The 22nd Annual San Diego International Film Festival (October 18-22) will present over 100 independent films plus studio premieres along with high profile events and panels. This Festival has been named San Diego’s Best Film Festival for the past 6 years and is continuing to grow its influence as an important stop on the awards circuit due to its October timing and its proximity to Hollywood.

Representing the very best in cinematic storytelling from around the globe, this Festival’s Indie programming includes Social Impact films affecting how we live, work and play in today’s complicated and often divisive world – Human Rights, Immigration, Environment, LGBTQAI+, Diversity & Inclusion – as well as putting a spotlight on key initiatives affecting the Military, American Indians, Women in Film, and San Diego’s BioTech and Life Sciences.

Be a part of the 22nd Annual San Diego International Film Festival – submit your film today - and then plan to attend the Festival in October to celebrate with industry influentials, film lovers, celebrities and filmmakers from around the world.

Awards & Prizes

The slate of films that are selected at the festival offers a wide range of programming from creative narrative features to thought-provoking documentaries to engaging and enlightening short films. Topics in film we specifically cultivate include Social Impact, Women in film, American Indian Cinema, film exploring the role of veterans and the Armed Forces, Student Film projects, Equestrian, Animation and World Cinema.

Over the past 21 years our selected films have received 99 nominations and won 20 Academy Awards!

In 2021, we were proud to present:
• Over 100 features, documentaries and short films
• 8 studio and independent films
• 2 Oscars
• 28 Oscar nominations
• 4 Golden Globe wins
• 16 Golden Globe nominations.

Gala Premieres which have been nominated for or won major awards from the festival include: ARMAGEDDON TIME, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, EMPIRE OF LIGHT, CLOSE, GOOD NIGHT OPPY, TAURUS, THE LOST KING, THE INSPECTION, SHE SAID, C’MON C’MON, SPENCER, THE POWER OF THE DOG, FLEE, THE FRENCH DISPATCH, BELFAST, THE LOST DAUGHTER, NOMADLAND, BLITHE SPIRIT, JOJO RABBIT, THE IRISHMAN, MARRIAGE STORY, MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN, PARASITE, CLEMENCY, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI, THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN, BREATHE, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, MARSHALL, LION, DENIAL, HELL OR HIGH WATER, CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, ROOM, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE, THE IMITATION GAME, WILD, WHIPLASH, ROOM and many more.

Filmmaker Hospitality & Benefits:
- Pass to attend the Festival where your film is showcased
- Hotel discounts for physical attending the festival
- Potential for one-on-one meetings with prominent entertainment industry professionals

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSIONS
The nonrefundable entry fee must be payable in US dollars to SAN DIEGO FILM FOUNDATION. Submission costs vary depending on category and discounts. When submitting to the festival you are agreeing that, if selected and the invitation accepted, to screen the submitted film during the dates of the festival. SDiFF will not pay any screening fees for the presentation of the film during the festival. The only exception would be if there is a negotiated agreement preceding the submission of the film to SDiFF.

ENTRY REGULATIONS
The SDiFF is a competitive showcase for domestic and international short films and short documentaries. The SDiFF reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any project submitted. All films must be a minimum of a San Diego Premiere and NO theatrical, cable, television, satellite, DVD, VHS, VOD, internet screenings or availability of any kind in the San Diego region prior to the SDFF dates. Only works completed from 2022 - 2023 are eligible for selection. There is no limit to the number of entries.
FILM ENTRIES
All foreign language entries must have English subtitles. Projects must be submitted for consideration as an online screener. Works in progress will be considered, please make a note your film is still a WIP when submitting. If you did not receive a confirmation of submission, please email programming@sdfilmfest.com.

COMPETITION
The San Diego International Film Festival is a competitive event and unless notified otherwise, all films officially selected are eligible for competition. For a list of competitive categories, please see our awards page. All films are nominated and voted upon by an impartial jury of filmmakers, industry professionals, festival programmers and film aficionados.

PRESS MATERIALS
If selected, the SDiFF will require an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) to include high-resolution production stills, key art, bio and filmography of the director, production notes and full cast and crew credits.

LIABILITY
Every precaution is taken when handling your film once submitted to us but we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damaged files that are submitted to us.

SHIPPING
If there is shipping involved in your physical file submitting to us we require that the entries must be paid by the entrant. The SDiFF will not pay the cost of shipping the print back to the filmmaker. SDiFF will not be responsible for expedited or overnight shipping charges to other organizations. Also, SDiFF cannot guarantee shipment of prints to other festivals during the days of the festival. All international entries must be sent 'free domicile' to the SDiFF office with all transportation charges, duties, and taxes prepaid by the shipper.

REPRODUCTION AGREEMENT
Submission of an entry gives the SDiFF permission to have excerpts of accepted work, including film trailers, shown in all promotional activities related to the festival.

NOTIFICATION
Films selected for the SDiFF will be notified no later than September 1, 2023
47 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Melissa Bruning

    We had the best time and the venue was beautiful. Amazing to be included in this festival.

    December 2022
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  • Cengiz Akaygün

    Great to be a part of this wonderful Festival. Very kind Communication. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend.

    December 2022
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  • Rylee Jean Ebsen

    SDIFF is fantastic! Their programming is superb! Very special to play at such a wonderful festival, in my home-state of California. Thanks to the entire SDIFF team for having us! xx

    November 2022
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  • Christine Ko

    My team had a great time in San Diego! It definitely exceeded our expectations in terms of audience turnout and hospitality. I’d say the people at the festival were my favorite part; the programmers and volunteers were all so warm and friendly. They made us feel welcome instantly and comfortable to mingle and to enjoy the festival to the fullest. They tried their best to listen to all our requests and were incredibly accommodating in every aspect. Highly recommend this festival to all filmmakers who want to enjoy a wonderful week of films and great weather in a beautiful city, with very cool people from all around the world. Thank you SDIFF for a wonderful time. I hope to be able to come back again in the future.

    October 2022
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  • Noah Freeman Hecht

    We had such an amazing time in San Diego. It was a really awesome experience to be able to premier our film Moon alongside so many talented filmmakers. The staff were so welcoming and the theaters were epic. I feel very honored and grateful to have been accepted to SDIFF, they truly gave our film a home.

    October 2022
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