The Glendale International Film Festival is a celebration of the art of filmmaking and the contribution of the cinematic arts to our culture. Celebrating 9 years, GIFF is dedicated to uniting the world through film and is a platform for filmmakers in all stages of their careers locally, nationally, and globally.

The eight-day festival will take place in person from Thursday, September 28-Thursday, October 5, 2023 in Glendale, CA (Los Angeles County) and will feature screenings, special programs, Q&As, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with fellow industry professionals.

The Glendale International Film Festival is presented by Glendale Arts, the city's premier arts organization.

Submit your projects today and we'll look forward to seeing you in September!

PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST FEE WAIVERS. WE CANNOT GRANT WAIVERS AT THIS TIME.

BEFORE YOU SUBMIT:

1. The Glendale International Film Festival screens on DCP (Digital Cinema Package). Please do not submit to GIFF if you cannot provide the Festival with a DCP or convert through SimpleDCP.

2. Studios and Sales Agents: Please do not submit to GIFF if you require a fee for screening at the festival.

Categories for Awards

Feature Film (any genre 40 minutes or more)
- Best Feature Film
- Best International Feature Film
- Best Animation Feature Film

Short Film (any genre up to 40 minutes)
- Best Short Film
- International Short Film
- Best Animation Short Film

Best Short Short (any genre up to 10 minutes)

Best Horror / Thriller

Student Film
- Best Student Film - any genre, any length
- Best Student Music Video (under 5 minutes)

The Velvet Award - Named for Glendale International Film Festival Founder Velvet Rhodes, The Velvet Award will be presented to an outstanding female filmmaker.

Best Feature Screenplay (40 pages or more)
Best Short Screenplay (up to 40 pages)

1. All entries must be delivered by stated dates. Late entries cannot be considered.
2. Entrant must provide an email and phone number as contact information.
3. Entrant warrants that there are NO DISPUTES regarding the ownership of their submitted film. If there is a dispute, the film will be disqualified.
4. Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry into the Festival and to use all music, images, and content in the entry.
5. No project is definitively and officially accepted until our hard-copy contract is signed by the project's producer(s).
6. Entrant will allow usage of clips from the entry and all related publicity material submitted for promotional use on television, radio, print, web, and at live Festival events.
7. All decisions made by judges, programmers, and organizers will be final, and NO REFUND of entry fee will be permitted.
8. The Glendale International Film Festival reserves the right to remove a film, project or screenplay from the festival program for any reason or for no reason, and shall not be liable for any refund or claims of any kind arising out of such removal. In case the film, project or screenplay in question is disqualified, or is unable to screen due to technical or operational difficulties, or if your film needs to be rescheduled, delayed, or removed from the program for any reason, the filmmaker (cast, crew or anyone involved with the project in question) are not entitled to any refund or damage claims of any kind.
9. Once accepted into the Glendale International Film Festival, a DCP version of your accepted film must be in the possession of the Glendale International Film Festival (date To Be Confirmed). If the DCP is not received by such date, entrant's project will not be screened and no extensions or refunds will be granted.

I hereby grant Glendale International Film Festival the unlimited right to utilize all production information, actor and key personnel likenesses, trailers, production photographs, posters, websites, etc., in any and all situations deemed necessary by the festival organizers, agents or promoters, for the expressed intention of publicizing the festival, without further license or permission from the filmmaker. All DCP formatted films are sent with no liability on the part of the Glendale International Film Festival as to damage to the DCP sled and if a replacement is needed, it is at entrant's cost.

Glendale International Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize footage and promotional materials supplied by the submitting agent from any film submitted and accepted film, video, or project for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. All accepted filmmakers agree that the Glendale International Film Festival may use footage from their projects in order to promote the festival, their film or the Festival event via print, web, and broadcast television. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Glendale International Film Festiva and its organizers, vendors, sponsors, and supporters from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Manvel Saribekyan

    Dear Glendale International Film Festival team,

    You are one of the best film festivals we have taken part in.

    Our team would like to thank you for the excellent organization of the festival, as well as all the members of the jury, thanks to whose decision our film "The American Good Samaritans" has been selected as an Selected in festival.

    I wish all of you a all the best for the festival and in your personal life.

    Best,

    Manvel Saribekyan,

    Film Producer.

    January 2023
  • One of the biggest highlights of 2022 was being selected for the GIFF Film Festival. Being honored as a WINNER of Best Short Variety for my web series, Meet Me at the Barre was the icing on top! My beautiful Crystal Award sits on my mantle as a reminder of all the hard work and dedication and the celebration we felt after the win, but it also serves as a reminder of the wonderful organizers I met, the volunteers, and the connections made with other passionate filmmakers. It was a pleasure and we'll be submitting again in the future. Thank you GIFF!!!

    December 2022
  • Armen Sarkisyan

    We really enjoyed attending GIFF this year! Huge thanks to Maria Sahakian, Glendale Arts and all organisers for bringing this wonderful event to the City of Glendale. We really appreciate the mayor of Glendale, Ardy Kassakhian, for paying a visit and highlighting how important is this event in the cultural life of the city.

    November 2022
  • Robin Russin

    This was a lovely festival focused on truly independent filmmaking. Wonderful, warm hosts, great venue, good screenings. My only negative is the price of submission, and paying for the awards after party, which also wasn't cheap. In the future I hope they can get these subsidized. Otherwise, an excellent experience!

    October 2022
  • As an independent filmmakers, we have attended many festivals but this one is absolutely on top our list. Everything was done in a very friendly and personal manner. Maria and her staff did a really great job to make sure everyone was warmly welcomed. The venue where our film was screened was top notch. It was amazing to watch our film on the big screen that was packed and sold out! We felt utmost respect and kindness as artists and film enthusiasts. Communication was so great! Would highly recommend to everyone looking for a great film festival to submit to. Definitely worth the entry fee, and even more!

    October 2022