Don’t miss the Emeryville Film Festival, a celebration of Bay Area creativity and storytelling! On February 8, 2025, this one-day cinematic event will showcase the best of local filmmaking, featuring a diverse array of films that highlight the region’s innovative spirit and rich cultural tapestry. With carefully curated programming blocks, the festival brings together documentaries, animated features, and live-action narratives, all from local filmmakers.

The festival’s thematic blocks explore thought-provoking topics such as community resilience, innovation, environmental stewardship, and the vibrant diversity of the Bay Area. Highlights include 6 exciting blocks of curated content:

Beyond the Lamplight: Independent Works from Pixar Creators - Curator: Blake Bauman
The Past is Not Dead - Curator: Rick Tejada
In Search of Home - Curator: Jess Alvarenga
Berkeley Film Society - Curator: Isabella Miller
One and the Same - Curator: Sean D Johnson
Resilience and Reckoning - Curator: Theresa Fortune

What makes the Emeryville Film Festival special? It’s not just a film event – it’s a platform for local talent, providing filmmakers with the opportunity to connect with audiences and each other. The festival is hosted by the Rotten City Cultural District, a creative hub in Emeryville, known for its collaborations with iconic local institutions like Pixar Animation Studios and Jered’s Pottery.

Whether you’re a lifelong film lover, an aspiring filmmaker, or someone looking for an engaging day of thought-provoking cinema, the Emeryville Film Festival promises to offer something for everyone. Join us to experience local artistry at its finest, network with creatives, and be part of a celebration that champions the Bay Area’s unique cultural identity.

Awards & Prizes

Best of Fest Award per category, selected by a panel of industry professionals
Categories include:

Documentary Showcase: Powerful films that uncover untold stories and raise awareness of important social issues.
Animated Wonders: A visually stunning selection of animated films that push the boundaries of creativity.
Local Lives: Intimate live-action narratives that reflect the unique experiences and voices of Bay Area residents.

There will also be an Audience Award, decided by the attendees of the festival.

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility

Films of any genre and length are welcome to submit.

Submissions must have been completed in the past two years.

Films that have already been publicly released or distributed in theaters, streaming platforms, or other festivals are eligible for submission, unless otherwise specified.

Films submitted must not have been previously accepted or awarded by this festival.

2. Submission Fee

A non-refundable submission fee of $15 is required for each entry.

All submissions will be made on FilmFreeway.

Payment must be completed before submission will be processed.

Submission fees are not refundable under any circumstances.

3. Submission Formats

All films must be submitted digitally via FilmFreeway.

Acceptable file formats: MP4, MOV, AVI.

Films should be submitted with English subtitles if the primary language is not English.

For non-English films, an English translation of the script or dialogue is required.

4. Selection Process

Film selections are made by independent block curators.

Films will be judged based on artistic merit, creativity, storytelling, and technical execution.

The festival reserves the right to reject any film that does not meet the standards for quality or content.

The festival may request edits or updates to films selected for screening.

5. Publicity and Promotional Use

By submitting a film, you grant the festival the right to use stills, trailers, and excerpts of the film for promotional purposes, including social media, marketing materials, and the festival's website.

The festival may use the film title, director’s name, and film synopsis for marketing purposes.

6. Screening and Exhibition

Films accepted into the festival must be available for public screening during the scheduled festival dates.

The festival will not cover travel, accommodation, or any other expenses for filmmakers or cast.

A screening schedule will be provided, and filmmakers are encouraged to attend the event, though attendance is not mandatory.

7. Rights and Ownership

The filmmaker certifies that they hold all rights to the film and its content, including but not limited to music, visuals, and trademarks.

The festival is not responsible for any claims related to copyright infringement.

8. Code of Conduct

Filmmakers are expected to act in a professional manner throughout the submission process and festival event.

Any offensive or inappropriate behavior may result in the disqualification of the film or the filmmaker from the festival.

9. Refunds and Cancellations

All fees are non-refundable.

If the festival is canceled or postponed, the festival will notify filmmakers as soon as possible. In such cases, a new submission deadline or refund policy may be announced.

10. Liability

The festival is not responsible for any lost or damaged films during the submission or screening process.

The festival assumes no liability for errors or omissions in the festival program.

11. Acceptance of Terms

By submitting to the festival, you acknowledge and accept these rules and terms.