The OC Film Fiesta in Santa Ana is the premier cinematic celebration of the nation's diversity and multicultural heritage. Now in its 16th year, the OC Film Fiesta features an amazing array of films that connect county residents with their dynamic international film heritages.

Each year, the Film Fiesta presents an award-winning selection of feature films, documentaries, short films and activities for a diverse audience of families, students, artists, professionals and lovers of cinema from throughout the county. The festival also features parties, workshops and networking opportunities.

We encourage films dealing with the multicultural history of Santa Ana, Orange County and the US, including films by and about the diverse US Latino and immigrant communities.

Awards & Prizes

Awards and Prizes will be given to winners. These can range from product to cash prizes.

Rules & Terms

Submissions will be accepted in two categories: short films up to 30 minutes and features up to 120 minutes.

We accept narrative, documentary, animation, experimental works and projects filmed with a tablet, cel phone or cinema camera.

All languages and international films are welcome, and we request English subtitles for films in a language other than English. Other criteria include: Originality, Artistic Quality and Multicultural Perspective.

We require a screener on FilmFreeway or an online private video of the project for screening. For exhibition copy we will need BLUE RAYS, OR a MPEG 4 MOV H264 FILE.

DO NOT SEND PRESS PACKS, PHOTOS, TESTIMONIALS OR ANYTHING ELSE WITH YOUR SUBMISSION. If we accept your film we will ask for publicity materials and the other things we need. Better still, make sure you upload a full press kit and trailer to your FilmFreeway listing.

16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sebaztian Baz

    OC Film Fiesta is one of those festivals that arrives without noise but stays with you forever. It’s an intimate, welcoming festival with a huge spirit and an even bigger heart. From day one, I found a team driven not only by passion but by a kind of human warmth that is rare in the festival world.

    At the helm are Víctor Payán and Pocha Peña, who don’t just run the festival—they build community. They make you feel welcome from the very first moment, always attentive and always present. That energy flows through the entire staff, creating an environment where filmmakers can genuinely share, learn, and connect.

    The curation is exceptional: diverse, thoughtful, and deeply committed to new voices. It’s a festival that embraces originality, freshness, and perspectives that expand the cinematic language. Their selection celebrates innovation and artistic risk, making it a unique home for independent cinema.

    OC Film Fiesta opens doors—to new narratives, new aesthetics, and filmmakers seeking that first space where they can be truly seen. It understands that the future of cinema lies not only in industry but in creativity, artistic honesty, and personal storytelling.

    I leave deeply grateful. OC Film Fiesta won my heart — and it is definitely a festival I hope to return to.

    Sebaztian Baz - Writer / Director / Producer of Sombras Chinas

    November 2025
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  • Deane Gonzalez

    Such a pleasure to have our film Quince Candles be a part of this fest. Had a really great discussion with the organizers and can't wait to be a part of it again in the future. Thanks!

    November 2025
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  • Alexandre Britto

    The 16th OC Film Fiesta is a celebration of Latin culture and diversity! It has impeccable communication, a celebratory energy, and is a space where artists from around the world come together to celebrate cinema! Viva OC Film Festival!

    October 2025
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  • Mikheil Gabaidze

    t was a great honor for me and my team to have our film screened at your wonderful festival. We truly hope that the jury members, the organizers, and cinema lovers enjoyed watching it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

    We sincerely hope that your festival will become a bridge between us and lead to future collaborations and meetings at upcoming festivals.

    Wishing you continued success and inspiration in all your future editions.

    October 2025
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  • Robb S Garcia

    The O.C. Film Fiesta continues to be one of the most community-driven, filmmaker-friendly festivals I’ve had the pleasure of being part of. This year, I was honored to have two of my films selected — Transmute, a short horror film I wrote, produced, and shot (beautifully directed by my good friend and frequent collaborator Valerie Garza in her directorial debut), and Rooted In Legacy: The Arboretum San Antonio Journey, a short documentary I wrote, directed, produced, shot, and edited.

    Although I wasn’t able to attend in person this year, I did have the opportunity to view several films through their online stream and was thoroughly impressed by the thoughtful curation and diversity of voices represented. Communication with the festival team was excellent throughout the process — professional, warm, and truly supportive of independent filmmakers.

    Having attended the O.C. Film Fiesta in the past and screened multiple projects with them over the years, I can confidently say that this festival consistently upholds its reputation for celebrating cultural diversity, creativity, and meaningful storytelling. It’s an event that not only honors filmmakers but also engages with the community in a genuine way.

    Highly recommend this festival to any filmmaker seeking a welcoming, well-organized, and inspiring experience. I look forward to hopefully attending in person next year — whether or not I have a film screening.

    October 2025
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