The Snake Alley Festival of Film (SNAFF) is dedicated to showcasing the best short films from around the world.

The annual summer event has celebrated the unique art of storytelling since 2012, showcasing an exceptional array of films and screenplays from both established and emerging filmmakers.

Enjoy an array of genres, Q&A with filmmakers, screenplay table reads, and several days of exciting networking opportunities.

SNAFF is a captivating experience that brings together a vibrant community of film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and passionate filmmakers, held at the beautifully restored Capitol Performing Arts Center in the heart of downtown Burlington, Iowa.

Awards & Prizes

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 Andy Wassom Writer's Block award.

Additional prizes for the winners of each category.

Rules & Terms

PLEASE READ ALL THE RULES & TERMS

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 three weeks in advance.

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

If your film is selected you must provide a downloadable link and one still within 48 hours of selection.

We only accept films that have been produced in 2024, 2025 or 2026.

No fan films.

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.

91 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Justin Senkbile

    Terrific festival! Had a great experience showing We Live Here Now (with very nice, bright projection), and everyone involved with the festival was terrific. Very legit from a filmgoing perspective too: lots of really high quality work being shown from all over the world, so definitely an honor to be included. Hope to be back!

    July 2025
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  • Hoku Uchiyama

    I'm honored to have been a part of this festival in 2025. The team is great. And they took special care to make sure my screening assets were working correctly with their system long before the festival began.

    I hope to screen at this festival in the future. And if possible, attend in person.

    July 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Hoku, we can't wait to see what's next. We'd love to have you!

  • Sandra Hosking

    Great group of people, interesting films, great fun!

    July 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Sandra, hope to see you again next year!

  • Joel Kellen Productions

    SNAFF was awesome to be at! It was fun taking a mini road trip to Burlington and seeing creative short films on the big screen! And the staff were really great.

    Only reason I have networking at a 3 is because I could only be there for one afternoon, and I didn't see a lot of people the first day. But that's really on me. Other than that, great festival to go to!

    July 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for making the trip Joel. We hope to see you next year!

  • Carrsan T. Morrissey

    This was my third year attending and screening at Snake Alley Festival of Film, and all I can say is it's simply the best. The communication leading up to the event is always superb and thorough, and the organizers and volunteers treat you like family during the festival itself.

    That kindness bleeds out into the festival goers themselves. This is the only festival I've ever been to where every year feels like a beautiful little "found family" reunion, with regulars attend whether they have a film screening or not just to socialize and see some great art. Additionally, the selection and curation are always top-notch, with a wide variety of projects to suit just about anyone's tastes.

    If there's anything I can promise you, it's this: you will have a great time at SNAFF.

    July 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Carrsan. We always look forward to seeing you and your work.