The Silver City Community Film Festival welcomes the diversity of the Southwest Borderlands region in an intimate yet powerful festival, highlighting the talented filmmakers of this area and providing opportunities for valuable connections and collaborations. Filmmaker mixers will take place over the course of the festival.

We accept submissions in all genres and forms of filmmaking, and encourage the spirit of the wild frontier! Awards granted in each submission category, as well as audience choice.

Silver City, New Mexico, situated in the high desert adjacent to the Gila Wilderness, is a hidden gem - a mix of miners, ranchers, explorers and artists forming a community with a deep history and welcoming nature.

Awards & Prizes

Best Micro-short
Best Narrative Film
Best Music Video
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Student Film
Audience Choice

Prizes to be determined and will include a mixture of cash and merchandise

Rules & Terms

Guidelines, Please Read:

Accepting ONLY films from the Southwestern Borderlands region, including SW New Mexico, El Paso, SE Arizona & Northern Chihuahua and Sonora.

**Filmmakers must live in the area within El Paso west to Tucson and Albuquerque south to Chihuahua, or have films created in or focused on this region.**

Films can be any length and will be placed into the categories of Narrative, Documentary, Music Video, Animation, and Student Film. We have a special category created for Micro-shorts, films 30 seconds or less.

Works can be submitted to only one category.

Films must be original and cannot use any copyrighted elements. All music must be original or have permission from the artist for use. Any film containing unauthorized music or imagery will not be accepted.

Accepted films will be required to provide DCP copies for festival screening.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rylee Norman

    I had a great experience with the Silver City Film Festival. The team was incredibly communicative and supportive, and they made me feel special as a filmmaker. Highly recommend!

    March 2026
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  • Ryan M. Robson

    Such an incredible festival! Hope to come back next year!

    November 2025
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  • Nancy Brady

    I was really looking forward to this festival because it was in funky/artsy Silver City, and the theme celebrated stories of the Southwest.
    From the very beginning, communication from Kim was prompt and friendly. The theater was beautiful, and the festival organizers greeted filmmakers with big smiles and offered delicious coffee, pastries, and fresh fruit platters to start the first day off beautifully.
    The films were all wonderful and inspiring, filmmakers were friendly, audience responsive. You could tell that Silver City appreciates independent cinema, and the theater was always packed.
    The venues for networking were amazing, surrounded by art created by the community in Silver City. And the food...wowza!!
    Our short proof of concept film, Maktoub, was accepted and won the coveted People's Choice award.
    It was one of the best FF's I have ever attended, and I encourage my film friends to submit their films to this fantastic festival next year.
    I sincerely had a hard time saying goodbye to everyone and enjoyed reflecting on this incredible weekend while I drove over the beautiful Gila mountains to come home.

    October 2025
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  • rafael Vigilantics

    What a great festival ! Really well done

    October 2025
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  • Andrew Mahan

    Thank you so much for screening my little flick on the Silco Theaters' big screen. I am truly honored to be included with all the fantastic and inspiring films of your festival. As one very experienced film maker stated, "....this festival is the best!" I have started working on my short for next year’s submission. Even if my flick is not selected, I will not miss next year’s festival, come hell or high water. Thank you again and congrats on the wonderful film festival.
    Andy Mahan
    Haloweenie Flash Roast

    October 2025
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