, FMASU, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Now, what are you waiting for? Submit a movie! The cinematic adventure that is the Desertscape International Film Festival awaits you!
20 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ev Durán

    I can't say enough good things about my experience with this festival. This team put so much thought and care into every aspect of this event. They were great about giving the filmmakers opportunities to speak about their films and to network with one another. The venue is beautiful and St. George was a wonderful place to visit. I'm so excited to submit all of my future projects to Desertscape, as I hope to have the opportunity to participate in this special weekend again and again.

    August 2020
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  • David Lindsay

    We had a fantastic time at the Desertscape International Film Festival. The festival directors were so great to work with and made sure everything ran smoothly. With Covid19 it's a hard time for festivals to have in person screenings, but they followed state protocols to keep us safe. Our film Dog Valley played alongside many other wonderful films and we had a great week with other filmmakers. This was only their second year as a festival, but their future is very bright. We will be back!

    August 2020
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  • Mark Bracich

    The Desertscape International Film Festival Team put together a superb program of domestic and foreign, narrative and documentary, features and shorts. The films selected and curated spoke well of the high standards of the festival. The organization of the film blocks made it easy for folks to schedule their time. This year, they added a screenplay competition with live reads of some top scripts. The lunches, musical entertainment, and awards dinner (with entertainment) were outstanding. I can’t say enough to commend the entire crew for putting together such a wonderful event... all while taking great precautions against the spread of COVID. Well done! Can’t wait for next year!

    August 2020
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  • Pierre Brouillette-Hamelin

    Desertscape were kind enough to select our film, especially in these times. Any selection means an audience and it gives meaning to what we do. And our film, Plainsong, turned out to win an award. It was a big boost indeed!!! Cheers to the great people at Desertscape international film festival! Alexis Fortier Gauthier

    August 2020
    Helpful
  • Aaron Morgan

    Adam and his team were so supportive in a very difficult year for filmmakers and audiences in general. You can tell they have a passion for film and people. Highly recommend submitting to this wonderful festival.

    August 2020
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