San Francisco International Film Festival

✅ Rules & Terms

SFFILM requires a CA premiere for all feature films in competition and a Bay Area premiere for all non-competition features, all shorts and all mid-length films. Please note the Bay Area includes all nine counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma).

The San Francisco International Film Festival focuses on new and exciting work by independent and international filmmakers. Titles are only eligible if the film’s premiere date is after September 1, 2024. This does not apply to mid-length or short submissions.

Any film (feature, shorts, and mid-length) previously exhibited publicly—either theatrically, via VOD, web or broadcast—is not eligible for submission. Festival participation in other states does not disqualify a work’s eligibility for the SFFILM Festival.

Take special note that the SFFILM Festival will only accept film submissions entered via the FilmFreeway platform. We cannot consider any project that has not been officially submitted through FilmFreeway. Please refrain from sending direct messages via social media or emails to the SFFILM staff with your proposed titles(s). SFFILM may, but is not required to, disqualify or reject any film that is not submitted in this manner and cannot promise a response to your emails if your project has not been officially entered via FilmFreeway.

All filmmakers must provide accurate and complete information when submitting to the SFFILM Festival. SFFILM requires each filmmaker to include the following specifications:

• Filmmaker name, email, mailing address (city, state, ZIP code)
• Production credits
• Film language
• Run time
• Completion date
• Student project
• Youth Works submissions: To be eligible you must upload or send a photo ID with date of birth (proof of 18 years and younger at time of film completion) within the FilmFreeway submission. You can also send the photo ID to gga@sffilm.org with the subject line: Youth Works Submission + FFW Confirmation Code. Please do not submit to this category if you are not 18 years or younger.

Incomplete application / entry forms will not be accepted and will need to be re-submitted.

A complete application includes participation in SFFILM’s demographic survey. By tracking responses each year, SFFILM is able to measure and improve upon our commitment to supporting artists from diverse backgrounds around the world.

Bay Area filmmakers (directors and producers only, not production crew or cast) are eligible for entry fee discounts and additional Bay Area awards given in recognition of the rich variety of work that has established Northern California as a center of independent production. Bay Area awards are presented to a documentary feature film and a short film. To qualify for a Bay Area award, entries must have been made by a filmmaker who is a current resident of the San Francisco Bay Area (the area from Monterey to Mendocino: postal ZIP codes 93901 to 95457).

The Festival is unable to waive entry fees or provide discounts beyond those indicated. Entry fees are not refundable. We encourage and urge all filmmakers to submit by the early deadline of September 29 before fees increase.

You may submit any number of titles; however, a separate entry form, preview copy, and entry fee are required for each title. If the Festival determines a work is entered in the wrong category and needs to reassign it, any discrepancy in entry fees between the categories must be paid by the filmmaker.

Narrative, documentary, and animated short films (under 30 minutes) can also be considered for inclusion in our popular Family Films program. Family Films should be suitable for ages 7 and up. Selections in this category engage and entertain the entire family. This program traditionally mixes emerging talent with established filmmakers such as Domee Shi, Glen Keane, Bill Plympton, Cartoon Saloon, Aardman Animations, and Tonko House. Please indicate on your application to be considered for the Family Films program.

Rough cuts or works-in-progress are accepted and reviewed. However, filmmakers are urged to submit as close to the final cut as possible. The Festival will not accept new versions of an entry unless requested by the programming staff. If you update the film link on your submission page after applying to SFFILM, we cannot guarantee the new version will be considered.

All entrants will be notified of the Festival’s decision by March 19, 2025.