The Monterey County Arts Expo is a multimedia exposition designed to demonstrate the collaborative nature of the central coast brought to you by the Pacific Grove Art Center. We are accepting submissions in a variety of categories to be screened all across venues in Pacific Grove California on September 20th 2025.

Genres:
Feature Length (+40 min)
Documentary Shorts
Pet Shorts
Music Videos
Drama Shorts
Horror Shorts
Experimental Shorts
International Shorts

Award winners are to be screened outside in Jewel Park, projected onto the wall of the Pacific Grove Library.

Filmmakers are also invited to various special events/panels throughout the day at both the PG Art Center and participating venues.

We look forward to seeing you!

Awards & Prizes

Best In Genre
Best Overall
Best Student Film
Best Youth Film
Best Actor
Awards Presented by Sponsors

Rules & Terms

All Welcome to Submit!

Who Can Submit:
Anyone can submit, especially local or community filmmakers.

Film Length:

Short Films: Under 40 minutes

Feature Films: Over 40 minutes

Genres Accepted:
Feature Films
Documentary Shorts
Pet Shorts
Music Videos
Drama Shorts
Horror Shorts
Experimental Shorts
International Shorts

Format:
Submit a digital file (like .mp4 or .mov).

Language:
Non-English films must have English subtitles.

Original Work:
You must own the rights to everything in your film (music, footage, etc.).

Deadline:
Submit by the posted deadline. Late submissions may not be accepted.

Entry Fee:
Some festivals charge a small fee. Some are free.

Screening Rights:
By submitting, you agree to let the festival screen your film.

Promotion:
The festival may use your film’s title, images, or clips for advertising.
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Vadir Sottelo

    🎬 As the director of The Resilience, I’m truly honored and grateful for our selection at the Monterey County Arts Expo. 🌊✨

    This festival stands out for its celebration of creativity, diversity, and the emotional power of art in all its forms. To have The Resilience featured among such inspiring works is both humbling and deeply meaningful.

    The film explores transformation through pain — how the body becomes a canvas for resistance, identity, and rebirth. Seeing it resonate within an event that values artistic expression reminds me why we create: to connect, to provoke, and to heal.

    Thank you to the Monterey County Arts Expo for embracing this story and for giving independent filmmakers a space to share their visions with the world.

    Vadir Sottelo

    November 2025
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  • Marco Mozzachiodi

    Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity. I hope to be able to attend in person next time. All the best.

    September 2025
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  • Levi Frazier III

    Awesome opportunity! This makes me want to continue to make high quality films.

    September 2025
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  • Jim Zounis

    It was such a great honor to have our Short selected to participate in the 'Monterey County Arts Expo'. Thank you all.

    September 2025
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  • Diane Kaufman

    Thank you so much for having the internationally award-winning animated short film, "Marble Me Free" be part of the Monterey County Arts Expo.

    September 2025
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