The San Pedro International Film Festival was founded to celebrate the diverse culture and community of San Pedro with a wide spectrum of independent film, documentaries, and shorts. SPIFF is committed to exhibiting films that embody inspiring entertainment for all. Works that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives, with the intent that these films enlighten audiences while providing invaluable exposure for filmmakers, local and international.

In our first year, we had the first Los Angeles screening of Silver Linings Playbook. In our second year we hosted Ernie LaPointe, Sitting Bull's Great Grandson. In 2015 we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of The Usual Suspects with director Bryan Singer. We also had two short films either win or be nominated for an Academy Award! In 2017 we hosted the 30th Anniversary of Friday the 13th with director Sean S. Cunningham. We are very excited about our seventh year!

Prolific American writer and poet Charles Bukowski called San Pedro home for 15 years. Some of DW Griffith’s early short films were shot in San Pedro. These days you’re more likely to find film crews for NCIS, Mad Men, and Dexter. Other films shot in San Pedro include ‘King Kong’, ‘Chinatown’, ‘Point Break’, ‘Silence of the Lambs’, ‘The Usual Suspects’, ‘Pearl Harbor’, ‘Titanic’, ‘500 Days of Summer’, and a ton more. SPIFF is thrilled to present our 5th edition in a city with such a rich film history.

Best of each category

GENERAL RULES
LENGTH: Films for the competition will be in two categories and these times must include all titles and credits:
Short Film: 45 minute maximum
Feature Film: 65-150 minutes
STUDENT FILMMAKERS (22 and under) Please indicate the ages of film's writer, director, & producer in your submission.
FILMMAKERS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD: Please have a parent or legal guardian submit film on your behalf.
PREVIEW "SCREENER" FORMAT: All films should be uploaded.

PRIZES: Prizes differ each year and will be announced as soon as we secure them from sponsors before the festival takes place..
SUBTITLES: All non-English language films must be subtitled or dubbed in English.

ENTRY FEES: Are non-refundable.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Christopher H.K. Lee

    Thank you for accepting our film Forgotten Victory. Everyone at Lane Victory appreciates showcasing our film as a festival-opening film.

    February 2023
  • I really can't say enough positive things about Ziggy and everyone at SPIFFest!! The theater was beautiful and the folks at SPIFFest went to great lengths to make sure that the filmmakers were taken care of and had opportunities to meet one another, gain publicity, and interact with some awesome San Pedro locals. I had the pleasure of attending a friend's screening a couple of years ago, had a short film there last year, and then had my feature film "Reimagining Safety" here in 2023. While San Pedro is a drive from LA proper, it is well worth it to experience the community and the stellar screening accommodations. Definitely show these folks some love!

    February 2023
  • John Salcedo

    Ziggy and Pamela were great hosts. They are artists who care about artists. SPIFFEST knows how to roll out the red carpet treatment. Thank you, Ziggy and Pamela!

    February 2023
  • Christy Lee Hughes

    Thank you San Pedro International Film Festival for selecting our comedy, Guardian! We had a great time, and really enjoyed the films and meeting so many talented filmmakers. The Warner Grand is such a unique and beautiful theater space, and the events Ziggy organized were lovely. Definitely recommend submitting your film here. We made some new friends at the festival this year too!

    February 2023
  • Lucia Sherman

    I had a marvelous time at the San Pedro International Film Festival! Ziggy and Pamela are class acts who presented a beautifully curated group of films of superior quality. And it was obvious that they really cared about the films--and us filmmakers.

    As a bonus, SPIFF also employed the talented John Wildman, who provided the filmmakers with the opportunity of red carpet and sit-down interviews throughout the festival. I was impressed that John had taken the time to actually watch my film before the interview (which is not always the case) and asked insightful questions.

    This, plus the panels and the after-parties all added up to a fun, rewarding, and inspiring festival.

    I feel honored that my film, Gypsy Rose Leezinski, was chosen as an official selection. Thank you, SPIFF, for a memorable weekend!

    February 2023