NorCal International Film Festival is a quarterly film, television, and screenplay competition for filmmakers worldwide with LIVE SCREENINGS in the Silicon Valley, California greater metropolitan area.

Four times per year our jury of industry professionals will award the best in film, writing, acting and more through private screening events. We will publish interviews with the director of the winning Best Picture, as well as other winners at our discretion on our website. We will screen a selection of the winners at our live red carpet event at a beautiful venue in Silicon Valley, California-the center of technology and progress in the United States and an up and coming center for entertainment.

Your evening will begin with a red carpet step and repeat photo opportunity with a professional photographer. You will then have an opportunity to network with your fellow filmmakers, actors and industry professionals. Next, see your film on a big screen with all of your friends, family, cast and crew in attendance. It's sure to be a night to remember!
All winners receive a free certificate to print.

We award certificates in the following categories:

Awards & Prizes
Best Picture
Best Short Film 10 minutes and under
Best Short Film 10-20 minutes
Best Short Film 20-30 minutes
Best Short Film 30-45 minutes
Best Narrative Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Horror
Best Thriller
Best Action
Best Sci-Fi
Best Fantasy Film
Best Crime Film
Best Mystery Film
Best Musical
Best Parody
Best Western
Best Film Noir
Best Women's Empowerment Film Under 30 minutes
Best Women's Empowerment Film Over 30 minutes
Best Social Issue Film
Best Political Issue Film
Best Documentary Feature
Best Documentary Short
Best Animation
Best Web Series
Best TV Series
Best Music Video
Best Experimental Film
Best Inspirational Film
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Teen Actor
Best Teen Actress
Best Child/Young Actor
Best Child/Young Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Ensemble
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best Original Song
Best First Time Director
Best Student Director
Best Student Film
Best TV Series
Best Sound Design
Best Visual Effects
Best Trailer
Best Screenplay Short
Best Screenplay Feature
Best First Time Screenwriter
Best Drama Screenplay
Best Comedy Screenplay
Best Thriller Screenplay
Best Horror Screenplay
Best Fantasy Screenplay
Best Action Screenplay
Best Sci-Fi Screenplay

Rules & Terms
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
You may submit multiple entries (with different films), but you must complete a separate entry form and pay the fee for each film. Each film may be submitted in multiple categories.
Films must have been completed after 2015.
You must own the rights to your film, the music included in it and have permission from everyone appearing in your film to show their work.
Non-English films will be accepted but must have English subtitles.
WE DO NOT SCREEN ANY FILMS ONLINE. This is a real festival that takes place live and in person.
We will award all categories that we receive entries for.
Please note that, by submitting your film you agree:
The festival may use parts of your film for promotional purposes. These may include: trailer/scenes/poster/stills etc.
Entry fees are nonrefundable.
We do not accept X-Rated material/porn, extremist propaganda, etc.
SELECTION
All films will be screened by working industry professionals. The semi-finalists will be reviewed personally by the festival director.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • A big thank you to all! We were honored to be a part of the festival and surely appreciated all your support! We look forward to submitting again!

    November 2019
  • NorCal International Film Fest was fantastic. We were honored to be chosen for an award. They were very generous in providing tickets to their event, and their communication was great. We highly recommend them!

    November 2019
  • Had a wonderful experience, very friendly and close knit group

    November 2019
  • A great festival that stays very communication friendly on information. I highly recommend this festival and will submit again with future projects.

    November 2019
  • Jeremy Cumpston

    Really appreciate professionalism and support from all at NorCal. Very much appreciate the award for Bilched.

    November 2019