Summer Season is here!!

A Festival to celebrate the art of Independent & Youth (18 and under) filmmakers!

At the Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival, our mission is to celebrate and elevate the art of independent filmmaking, providing a platform that champions creativity, diversity, and innovation in storytelling. Committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community of filmmakers, artists, and cinephiles, we strive to showcase thought-provoking and groundbreaking films that challenge the status quo and inspire dialogue.

Our festival is dedicated to promoting emerging talent and supporting the independent film industry by creating an environment that encourages collaboration, networking, and the exchange of ideas. We aim to curate a dynamic program that reflects the rich tapestry of human experiences, amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard.

***Our format has changed for year 2***
We are splitting up our year into four quarterly award seasons, "Winter", "Spring" and "Summer" and "Fall". Our year end live event will be our "Fall" season and will take place October 4-6 at the Historic Alhecama Theater in downtown Santa Barbara. This is the big event of the year where we will have screenings, parties, Q&A sessions and give out awards and prizes.

Winners of of the Winter, Spring or Summer seasons that lead up to the final Fall event will gain free entry & be automatically be entered to compete again to be an Official Selection for the Fall season and eligible for awards and live screenings.

Awards & Prizes

Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival has partnered with the Sunn Stream online streaming network to showcase the winners, honorable mentions and other worthy submissions to air on the network. This is a great way for a young filmmaker to gain exposure!! *This is a no obligations offer, filmmakers can choose not to participate.*

The Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival is listed in IMDB and all award winners will be given credit for their win on the worlds biggest data base for the entertainment industry.

Year end category winners will get a trophy and sub winners will get a framed award.

Rules & Terms

* The applicants (submitters) must accept the Santa Barbara Indie Film Fest rules, terms & conditions below.

* This film festival is open to all domestic and international filmmakers. Foreign language films must have subtitles to be considered.

* Youth filmmakers must be in Highschool or 18 or under when movie was made / produced. Director, Cinematographer / DP, Animator / Graphic Artist, Writer and Editor all must be 18 or under as well (no adults in principle positions).

* In order to submit a film, you must own the rights of original art, music or otherwise have permission from the owner.

* All fees are non-refundable.

*The Festival relationship will exclusively be related to the film submitter.

* A DCP or other digital variation of the film is required for the Live Event.

* Not all the submissions are selected for the Official Selection. Our Judges are free to make their own choices and no answers will be given about not selected films.

* By submitting your movie, you authorize Santa Barbara Indie Film Fest to use, distribute and share the film poster, trailer, synopsis and movie stills in our social media and website.

* If the Sunn Stream network and the filmmaker choose to enter an agreement for a streaming deal. The Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival will act as your sales agent for the contract and will be entitled to a 10% fee of the negotiated amount.

14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jose Miguel Soriano

    Great experience! It's important to learn from specialists and from other countries.

    March 2024
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  • Brent Heise

    I am very grateful for an Award of Excellence for The Girl Who Faded Away. It's an honor.

    March 2024
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  • Samuel Taylor

    Hello Santa Barbara Indie Fest. Thank you for awarding my faith-base screenplay At The Mercy Of Faith as Best Feature Script of your February Edition! My mind, heart and spirit is bursting with joy and amazement!

    March 2024
    Helpful
  • Barry Samson

    Love this Festival!
    Thanks so much for giving "Cats and Husbands" an award of Excellence! You're the best Santa Barbara Indie Film Fest!

    January 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Barry!

  • Atticus Lutz

    Santa Barbara Indie Film Fest was so much fun! The Q&As were informative and interesting. It was great to hang out with other filmmakers in such a welcoming space.

    September 2023
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