Categories: Short Film & Video, Graphic Design, Game Design, Music, Photography, Digital Art & Illustration, Podcasts, Website Design, Animation & Stop Motion, Music Video, Acting, Scriptwriting. Audiobooks

DigiFest acknowledges talent in the industry at all levels and ages.

JDS Creative Academy, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, has reinvented what the City of Temecula recognized as the International Temecula Film and Music Festival into what is now referred to as DigiFestR Temecula. DigiFestR Temecula is a vehicle for the community and region to come together and experience digital media in many creative and artistic forms. DigiFest Temecula is also a place to learn about industry advancements, how to pursue a career in the industry, and how to incorporate digital arts into the economic culture.

FilmFreeway doesn’t have the exact same categories as Digifest. Please read our Rules and Terms to ensure your entry can be submitted and judged correctly.

Awards & Prizes

Our panel of industry professional judges score the accepted short-form submissions in the following categories, mediums, and genres to see who may win the Digi Award, Honorable Mention Award, and/or People’s Choice Award. Each entry that progresses to the judging panel is evaluated by a minimum of two judges.

How to Submit for Top Talent Agency Recognition (For Professionals Only)

This year, Top Talent Agency will be awarding special recognition to selected entries! For consideration, you need to first submit your entry to DigiFest under the appropriate category. Then resubmit your entry, pay another entry fee, and on the submitter's form where it says “You must submit your entry into one of the categories listed below,” select “Top Talent Agency Recognition” from the drop-down..

Film/Video – Narrative
Originality & Creativity; Direction; Cinematography; Actor performances; Production Value & Production Design; Pacing & Structure; Sound & Music; Collaboration of Digital Technology to include cameras, audio/music, graphics, credits, animation, editing

Film/Video – Documentary
Originality & Creativity; Direction; Cinematography; Presentation of interviews & voice-over; Production Value & Production Design; Location choices; Interview set-ups; Pacing & Structure; Sound & Music; Collaboration of Digital Technology to include cameras, audio/music, graphics, credits, animation, editing

Film/Video – Animation
Originality & Creativity; Technique & Complexity; Cinematography; Voice-Actor Performances; Production Value; Pacing & Structure; Sound & Music; Collaboration of Digital Technology

Film/Video – PSA/Marketing/Corporate
Originality & Creativity; Direction; Cinematography; On-screen performances; Production Value & Production Design; Pacing & Structure; Sound & Music; Collaboration of Digital Technology to include cameras, audio/music, graphics, credits, animation, editing; Effectiveness of the message or call-to-action

Film/Video – Music Video
Originality & Creativity; Visual interpretation of Music; Performance, Sound, & Voice Appeal; Direction; Cinematography; Production Value & Production Design; Pacing & Structure; Collaboration of Digital Technology to include cameras, audio/music, graphics, credits, animation, editing

Music
Originality & Creativity; Lyrics if applicable; Melody; Performance/Sound/Voice Appeal; Digital Expression in the Music; Consistency Throughout; Overall Quality

Podcasts & Audiobooks
Originality & Creativity; Writing & Storytelling; Narration/Performance/Clarity in Delivery; Use of Music and/or Effects to Create Environments; Engaging Information; Consistency Throughout; Overall Quality

Photography & Art
Originality & Creativity; Composition; Design; Technique; Collaboration of Digital Technology (i.e. use of Photoshop, etc.); Overall Quality

Websites & Games
Functionality; Entertainment Factor; Programming Depth & Complexity; Design Look and Feel; Overall Quality

People’s Choice
DigiFest® attendees have the opportunity to vote for their favorite entries on display during DigiFest®. The entries that receive the most votes win People’s Choice Awards!

Rules & Terms

PLEASE VISIT https://digifesttemecula.org/rules-policies/ FOR A FULL LOOK AT OUR RULES AND POLICIES.

How to submit my work?
All submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway. Please follow the directions via FilmFreeway to create your account and submit your work. Submissions must be downloadable and shareable so that your work can be viewed by judges and during the event. All content is short-format - 30 minutes or less

What are the deadlines for DigiFest Temecula 2026?
Submissions Open October 1, 2025
Early Deadline is February 1, 2026 - midnight
Late Deadline is March 8, 2026 - midnight

What are the submission fees for DigiFest Temecula?

Before Early Deadline, October 1, 2025 - February 1, 2026
Standard Professional Submission: $20 USD
Student Submission: $10 USD - school name must be included
Student 18 & Under: $5 USD - School name must be included

Before Late Deadline, February 2, 2026 - March 8, 2026
Standard Submission: $25 USD
Student Submission: $15 USD - school name must be included
Student 18 & Under: $10 USD - school name must be included

What are the submission requirements?
This is a short-form festival; nothing over 30 minutes in length will be accepted.
Completed entry on FilmFreeway
Digital Screener - Vimeo link (preferred) or Secure Online Screener
Submission must be uploaded and submitted no later than the deadline date to qualify for the respective entry fees
Paid submission fee
The entry cannot have been previously submitted to DigiFest
ONLY original work is accepted
No more than five entries per category per submitter
Films, Music, Podcasts, Photography, Art, Website Design, Game Design, Acting, and Screenplays all have their own submission requirements (See below)

What category do I use to submit my work?
If submitting video/films that are narratives, documentaries, animation/stop motion, PSA./marketing/informational, or music videos
Choose “Film/Video” category
If submitting a podcast, audiobook or music
Choose “Music/Songwriting” category
If submitting photography, digital art & illustration, or website design
Choose “Photography/Design” category
If submitting game design
Choose “VR/XR/Immersive” category
If submitting a Video Clip for Acting
Choose “Film/Video” Category
If submitting a screenplay PDF
Choose “Scriptwriting” Category

Is my film eligible for DigiFest® Temecula?
Must be no more than 30 minutes long, credits included
If selected, films should be available for projection in DCP, but not required
All non-English language films must have English subtitles
Submitters must select whether their entry is narrative, documentary, animation/stop motion, music video, PSA/Marketing, etc. If you want your entry to be judged in more than one category, you must reupload the entry into each category you want it judged in. (In other words, you cannot upload it one time and just select multiple categories.)

Do you accept films that are already available online?
Yes! DigiFest® Temecula does NOT require a premier status.

Do I need to submit a DCP?
You do not need to have DCP for consideration.

Do you accept work-in-progress?
DigiFest® Temecula accepts only Final Cuts for all projects.

Requirements For The Music And Podcast Submissions
Choose the Music/Songwriting Category for your submission
Each entry must be no more than 30 minutes long
Submissions must be audio files

Requirements for Photography/Digital Art & Illustration Submissions
Submissions must be entered under the Photography/Design category
Digital files must be attached to the submission
In submission details, photography submissions need to include equipment used (ie iPhone, DSLR, lens, etc) as well as other pertinent technical information that will help judge the work.
Art submissions need to state the software programs used in the creation of the digital artwork and whether the artwork is manipulated hand-drawn/painted work, or was solely created via a digital process.

Requirements for Website Design Submissions
Submissions must be entered under the Photography/Design category
Attach screenshots of the homepage as your project
Enter the URL of the website in the project information box

Requirements for Game Design Submissions
Submissions must entered under the VR/XR/Immersive category
Fill out credit and detailed information as much as possible. The more information you can provide the better.

How To Submit For The Acting Category
Submissions must be entered under the Film/Video category
Can be clips but submission in total needs to be under 3 minutes
Clips can come from various scenes within a single film/video or present a continuous 3-minute scene from one film/video project.
Clearly state the actor’s name and the role portrayed in the submission details to facilitate identification.
Only one actor can be submitted per entry. If you want to submit another actor who appears in the same scenes you need to make another submission.
Your adherence to these guidelines ensures your video meets the submission criteria.

How To Submit In The Scriptwriting Category
Entries must be 30 pages or less.
Scripts must follow industry-standard formatting.
Only PDF files are accepted.
Treatments are not accepted.
Adhering to these guidelines will help ensure your script meets the submission criteria.

For All Entries

Do I need to submit a press kit or any other materials?
You do not need to provide any publicity materials with your official submission. The Marketing Department for DigiFest Temecula will reach out to you directly if materials are needed.

When will I know if I’ve been selected?
DigiFest® Temecula will reach out via messages on FilmFreeway by April 7, 2025, to let the creator know if their work has been selected.

Will my work be presented at the festival?
Not all entered work is guaranteed to be exhibited or screened. You must receive an email that you have been selected. Work that is selected for the festival will be exhibited during the weekend of the event, or chosen to be a part of the special screening held on Saturday night during the festival. You will get an exclusive invitation to Saturday night’s screening via email if your work will be exhibited at that special screening. Not all accepted work will be shown at the special screening

If you have any questions, contact DigiFest® Temecula via email at digifest@jdscreativeacademy.org.

25 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jorge Morais

    As a director who has submitted to many festivals, what truly sets DigiFest® Temecula apart isn't just the awards, it's the way they support and communicate with filmmakers throughout the entire process and beyond.
    From the moment the results were announced, the DigiFest® team made a real effort to ensure our film was seen. They maintain a genuinely active and engaged presence across their social media channels, consistently sharing selected works, celebrating creators, and keeping their audience connected to the stories behind the films. It didn't feel like automated posts or obligatory mentions, it felt like a team that actually cares about the work they're platforming.
    What impressed me just as much was their communication. Clear, warm, and professional from start to finish. At every stage, you knew exactly where you stood, what to expect next, and when. That level of transparency and respect for filmmakers' time is, unfortunately, still rare in the festival circuit.
    For any creator considering DigiFest®, I'd recommend it without hesitation. Not just for the recognition, but for the visibility, the genuine support, and the feeling that your work isn't just being screened. It's being championed.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind response, Jorge. We strive to keep the festival submitters and attendees in the loop throughout the process. Your animation was certainly an amazing piece. We hope to see more work from you.

  • Lilah Andrikowich

    Such a fun festival! I was so happy that all three of my summations were slated for awards! My short film native, Sideline won a Digi award as well as a people’s choice. My other short film Best Days was also selected as a people’s choice. My screenplay The Final Cut won an honorable mention! It was such a fun event and I loved attending the screenings! Overall I would definitely recommend!!

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We are so glad you enjoyed the weekend. Congratulations on all of your wins! We look forward to seeing you submit more work to DigiFest!

  • Dr. Gregory McWhorter

    We were honored that our film, Sanguine Deposit, was selected for this up and coming film festival. We wish them much success on their future festivals.

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for entering Sanguine Deposit in 2025! We hope you continue to follow DigiFest and enter again.

  • Bea de Visser

    Nice festival! Thank you for screening my film 'No horses on Mars'

    May 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    You are very welcome. Your film was a beautiful addition. We hope to see more of your work in the next DigiFest 2026- our ten-year event.

  • Christina Mae Moseid

    As a local Southern California artist, being part of this festival was invaluable. The speakers were enthralling - all were experts in their particular fields and had a wealth of useful information to share. It was incredibly inspiring and a great way to get involved and meet like-minded individuals. The talented musical performers ROCKED and really brought the party! All the submissions wowed. The event was very well-organized and there was a considerable turnout. I enjoyed having my art submissions recognized with both a Digi award and an Honorable Mention, which is such an extraordinary honor for a juried festival. What a great way to come together and celebrate innovative creativity within the global art community! If you support the arts and love creative expression and want to help expand the art community through Southern California and beyond, DigiFest is definitely a CAN'T MISS event!!!

    April 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your entries into DigiFest Temecula! We hope to grow more each year and encourage digital artists to submit their work. to us. We strive for speakers who will inspire and entertain. We are glad to hear how much you enjoyed your time here.