The Syracuse International Film Festival's will be hosting its 21st edition this year September 20-22, 2024 and will hold it's New Filmmakers Showcase in November 2024. The festival aims to bring the film industry to Syracuse, NY and teach local youth about the value of cinema's interdisciplinary and international appeal. The festival's New Filmmaker's Showcase's date is yet to be announced.

SIFF will showcase films from around the world, carefully curated for the main program. The festival is excited to return this year and present some of the greatest content from all over the world, the country, and New York State.

Films of any genre and subject are eligible, including Narrative, Animation, Experimental, and Music Videos. Music Videos will be judged based on the creative quality and concept of the visual aesthetic.

For more information on the festival, please contact Festival President Michelle DiBernardo at Michelle@SyrFilm.com or visit www.SyracuseFilmFestival.com.

Awards & Prizes

Official selections will be provided with SIFF laurels. Monetary prizes and non-monetary citations will be given for the top films selected by the jury, depending on the availability of funds. Prize categories will be announced at a forthcoming date after submissions close.

Rules & Terms

Please read carefully. Failure to result in the following rules and terms will result in automatic disqualification.

- Films may only be submitted thorough FilmFreeway.
- Submissions are open to students currently enrolled at Syracuse University, Syracuse NY for the "Syracuse University New Filmmakers' Showcase" category. Submitted films to the "Syracuse University New Filmmaers' Showcase" category must have been completed on or after January 1st, 2020. Submissions are open to ALL students for the "New Filmmakers International" category. Submitted films to the "New Filmmakers International" category must have been completed on or after January 1st, 2022.
- Films may be submitted to more than one category.
- All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted.
- Submission fees will increase incrementally as we near the final deadline for the New Filmmakers International category.
- We must have a link to your film in order to review it. Hard copies and/or files requiring download will not be considered. However, if your film is selected for screening, we will contact you for a high-quality, downloadable copy.
- Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. SIFF expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.
- Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.
- Students must send verification of their student status with a picture of your valid university identification. Please send an email to trent@syrfilm.com with this information to supplement your submission.
- We reserve the right to use stills, posters, and descriptions for promotional purposes.
- Unless the submitter objects at the time of submission, officially selected films will be shown online for a limited term of two weeks through our website, SyrFilm.com in September / October 2023, so that the area community and the worldwide public have an opportunity to view them. In addition, SIFF may contact filmmakers to offer additional screening opportunities on our website and/or other venues.
- SIFF does not pay additional charges for originals, masters, or special prints.
1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Gabriel Ponte-Fleary

    As a Deaf filmmaker with 2 films screening on this festival I was disappointed on not being able to attend due to the lack of accessibility, as soon as I heard I was accepted to this festival I got excited to represent RIT and the Deaf community and right away I did contact them regarding my needs for access (ASL interpreter) and even I did offer my help and guidance on the topic more than once.

    3 days away from the festival I got this response "Unfortunately we do not have the budget. I have reached out to multiple organizations and have not received a response. Definitely something I would like to look more into for the future." Which I was surprised since I offered my help and this festival is called Syracuse University's New Filmmakers Showcase and according to Syracuse University’s website Accessible Syracuse “Syracuse University is an inclusive community. We aspire to provide an equitable experience for all, including individuals with disabilities.”

    I appreciate the willingness to "look more into the future" and I hope the festival really does, but the present is now and the opportunity to watch both of my films in the same festival for the first time and for networking with other filmmakers was gone.

    The National Association of the Deaf (“NAD”) seeks to ensure that all hosts of events, such as festivals and concerts, understand their legal obligations with respect to serving deaf and hard of hearing attendees. The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) has clear mandates requiring such places to provide effective communication to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. Hosts who violate such provisions are subject to legal action and have been the focus of litigation by the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”), as was the case in United States v. Sledge,
    Inc.. Settlement Agreement, United States v. Sledge, Inc. (2015), No. 202-35-116.

    November 2023
    Helpful