Submit your film for a chance to be a part of the line-up of the 2019 Galveston Island Film Festival & Conference and win cash prizes and awards.

Located on beautiful Galveston Island in Texas, GIFF-CON is an exciting three-day festival that spotlights diverse, up-and-coming filmmakers across the world.

Filmmakers are invited to spend Oct. 4 – 6 on the island for an experience like none other film festival in the world. Attendees will have the opportunity to create new professional connections with like-minded entertainment professionals from around the world.

Festival-goers can also tour the island throughout the three days on trolleys, golf carts, and shuttles. All attendees will receive a full itinerary.

The panel discussion will focus on topics regarding the integration of diversity within the entertainment industry, as well as how the entertainment business landscape has changed to provide more opportunities for diverse filmmakers.

The films shown at GIFF-CON explore fresh, innovative and creative topics, creating an opportunity for the film projects to gain national and international exposure.

GIFF-CON’s importance lies in its ability to address issues of integration, diversity and new technology in the entertainment industry. The film festival is a platform for aspiring creators who are not yet in the mainstream but use their unique voices to express their artistic point-of-views.

Everyone will experience the diverse culture on historic Galveston Island, the embodiment of the American vision of unity.

Awards & Prizes

Grand Prizes:
1st Place for a Featured Film
➢ $50.00 Cash
➢ GIFF-CON Trophy
➢ Quick Film Budget (Value of $199.00)
➢ IPitch.TV – 1 year subscription (Value of $299.00)
➢ GIFFC Website Channel Screening for 12 months
➢ Hollywood Screening

1st Place for a Short Film
➢ $50.00 Cash
➢ GIFF-CON Trophy
➢ Quick Film Budget (Value of $199.00)
➢ IPitch.TV – 1 year subscription (Value of $299.00)
➢ GIFFC Website Channel Screening for 12 months
➢ Hollywood Screening

1st Place for a Documentary Film
➢ $50.00 Cash
➢ GIFF-CON Trophy
➢ Quick Film Budget (Value of $199.00)
➢ IPitch.TV – 1 year subscription (Value of $299.00)
➢ GIFFC Website Channel Screening for 12 months
➢ Hollywood Screening

2nd Place for a Featured Film
➢ GIFF-CON Certificate
➢ GIFFC Website Channel Screening for 6 months
➢ Hollywood Screening

2nd Place for a Short Film
➢ GIFF-CON Certificate
➢ GIFFC Website Channel Screening for 6 months
➢ Hollywood Screening

2nd Place for a Documentary Film
➢ GIFF-CON Certificate
➢ GIFFC Website Channel Screening for 6 months
➢ Hollywood Screening

3rd Place for a Featured Film
➢ GIFF-CON Certificate
➢ GIFFC Website Channel Screening for 3 months
➢ Hollywood Screening

3rd Place for a Short Film
➢ GIFF-CON Certificate
➢ GIFFC Website Channel Screening for 3 months
➢ Hollywood Screening

3rd Place for a Documentary Film
➢ GIFFC Certificate
➢ GIFFC Website Channel Screening for 3 months
➢ Hollywood Screening

SPOTLIGHT AWARDS:

Best Lead Actor:
1. Best Lead Actor for a Featured Film
2. Best Lead Actor for a Short Film

Best Supporting Actor:
1. Best Supporting Actor for a Featured Film
2. Best Supporting Actor for a Short Film

Best Lead Actress:
1. Best Lead Actress for a Featured Film
2. Best Lead Actress for a Short Film

Best Supporting Actress:
1. Best Supporting Actress for a Featured Film
2. Best Supporting Actress for a Short Film

Best Ensemble Cast:
1. Best Ensemble Cast for a Featured Film
2. Best Ensemble Cast for a Short Film
3. Best Ensemble Cast for a Documentary Film

Best Editing:
1. Best Editing for a Featured Film
2. Best Editing for a Short Film
3. Best Editing for a Documentary Film

Best Wardrobe:
1. Best Wardrobe for a Featured Film
2. Best Wardrobe for a Short Film

Best Hair & Make-Up:
1. Best Hair & Make-Up for a Featured Film
2. Best Hair & Make-Up for a Short Film

Best Special FX:
1. Best Special FX Direction

Best Art Direction:
1. Best Art Direction for a Featured Film
2. Best Art Direction for a Short Film
3. Best Art Direction for a Documentary Film

Best Diverse Cast:
1. Diverse Cast Award for a Featured Film
2. Diverse Cast Award for a Short Film
3. Diverse Cast Award for a Documentary Film

The Courage Award:
1. Courage Award (For most daring film content)

The Humanitarian Award:
1. Humanitarian Award (Films that highlight most important, relevant social issues)

Best Cinematography:
1. Best Cinematography for a Featured Film
2. Best Cinematography for a Short Film
3. Best Cinematography for a Documentary Film

The Outstanding Achievement for Producing Award:
1. Outstanding Achievement for Producing a Featured Film
2. Outstanding Achievement for Producing a Short Film
3. Outstanding Achievement for Producing a Documentary Film

In total there are at LEAST 25 winners this 2019 year. If you have a good film, chances are you will be recognized.

All films that place in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grand Prize will be screened in the heart of Hollywood, California with a reception afterwards, getting the chance to network with entertainment professionals.

Films that place and receive Spotlight Awards that are in attendance will be presented with an official Galveston Island Film Festival & Conference laurels. Films that place and receive a Spotlight Award but cannot attend the festival will be sent an official Galveston Island Film Festival & Conference laurels via emailed PDF format.

Industry Professional Judging Panel to be announced February 2019 and Official Winner Hollywood Screening dates to be announced after winners are announced at the festival.

Rules & Terms

GIFF-CON Rules & Regulations
Galveston Island Film Festival is seeking films that demonstrate creative cinematic techniques, stories that has a diverse voice and diversity in the cast.

Eligibility:
1. Entries must be completed in 2015 through 2019
2. Featured-length Films must be 26 minimums – 90 minutes maximum
3. Short Films must be between 3 minimums – 25 minutes maximum
4. Documentary must be between 3 minimums – 60 minutes maximum
4. Must be 18 years and/or older
5. Genres Accepted – Drama, Action, Comedy, Fantasy/ Sci-Fi, Inspirational,
and Musical/ Dance
6. Films that use any other language other than English must have subtitles.

GIFF-CON – Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference TERMS OF USE:

• Failure to comply with GIFF-CON guidelines, rules, regulations, or eligibility may be cause for disqualification and result in having your film pulled from screening.

• By submitting or entering your work to GIFF-CON you are admitting that you have read, understood and agreed to follow our Rules and Regulations for festival submissions and to abide by our Terms and Conditions of service and our general festival Rules and Regulations.

• By submitting or entering your work to GIFF-CON, entrants release the Board of Directors, Officers, Staff and Volunteers harmless from and against all losses, damages, rights, claims and actions of any kind arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from participation with the competition or participation in any competition related activity.

• By submitting to GIFF-CON you are granting GIFF-CON the rights to use screen grabs, press materials, and stills from your movie on our advertisements, press materials, festival programs and website for a minimum 12 months preceding and following the festival year you are submitted to.

• By submitting to GIFF-CON Featured, Short Film and Documentary Category you are admitting that you are 18 years of age or older.

• By submitting to GIFF-CON you are granting the right for GIFF-CON to screen your film publicly one to Twelve times in the next twelve months world-wide.

• By entering or submitting to GIFF-CON you acknowledge that you are not entitled to any refund or damage claims of any kind if your film is unable to screen due to technical or operational difficulties or if your film needs to be rescheduled or delayed for any reason or do not get chosen for the festival.

• Every Film with Non–English dialogue that is submitted MUST provide their film WITH ENGLISH Subtitles, no matter what language the dialogue is films without English Subtitles will be dis-qualified from the submission process.

• Every Film with Non–English dialogue that gets officially selected MUST provide a copy of their film WITH ENGLISH Subtitles, no matter what language the dialogue is films without English Subtitles will be dis-qualified and pulled from the festival.

• GIFF-CON is not responsible for broken or non-functioning films.

• In the case that your film gets selected for the official program in 2019, a final screening copy in form of a Mp4 through Dropbox, or FilmFreeway should be submitted by deadline due date. We will not accept any film from any other services. Sending your film through any other delivery service will result in your film being dis-qualify and pulled from the festival schedule.

• GIFF-CON will notify all selected films through filmfreeway. It is up to the filmmaker to follow-up if we received their film and materials that are required.

• If your Film is officially selected for the festival you MUST provide a digital high-resolution file with ENGLISH if language is other than English - ALREADY ATTACHED AND SYNCHED UP TO THE FINAL SCREENING COPY. THE FESTIVAL DOES NOT TRANSLATE OR EDIT SUBTITLES ONTO THE FILM FOR SCREENING PURPOSES. We do NOT accept separated files of movies and subtitles it has to be provided in ONE file.

• If GIFF-CON does not receive a MP4 copy of your film (if selected) your film will automatically be disqualified from the program/competition.

• GIFF-CON does not pay any screening fees. We also do not arrange and/or pay for any travel expenses and we do not set-up promotional gear. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ronn Kilby

    The only communication we had from the festival was notification that our film was selected. We were unable to attend, due to a scheduling conflict, but I'm sure it was great. No notice either by email or on the website of award winners. No updated photos. No fest updates on FB.

    October 2019
    Helpful
  • J William Boothman II

    The team who put together this festival did an amazing job! I came in tired from a long drive to check-in and they treated me like family immediately. The locations were perfect for both the panels in the ballroom of Riondo’s Ristorante and the screenings in a massive theater at Moody Gardens. the catering was light and fresh and energizing. The panels were incredibly thorough and well-organized, as well as the booklets and other material. Of all the smaller festivals I’ve been in, this was the best. I absolutely will go again!

    October 2019
    Helpful
  • Tom Procida

    Sherrill, Bobby and the rest of the staff were outstanding. The films were screened at an IMAX theater. Huge screens, great sound, great venues and an outstanding selection of films. I really couldn't have asked for more.

    October 2019
    Helpful
  • Wojciech Lorenc

    GIFF-CON is such a wonderful festival. You can tell that they genuinely care about the filmmakers, and the film community of Galveston. I have too many great things to say about the festival to fit in this short review. Here are my highlights:

    1. Organizers, and volunteers are the friendliest people in the world.
    2. I got to show my film on an IMAX Screen in Galveston’s Moody Gardens. How cool is that !?
    3. The first 2 days of the festival, which focused on networking, and panels, took place in Riondo’s Ristorante which means that you get to hang out in, and enjoy the Historic Downtown of Galveston in addition to the festival.
    4. The panels were very thoughtfully put together. I learned a lot and walked away with new contacts in the industry.
    5. They served us delicious food ! That was so unexpected. I’ve been to many festivals before and you don’t get that kind of treatment every often.
    6. I loved meeting and chatting with writers, directors, actors, etc. I made some great connections.
    7. I really enjoyed the tour of Moody Gardens immersive storytelling technologies that the festival organized. What a great idea! I learned a lot!
    8. I enjoyed seeing professionals hang out between the events. The robotic arm demo was very educational.
    9. The raffles were fun!
    10. Cash prizes for winners! How often do you see that!?

    I definitely recommend submitting to this festival. And if you don’t have a film ready, I highly recommend attending. You will meet great people and make connections in the industry.

    October 2019
    Helpful
  • Joe Jennings Jr.

    I did not attend the festival but the communication between myself and the festival was top tier. I was excited to have won "BEST ENSEMBLE CAST" for my short film, CHANGE as a result. It was a huge honor to be included in the Galveston Island Film Festival.

    October 2018
    Helpful
    12970469 10153350388776249 1401200870 o
    Response from festival:

    Joe, Thank you !
    I look forward to future films from you.
    Sherrill