GILA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL: A MICROBUDGET FILM FESTIVAL
The Gila Valley Film Festival is dedicated to providing opportunities for filmmakers working with micro, ulta low, and low budgets to compete, to network, and to screen their films. We only accept Student Films and Short Films made with a budget of $5,000 or less and Feature Films made with a budget of $50,000 or less. Categories are organized by length and the region where they were made--not by their content. We accept narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, and other types of films. They will compete against each other based on quality, length (e.g., student films, short films, and feature films) and region (Arizona, United States, and International). We have organized the festival this way to provide the greatest opportunity for budget filmmakers to compete on an even playing field. For example, student filmmakers from Arizona are competing against other student filmmakers from Arizona, etc.
Gila Valley Film Festival is a family-friendly event. As such, film submissions should be appropriate for a family-friendly audience--think a PG13 equivalent or lower (e.g., moderate violence and profanity are acceptable. No sex or nudity will be accepted. Some themes may be deemed too mature regardless of violence, profanity, or nudity).
While you attend the festival, consider attending our partner event--Safford Spring Festival just one block away! Safford Spring Festival is a wine, history, and culture festival with wine tastings, food trucks, live music, and more.
Awards will be given for the following categories:
OVERALL
Best of Festival
FEATURE FILMS*
Best Feature Film (Arizona)
Best Feature Film (United States)
Best Feature Film (International)
Audience Award for Best Feature Film
*All feature films selected to screen during the festival will be awarded a meeting with Burning Bulb Publishing (a feature film distributor specializing in microbudget films).
SHORT FILMS
Best Short Film (Arizona)
Best Short Film (United States)
Best Short Film (International)
Audience Award for Best Short Film
STUDENT FILMS
Best Student Film (Arizona)
Best Student Film (United States)
Best Student Film (International)
Audience Award for Best Student Film
Note: Awards given may change based on the number and quality of submissions.