Golden Gate International Film Festival (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.

*NEW: In celebration of our 5th Anniversary, a new feature "Assured Screening" has been added for all submissions (except screenplays). Opting for an Assured Screening guarantees that your submission will be screened. Your submission will remain in competition, whether or not you opt for an Assured Screening. This, however does not, in any way, influence your submission being selected, nominated or getting an award. Slots for Assured Screenings are limited & are allotted on a first-come-first-serve-basis.

GGIFF congratulates all the nominees and winners of 2019 listed on the website www.goldengateinternationalfilmfestival.com

GGIFF is powered by Net Effect Media, Inc., a film distribution company, that has distributed and marketed over 250 films in Theaters, Home Video, TV, PPV, VOD and through Apps in past 19 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.

*In view of the current pandemic, GGIFF 2020 event flow will be subject to and in line wth guidlines laid out by the authorities, applicable during the scheduled dates of the event.

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

Rules & Terms

Entries must be no more than five years, since produced.
All entries must be sent online only and password protected. The online link must be marked with Film Title, Submission category and phone number.
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 entries 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.
34 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Paprika Leaverton

    Very much appreciated the hospitality and support of independent filmmakers. The organizers were very appreciative of my Film ‘Hiko in Tonga’ and awarded it Best Travel Documentary. I am grateful they saw the importance of this film and the jurors did speak with me about how much they loved the film and how it gave them a deep appreciation of the lives of the women in Tonga. The vanishing culture of Women Jugglers (Hiko) is the theme of the movie and the goal is to keep Hiko alive.
    The award is very appreciated and gives me a launching pad to connect with the Tongan communities across the world to let them know the importance of this cultural dance, game and competition. Thanks to Kapil and to everyone involved ! Hikofilm.com

    November 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Paprika!

  • Alfonso Moreno

    Good communication. Great festival. Very nice.

    November 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Alfonso!

  • Michael Boston

    Pleasantly surprised to find, and be a part of this terrific festival, this year. Mr. Sethi and staff hold a very professional event with screenings at a beautiful modern theater and I felt incredibly welcomed here. Lots of filmmaker feedback with interviews in the theater lobby and once again at the dinner/ceremonies. Really impressed with the quality and overall value of the closing night event. Held in a beautiful Hotel banquet room, fine food and drink and a huge screen behind the winners' podium displays the posters of all the nominees. Great films to watch and the people here are so accommodating! Overall... 5 stars!

    November 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Michael!

  • Fay Gauthier

    Had a wonderful couple days at this very well organized festival. Kapil is kind and gracious and a keeps you in the loop throughout the whole process. Got a chance to network with a good mix of filmmakers and an extra nice perk is the additional exposure you get from interviews with the local NBC affiliate. I highly recommend.

    November 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Fay!

  • Rob George

    I had couple of great days in San Jose. The festival is in an excellent venue and there was some very interesting films screened. Kapil is a great communicator and while the screenings need a bit more breathing space so that the audience has time between each session it was generally very well organised. I was delighted that my film, "The Battle For Jericho", was a finalist in the Best Feature Film and Best Foreign Film categories and that our star, Genevieve Mooy, won Best Actor (female). The Festival is still developing and I am sure it will continue to go from strength to strength.

    October 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Hope you had a safe flight back to Australia, Rob...
    Thanks much for your comments!

    GGIFF 2020 will be a 3-day festival instead of 2, with ample time between each slot. Submissions open in a few days, with some exciting new options.