The 15th Annual Santa Fe International Film Festival takes place October 18th-22nd, 2023. Dubbed “Toronto, but on a much smaller scale ” by Deadline Hollywood and “a young Sundance” by indieWire, SFiFF is a creative center for film in Santa Fe, allowing filmmakers to connect with industry and distributors. SFiFF showcases emerging and established filmmakers by screening features and shorts in one of the greatest art cities in the world. SFiFF provides over $100k in cash and prizes, filmmaker travel, juried awards, and all-access passes to the festival.
SFiFF has been named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” in 2023. “Located in the No. 1 town on our list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker, SFiFF gives back to its thriving film community in every sense — from programs for students to some of the most generous prize packages of any festival in the world," says Tim Molloy, Editor-in-Chief of MovieMaker. "It's a great way to link up with distributors and to learn from masters like Catherine Hardwicke, and we're certain that anyone who visits Santa Fe will find it as artistically inspiring and rejuvenating as we do.”
Partnerships with stunning local movie theaters like Violet Crown, George R.R. Martin’s Jean Cocteau, the historic Lensic theater, and the Center for Contemporary Arts ensure films are presented with the utmost high quality projection and sound.
SFiFF is New Mexico's foremost attraction for cinephiles -Pasatiempo Magazine
Recent guests have included Godfrey Reggio, Catherine Hardwicke, Oliver Stone, Shirley MacLaine, Robert Redford, Gena Rowlands, Ethan Hawke, Wes Studi, Jay Roach, Ali MacGraw, Jane Seymour, Tantoo Cardinal, and John Sayles.
Feature Film Categories : Narrative, Animated, Documentary, Experimental, Indigenous, Student, New Mexico and International.
Short Film Categories (under 40 minutes): Narrative, Animated, Documentary, Experimental, Indigenous, Student, New Mexico and International.
Mission
Santa Fe International Film Festival (SFiFF) is the premiere forum for international and independent cinema in the area. Focusing on artistic excellence, SFiFF serves as a creative center for film year-round, and as a presentation of the year's top films each October. SFiFF provides professional opportunities for artists, and unmatched audience participation in the world’s greatest little film city.
Santa Fe International Film Festival provides over 100k in cash and prizes. 2023 SFiFF winners will receive:
• Narrative Feature Award presented by Panavision: Includes camera package courtesy of Panavision valued at $60,000, a post-production package from Light Iron valued at $30,000, and $1,000 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
• Best Documentary Feature: $1,000 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
• Best Narrative Short: Includes camera package courtesy of Panavision valued at $15,000, and $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
• Best Documentary Short: $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
• Best New Mexico Short: $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
• Best Short Film by an Indigenous Filmmaker: $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
All award winners receive a special artisan-made SFiFF Statue Award.
Non-Cash Awards:
Audience Choice Best Narrative Feature
Audience Choice Best Documentary Feature
Audience Choice Best Short
Best New Mexico Narrative Feature
Best New Mexico Documentary Feature
Best Experimental Short
Best Animated Short