Catch the Next Wave of Independent Film at the 25th Anniversary of the Santa Cruz Film Festival!

The Santa Cruz Film Festival supports and promotes the love of the moving-image arts within the local Santa Cruz and Greater Monterey Bay Area. SCFF is an artist-driven, filmmaker-forward festival for original films world-wide. 



Through the production of an annual film festival, year-round events and educational programming, the Santa Cruz Film Festival engages the community in their appreciation of the moving-image medium, from short and experimental films, to narrative and documentary features. Since 2000, SCFF has screened over 2000 independent films, including scores of locally-produced works in front of tens of thousands of dedicated cinephiles.

Now in its 25th year, SCFF invites bold, innovative vision. More than ever, the world needs novel voices. Visceral storytelling. Poetic experimentation. All genres welcomed.

The festival is proud to not only showcase new creative movers and shakers, but also to provide an interactive experience where filmmakers, musicians, performers, and the community come together to celebrate the inexhaustibility of creativity in an unforgettable week. Andrei Tarkovsky once said, “The artist exists because the world is not perfect”. Life necessitates art. The cinematic experience is a vital one. Join Santa Cruz this October for a much-needed movie date. A crucial cinema.

Awards & Prizes

Honoring today's most creative independent films, SCFF presents awards in 18 categories:
Audience Award
Best Animated Work
Best Documentary Feature
Best Experimental Feature
Best Experimental Short
Best Locally-Produced Work
Best Narrative Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Short Documentary
Best Student-Produced Work
Director’s Award for Artistic Merit
EarthVision Environmental Feature Award
EarthVision Environmental Short Award
Evan Kuhn Youth Film Award
Spirit of Pride LGBTQ+ Award
Visionary Women in Film Award
Spirit of Action Prize (Feature)
Spirit of Action Prize (Short)

Rules & Terms

Santa Cruz Film Festival Submission Rules

1. Eligibility & Completion Date
- Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2023.
- All genres are welcome.
- Local films (made in or by filmmakers from Santa Cruz/California) are highly encouraged.
- Student produced work please include either proof of enrollment - copy of Student ID.
- Santa Cruz/Monterey local produced work, please include proof of residency in Santa Cruz/Monterey County - Driver's License copy, etc.
- Youth works please include proof of age.
** SCFF alumni may submit for free. Please email logan.kwalker@gmail.com for a code.**

2. Submission Format
- Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway through a secure screener link (Vimeo or YouTube preferred).
- No physical submissions (DVDs, Blu-rays, hard drives) will be accepted.
- If selected, filmmakers must provide a high-resolution digital copy (DCP, ProRes, or MP4) for screening.

3. Premiere Status & Online Availability
- The festival does not require a world premiere but prefers California or regional premieres.

4. AI-Usage Disclosure
- If AI-generated content was used in any capacity, filmmakers must disclose it in their submission.

5. Selection & Notification
- Official selections will be notified via FilmFreeway and email.
- If selected, filmmakers must provide:
* A high-resolution screening copy
* A press kit (stills, poster, director’s statement, trailer, social media links)
* The festival does not provide feedback on unselected films.

6. Screening & Attendance
- Selected films will be screened at venues within Santa Cruz and Montery Counties.
- Filmmakers are encouraged to attend!
- The festival will host Q&A sessions, networking events, and filmmaker panels.

7. Ticketing & Passes for Filmmakers
- Accepted filmmakers receive 2 festival passes.
- Additional guest tickets may be available at a discounted rate.

8. Disqualification & Refunds
- No refunds on submission fees under any circumstances.
- Submissions that do not meet the above requirements will be disqualified without a refund.

The festival does not require a world premiere but prefers California or regional premieres.

Films may be screened more than once during the festival.

The Festival may use images and clips from accepted films for promotional purposes and festival trailers on social media, email newsletters, and during the festival itself.

** Submission does not guarantee selection. **
26 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jae Shim

    We were thrilled to have our final festival screening in Santa Cruz where our project originated. Hats off to Logan and James for running (literally) an in-person event after two years on hiatus. SCFF is a smaller, regional festival that champions indie projects so audiences will reflect accordingly if you don't put some effort into promoting your screening. Although the star of our film couldn't attend due to health reasons, we were still able to enjoy an intimate screening with close friends, family, and Santa Cruz locals. The closing night party was a great time to meet and greet other filmmakers and mingle with festival goers, though we wish there were more official events like this sprinkled throughout the weekend. Thank you SCFF for including us this year!

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Yurugu Matsumoto

    Thank you for choosing my movie!
    I'll be back!

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Charles Hall

    We had a wonderful time at the SCFF. The directors of the festival were in constant communication and were very accommodating to our needs.

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Mary Trunk

    Fantastic place to screen a film!

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Marc Cartwright

    We had such a great time at the festival! Communication was amazing and everyone was very supportive. We look forward to submitting our next project!

    October 2022
    Helpful