The Festival is an annual celebration of the best in cinematic arts to be held at independent cinemas across New Mexico. The Festival will run in Santa Fe and in cinemas across New Mexico in February 2027 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, lauded for its the production partnerships with Universal, Netflix, and others, and for its clear blue skies, open spaces and stunning scenery.

The Santa Fe Film Festival PLUS is an an expansion of the Santa Fe Film Festival, with movies showing in Indie cinemas across the state of New Mexico.

Filmmakers were honored at the two filmmaker awards ceremonies in Santa Fe.
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
  • On behalf of Madakto Pictures, we are honored to be a part of this prestigious film festival. It is truly inspiring to see so much talent and creativity gathered in one place. Thank you to the organizers and everyone involved for providing such a wonderful platform to share our work and connect with fellow filmmakers. We wish all participants the best and look forward to celebrating the art of cinema together.

    March 2025
  • Fun festival! Staff was very communicative and accommodating.

    March 2025
  • Dan Burns

    A fantastic festival! It was an honor to participate in their 25th anniversary celebration of films, where our film "Come Out, Wherever You Are" won the award for Best Short Film. The festival staff was welcoming, accommodating, and always attentive. The program included a great mix of films and events, followed by afterparties for the filmmakers, which provided a great networking opportunity. Beautiful people, talented filmmakers, and an outstanding location—Bravo!

    March 2025
  • Claire Sandberg

    Thank you, NaNi, Susan, and April and all the volunteers that made this year’s Santa Fe Film Festival such an unforgettable experience. It was a huge honor to have my first film, The Ramba Effect, premiere at the silver anniversary of the festival and to go on to win Best Documentary. Your festival has so much heart! I will forever cherish my experience of and the connections made there. Thank you!

    March 2025
  • We loved this festival! The New Mexico film family is so welcoming and the selected films were all of such impressive quality. Thank you SFFF!

    March 2025