The Snake Alley Festival of Film is dedicated to showcasing the best short films from around the world. Films will screen at the beautifully restored Capitol Theater in the heart of downtown Burlington, Iowa. The theater boasts state of the art equipment and can comfortably seat more than 350 people.

A town with a rich history dramatically situated on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, Burlington is a growing center for commerce and culture. Known for fine dining, vibrant nightlife and blues-like atmosphere, it is a perfect host city for a film festival.

The festival derives its name from Snake Alley, a street constructed in 1884 and designed to connect an upscale residential neighborhood to the business district of downtown Burlington. Named by Ripley’s Believe It or Not as “The Crookedest Street in the World,” it remains the city’s #1 tourist attraction and draws visitors from around the world.

An Iron and wood sculpture for Best of the Fest, The Audience Choice, Best Iowa Film and The Directors Award for outstanding performance.

The winning short screenplay will receive the Writer's Block award.

Additional prizes for the winners of each category.

Snake Alley Festival of Film is dedicated to showcasing the best short from around the world with a strong emphasis on story.

All films must be 35 minutes or less.

All parties and events are open to festival pass holders. Marketing material must be provided a week in advance. Additional screeners may be needed for press packets. Foreign and domestic films will compete in the best of the fest category, and may the best film win!

By submitting an entry, entrant recognizes and accepts their work will be screened without compensation, both during the selection process and once in theater, if selected.

Submitting authorizes the Snake Alley Festival Of Film to use short clips and/or stills of the submitted film in promotional materials for the Snake Alley Festival Of Film, during the year the film was submitted.

All work submitted to the Snake Alley Film Festival will be digitized and made available on a secure site for the festival judges to review.

Entrant agrees to the Official Rules, and further agrees to indemnify and hold the Snake Alley Festival Of Film Parties and their respective affiliates, officers, directors, agents, co-branders or other partners, and any of their employees (collectively, the "Project Indemnitees"), harmless from any and all claims, damages, expenses, costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and liabilities (including settlements), brought or asserted by any third party against any of the Project Indemnitees due to or arising out of the Entrant's Entry materials in this Project, or the Entrant's conduct during and in connection with this Project, including but not limited to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights, right of publicity, right of privacy or defamation.

Entrant agrees to release, indemnify and hold harmless the Snake Alley Festival Of Film and Associated Parties from any and all claims that any advertising, presentation, web content or any other material subsequently produced, presented, and/or prepared by or on behalf of the Snake Alley Festival Of Film or the Associated Parties infringes on the rights of Entrant's work as contained in any Entry.

Students must upload student ID or proof of current educational status.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tony Miller

    Amazing festival where you can tell everyone involved cares about movies and filmmakers!

    August 2022
  • Vanessa Powers

    This is an incredible festival - their communication, networking, and promotion of the fantastic films involved is top notch. Highly recommend. My team and I will be entering again!

    July 2022
  • Richard Endacott

    SNAFF is a wonderful festival in a terrific place. Great communication, support and feedback from both the organizers and the attendees. It was a great compliment to have my short script selected and an even greater honor to receive an award. I hope to come back soon with a finished film!

    July 2022
  • Such a blast. The thing I love about this festival compared to others I've been to is that the festival is primarily focused on the films whereas others the films seem like a secondary thing with vendors and stuff being the main focus. So thanks for making an awesome festival! Cheers to 10 years!

    July 2022
  • Wonderful festival, great communication, just all-around amazing. Thank you so much!

    July 2022