The San Antonio Black International Film Festival (SABIFF), is pleased to present SABIFF 2021. Festival dates run September 30 - October 3, 2021. This year we turn the spotlight on Black Women Creatives. Our theme, "Sistahrz in Cinema" ('Sista Stars') will be highlighted in our opening night film presentation, the Ankh Achievement Awardee, panels, and the closing film. All of which will center on Black women, with essential roles both behind, and in front of the camera. Women making mega moves to birth life from concept, to page, to the screen, can be seen virtually this Fall at sabiff.tv.

All Filmmaker OPEN CALL entries remain inclusive in SABIFF 2021. The selected films will be programmed for audiences to screen during our 4-day virtual festival. SABIFF accepts all original, quality videos/film narratives and documentaries with diverse perspectives of the Black experience, imaginative genres, and original subject matters. We applaud Creatives for their desire to bring their stories to life, and welcome Filmmakers from around-the-world to respond to our OPEN CALL, and participate in our 3rd year of empowering events that are planned, both virtually (due to COVID19) and (hopefully) physically, in the "Alamo City."

SABIFF is primed to add to San Antonio’s rich legacy with a festival aimed to highlight the hidden figures of Black indie films that rarely make it to the big screen for mass audiences. The mission of the San Antonio Black International Film Festival (SABIFF) is to showcase quality films, advocate for, and support filmmakers of African descent. We expose audiences to the myriad of subject matters, stories, voices, and diverse images of Black people throughout the global Diaspora that have been historically under-represented. SABIFF believes that the narratives, images, history, culture, lives and diverse range of art and storytelling by BLACK FILMmakers; MATTERS.

SA is hailed as the 7th largest city in the United States, and 'military city.' The second largest city in Texas, SA is widely known for tourist attractions which include: the Alamo, the five-time NBA champion SPURS basketball team, delicious Tex-Mex cuisine, the 750 ft. Hemisphere Tower, and its beautiful River Walk, which runs through the downtown area. SA is an up & coming city full of possibility and exploration. SABIFF’s expansion of the arts, culture, and storytelling through Black films, adds to the city’s commitment to broaden diversity and inclusion. SABIFF, now in our 3rd year, is excited to shine the spotlight, turn up the volume, stream in on-line engagements, and showcase exceptional works created by-for-about people of African descent.

SABIFF 2021 welcome's San Antiono audiences across the world-wide-web to join us the first weekend in October (9/30 - 10/3), as we celebrate diverse storytelling, culture and the arts through filmmaking, festivities, and of course, some good ol' down home San Antonio hospitality!

*Fractured Atlas is the Fiscal Sponsor for SABIFF: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/san-antonio-black-international-film-festival-sabiff

*Black Heritage Things to do in San Antonio https://www.visitsanantonio.com/black-heritage/

Awards & Prizes

A physical SABIFF 2021 Award will be awarded to winning filmmakers in each category at our annual Awards Brunch the closing day of the festival.
*Best Narrative Feature Film *Best Narrative Short Film
*Best Documentary Feature Film *Best Documentary Short Film
*Best Student Film *Best Music Video
*Best Actor in a Film *Best Actress in a Film
*Audience Choice Award (voted on by the viewing audience)

Rules & Terms

Open Call Submissions are being taken for documentary, narrative and music video Films/Videos with subjects/subject matters by, for and about people of the African Diaspora (Black people of African descent from around the world). Films must consist of a major Black Creative in a key role(s) which include, but are not limited to the: director, producer, primary actors, and key crew positions.

All entries must be in English or have English subtitles.

Entry fees are non-refundable.

No waivers will be given.

Completed films/videos must have been created after January 1, 2019. No Works-in-Progress are accepted. Please submit the film that you would want exhibited if selected.

No web-series are accepted at this time, unless it can be presented as a stand along narrative or documentary. Otherwise, only single features, shorts, music videos and/or documentaries are accepted.

At the time of OPEN CALL submissions, film/video works MUST NOT be available for monetary profits based on public viewing on distribution outlets such as: Networks, Public Television Broadcast, Movie Theaters, YouTube, Vimeo, etc) or on Video On Demand platforms (Amazon, Prime, I-Tunes, etc).

Based upon their Open Call submission, the filmmaker (producer or director) agrees to make available, and allow SABIFF permission to use any photographs, bios, video excerpts/trailers in the required format (MP4, quicktime file, link), and any other media associated with the film, for use in SABIFF 2021 trailers, website postings, social media outlets, publicity and promotions at the discretion of the film festival needs.

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SUBMISSION AGREEMENT
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As the submitter of entry, I have read and have complied with all of the San Antonio Black International Film Festival rules. (See recommended format needs below)

I acknowledge that the submission is my/our original work and there are no disputes regarding the ownership of the submission.

I warrant the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead and I fully indemnify the Festival against any claim made for such violations of law. To the best of my/our knowledge, all of the statements herein are true and correct.

I understand that failure to adhere to the Festival rules will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee.

The individual submitting the film hereby warrants that they are authorized to commit the film for SABIFF 2021's screening(s), and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

I agree to hold the San Antonio Black International Film Festival (SABIFF 2021) and it's Fiscal Sponsor, Fractured Atlas harmless from any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, 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.

FORMATS: Please note the necessary formats for accepted film submissions. We are capable to handle most kinds of mp4, mov, m4v, webm and mkv video file, however, as advance notice for selected video/films, we recommend the following video settings for BEST live streaming results when streaming via our sabiff.tv platform.

- Format: mp4
- Video codec: H.264 (AVC)
- Audio codec: AAC
- fps: 30 max (Higher fps may cause disruption of stream)
- Video duration: At least 1 minute
- Orientation: Landscape, Portrait, Square
- Audio bitrate: 128 kbps
- Video bitrates: 1500 kbps - 6000 kbps
- 360-degree Video bitrate: 5000 kbps - 10000 kbps
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Talamieka Brice

    Very informative and overall great festival.

    October 2021
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  • Rodrigo Sena Sena

    We thank you for your participation, pleasant festival

    October 2021
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  • Aurélien Mathieu

    SABIFF is an awesome festival ! The whole team is very dedicated and truely caring with the filmakers, making every step a pleasure. I higly recommand filmakers to apply to the San Antonio Black International Film Festival !

    October 2020
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    Response from festival:

    We appreciate your participation and cooperation Aurelien! La' Rage speaks to issues in society that must change, it will continue to gain traction and spark dialogue where ever it is screened. All the best!

  • Mark Vinzant

    LESSONS LIVED was honored at the SABIFF and my second Ma, Starletta DuPois won the Best Actress Award. I cannot thank the festival enough for the support, and the win for Star. See you all next year.

    October 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Mark for your review! Tell your 2nd Ma she was named appropriately : ) ... Keep making movies! All the best.

  • Calvin Walker

    Ada and her team did a great job of creating an amazing virtual experience. I can't wait to experience the magic of SABIFF in person in 2021.

    October 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Calvin! This virtual realm was a new experience for all of us, so your feedback is very encouraging! Keep moving forward with expanding your creative voice!