The San Diego Independent Filmmakers Festival is a festival where California and Regional as well as International Independent Filmmakers come together to compete for the San Diego Independent Filmmaker of the Year Award for THE SAN DIEGO INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR.

Please note notification will be May 1, 2023. Thank you.
Due to backlog as we’ve had more than 500 submissions and working with full time filmmaker judges we ask for your patience at this time.
In person event will be taking place August 25-27,2023 for seasons 1 and 2

Awards & Prizes

Best Short Film
Best Animation
Best Experimental Film
Best Student Short
Best Feature
Best Music Video
Best Commercial
Best Documentary
Best Series
Best Overall Film (All category)
Best Diversity Film (African American, LatinX, AsianX, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, Middle Eastern)
Best Film Score
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Costume
Best Set Design
Best Hair and Make up
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Audience Choice Award
The Brand New Filmmaker Award
Rising Star Award (Brand new actors and actress only)
The San Diego Independent Filmmaker of the Year Award

Rules & Terms

1. Accepting submissions nationwide and internationally.
2. Films made before January 1,2015 are not eligible for submission.
3. If nominated, you must be present at film screening and awards show in order to be eligible for awards. None attendance would result to getting awards revoked.
4. Anyone may self nominate for The San Diego Independent Filmmaker of the Year Award, The Rising Star Award, and The Brand New Filmmaker Award. Self nominations for the following category must be made upon entry submission.
5. FILMS SELECTED TO BE SHOWCASED AT THE FESTIVAL SCREENING WILL RECEIVE A DOWNLOAD REQUEST. THANK YOU.
6. If selected we will ask that you send us promotional materials I.E posters etc.
7. SUBTITLES ARE REQUIRED FOR FILM SUBMISSIONS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE. IF YOUR FILMS ARE IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH, SUBTITLES ARE REQUIRED. FILMS WITH NO SUBTITLE ARE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED.
1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • nacho recio

    thanks for selecting my works of videoart and fiction 'selfportrait' and 'preferentes'; good work!!

    December 2021
    Helpful