FILM SUBMISSIONS
By submitting a feature, short, or episodic narrative/documentary to SIFF for consideration in the 2026 Festival Program, the owner of the film agrees to be bound by these rules and regulations.
1. Eligibility Requirements:
- Completion Date: Film must have been completed on or after January 1st, 2016.
- Formats Accepted: All genres and formats are accepted unless otherwise specified in the category description.
- Language: Films in a language other than English must include English subtitles.
- Premiere History: Applicant must disclose all premiere history, awards, accolades, streaming platform availability, and release dates at the time of submission.
- Inclusivity: SIFF welcomes submissions from and aims to provide visibility for creators with disabilities across all categories.
2. Submission Procedure:
- Submission Method: All submissions must be made exclusively via FilmFreeway.
- Screener Format: You must provide a valid Vimeo link or use FilmFreeway’s online screener system at the time of submission.
- Required Naming: The film's title must be clearly visible on all associated files and links.
- Payment: Entry fees must be paid via credit card through the FilmFreeway payment system. Fees are non-refundable once submitted.
- Deadlines: To be considered complete, the screener link must be accessible and the submission fee paid by the respective deadline date.
3. Status and Communication:
- Status Check: Applicants may check the status of their submission directly on FilmFreeway.
- Notification: Applicants will be notified of the festival’s decision by the stated Notification Date.
Overall SIFF Disclaimer:
By submitting a film to SIFF, all entrants acknowledge and agree to the following terms:
1. Original Work: All submitted films must be the original work of the entrant(s). The entrant affirms that they hold all necessary rights, licenses, clearances, and permissions for all content included in the film, including but not limited to music, images, and script. The festival is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or other rights arising from any materials submitted.
2. Rights & Permissions: By submitting a film, the entrant grants SIFF the right to screen the film during the festival and to use excerpts, stills, and the film’s title for promotional purposes in all media formats.
3. Liability: SIFF and its organizers, partners, and affiliates assume no responsibility for any loss or damage to submitted materials or any legal disputes arising from the screening of submitted works.
4. Selection & Awards: Submission does not guarantee inclusion in the festival. All films will be reviewed by a panel of judges, and selection decisions are final. The festival reserves the right to make changes to programming and scheduling as necessary.
By submitting a film, you agree to hold harmless SIFF, its staff, volunteers, sponsors, and affiliates from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from your participation.
SCREENWRITING CONTEST
Rules/Eligibility: By submitting a feature or short to SIFF for consideration in the 2026 Festival Program, the owner of the screenplay agrees to be bound by these rules and regulations.
Make sure to read all eligibility and other rules before submitting your film or screenplay.
Submission Procedure:
- A clear title page with NAME, and SCREENPLAY TITLE must be included on all submitted screenplays.
- Please submit a one sheet that includes genre, title, logline, short synopsis, long synopsis and character breakdown
- All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway, with a PDF submission of your writing.
- Submitted scripts must be in English. Scripts in other languages must include an English translation.
- Unproduced scripts are eligible
- All submissions must be in standard screenplay format. (12-point Courier font, 1-inch margins, etc.).
- Any writing software is allowed, as long as it follows industry-standard formatting.
- Anything not following industry formatting will not be considered.
- Applicants may check the status of submission directly on FilmFreeway.
- Applicants will be notified of the festival’s decision by the stated Notification Date.
Categories below are curated through our relationships with buyers:
- Horror/Thriller/Psychological Thriller
- Faith, Inspirational, Family (stories that the entire family may enjoy together "Co-viewing", these films must be clean, have no crude, or vulgar scenes, and have no stunts, violence, drugs, or smoking)
- Young Adult, comedy or drama
- Christmas/Holiday Romantic Comedy (These films must be clean, have no crude, or vulgar scenes, and have no stunts, violence, drugs, or smoking; only films centered around love between a couple in their early 30s)
- Romantic Comedies, non-holiday / Christmas
- Valentine's Day Rom Com (Straight up comedic, couples in their early 30s, rising)
PITCH PERFECT CONTEST
Don't have a finished film? Looking to pitch your idea and get industry feedback? Join us for August 15th Pitch Perfect Competition. In person or Video Submission welcome $50 Open ASAP
Participation is complimentary for all selected and non selected filmmakers who submitted a project (filmmakers and screenwriters). Anyone who has submitted a film or screenplay is eligible to participate.
The Pitch Perfect competition is ALSO open to those who are NOT submitting a script or film but wish to "get in the room" and submit their Film or TV idea.
