*** We are a Comedy Film Festival in the California East Bay ***

We produce IN-PERSON FILM SCREENING EVENTS. We provide an immersive and personal experience for our visiting filmmakers and guests. In our programs, we include audience feedback and Q&As when filmmakers are present to represent their films. We help participating filmmakers expand their audience base and following through opportunities to mingle, communicate, and network with one another and our guests.

+++++OVERVIEW+++++

East Bay Comedy Festival is an IN-PERSON event located in the California Bay Area.

We are looking for projects within the genre of COMEDY from all countries. We are looking for Comedy of all types, including but not limited to Romantic Comedy, 'funny' Documentaries & mockumentaries, LGBTQ+ Comedy, Experimental Comedy, music videos, stand-up projects, Campy Horror Films, Dark Comedy, etc. If you've made something funny, we wanna check it out!

+++++IN-PERSON SCREENINGS +++++

Each Season, ALL Official Selections will be screened, in full, during at least one live in-person program(s). All in-person events are hosted by local entertainers experienced in stand-up comedy and audience engagement.

All filmmakers will be notified, in advance, when (& where) their films will be screened. We give FREE passes to participating filmmakers and discounted rates to their guests. Any filmmaker present during an in-person event when their film is screened will be given the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A with our guests.

+++ [updated] 2025 IN-PERSON FESTIVAL SCHEDULE +++

*** Sunday, August 17 ~ Oakland, California (The New Parkway Theater)
*** Thursday, August 21 ~ Oakland OR Emeryville, California (TBD)

+++++SUBMISSION/SELECTION DETAILS+++++

Each Submission Session, we will 'Officially Select' up to 40 total films.

All Official Selections will be announced on/before the Notification date.

A Select number of Official Selections, per Submissions Period, will be announced and posted on our registration page and our other social media platforms (IG, FB).

All Submissions are judged by credited filmmakers, film producers, and film lovers.

Awards & Prizes

UPDATED 03/09/25: NEW AWARD CATEGORIES
All Official Selections are rated and considered for the following main categories:

Best Comedy
Best LGBTQ+ Comedy**

**Best LGBTQ+ Comedy Film will be awarded, pending there are at least THREE Official Selections with LGBTQ+ focus in one Submissions period.

Awards will be given in the following sub-categories:

Best Director
Best Original Story
Best Cinematography
Best Performance
Best Editing

Rules & Terms

We accept films of any length made on/after January 1, 2020.

SUBMISSIONS
All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway. A separate Entry Form is required for each film being submitted. Each Season, we will select up to 40 films.

SUBMISSION FEES*
We encourage filmmakers to submit by our Early Bird Deadline before fees increase. Entry fees are non-refundable. *Submission fees help cover our rental costs and talent fees.

PREMIERE STATUS
All films are eligible regardless of their premiere status.

SCREENING FORMATS
We accept SD or HD formats at this time. Filmmakers shall provide a DCP at their expense, upon request. All non-English language films MUST have English subtitles. Closed-Captioning is strongly encouraged, though not required.

NOTIFICATION
Notifications will be made prior to or on our Notification dates.

AWARDS
All Official Selections are considered for Awards. Laurels will be provided to all Award Winners.

FILM SELECTION
All submissions will be reviewed in their entirety & rated by members of the Festival Screening Committee. The Screening Committee is composed of industry professionals, filmmakers, film producers, and movie lovers.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
With each submission, the submitter consents for the East Bay Comedy Festival to use up to 3 minutes of footage or photographic stills from the work for promotional purposes.

The East Bay Comedy Festival must be notified in writing of any press or photo restrictions.
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sam Hyatt

    The East Bay Comedy Festival is a fantastic forum to showcase your comedy short films! Robby is well-connected within the Bay Area and attracts a solid indie film-loving audience and screens at great local theaters. The filmmaker experience is top notch, with plenty of opportunities for networking and publicity.

    January 2025
    Helpful
  • Leo Rassool

    Was so happy to be a part of the East Bay Comedy Festival with my short 'Two of Us'. The owner was so very kind and courteous and helped me find multiple screening opportunities. Definitely would recommend this to any other filmmakers.

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Jackson Tropp

    While we were unable to attend the event, the festival director was very good with their communication, and the programming was awesome! The venue looked really cool, too!

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Alan Masa

    A fun event! I was welcomed as a special guest with a fun Q&A after the screening of my film. Met other filmmakers, actors, and happy to see other hilarious films that evening too!

    February 2024
    Helpful