SoCal Film Awards

In 2025 We will be celebrating 20 years of the SoCal! We have been honoring and acknowledging independent filmmakers and screenwriters since 2005!

The SoCal Film Awards continually looks for ways to acknowledge and honor creative artists. Through the SoCal Film Awards we aim to bring recognition to filmmakers and screenwriters at all levels, from the up-and-comer to the seasoned pro!

In 2005, we started as a celebration of independent filmmaking with theatrical screenings, workshops, guests and much more. We broke ground with new media events and screenings as well.

We are currently an online awards event without screenings.

To continue this legacy of celebrating creative independence, the SoCal Film Awards rises anew to honor and acknowledge the work of creative artists worldwide.

In the past, the SoCal has celebrated movies with heavyweights from Tom Hanks to Ann-Margret and guests in attendance from Trent Opalach (Infinity War cinematographer) to JF Lawton (Pretty Woman screenwriter) to Andy Dick (comedian, actor). While we look to the greats for inspiration, our heart and soul very much focus on the creativity of the emerging artist or the established independent.

As we have for many years in the past, the SoCal Film Awards will continue to celebrate the independence of filmmaking, screenwriting and the creative arts.

An award from the SoCal Film Awards has meaning. It is a celebration of arts and independence and is reviewed and selected by professionals within the industry.

Select winners will receive a combination of:

- A printable/frameable 8"x10" laurel to display;

- Customized printable/frameable certificate for purchase.

- Partner companies, The Independent Filmmakers Guild of America, and Ready DCP, will be giving Diamond Award winners lifetime membership to the guild and free DCPs.

AWARD LEVELS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Diamond Awards are for the tops in any of the categories – these are the crème de la crème.

The Awards of Excellence is awarded to top notch creative minds for their grand accomplishments in any category.

The Awards of Achievement are bestowed to the great minds who have gone above and beyond showing great worth and promise!

The Legacy Award is not always given, but when it is, we believe that this is for a filmmaker, screenwriter or creative artist who has produced a creative legacy, one that will be remembered and lead to great things!

We also have "Best of" awards for certain categories and we list finalists in the primary categories.

- The submitter must be directly involved (producer, director, screenwriter) with the project or legally authorized to represent the project submitted;

- Projects are only considered for the categories for which they are entered into;

- All commercial/private property including all trademark, copyrighted materials shown or recorded on the project is the responsibility of the filmmaker. The SoCal Film Awards will NOT take responsibility for any infringement of copy-written materials;

- All submissions must be submitted via digital screener (Vimeo, FilmFreeway, other screening service; or for screenplays – PDFs only. We DO NOT accept physical submissions (DVD, Blu-Ray, printed scripts etc);

- Award categories are decided at the discretion of the SoCal Film Awards and may be subject to change;

- All decisions are final;

- We do not accept pornographic material.

- We do watch your movie/screenplay in its entirety and give it honest and thoughtful consideration;

- We do not guarantee any type of public exhibition or display of your movie, so your movie will still qualify as a premiere in any festival you choose to submit to.

- We are currently a non-screening, online awards event without any in-person events.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Leslie-Ann Coles

The festival is a virtual award event. It was an honour to be selected and to have won an award. Very gatefu for this recognition. .

September 2024

Helpful
Robert Tartell

Delighted to have my comedy short A Texas Trilogy selected. A very professionally run festival with great communication and real effort to foster networking. I look fwd to entering again.

September 2024

Helpful
Jennifer Molina

This is a great festival to showcase your work; it's an honor to have been an award winner for the SoCal Film Awards, especially here in LA in the heart of the film world.

September 2024

Helpful
Matt Anderson

So glad that Anna Key won the top prize for best film and director. Really proud of everyone involved.
The Festival was friendly and quick to provide information. I will be submitting again!

September 2024

Helpful
Malcolm Solomon

A wonderful festival that everyone should experience!

September 2024

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

September 29, 2024
Opening Date
September 30, 2024
Super Earlybird Deadline
October 31, 2024
Earlybird Deadline
November 30, 2024
1st Regular Deadline
December 31, 2024
2nd Regular Deadline
January 31, 2025
Regular Deadline
February 28, 2025
Late Deadline
March 31, 2025
Extended Deadline
April 6, 2025
Notification Date
April 20, 2025
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Feature Film
Narrative features longer than 40 minutes.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Short Film
40 minutes or less
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Screenplay (long form, over 40 pages)
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Screenplay (short form, 40 pages or less)
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Documentary Feature
Over 40 minutes
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Documentary Short
40 minutes or less
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Adaptation
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Animated Feature
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Animated Short
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Cinematography
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Credit Sequence
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Cultural Impact
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Director
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Editing
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Educational or Training
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Experimental
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Faith-Based Movie
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
First-Time Filmmaker
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Gamer Videos
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Leading Actress
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Leading Actor
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Micro Short
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Music Video
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Movie Trailer
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Score
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Sound Design
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Supporting Actor
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Supporting Actress
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Web Series
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Youth (17 and under)
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
YouTube Creators
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- 1st Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- 2nd Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now

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