For Over Two Decades, the Myrtle Beach International Film Festival (MBIFF) has celebrated cinematic excellence, showcasing exceptional films and filmmakers worldwide. Renowned for its commitment to Real Films, Real Art, and Real Passion, MBIFF is a favorite among filmmakers and film enthusiasts for submissions and attendance.
MBIFF champions unparalleled Freedom of Speech, having provided filmmakers a platform to display their work on a grand 55-foot screen in a premier theater. This fosters open dialogue, encouraging a free exchange of ideas and perspectives. Recognized as one of Movie Maker Magazine’s “Top 25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” MBIFF has also earned accolades such as a top-five festival to visit in South Carolina by Livability.com (2023), a highlight in Leisure Group Travel’s “Best Festivals in Myrtle Beach” (2023), and a spot among Trip101.com’s “Top 10 Festivals in Myrtle Beach” (2023).
Set for April 21–25, 2026, MBIFF 21 stands out for its dedication to the authentic spirit of film making. Founded by Jerry Dalton, the festival remains untainted by politics, offering independent filmmakers a pure venue to share their vision. Screenings have taken place in a state-of-the-art, multi-million-dollar theater, ensuring an unparalleled viewing experience.
MBIFF’s judging process is unique to the film festival world, featuring a panel from various walks of life—not just filmmakers—to ensure fair, balanced evaluations, rest assured there are two filmmakers on the panel, the founder Jerry Dalton and co-director Heather Mayes. This broad perspective avoids niche biases, providing every project an honest assessment and contributing to MBIFF’s reputation for one of the world’s best film lineups. The festival evaluates films for their ability to entertain or inform a wide audience.
At MBIFF, every attendee is family. We eagerly await your film or project submission and look forward to welcoming you to an unforgettable celebration of cinema!

Awards & Prizes

Trophies are awarded

Rules & Terms

Standard film festival rules apply.
You must own the work and not use another entities copyright.
You must have the legal authority to submit the project.
Legal Fair use is allowed for documentaries.
Projects selected will screen in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in April.
MBIFF reserves the right to determine eligibility of any project submitted.
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival (MBIFF) Submission Rules

Ownership and Copyright: You must own all rights to the submitted work and ensure it does not infringe on any third-party copyrights. You must have legal authority to submit the project.
Fair Use: Documentaries may incorporate legal fair use as permitted by applicable copyright law.
Availability: The project must not be publicly accessible online (e.g., free or paid platforms) or in distribution for paid viewership from the time of submission through the duration of the MBIFF in April.
Screening: Selected projects will be screened at the MBIFF in April. MBIFF reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any submitted project.
Rights and Permissions: The submitting filmmaker confirms they have secured all necessary rights for picture, sound, music, images, and content. Exhibition at MBIFF will not violate or infringe upon any third-party rights.
Promotional Use: By submitting, the filmmaker grants MBIFF the right to use clips, stills, posters, videos, and text from the project for promotional, archival, and other non-commercial purposes, both at the festival and online.
Screening Discretion: MBIFF has the right, but not the obligation, to screen any submitted work during the festival program.

MBIFF reserves the right to update or modify these rules as needed.
55 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jessica Sherr

    Thank you so much for screening Wicked Image! While we weren’t able to attend, we truly appreciate your excellent communication and support throughout the process.

    June 2025
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  • Dmytro Zavora

    Great festival! Great lineup! Honored and grateful for the win!

    May 2025
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  • Marc Anthony Massimei

    One of the best festivals I’ve attended. The quality of the films, the theater, and their communication and hospitality were exceptional. Jerry and Heather value quality filmmaking, compelling storytelling, and the filmmakers devoted to their craft. They go out of their way to promote filmmakers through press interviews, social media, and Q&A sessions following each block. Put simply, we are honored and thankful to have been a part of MBIFF, and I’m excited for its future and the future of the filmmakers attending. A heart felt thank you from the cast and crew of “Reviled”.

    May 2025
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  • Jorge Morais

    Although I wasn't able to attend in person, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the experience you provided at the 20th Myrtle Beach International Film Festival. We’re truly honored that our animated short, In Half, was selected for your program. Having our work showcased at such a prestigious festival fills us with joy and motivation.

    A sincere thank you to everyone on the festival team for this opportunity and for creating a space that celebrates and promotes creativity and talent in filmmaking. We look forward to participating in future editions and sharing our stories with an even wider audience.

    Thanks for making this wonderful cultural exchange possible!
    Best,
    In Half Team.

    May 2025
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  • Luca Pirero

    We are deeply honored and grateful to have been part of the 20th Myrtle Beach International Film Festival—and even more so to have received the Best Foreign Short Film and Best Actor awards for our project APART.

    From the moment we were selected, the festival team demonstrated exceptional availability, warmth, and support. The entire experience was flawlessly organized, with every detail handled with professionalism and care.

    What resonated most was the festival’s commitment to authentic storytelling and its open-minded, inclusive spirit. The programming highlighted a powerful diversity of voices and themes, and we felt truly seen and supported in sharing APART—a film that explores a delicate current subject.

    Our deepest thanks to Jerry Dalton and the entire MBIFF team for embracing our work and for creating a space where stories can be shared with honesty, vulnerability, and respect. Myrtle Beach is not just a festival—it’s a community we’re proud and grateful to be part of.

    With gratitude,
    The APART Team

    May 2025
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