Panama City Independent Film Festival is a Bi-Annual international film festival held in Panama City, Florida with Spring(May) & Winter(November) live screenings.

Famous for a sublime coastline, pristine waters and abundant wildlife, Panama City presents the ideal locale for a beach vacation. Home to an eclectic mix of art and entertainment, Panama City is a progressively creative art city and we think that films are the highest point of the Art. Our mission is to promote films, and be another step up in the filmmakers' careers.

The physical live screening of the "Panama City Independent Film Festival" happens twice every year. A spring festival the last weekend in May and a Winter Festival the last weekend in November. With a live screening and award ceremony.

Each festival our judges will select the films, give the best one in each category an award for contest Winner, along with an Honorable Mention & an Audience Choice Award.

The Official Selections of films will be screened at the "Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center at Panama City Airport".in Panama City, Florida (additional screening locations to be announced)

3 different awards are available for each Category:
Winner
Honorable Mention
Audience Choice

Best Feature Film
Best Feature Documentary
Best Indie Feature Film (low budget)
Best Short Film(under 40 minutes)
Best Super Short Film(under 5 minutes)
Best Micro Short (less than 1 minute)
Best Animation Short(under 40 minutes)
Best Comedy Short(under 40 minutes)
Best Documentary Short(under 40 minutes)
Best Dramatic Short(under 40 minutes)
Best Horror Short(under 40 minutes)
Best Student Short(under 40 minutes)
Best Commercial/Advertisement (Television & Web)
Best PSA
Best Music Video
Best Web/Youtube Video
Best Movie Poster
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
International Short(made outside of US)

Winning announcement on PCIFF platform

The Competition reserves the right to refuse entries.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Panama City Independent Film Festival Awards, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

By submitting your film to the Panama City Independent Film Festival Awards the individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements, rules and regulations.

By submitting your film, take note that:
You agree to use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster/stills) for promotional purpose.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker and each entry may be entered in multiple categories.
You can submit again your work for the following festivals.
(Due to COVID Restrictions, venue is subject to change)

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mitchell Cole

    I received "Honorable Mention" for my film. However, I never saw anything online that led me to believe that the festival actually took place. I live close to the area and never saw anything about it. Multiple other filmmakers that submitted to the festival had the same experience.

    October 2022
  • I recieved no contact from them at any point, despite my film being selected. Then my film was updated to "award winner" so I contacted them, they never replied. I dont know if this festival happened or not as there was no photos or any evidence of it online. Avoid it at all costs

    July 2022
  • Olivier Simon

    Delighted by this festival! Thank you for the prizes awarded to North of the night. Very honored. Congratulations to the festival and its team. A beautiful cinematographic step on the road of the festivals!

    June 2022
  • Alexander Senicki

    What a wonderful place to host a film festival and a superb festival, to be sure. Thank you PCIFF!!

    June 2022
  • J H

    I was informed by Film Freeway that my film had won an award, but I never heard from the festival, even after emailing them twice. It would be nice to share with my cast the news, but I am still not sure what to tell them

    June 2022