Golden Gate International Film Festival (GGIFF) is supported by AMC Independent and NBC Bay area. GGIFF, powered by Net Effect Media Inc. is dedicated to all talented content creators world-wide, who have an excellent opportunity to showcase their talent.

Nov 3-5, 2023 - Screenings of the nominated films will be held at the AMC theater during the first 3 days of the festival. The in-theater screenings would include Q&A sessions, after each slot and a red carpet Award Ceremony/Dinner at 7:30pm on Nov 5, 2023.

Nov 6-12, 2023 - Screenings of the nominated films, will then move to online streaming (optional) for the rest of the festival dates. The online screenings would be an On-demand feature available for streaming for all 7 days.

Nov 13-Dec 31, 2023 - An optional feature where select films will be screened and compete for 3 Audience Choice Awards (TOP 3).

Submitters can opt out of the online streaming or/and the Audience Choice Awards, if they prefer in-theater screening only. You don't have to decide now, you can change or decide your preference on or before the FINAL submission deadline of entries, closer to the festival dates in 2023.

While we hope that the pandemic will not deprive all of us of the AMC big screen and the red carpet experience, but they will be subject to and in line with the guidelines laid out by the authorities, applicable during the scheduled dates of the event. This may include transforming the entire festival to be virtual with online screenings, Q&A sessions, & Award Ceremony.

*New* GGIFF 2022 introduced a new option "Assured Screening". What is Assured Screening? Assured screening guarantees your submission a screening irrespective of your film being selected or nominated. If you want to opt for "Assured Screening", please select the "Assured Screening" option in the category of your film, at the time of submission. If you opt for a regular submission., then please select the regular submission option in the category of your film.

GGIFF congratulates all the nominees and winners listed on: www.goldengateinternationalfilmfestival.com

Net Effect Media, Inc., a film distribution company, has distributed and marketed over 250 films in Theaters, Home Video, TV, PPV, VOD and streaming over the past 20 years.

The festival jury comprises of executives from distribution companies with a singular focus; We are looking for that next diamond in the rough, the next Paranormal Activity, Blair Witch or My Big Fat Greek Wedding! GGIFF is committed to providing opportunities to all content creators from around the world and to introduce their work to the broadest possible audience.

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Film
Best Actor (Male)
Best Actor (Female)
Best Director
Best Horror / Sci-Fi
Best Thriller/Action
Best Animation
Best Foreign Film
Best LGBT
Best Student Film
Best Music Video
Best Documentary Film
Best Documentary (Short)
Best Short Film
Best Travel Documentary
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Visual Effects
Best Original Music Score
Best Screenplay
Best New Media / Web Series
Jury Awards
Audience Choice Awards (Top 3)

Rules & Terms

Entries must be no more than five years, since produced.
All entries must be sent online only and password protected is preferred but not mandatory. The online link must be marked with Film Title, Submission category and phone number. Your phone number and email is where we contact you, whenever necessary.
Non-English submissions must be either subtitled or dubbed. Translated dialogues on a separate sheet or any other format will not be accepted.
The entry fee is per submission.
On selection of your film for the Festival, you will be required to submit a non-returnable Blue-Ray DVD or DCP.
Please waive the signature requirement when shipping the Blue-Ray copy to us.
Submitted entries/media will not be returned.
By submitting your film, you are hereby granting GGIFF the right to utilize any excerpt from the submission and acceptance for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.
Any individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to submit the film for screening, understands and accepts the regulations and requirements .
GGIFF and/or NEM reserve the right to refuse or reject entries at any stage during the festival, without giving any reason.
On submission, the undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless, GGIFF and/or NEM from and against any or 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.
59 Reviews
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Networking
  • Robert Craig

    This a great festival. We were happy to be a part of this with our screenplay submission. We were especially happy to win an award for our screenplay. Go Go Film Festival! Thanks for a great experience.

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Robert!

  • David Boo

    It's been a great honor to be part of GGIFF 2022. Thank you to the team at GGIFF for hosting the event and sharing my film 'Junho' to the world. This festival has stellar Q&A and wonderful people who genuinely care about indie cinema.

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, David! 'Junho' certainly deserved all the recognition. We look forward to your next film!

  • Charlie Lyon Budden

    Thank you so much to the whole GGIFF team for spending the time to watch and review my film 'Oh, Little Spark!' and for giving me a platform to show my film to the world. I am privileged to have received 2 awards at your festival (Best Foreign Short and Best Actress) and I will be submitting again with my future projects!

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Charlie. 'Oh, Little Spark!' deserved both the Awards!

  • Robert Ellenwood

    Graniterock's Green Journey was selected for the 2022 GGIFF. Such an honored to be selected among other great filmmakers whom submitted such an amazing lineup for this years festival. The Team at GGIFF was top notch, communication was above and beyond what we are normally use to on the circuit. I cant say enough about how professional this festival was manage and presented. This is the Gold Standard of film festivals. Thank you team GGIFF for selecting our submission for this years festival!
    Cheers,
    Robert

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Robert. The Audience enjoyed watching your film, as much as all of at GGIFF did!

  • Joseph Dionisio

    With all the focus on script technique, coverage, contests and festival events, it's easy to forget that screenwriting is ultimately about the people you'll encounter. Festival director Kapil Sethi was exceptionally helpful to me. He was generous with his time when I had questions, he phoned me directly after I was fortunate enough to be named an "Official Selection" at Golden Gate IFF, and he even did me a personal favor when I endured a hiccup. You couldn't ask for a nicer interaction.

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Joseph! Best wishes from all of us at GGIFF.