The Santa Fe Film Festival is an annual celebration of the best in cinematic arts, the 25th Annual Santa Fe Film Festival will run in February 2025 with a variety of programs including screenings, panels, juried awards, Q&As for all films with present filmmakers or representation, workshops, red carpet, press interviews, networking, and after-parties.

Voted as the best place for filmmakers to live by MovieMaker Magazine, there's a reason for that, not only because of the partnerships with Universal, Netflix, and others but because of our tax credits for filmmakers... and quality of life.

AND we are a quick flight from LA and a bit longer from NY or the East Coast but once you land you will find yourself transported to a place rich in history, culture, amazing food, and people.

Our jurors are also a mix with in-state local professionals to Hollywood, NY, and International professionals who appreciate all aspects of storytelling and independent film.

Our History

Long before New Mexico received statehood, artists have found our diverse landscapes, light, and culture integral for sharing their stories.

New Mexico has been a key part of filmmaking since the first ‘short film’ entitled “Indian Day School” was shot by a crew sent by Thomas Edison in 1898. Filmmakers found that shooting in the light in our state added more drama, depth, and atmosphere to the story.

With a rich history in film, it’s not surprising that over 300 feature films from Westerns to Action genres and everything in between has been shot here since 1911. Select titles include 3:10 to Yuma, The Astronaut Farmer, Silverado, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Grapes of Wrath, Red Dawn, Independence Day, Young Guns, and Wild Wild West.

In the 1920s, Film Festivals became popular with independent filmmakers as an alternative to Hollywood-controlled theaters, allowing them to share their important stories from documentaries to avant-garde films; allowing them to show their work to audiences, film distributors, critics, and fans.

The Santa Fe Film Festival’s beginnings started to grow organically forty years ago with an off-shoot from a festival in the region creating a “New Directors/New Film” program in partnership with MOMA (NYC) which attracted many notable Hollywood directors and film stars. From this start as a hub for celebrating filmmakers, the Santa Fe Film Festival was officially created in 1999 as a nonprofit and awarded “The Cider House Rules” as the first Best Feature.

Over the years, the Santa Fe Film Festival has garnered international industry acclaim receiving submissions from all over the globe by bringing together distinguished industry professionals and film-lovers alike with the diverse categories of cinema. We welcome you to join us.

Come experience the beauty of Santa Fe's culture and outdoors (skiing, hiking, biking, etc) and join us for our upcoming celebration of cinematic arts.

The Santa Fe Film Festival has concluded its 24th edition with an in-person event featuring 90 films from all over the world. At this year’s festival, filmmakers were honored at the two filmmaker awards ceremonies held.

2024 Santa Fe Film Festival Awards

LUMINARIA AWARD : VAL KILMER
Best Documentary Feature : Downwind
Best Documentary Short : Lightning Unveiled
Best Cinematography : American Underdog
Best Costume Design : Stolen tundra

TRAILBLAZER VISIONARY AWARD : VERONICA FALCON
Best International Feature : Global Harmony
Best International Short : Gift
Best Animation : Cosmo
Best NM Documentary Short : Acequias: The Legacy Lives
Best NM Documentary Feature : American Hemp Farmer

RISING STAR : CHRISTIAN GANIERE
Best NM Short : Tales of the faded West
Best NM Feature : The stress is killing me
Best Production Design : MAKTOUB AS IT IS WRITTEN
Best Actor : Matthew Modine in Martini Shot
Best Actress : Veronica Falcon in American Underdog

HUMANITARIAN AWARD : MATTHEW MODINE
Best Score : Only Here and Now
Best Short : ANIMUS
Best Director : An Open Door - Temple Grandin
Best Picture : The Martini Shot
Love Today Productions Storyteller Award : Till Love Do Us Part

1. The submitted film must be the original work of the Filmmaker. The Festival does not investigate rights or authorship, by entering the competition, you represent that you have secured the necessary rights.

2. A student submitting a film must provide a photocopy of a current and valid student ID or a letter from his/her school verifying enrollment.

3. The Filmmaker is responsible for all shipping costs, domestic or international of requested media and for the return if requested. The filmmaker is also responsible for meeting the required deadlines for submitting the materials requested if selected or they will not be programmed for the festival. You can include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish to confirm receipt of your entry.

4. The Festival cannot provide feedback and/or additional correspondence to films that are NOT selected.

5. SFFF does not generally pay for screening fees or filmmakers travel and accommodations. Exceptions to this may be in the case of an honoree or special screening such as an opening night film. This is at the discretion of the SFFF staff.

6. Filmmaker submissions should be "locked" for the consideration process. Technical changes in color or sound will not affect the overall story which is the focus of our team in screening films. Should the festival accept the film, then the filmmaker has the opportunity to send an updated version before the deadline posted by the programmer in advance of the live festival.

7. If your film was made in New Mexico, has a New Mexican cast or crew, or was shot in New Mexico (all or part), PLEASE make note of it in your cover letter as we don't want to miss your film.

8. Your film does not have to be a premiere of any kind for inclusion in our festival. However, it cannot be available currently on a streaming site, broadcast, or VOD.

9. If you are in need of an ASL interpreter for the Q&A after your film, we request at least a 30-day notice so we can make arrangements for you to have one to support you and your film screening.

Selected Entries and Winners

1. SFFF has no obligation to disclose any of the following information (except for the rules as posted in our profile): 1) notes, feedback, or ratings on submissions, 2) identities of judges or screeners, 3) details regarding our review or selection process.

2. Once your film is accepted and digital copy sent to us, you cannot withdraw the film from festival programming.

Terms

1. I, the representative of the project being submitted (the "Film"), acknowledge and agree as follows in connection with the Film's submittal to Santa Fe Film Festival (SFFF or Festival):

2. I hereby represent and warrant to the Festival that (a) I am duly authorized, on my own behalf and on behalf of all other persons or entities who have any ownership rights in the Film, to exhibit this Film at the Festival, (b) this exhibition will not violate any law or any right or consent of any person or entity and (c) the Film is not subject to litigation nor is it threatened by any litigation.

3. I further represent and warrant that, to the best of my knowledge, the exhibition of the Film at the Festival will not violate or infringe any copyright, patent, privacy right, publicity right, trademark, service mark or any other personal or property right of any person or entity and that my Film does not constitute defamation of any person or entity. I have paid and will pay in full all license fees, clearance fees, and other obligations, of any kind, arising from the exhibition of the Film in connection with the Festival.

4. If accepted, I acknowledge that the Festival's presentation of the Film does not create any confidential or fiduciary relationship between the Festival and me. I understand that I will not receive any compensation for such exploitation, although some prizes at the Festival may include cash awards. I acknowledge that no obligation of any kind is assumed by or may be implied against the Festival or the official sponsors of the Festival because of the Festival's selection of the Film. I understand and acknowledge that the selection of my Film by the Festival does not in any way constitute an express or implied endorsement or approval by the Festival of the content of the Film or any opinion expressed therein.

5. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless Santa Fe Film Festival, the affiliate, subsidiary and parent entities of each, and the officers, directors, employees, attorneys, advisers and agents of each of the foregoing from and against any and all claims, losses, or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that may be asserted against any of the foregoing or incurred by any of the foregoing at any time in connection with the Film or the Festival's use thereof, and/or arising from any breach or alleged breach of any representation made by me to the Festival.

6. If accepted, I hereby grant without reservations, to the Festival, and their related entities (a) the right to use footage, stills and/or titles, and information from the Film for promotional purposes and (b) the right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the filmmakers and the Film and to use all associated names, likenesses and biographical information. I also agree to provide contact information for the director and producer(s) of the Film and grant the Festival the right to provide this information to film industry organizations sponsoring Festival events at its discretion.

7. I represent that I am 18 years of age or older, or that if I am younger than the legal age to enter into contracts in my state, I have provided written consent from my parent or legal guardian. I agree that any controversy arising out of or in connection with my Film and the Festival will be governed by the internal laws of the State of New Mexico and conclusively determined by arbitration in the City of Santa Fe in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association before a single arbitrator mutually agreed by the parties. I hereby waive any and all rights and benefits which I might otherwise have or be entitled to litigate any such dispute in court, including without limitation a trial by jury.

8. I acknowledge that I have read and understood the rules and regulations for submitting a film to the Festival, located at http://www.santafefilmfestival.com.

9. By submitting the Film, I constitute my full and complete acceptance of the terms hereof. I acknowledge that no oral representations of any kind have been made by Santa Fe Film Festival. Filmmaker grants the Santa Fe Film Festival the right to use a clip or clips from the film or any press materials submitted for publicity and promotional purposes.

10. The Santa Fe Film Festival reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.

11. For accepted titles, the Festival should receive the exhibition print (requested file in the accepted format) no later than March 20, 2024. The filmmaker is responsible for the expense of shipping their exhibition print to the Festival.

Please note: COMPETITION IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Terry Ngo

    We're so happy that Santa Fe Resident Too had an audience and was well received. Thank you for having us.

    December 2024
  • Bridget Thomas

    So grateful to have my film, Life on Purpose, premiere at the 2024 Santa Fe Film Festival! It was a great experience! The organizers, staff, and volunteers were wonderful, great networking parties and opportunities. I even got to have a nice chat with Matthew Modine on the plaza after a screening of Downwind. All in the beautiful, culturally rich city of Santa Fe, New Mexico. A fantastic festival and an amazing experience!

    July 2024
  • Wonderful festival! Nani Rivera was so communicative! Thanks to Elle Williams and Flemming Fynsk from Love Today Productions for recognizing my film Till Love Do Us Part. I hope next time I can come to the festival in person.

    May 2024
  • Nani Rivera--the executive director was so warm and supportive to us as first-time filmmakers. There were many excellent networking events, a really fun and inspiring awards ceremony, and just an overall amazing experience! We LOVED this festival1

    May 2024
  • Liza Asner

    My team and I were blown away with the level of communication leading up to and during festival. It was also the most welcoming festival we have been apart of. It was an honor to be included and a special thanks to NaNi!

    May 2024