San Diego Film Awards

The 11th Anniversary San Diego Film Awards will be held in early summer of 2025.

Organized by the Film Consortium San Diego, this special event honors the achievements of filmmakers at all levels: students, independent creators, and seasoned professionals. Since its launch in 2014, it has become the only local awards show recognizing everyone involved in filmmaking, from actors and directors to crew members.

Held at the prestigious Museum of Photographic Arts at the Museum of Art, the ceremony is also broadcast on KPBS, making it accessible to a wider audience. This ensures that everyone, regardless of location, can experience the talent and dedication of San Diego's film community. The San Diego Film Awards is a special night where everyone comes together to celebrate the best of filmmaking in our city.

The San Diego Film Awards takes place in the spring and is open to submissions in categories such as documentary shorts, narrative shorts, narrative features, and documentary features. By accepting and awarding films across various genres, the event promotes diversity and showcases the diverse range of storytelling in the San Diego film industry.

All proceeds from the San Diego Film Awards benefit the Film Consortium and their year round efforts to build San Diego's film industry.

HIGHLIGHTS

26+ awards presented in 4 categories
Live ceremony at the Museum of Photographic Arts or other premium venue
VIP Reception with complimentary food and beverages
Red Carpet experience with photos and interviews
Guest Stars and Presenters
Televised Broadcast on KPBS and streamed nationally via PBS

NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT
San Diego Film Awards nominations will be announced in late March 2025. The 2025 San Diego Film Awards will premiere on KPBS (date TBD), and there will be an accompanying live event where the trophies will be handed out.

SCREENINGS
This is not a traditional film festival, and as such we do not hold public screenings of the nominated or winning films.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES

INDEPENDENT/PROFESSIONAL

Narrative Features (over 45 minutes)
Narrative Shorts (under 45 minutes)
Documentary Features (over 45 minutes)
Documentary Shorts (under 45 minutes)

STUDENT
Narrative Shorts (under 45 minutes)
Documentary Shorts (under 45 minutes)

Note: If a STUDENT FILM wishes to compete in the range as INDEPENDENT/PROFESSIONAL films they must submit under INDEPENDENT/PROFESSIONAL films category and pay submission fees for that category.