SacFilmChallenge is "The Film Festival to Geek and Nerd Out!"

Films and music videos that express the best of things Drama, Comedy, Geeky, Nerdy, Anime, Cosplay, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Comics, and Sports will screen at a 3-Day Hybrid Event.

The Festival will start with a live Q&A with the filmmakers on Friday, October 2, 2026, followed by a screening of our first set of films.

Multiple screenings will happen on Saturday, October 3rd, both Virtual and In-Person in Sacramento.

The film festival concludes with the Virtual Awards Ceremony on Sunday, October 4th.

LOCATION: In-Person Events are held at the West Sacramento Community Center. The festival will run alongside the Intergalactic Expo 2026 where attendees get to step into the world of SacGeeks and Funaticals for an unforgettable day of sci-fi, cosplay, vendors, film, food, and fandom.

Photo Credit for 2024 Event: Kat Kingsley

The GEEK REEL MVP - Best of Festival Award, Cash Prize $250

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Animation Short
Best Vertical
Best Music Video
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Sound
Best Editing
Best Actor
Best Actress

Submissions:

Short films and music videos that are 20 minutes or less, verticals that are 10 minutes or less, and feature films that are at least 72 minutes and made after January 1, 2023, are welcome. Premiere status is not required, but a premiere film will be prioritized in programming if the film is selected. All submissions not originally in English must be subtitled in English.

The Film Festival does not offer fee waivers.

Submission Materials:

1- Paid entry fee. Entry fees are non-refundable.
2- Private online screener via FilmFreeway.

Jury:

Jury is composed of film production, exhibition, press and audience community members.
Their decisions on official selections, award nominees and award winners are final.

Notification:

Filmmakers of selected films will be notified by email or phone.

Exhibition Deliverables:

Final File -Festival Programming Director will advise on file type to be submitted.
Film Poster
Trailer -MP4 File

What You Need to Know:

Festival Organizers and the Film Festival reserve the right to disqualify any submission without refund of submission fees.

All accepted films are scheduled at the discretion of the Film Festival staff.

SacFilmChallenge is hereby granted the right to use an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the festival for promotional purposes. The festival is hereby also granted the right to use image(s) and/or biographical information of the filmmakers for promotional purposes. The festival reserves the right to fill in any information not supplied by the filmmaker from whatever source available and will not be responsible if incorrect information is entered.

It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to secure authorization for any copyrighted material that may be used in the film. The filmmaker submitting the film for exhibition and or consideration of awards and prizes, acknowledges that He/She/They/Them shall indemnify and hold harmless SacFilmChallenge from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

SacFilmChallenge does not pay screening fees.

By submitting your film, you expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall be bound by the terms of this agreement.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • barbara peikert

    Thank you once again for the interested audience and for screening and awarding “The Cormorant's Shadow” at the SacFilmChallenge 2025.

    October 2025
  • Francesco e i Passabanda

    Grande Comunicazione e Supporto agli Artisti. Un Onore Sbarcare in California!

    È stato un vero onore vedere il nostro videoclip "Matti Like" volare oltreoceano e approdare in concorso al SacFilmChallenge di Sacramento. La formula ibrida (online e in presenza) è fantastica perché offre concrete opportunità anche agli artisti internazionali che non possono viaggiare.

    Voglio spendere una parola speciale per la coordinatrice del festival, Samantha, la cui comunicazione è stata semplicemente impeccabile: estremamente cortese, puntuale e sempre disponibile. Si percepisce chiaramente l'entusiasmo e la passione che animano questo festival.

    Ho apprezzato moltissimo il modo in cui hanno supportato e valorizzato il nostro lavoro, condividendo sulle loro pagine social tutti i contenuti che avevo creato per l'occasione, dimostrando grande attenzione verso i filmmaker.

    Purtroppo, a causa di un banale problema tecnico, non sono riuscito a partecipare al panel online con gli altri registi, ma questo non ha minimamente intaccato la positività dell'esperienza complessiva.

    Assolutamente consigliato a chi cerca un festival accogliente, ben organizzato e con un team che crede davvero nel supportare gli artisti. Grazie di cuore per questa bella esperienza!

    September 2025
  • Nicko Vaughan

    Great communication, wonderful social media, amazing online festival vibe, all in all I would 100000% recommend being part of this festival

    September 2025
  • Communication was excellent—every detail was clear with no unanswered questions. I knew about my wins, my screening times, and everything else right on time. The process felt smooth, professional, and stress-free.

    September 2025
  • I had a blast tuning into the SacFilmChallenge Music & Film Festival and for considering my music video, BULOSAN: ON AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, Part 3, to include in your line-up this year! This was my first time being featured at a festival and my first time being a part of a filmmaker's panel. From the very beginning I felt welcomed, I was impressed by the professionalism and respect from the organizers, and I had a lot of fun watching the featured selections and being in the company of like-minded creatives. I would highly recommend film buffs to check out the SacFilmChallenge Festival. It was a great experience and I feel grateful to be a part of it. Thank you so much!

    September 2025