The internationally renowned Mill Valley Film Festival offers a high-profile, prestigious environment perfect for celebrating the best in independent and world cinema. MVFF (the oldest fall film festival in California) remains committed to celebrating film and filmmakers and offering the highest resources and production elements possible, whatever challenges the world throws our way. We are approaching 2024 with the same commitment to quality and openness to opportunity as we plan for our showcase of new cinema at MVFF47

With a reputation for launching new films and creating awards season buzz, MVFF has a knack for spotting emerging talent as well as drawing legendary artists. Known as the filmmaker's festival, MVFF annually welcomes more than 300 filmmakers and guests from around the world, whether online or in person, and has hosted such luminaries as Nicole Kidman, Barry Jenkins, Laura Dern, Ang Lee, Viola Davis, Todd Haynes, Mira Nair, Danny Trejo, Pawel Pawlikowski, Brie Larson, Regina King, Kenneth Branagh, Karyn Kusama, Steve McQueen and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

MVFF accepts short and feature length work in the following categories: narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, family films and youth produced. Festival selections include fiction and non-fiction films both domestic and international, features and shorts, with an emphasis on premieres that are launching into the US market.

Initiatives at MVFF are Mind the Gap, which champions gender equity and intersectionality; Active Cinema, a selection of impact-driven documentaries; and Viva el Cine!, a celebration of cinema from Latin American and Hispanic artists and cultures.

The nonprofit California Film Institute celebrates and promotes film by presenting the annual Mill Valley Film Festival and DocLands Documentary Film Festival, exhibiting film year-round at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center and building the next generation of filmmakers and audiences through CAFilm Education. For more information please visit www.cafilm.org or call 415.383.5256.

In conjunction with its gender equity initiative Mind the Gap, MVFF became a signatory to the international 5050x2020 Pledge, initiated at Cannes, in 2018.

The Mind the Gap Creation Prize: All first- or second-time North American Mind The Gap filmmakers (women and non-binary filmmakers) screening their narrative or documentary feature-length film at Mill Valley Film Festival are eligible to be considered for a $10,000 prize to use at their discretion.

In addition, MVFF's filmgoers select Audience Favorite Awards for Narrative Feature (US and World), Documentary Feature and Children's/Family Feature.

Please make sure your entry form is complete (see bottom section of Festival Rules marked "IMPORTANT!" for details). A separate form and entry fee is required for each submission. For submissions in the Youth Produced category (works by filmmakers 18 years old and younger) please submit to the Youth Produced category.

ENTRY MATERIALS
Only online submissions accepted.

PROGRAMMING REQUIREMENTS
Programming emphasizes premieres and new works in categories including features, shorts, documentaries, animation, experimental and children/family.

• Feature-length entries (50 minutes and over) receiving theatrical release, TV broadcast, screening at other California Festivals and venues or are available for purchase on DVD or online (e.g. iTunes, video on demand, etc.) prior to MVFF's dates will not be considered. Feature-length entries receiving a theatrical or festival screening in the San Francisco Bay Area prior to or within one month following MVFF dates will not be considered for the Festival. Exceptions will be made under special circumstances. Please contact our office if you agree to any other screenings directly before or after MVFF, other than those listed on your application.
• MVFF does not pay rental fees. Instead, our resources are invested in the production and promotion of the best possible showcase for your work. For theatrical runs, films may subsequently be considered for our year-round venue, the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center.
• Films are often screened through the duration of the festival
• Industrial, promotional or instructional films are not eligible.
• Films must have been completed within 15 months of festival dates (after July 1, 2022). Previously submitted works are not eligible for re-submission.
• Features, especially World Premieres, may be accepted for late submission. To request a deadline extension, please call our office (415-526-5839) or email mvff@cafilm.org.
• Filmmakers are responsible for providing a good quality print for their screening(s). See EXHIBITION FORMATS for requirements.
• Filmmakers will be notified via email of entry status by approximately September 16, 2023.
• Once a film is submitted it may not be withdrawn.
• If selected to screen in the festival, you may be asked to provide an electronic press kit.

EXHIBITION FORMATS
Filmmakers are responsible for providing a DCP.

SHIPPING INFORMATION/EXHIBITION PRINTS
Exhibition prints must be sent to the Festival prepaid. The Festival will cover return shipping via FedEx, DHL, UPS or US Mail, unless other arrangements are requested.

In case or loss or damage during the Festival, the responsibility of the Festival is limited to the costs of repair or replacement of the print only.

Media are insured for up to $100 per entry when shipping out. While all entries are packaged with extreme care, the Festival is not responsible for loss or damage to prints in transit.

ENTRY CHECKLIST:
The following must be included for each entry:
- Entry Form (Accepted online through FilmFreeway, 1 per entry)
- Online screener
- Entry Fee (Accepted online through FilmFreeway)

Optional materials:
- Brief Synopsis
- Filmmaker Bio and/or Filmography
- Press Kit
- Stills

IMPORTANT!

It is necessary to have the following information filled out in your FilmFreeway filmmaker account in order to ensure that we can process your submission quickly and efficiently. Not having this information already available in your account may cause a delay in the processing of your submission.

Please be sure the following information is readily available in your FilmFreeway filmmaker account!

English title (with English article if necessary)

Under Submission Contact section (Click on "PREFERENCES" on the left-hand side of the screen):
First name
Surname
Address 1
City
State
Zip
Country
Phone1/ Type
email 1

Under Production Info section:
Submission
Submission Date
Director
Producer
Origin Country
Premiere
Run time
Completion year

Throughout the listing (i.e. Niches, Formats, etc.):
Film Type
Preview Format
Production Format
Exhibition Format
Color
Aspect Ratio
Sound Format
Applicant Acceptance (Release)

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Cara Yeates

    Mill Valley was a really special film festival for us. We were honored to be included in such fabulous programming. The hospitality was amazing, and the team running the festival was kind, supportive, and accessible. Our days were packed with wonderful films, panels, hikes, and parties. I hope we can return!

    March 2024
  • Paul Hollingsworth

    A great festival with excellent programming.

    Thank you for selecting our film Weirdos in your short films block.

    November 2023
  • A vibrant and multifaceted festival. Especially appreciate all the thoughtful and enthusiastic consideration that is given to short independent films like my entry. More networking opportunities than I could take advantage of. This is a very impressive organization with genuine love of film and film makers.

    November 2022
  • Ellie Foumbi

    I can't say enough about this festival. It's incredible! They take such good care of everyone. My screenings were magical.

    November 2022
  • The best shorts program I have experienced at a festival. Everything about MVFF is top-tier when it comes to curating some of the best independent films from around the world and an overall experience for its festival-goers and filmmakers.

    October 2022