FOR ADDITIONAL NEWS OF THE 11TH ANNUAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION, GO TO THE SHORT FILM COMPETITION PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE!

Begun in 2014, Mountain Shadow Film Society currently has hundreds of active members. Our goal is to bring the best in international and independent filmmaking to Walnut Creek (EastBay/San Francisco). We screen films otherwise unavailable in local commercial theaters. This includes award-winning short films along with feature films, periodic live presentations by the filmmakers themselves, and opportunities to engage other film enthusiasts.

Our Annual Short Film Competition has become an exciting addition to our program, presented each September to Society members, their guests and the general public. The final program includes 8-12 Finalists, with a total running time of approximately 90-100 minutes in the program.

Awards & Prizes

ALL selected Finalists will receive the same $150 cash award! Audience balloting will determine Laurels for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place, with remaining Finalists receiving Finalist Laurels.

While selected Finalists cover their own required travel expenses, we do offer free weekend overnight accommodations and local transportation for those requesting it (including any traveling companion). In addition, we provide meal events for the Finalists to enjoy, including an After-Party!

Rules & Terms

Finalist agree to present their film in person at two screenings at our Walnut Creek theater venue (Saturday afternoon and evening, Sept. 20th).

IMPORTANT NOTES:
1) License release: Entrant to grant Mountain Shadow public performance rights to their film, to be included on the secure video link, free of charge. (The secure video link will be disabled after the shows.) Applicant further declares their work has taken care of all necessary permission use of any copyrighted material (e.g. music) used in their film. There are also other events for the Finalists to enjoy, including a Reception prior to the screenings, a Saturday brunch and Saturday night After Party.

Submission Fee: For the tenth year in a row, and — in keeping with our mission to support independent filmmaking -- there is NO SUBMISSION FEE. Criteria for submissions:

Submissions: Short Films (running time: 2 Minutes – 25 Minutes)

Categories: Animated, Live-action/ Narrative, or Documentary

How recent? The film should NOT have been completed any earlier than January 1, 2023. Films completed earlier than Jan. 1st, 2023 will not be considered.

Prior release restrictions: The film should not have been broadly screened in any commercial venue or public media (local PBS, for example): Prior festival screenings OK.

License release: Applicant grants Mountain Shadow public performance rights for its two shows, free of charge. Applicant further declares their work has taken care of all necessary permission use of any copyrighted material (e.g. music) used in their film.

Finalists will be selected by a Jury comprised of Mountain Shadow Film Society members and professional filmmakers (non-contestants).

All submissions selected as a Finalist will be notified by Aug. 8th, 2025.

Submission window opens: May 1, 2025

Submission window closes: July 15, 2025

Event Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Two identical shows: 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM.

43 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nicholas Nestor

    Gracious hosts and a passionate collection of filmmakers and attendees. A quality experience for any independent filmmaker.

    September 2024
    Helpful
  • Boris Schaarschmidt

    Well orgaznied festival not far from San Franciso. I enjoyed the interaction with the audience before and after the screenings. There was great communication leading up to the event and I was always informed. Everyone involved with the festival was extremely nice and I truly enjoyed the get-togethers. Thanks so much for including MOVING DAY this year.

    September 2024
    Helpful
  • Katarina Fink

    Wonderful event that gave filmmakers like myself a great opportunity to connect with film-goers and directors/producers alike. The hosts were extremely hospitable and made the day feel very special for both the audience and filmmakers. I'm honored to have had my film "AVENIR" selected as a finalist and be able to share my grandfather's story with the people of Walnut Creek.

    September 2024
    Helpful
  • Davis Sharp

    Gracious hosts of an excellent event.

    September 2024
    Helpful
  • Azad Azizyan

    An amazing festival with great hospitality. Thank you John and every member of Mountain Shadow for including our short documentary Kirk, The Blacksmith, in this year's program.

    September 2024
    Helpful