The Nogales International Film Festival, hosted in both Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, and Nogales, Arizona, USA, is an international celebration of diversity and culture. It aims to bring art and hope to a city divided by a border wall. The festival's main event, FILM ON THE FENCE, utilizes both sides of the border wall to create a single cinema screen, hosting viewers on both sides.

Launched in 2010, the Nogales International Film Festival, also known as the Borderland Film Festival, seeks to reshape perceptions of border towns and strengthen connections between Nogales, Arizona, and Sonora. The festival showcases films that explore border issues, foster cross-cultural exchanges, and inspire and entertain, symbolizing hope and dreams. It welcomes all types of films and documentaries.

The festival features screenings on both sides of the US-Mexico border, emphasizing the unifying power of culture. Since its inception, the festival has grown, drawing diverse audiences and adapting events to pandemic conditions in 2020. The 2023 edition returned with acclaimed films and strong community support from Sonora and Arizona. In 2025, the festival aims to unite communities further, using the Nogales border as a symbol of unity, while focusing on stories that entertain, enlighten, and connect across divides.

Our festival offers a dynamic mix of indoor and outdoor screenings, educational workshops, and networking opportunities, creating an immersive experience for filmmakers and film lovers alike.

Festival Schedule
Tuesday, April 29: Registration Night
The festival kicks off with our Registration Night, where filmmakers, attendees, and guests can check in, receive festival materials, and mingle during our welcome mixer.

Wednesday, April 30: Student Showcase
The day is dedicated to showcasing the next generation of talent. Student films from local and regional schools will be screened, followed by Q&A sessions and a celebration of young filmmakers.

Thursday, May 1 – Saturday, May 3: Film on the Fence
Our signature event, Film on the Fence, features stunning outdoor screenings projected onto a historic section of the U.S.-Mexico border fence. This one-of-a-kind cinematic experience runs each evening, offering a truly unforgettable setting under the stars.

Daily Indoor Screenings
Films from around the world will be screened throughout each day at our indoor venue providing a traditional theater experience for attendees.

Workshops and Networking Events
Each day, industry professionals will lead hands-on workshops and Q&A's. Dedicated networking sessions allow filmmakers and attendees to build connections and foster collaborations.

Saturday, May 3: Closing Events
Join us for the final Film on the Fence screening and a celebratory closing night party to conclude this incredible week.

Why Attend?
The Nogales International Film Fest is more than just a celebration of film—it’s a platform for storytelling that bridges cultures, highlights regional voices, and inspires the next generation of creators. Attendees can expect engaging discussions, exciting film premieres, and an unforgettable cultural experience in the vibrant community of Nogales.

Join us for this extraordinary event that blends art, education, and connection in one of the most unique settings imaginable.

Laurels will be send out to all accepted films.

ELIGIBILITY
Open to independent works of all lengths in the following categories: narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental.
Films and videos entered in the festival must have been completed between January 2020 and January 2025.
Films must be Arizona premiere to be eligible for the Film on the Fence Screening.
Films must be in English or have English subtitles if in another language.
English and Spanish subtitles are required for Film on the Fence events.
Films featuring violence and sexual content cannot be showcased during Film on the Fence but are eligible for other screenings.

SPECIAL ENTRIES
Filmmakers based in Southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, are eligible for free entry.
To request a free entry code, email info@soazfilm.org with your name, location, and film details.

EXHIBITION FORMATS
Films accepted for the festival must be submitted in .mp4 or .mov format.
Files can be provided via download link or flash drive.

CATEGORIES
Entries must be submitted in one of the following categories:

Feature (Narrative, Animated, Experimental): Over 45 minutes
Documentary Feature: Over 45 minutes
Narrative Short (Dramatic, Comedy, Animated, Experimental): Up to 45 minutes
Documentary Short: Up to 45 minutes
High School Student Short: Up to 45 minutes

The pre-screening committee reserves the right to change the category of an entry if it is in the best interest of the filmmaker. Awards will be given to the Best in Each Category. An additional award, Best of the Borderlands, will be given to a Southern Arizona or Sonora entry.

Judging
All submitted entries will be reviewed by media panels and evaluated for content, form, and technical aspects.
Finalists will be determined by panel members and the festival director and notified via email.
Judges may choose not to select a winner in any given category. All decisions are final.

ENTRY PROCEDURES
Submit a filmfreeway screener or download link.
An entry fee must be paid for each submission unless eligible for free entry as a Southern Arizona or Sonora filmmaker.
All entry materials must be received by April 12, 2025.

PUBLICITY MATERIALS
Entrants should submit press kits, posters, and publicity photos (300 dpi preferred) with their entries once selected. Materials can be electronic or physical.

DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
Selected filmmakers will be informed of download or shipping instructions for their exhibition copies.
Finalists must provide their exhibition copy no later than April 17, 2025.
Clearly label all materials with the film title.

LOSS OR DAMAGES
Every effort will be made to safeguard entries, but the festival cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage.

AGREEMENT
Submission of a film constitutes agreement with these rules and implies ownership or legal permission to exhibit the work during the festival. The festival does not pay screening fees for submitted films.