Imagine warm sandy beaches in the Southern California sun and cool Pacific Ocean surf as the audience excitement grows plus meeting and mingling with fellow filmmakers, directors, actors, writers, and celebrity guests. Reward yourself with special VIP access to all events.

Enjoy four exciting days in one of Southern California’s most friendly cities. Revel in having an excited audience to see your film participate in the after screenings Q & A’s. Plus we give you direct access to promotional opportunities and photo events and the benefits of having your film, script or trailer showcased before a captive audience for three exciting days and don’t forget the opening night reception and the closing night awards gala.

Relax while networking with fellow filmmakers, writers, actors and industry insiders or kick back and enjoy one of the several daily seminars or workshops while learning the tips and tricks from multi award winning filmmakers and seasoned industry professionals. Participate in the Youth or Kid's film competition and judging or a hands on workshop.

Our festival team has over 45 combined years of film festival and film experience dedicated to producing an event that will rise among the best in the industry. Our programming team has proudly screened over 2,500 films and welcomed over 2,450 filmmakers to our film festivals and events in Southern California. The Seal Beach Film Festival is now an IMDb Qualifying festival.

Seal Beach is a fantastic location for the festival. Come experience the charm, the great food and drink in the city that Forbes Magazine rated #4 "the friendliest city" in the United States!

Awards & Prizes

Awards are presented in 30 categories including "Best of Show", "Best Feature", "Best Short" etc. We also present awards for "Best Actor & Actress and Best Supporting Actor & Actress" and "Best Screenplay". We also present audience choice awards.

Screenwriter prizes are proudly provided by InkTip.

Sponsors and local businesses also provide prizes and gifts for the filmmakers swag bags!

Rules & Terms

All submissions must be digital in form, we do not accept DVDs or Blu-Ray disks for submissions.

Submitted films and works must be independent films, not funded or financed by a major motion picture studio. Films submitted must have been made within two years or less prior to the current festival season to qualify for award consideration. We announce award nominees before the festival opening date to assist with the filmmakers' marketing and promotions.

The Seal Beach Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless The Seal Beach Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. Any credits or refunds are at the sole discretion of the festival and/or FilmFreeway. In the event of low submissions or venue changes the festival reserves the right to modify the submission dates and or event dates without advance notice in order to provide a fair and honest competition for all filmmakers and an enjoyable experience for all attending. No submission fee refunds will be issued unless the festival is fully canceled by the organizers. Due to Covid-19 risks at public functions, all attendees and the general public agree to hold harmless and release the festival, its parent company, sponsors, venues, employees, volunteers, and vendors of any and all liability for illness or otherwise relating to the covid-19 public risk at live events.