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 social media 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".

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 2026 festival is for films produced January 2023 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.

117 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lorraine Portman

    I regret we could not attend the festival. Communication was very good. I am honored and thrilled our film played this festival and we hope to return.

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Ryan Jackson

    SCUFF is such a cool festival. Met so many cool people and saw so many cool films. Definitely, look forward to attending it again.

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Sam Quinn

    Tommy and the SCUFF crew were awesome and made me feel right at home. Sadly I had to leave a day early due to a family emergency back home, but the two days I spent there was really delightful. Great line-up of films, wonderful audiences, and an excellent cinema experience in a charming location. 10/10 would absolutely return :) Oh, and don't forget the South Carolina BBQ! YUMMY!

    December 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks for the review and sorry you had to leave early!

  • Travis Long

    Wonderful festival. Can’t wait to return!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Travis!

  • Chris Donald Griffin

    It's a smaller festival, but word of mouth was always good, and they really know how to market themselves. All of the above, and the fact that my feature dark comedy screenplay, "The Bathtub", was a finalist in their screenplay competition, I decided to take the trip to South Carolina.

    There was a nice selection of films, many of which were controversial for a myriad of different reasons; they aren't afraid to take risks. I fell in love with a couple of the comedic feature films screened there, as well.

    For such a small festival - three days and one screen - the venue was great, and far more filmmakers showed up than I expected. It was easy to meet people there, especially at the after parties. I even met one of the other feature screenplay finalists there.

    My screenplay ended up winning 1st place for "unproduced feature screenplay", and I got to take home one of their awesome "SCUFFY" trophies.

    Columbia, South Carolina is also a beautiful little city, and the weather was pretty good for a November.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks for coming and glad you had a great time!