Since 2007, Salem Film Fest (SFF) has brought the world's best independent documentaries and their makers to Boston's North Shore. Now the largest documentary film festival in Massachusetts, the event annually presents features, shorts and special events to a loyal and growing audience of thousands.

Salem Film Fest is a filmmaker-centric festival and sees its makers as partners in the event. We are proud to share revenue with selected feature-length filmmakers, while also providing some travel support and accommodations.

As a festival loved by a dedicated crew of local volunteers, supported through non-profit entity, Salem Community Arts Center, and nurtured by generous support of regional business, we gather a diverse audience of engaged community members, international filmmakers, and film industry professionals across an assortment of venues from our hometown Cinema Salem, to the Peabody Essex Museum, and the National Park Service Visitor Center.

Awards & Prizes

Special Jury Award ($1000 Prize)
Award for Journalism ($500 Prize)
American Cinematographer Magazine Award for Cinematography
Cultrera Cuts Edit Award
Cartel Award for Best Short
Audience Award

Rules & Terms

As we near our 20th anniversary in 2027, we are excited to think more expansively around how we program our beloved fest. For the first time in almost two decades of history, SFF will be accepting submissions for a short window of time through our open call for short and feature documentaries!

As always, we are excited to welcome back our alums, friends of the fest, and other outstanding films through invitations.

The SFF 2026 program will be a combination of open call submissions and invited films all vetted through the film selection committee process and curated by our programming team.

PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
-Films with at least a Massachusetts premiere will be prioritized
-Films MUST NOT be broadcast until at least 2 months after the festival dates
-Films MUST NOT be available for free or paid streaming, purchase online, or VOD prior to the festival dates (i.e. iTunes/Vimeo/Amazon/Netflix/Hulu, etc.)

NO STUDENT WORK WILL BE CONSIDERED. Please visit our website for more information about our student documentary showcases: Keeping It Reel (High School) and Mass Reality Check (College/University)

NO PRIOR SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

The use of AI in your film submission must be disclosed. Please email submissions@salemfilmfest.com to specify its use, if applicable.
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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  • Kaitlyn Schwalje

    Salem does it right - from thoughtful, varied programming to being super filmmaker friendly and looking out for us each step of the way. We had a packed house not only at our screening but also each of the others we attended, really impressed by how well they are engaging the community. Incredible experience all around, not to miss!

    April 2026
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  • Alissa Fagin

    Salem Film Fest was a dream! I premiered my short documentary, Sound & Color, at the 2026 festival. Even before the festival began, the organizers' care and intention was apparent. The festival itself felt communal and stimulating. It was so exciting to share a shorts block with some incredibly talented filmmakers. And it was a great chance to see some of the most amazing recent documentaries. 10/10!

    April 2026
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  • Jordana Rubenstein-Edberg

    Amazing festival and community in Salem! The folks who program the festival are kind and communicative. The events that the festival hosts, and the community of filmmakers who join, make it a fun and interesting time.

    April 2026
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  • Carlye Rubin

    Salem Film Fest was the perfect place to screen our documentary Blood & Guts — it felt as if the whole town was on theme just for us (we know it wasn't, but we can make believe). The SFF team went above & beyond to make us feel welcome & show our small film big love. Despite staying in room 325 at the Hawthorne, the only spirits we encountered were the ones we drank & the stellar energy of the festival team. This is a good one, guys — don't sleep on it.

    April 2026
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  • Heidi Burkey

    The word I'd use for the Salem Film Festival is delightful! We were honored to have our short film, FINAL FRONTIER, included in the 2026 programming. The programmers passion for documentary storytelling and care for filmmakers was apparent from the moment we were accepted to the screening of our film. The audiences in Salem have a deep appreciation for film as well, which adds to the joy of sharing your work with this community.

    April 2026
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