Welcome to the "Slamdance of the South!"

Experience the magic of independent cinema at the South Carolina Underground Film Festival (SCUFF), an IMDb-qualifying event that embraces all genres of independent film. Join us in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, for three thrilling days filled with indie films from around the globe. SCUFF offers a unique opportunity for fans and filmmakers to come together, connect, and revel in the world of obscure and independent cinema.

Our special guests such as filmmaker Mark Borchardt (American Movie) have come to SCUFF and shared inspiring stories with our attendees.

Experience the best in independent cinema from around the world and support local filmmaking in South Carolina at the South Carolina Underground Film Festival (SCUFF). Filmmakers of all levels, from beginners to professionals, are invited to showcase their works and compete for awards in various categories.

SCUFF welcomes all types of films, from the unconventional to the mainstream. Whether it's drama, comedy, horror, sci-fi, action, animation, music videos, documentaries, or films with LGBT themes, we want to see it all. We celebrate the diversity of independent filmmaking and aim to provide a platform for films that may not have the opportunity to be shown at other festivals. Join us and be part of an inclusive and vibrant filmmaking community at SCUFF!

Are you worried that your film might be too daring for our festival? If that's the case, then we definitely want to see it! Does your film challenge social norms? Would other festivals dismiss the idea of your film making the cut? Then we want your movie!

After the screenings, we'll have Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, giving you the chance to engage with our audience. The festival will culminate on the third night with a grand awards ceremony where we'll present SCUFFY awards! Stay updated by following us on Facebook as we continue to share exciting announcements leading up to the festival! Best of luck, and we're eagerly anticipating your creation!

SCUFF is dedicated to promoting and nurturing independent films and filmmakers. We aim to introduce a whole new realm of cinema to the world that they wouldn't encounter elsewhere. Our goal is to draw a large audience to all the screenings and to create a vibrant and festive atmosphere for both the attendees and visiting filmmakers.

Awards & Prizes

SCUFFY is our mascot, a miner always digging for new films and screenplays. SCUFFY Awards will be given out in many categories. Our SCUFFY awards were designed and sculpted by special effects artist Tony Rosen who is most famous for creating the Annabelle doll used in the films "The Conjuring" and "Annabelle".

Official Sponsor Final Draft scriptwriting software will present software to the winners of the best un-produced screenplay categories.

Winners will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.

Trophies and awards will be given for:

Jury Award
Best Feature film
Best Short film
Best Documentary
Best Horror
Best Comedy
Best Director (short and feature)
Best Un-produced Screenplay (short and feature)
Best Produced Screenplay (short and feature)
Best SC Film and Filmmaker
Best Animation
Audience Choice Award

Filmmakers who have their film chosen as an official selection will be give 1 free VIP pass to the fest for Short films and 2 for Feature films!

We are an IMDB accredited event.

Rules & Terms

All filmmakers and screenwriters who have films or screenplays chosen as official selections and finalists will get two (2) free 3-day VIP passes for feature films and one (1) free 3-day VIP pass for shorts to the festival. Additional passes can be purchased if needed. Filmmakers who have film chosen as an official selection must provide a HD digital download for exhibition by October 25th. If not received by then, then your film will be removed from the screening schedule.

The 2025 festival is for films produced January 2022 or after.

If the film is not in English, then it must have English subtitles

​All submissions are screened and evaluated by the SCUFF Preview and Selection Jury, appointed by the festival steering committee. Judges decisions are Final.

The submission of a film to the SCUFF will be considered to be an acknowledgement of the festival rules.

​SCUFF will determine the date and time when submissions will be shown and while every effort will be made to follow screening times as printed in the festival program, SCUFF cannot be held accountable for changes to the schedule after the festival line-up is announced.

The Festival will not be responsible for the cost of receiving any additional materials i.e. DVDs, posters, photos, etc.

SCUFF reserves the right to refuse to screen any submission deemed by the festival to be overly offensive, violent or racist.

101 Reviews
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Networking
  • Harry Waldman

    Thanks for awarding "Bay For Blood" for Best Short Screenplay at your festival! I wasn't able to attend the event in person, but was really impressed by the frequent and detailed communication, and I really appreciate the fact that the festival was courteous enough to mail my trophy to my address. I had a great experience overall and will definitely be submitting future projects to the South Carolina Underground Film Festival.

    December 2024
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  • Naomi Bird

    Unfortunately, I was not able to make the trip over from Australia to attend in person but was incredibly honored to have my short TOBY screened at SCUFF! Will definitely submit future projects to this festival!

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Sorry that you could not attend but the audience had a great reaction to Toby and really enjoyed it! Hope you can make it soon!

  • Michelle Fenn

    I sadly wasn't able to make the trip out to catch the screening of my film, but the communication and organization I saw via email and heard from other filmmakers who attended was top notch. I would love to submit here again with future projects and do everything I can to attend, it seems like a great festival with a stellar reputation.

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Michelle! Hope to see you at one of the next events soon!

  • Matt Warren

    Unfortunately we had a prior screening commitment in another state, so regretfully we weren't able to attend SCUFF with our film DELICATE ARCH in person. Nevertheless, communication from the festival was top-notch and we were very pleased with how the festival represented our project online and in person during the fest. Really hoping we'll get the opportunity to return and enjoy in person!

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the review! Hope you will attend in person soon!

  • Delia Morchesky

    Our film never looked or sounded better than it did at the Nickelodeon Theater for the South Carolina Underground Film Festival. What a great venue! Communication was excellent from the moment we got accepted, and the fest was extremely well organized. I appreciated the afterparty events to chat with the other filmmakers and attendees. And of course, the SCUFFY Award itself is very cool…I’m honored to have won for Best Animation. SCUFF definitely will be at the top of my submission list for my next film.

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    So glad you had a great time and congrats on your award!