The San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM Festival) is an essential stop on the circuit for emerging storytellers and established filmmakers alike. The Bay Area's premier film event and the longest running film festival in the Americas, the SFFILM Festival is deeply rooted in the culture of film appreciation—film as an art form and as a meaningful force for social change. The Festival is an important showcase for the most vibrant and innovative films from around the globe.
The 2022 SFFILM Festival program featured 130 films from 56 countries with 56% helmed by female or non-binary filmmakers and 52% directed by BIPOC filmmakers. Out of all the films in the Festival, 50% came from submissions right here on FilmFreeway. Our submission pool consisted of more than 50% BIPOC filmmakers and 50% male filmmakers, and in an optional question about first-time feature status, more than 70% of those respondents indicated that they were first-time feature filmmakers.
The 2023 SFFILM Festival will take place from April 13–23 with both in-person and online events, parties, talks and more. Exact dates, venue footprint, and in-person event structure are all subject to some change based on the realities of producing a safe and accessible film festival at that time.
🎥 Opportunities for Filmmakers
Festival filmmakers have several incredible opportunities to connect with our SFFILM Makers and SFFILM Education programs during the 11 day event including a series of industry talks and pitch sessions to discuss future projects and funding resources as well as participate with Bay Area students and educators through student screenings, school visits, hands-on workshops, and more.
"Few festivals are more suited to their city than the SFFILM Festival. It’s clearly a festival programmed by those who love film for people who love film.” — Variety
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) recognizes SFFILM Festival as a qualifying festival for their short film (live action, documentary, and animated) competitions. NOTE: In line with AMPAS rules regarding short films, Mid-Length Film winners do not qualify for short film categories.
SFFILM Festival is a qualifying festival for Cinema Eye Honors for nonfiction filmmaking.
🏆 Golden Gate Awards
The Golden Gate Awards recognize the best of international and independent cinema by honoring excellence and superior innovation in narrative, documentary, shorts, animated, and youth-produced work.
The juried Golden Gate Awards include the New Directors Prize for a first narrative feature with a $500 cash prize, Best Documentary Feature with a $500 cash prize, and Best Bay Area Documentary Feature with a $400 cash prize. This year we are excited for the continuation of the Golden Gate Awards for Best Mid-Length Film (31–60 minutes) with a cash prize of $350, and the Cine Latino award with a cash prize of $400. Short prizes will be given for Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Animated Short, and prizes for Bay Area Short Film, Family Short Film, and Youth Works Short Film.
Audience Awards for Best Narrative and Documentary Features will also be presented, decided by audience ballot.
For full details, please visit our site: sffilm.org/submit-your-film