The San Diego Surf Festival 10th edition is something we are extremely proud of and would like to share the celebration with all of you. 10 Years! Truly Amazing. Thank you for all of the support.
As filmmakers ourselves, our goal was to provide a platform for other filmmakers to personally connect with their audience and share intimate insight into their work. Since 2012, we are honored to have over 200 international filmmakers present their films at the SDSF and engage in lively Q&As . We decided to do something different and your overwhelming support acknowledged that we were on the right track.
We are waveriders and we are filmmakers., We are bound to do things differently.
Come and experience the San Diego Surf Festival 2023.. .

Awards & Prizes

There will be awards handed out for the following categories;
- Spirit of the Festival
- Best Feature
- Audience Award
- Best Short
- Best Cinematography
- Emerging Filmmaker
- Honorable Mention
- Honorable Mention

Rules & Terms

Submission dates: March 1- September 15, 2023
Submission forms must be complete.
All film screeners must be submitted through FilmFreeway.
Deadlines cannot be changed.

Short films are under 20 minutes.
Short film submission fee: $20.

Feature films are considered over 20 minutes.
Feature film submission: $20.

Unfortunately, fee waivers are only available for previously accepted SDSFF filmmakers. Please contact festival directors for waiver code.
All submission fees are non-refundable.

Filmmakers may submit more than one film, but each film must be accompanied by it’s own submission form and fee.

Films produced in languages other than English must have English subtitles.

The screening panels’ decisions are final.

2023 SDSFF 'OFFICIAL SELECTION” films will be announced no later than September 1, 2023.

***ALL ACCEPTED FILMS MUST BE SENT IN ON A DRIVE.***
(We apologize in advance, but due to the amount of accepted films, it just is not possible to download any files.)
***All HD files must be received via hardrive by September 7 , 2023. (No exceptions)
***All HD files must be in the following formats (.mov): ApplePro Res or H.264.

Filmmakers will assume all shipping costs to the SDSFF and we will pay for any return shipping.

Filmmakers agree to the use of up to 3 minutes of their films for SDSFF promotion purposes.

Filmmakers will receive 2 All-Access VIP Passes and 5 additional individual tickets to their screening.

The SDSFF reserves the right to make any necessary changes in 2023 SDSF scheduling to make everything run properly.

Officially Selected Films agree to be played on the SDSF "Best of Fest" at a later date.

We thank you all and wish you the best of luck.

For more info, visit the festival website: http://sdsurffilmfestival.com/
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Michael Durban

    It was a pleasure to be a part of this festival. Pity I do not live in the States but it was great to have my documentary screened for an international audience along with some big names in the surf community.

    May 2019
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  • Aljaz Babnik

    The Festival In San Diego was more than great, amazing experience seeing all the films that were chosen. Organization of the festival was on high level. Overall great experience.
    Aljaž

    May 2018
    Helpful
  • Dominic de Salis

    Fantastic festival run by fantastic people! Hope to see y'all again next year!

    July 2017
    Helpful
  • Josh Rufford

    Yeewwwwwwwwww!
    Yeewwwwwwwwww!
    Yeewwwwwwwwww!
    Yeewwwwwwwwww!
    Yeewwwwwwwwww!

    June 2017
    Helpful