CALL FOR ENTRIES

5TH ANNUAL
MIGRANT VOICES TODAY
FILM CHALLENGE

The San Diego Union-Tribune, The San Diego Union-Tribune en Español and Media Arts Center San Diego’s 30th Anniversary San Diego Latino Film Festival (March 9-19, 2023) invites international media artists and journalists to participate in the unique and on-going cross-border project: Migrant Voices Today Film Challenge (Voces de los Migrantes).

This year’s Challenge will accept international film projects from all over the world.

We seek short-form films about the experiences of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers world-wide. Entries should reflect these realities and authentically convey the experiences of migrants. More than ever, we want filmmakers to capture history as it unfolds and be the record-keepers of migrant experiences in today’s world.

Entries are open to emerging filmmakers, emerging artists, professional filmmakers and media artists. The following prizes will be awarded:

First place – $3,000
Second place – $2,000
Third place – $1,000

$6,000 in cash prizes to be awarded

Finalists’ work will be highlighted online at the sandiegouniontribune.com/migrantvoices

Deadline: Feb. 10, 2023.

Enter your video at: filmfreeway.com/migrantvoices

Info: (619) 230-1938 / info@mediaartscenter.org

Videos must be 5 minutes or less and can be in any language. Entries in a language other than English must be subtitled in English. Failure to provide these subtitles will result in your entry being disqualified. We will be accepting entries from anywhere in the world. Short documentaries and digital stories are encouraged but all genres will be accepted (i.e., experimental, news pieces, etc.)

Media Arts Center San Diego’s San Diego Latino Film Festival team will oversee the selection of nominees and winners. The jury will include a selection of cross-border scholars, filmmakers, journalists and photographers. Finalists will be announced on March 1, 2023, and their works screened at the 30th annual San Diego Latino Film Festival, March 9-19, 2023.

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at a special premiere screening and discussion on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Screening will be in-person and/or virtual depending on current COVID-19 regulations.

Entries must be uploaded via FilmFreeway and accompanied with synopsis of work, stills of video project and bio(s) of key artists/filmmakers. International filmmakers, journalists, and media artists are welcome to participate. Dates subject to change. For official rules visit filmfreeway.com/migrantvoices.

NEW Awards for 2023 include:

First place – $3,000
Second place – $2,000
Third place – $1,000

Finalists videos will be Exhibited on the San Diego Union Tribune website & screened at the 30th Anniversary San Diego Latino Film Festival (March 9-19, 2023).

Videos must be 5 minutes or less and can be in any language. Entries in a language other than English must be subtitled in English. Failure to provide these subtitles will result in your entry being disqualified.

We will be accepting entries from anywhere in the world. Short documentaries and digital stories are encouraged but all genres will be accepted (i.e., experimental, news pieces, etc.)

Media Arts Center San Diego’s San Diego Latino Film Festival team will oversee the selection of nominees and winners. The jury will include a selection of cross-border scholars, filmmakers, journalists and photographers. Finalists will be announced
on March 1, 2023, and their works screened at the 30 th annual San Diego Latino Film Festival, March 9-19, 2023.

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at a special premiere screening and discussion on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Screening will be in-person and/or virtual depending on current COVID-19 regulations.
Entries must be uploaded via FilmFreeway and accompanied with synopsis of work, stills of video project and bio(s) of key artists/filmmakers. International filmmakers, journalists, and media artists are welcome to participate. Dates subject to change.

For official rules visit filmfreeway.com/migrantvoices.
Images courtesy of San Diego Latino Film Festival

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • I was thrilled to have my animated short, "Love Has No Borders" awarded first place in the Migrant Voice Today portion of the Festival! They are kind and generous and encouraging to filmmakers who hope to show the faceless immigrants on the news as real human beings in extraordinary circumstances.

    June 2023
  • Richard E Haywood

    I'm glad I submitted to this wonderful festival.

    March 2023
  • Dario Guerrero

    SDLFF is always professional and fun. Great networking with cross border artists and a hearty prize roster for winners! Exposure through the San Diego union tribune is also good. Submit!

    March 2023
  • Marco Biotto

    Excited to be a part of this festival!

    August 2022
  • Marlene Morris

    The guidelines for this Challenge prompted submission of powerful stories and the San Diego Latino Film Festival screened an inspiring program of the finalists. Staff with Migrant Voices were very warm, communicative and organized. Overall a very positive experience for filmmakers.

    May 2019