About the Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference

Submit your film for a chance to be a part of the line-up of the 2023 Galveston Island Film Festival & Conference and win cash prizes and awards.

Located on beautiful Galveston Island in Texas, GIFF-CON is a 2-day event that spotlights diverse, up-and-coming filmmakers across the world.

Filmmakers are invited to spend October 7, 2023 and October 8, 2023 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.

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 on the Moody Gardens 3D Imax Screen.

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

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

SPOTLIGHT AWARDS (GIFF-CON Certificate):

Best Editing

Best Wardrobe

Best Hair & Make-Up

Best Special FX

Best Art Direction

Best Diverse Cast

The Courage Award (For most daring film content)

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

Best Cinematography

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 2018 through 2023
2. Short Films must be between 3 minimums – 25 minutes maximum
3. 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 Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (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 Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (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 Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (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 Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (GIFF-CON) you are granting Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (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 Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (GIFF-CON) Featured, Short Film and Documentary Category you are admitting that you are 18 years of age or older.

• By submitting to Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (GIFF-CON) you are granting the right for Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (GIFF-CON) to screen your film publicly one to Twelve times in the next twelve months world-wide.

• By entering or submitting to Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (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.

• Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (GIFF-CON) is not responsible for broken or non-functioning films.

• In the case that your film gets selected for the official program in 2021, a final screening copy of the film in the 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 disqualify and pulled from the festival schedule.

• Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (GIFF-CON) will notify all selected films through FilmFreeway only. 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 subtitles 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 Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (GIFF-CON) does not receive a MP4 copy of your film (if selected) your film will automatically be disqualified from the program/competition.

• Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (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.
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dara Semerad

    It was a great experience. Everyone was very professional and our film got a lot of exposure. Thank you so much.

    September 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Dara!

  • 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