Taos is an elemental place full of epic contrast and true feeling. It is a home for communities that stretch more than a thousand years into the past. It is a creative oasis for wanderers of every stripe. It is a high-elevation desert scrubbed of all pretense by nature’s unrelenting intensity.

Taos Film Festival (TAOSFF) screens films that speak to the resilient heart of our community. TAOSFF amplifies independent filmmaking voices from around the world and New Mexico. We welcome feature-length and short-form narrative and documentary films, including animation and experiential projects. New Mexico filmmakers are eligible for a submission fee discount (see the Rules and Regulations section).

Film Festivals have been a much-loved part of the Taos community. Taos Talking Pictures (1995–2003), Taos Mountain Film Festival (2002–2009) and Taos Shortz (2007–2019) all generated enthusiasm, goodwill, and great attendance. TAOSFF is already generating buzz in the region, and the festival’s screening venues are cornerstones of arts in Taos.

In addition to screenings, TAOSFF connects artists and audiences through Q&As, talks and creative workshops. Youth-focused opportunities are woven into the festival structure, with production internships, open calls for media creation and classes.

Taos Film Festival (TAOSFF) is a project of Taos Center for the Arts (TCA), a 501(c)(3) organization. With a 275-seat theater and two galleries, TCA curates films, exhibitions, and performances as well as provides local, regional and internationally renowned artists, thinkers and performers the space to inspire creativity and foster a thriving love for the arts. TCA has cultivated a robust year-round film program, screening 4–5 films weekly, and produces concerts, performances, talks, and community events with 50+ partners and collaborators.

Awards & Prizes

Poetic Frontiers - Films that forge new artistic frontiers, captivating audiences with their bold and beautiful creative choices.

Brave New World - Films that explore today’s pressing issues and ideas with clarity and conviction.

Spirit of New Mexico - Films that capture the indelible spirit of New Mexico’s land and people with artistry and care.

Official Selection Laurels for all selected films

Rules & Terms

*Submissions*
Narrative Feature / Documentary Feature Film: 41+ minutes in length. (Max duration 150 minutes).
Narrative Short / Documentary Short Film: 40 minutes or less in length.

Films must be submitted electronically on FilmFreeway.

Multiple entries from filmmakers are welcome; each film must be submitted separately on FilmFreeway.

Films not in English must have English subtitles, unless dialogue is minimal and not necessary for the comprehension of the film.

Films of any completion date are eligible.

Films may appear theatrically or at other film festivals prior to TaosFF screenings.

All films must be submitted as an online screener and only the first submitted version of a film will be considered.

If the submitted film link does not play, the password does not work, or the film is not viewable, TaosFF may disqualify the film without refunding the submission fee.

Only complete entries (including fee and screener) will be considered.

Filmmakers are permitted to submit unfinished works; the programming committee will consider the version submitted.

The applicant holds the sole responsibility of copyright clearance of any copyrighted material in the film. Filmmakers have ownership or control of the copyright and are authorized to submit this film to Taos Film Festival.

*Submission Fees*
Submission fees are non-refundable.

Each submission must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. All submission fees must be paid in U.S. funds.

Email info@taosff.org to receive a Local/New Mexico Film discount code. To Qualify for a Local/NM Film discount code, at least one of the following must apply:
- The film must have been shot partially (50% or more) in New Mexico.
- Director(s) and/or Producer(s) and/or lead actor(s) live in New Mexico.
- Director(s) and/or Producer(s) and/or lead actor(s) grew up in New Mexico.

*Judging & Selection*
Selected films will be sent technical details, screening format, and delivery instructions after acceptance. TaosFF has multiple screening venues in Taos; some require DCP, others do not.

TaosFF does not provide feedback or screening notes to entries that are not selected.

By entering your film, you agree to provide compatible exhibition format(s) at least 30 days before the start date of the festival.

Most films can be delivered via digital transfer. If media is shipped, TaosFF will not pay shipping costs to or from the festival. If you want materials returned, provide postage with a pre-addressed forwarding label for your shipping container.

Upon selection, footage and/or images from films, along with materials accompanying selected entry, may be used for marketing and promotional purposes.

Festival programmers may add selected films to any category or programming block deemed appropriate.

Filmmakers are allowed to re-submit a film that was previously submitted.

8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Donna Bonilla Wheeler

    A wonderful international festival in a beautiful and hospitable town. Loved the focus on several types of filmmaker activities (esp yoga, soundbath, etc) and the community support from everyone involved. Would happily return!

    May 2026
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  • rafael Vigilantics

    What an amazing first year for them, their team worked so hard and every venue really showed they cared, we had an amazing time. Thanks everyone who took the time to watch Midnight’s Midnight

    May 2026
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  • Satori Thunder

    Taos Film Festival was extremely welcoming and run by individuals who are passionate about film and art. There were multi-media galleries to explore, a filmmaker's lounge, and thoughtful ways to reset each day as well as more standard gatherings and parties. We were honored to be included.

    April 2026
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  • Alexis Clements

    Especially considering this was the first year of the fest, the organizers did a great job. The programming was ambitious, both global in scope and also highlighting a lot of New Mexico-specific content, it was not afraid of experimental and challenging work, but also seemed to have a strong sensibility. There was also wonderful cooperation across multiple arts organizations in town, giving people a chance to experience a breadth of films and also spaces in the city. If anything, as a filmmaker, I felt there was too much to take in and participate in, but I did appreciate having options and being invited into everything, even a sound healing session one morning.

    My only note for the programmers would be to encourage them to program fewer films into the shorts programs. The content was good, but audiences got overloaded and started to leave before the end in all three sessions I attended. 4-5 films per block is probably a good place to stop, otherwise it's information overload and audiences aren't able to absorb or stay interested.

    For filmmakers wondering if their film is a fit, at least for this first year, many of the films I saw were grounded in questions of place, geography, and land, with a particular interest in New Mexico-related work, though, as noted earlier, there were also films from around the globe.

    April 2026
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  • Juan Manuel Gonzalez Fernandez

    Great festival. Very honored to be part of the inaugural edition of the Taos Film Festival with our short film RELIEFS!

    April 2026
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