Founded in 2000, The Valley Film Festival (VFF) is an all-volunteer non-profit project of Community Partners ® and is the first and longest continually running film festival in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley, headquartered in the NoHo Arts District.

Now in its 23rd year, VFF supports local and international voices that advance storytelling, while furthering the education, production, and exhibition of film. In 2010, the City of Los Angeles recognized our cultural contributions with the city seal, and in 2018 the California State Senate stood with us #UnitedByFilm in our efforts to practice conscious programming to unite the international film community.

The Festival is supported by a dynamic community of companies, filmmakers, and moviegoers, that make it possible for VFF to offer year-round programming:

THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL
*When the world went online in 2020 and 2021, we stayed live! Adhering to city & state guidelines, VFF23 will take place August 1-8, 2023 with live screenings August 2-6 @ Laemmle NoHo7.

FOCUS ON: Series
*Professional development panels that bring our network of industry experts together to share relevant, practical knowledge. Panels are held both in-person and online, are typically free, and are not recorded to allow for frank discussion.

THE VALLEY FILM MARKET
*A marketplace and symposium of panels and a one-on-one matchmaking events between filmmakers & distributors.

VFF screens shorts, features, documentaries, animated films, experimental works, web series, music videos, and more. If you're unsure if your film fits our programming, please review our archives before submitting.

"10 Degrees Hotter" Award (juried)
Audience Award or "Best of" (juried)

BEFORE SUBMITTING:
• The Valley Film Festival (VFF) screens on DCP (Digital Cinema Package). Our venue, Laemmle NoHo7 use Christie 4K projectors. Please do not submit to VFF23 if you cannot provide the Festival with a DCP.
• While we consider all genres, if you’re unsure if your film fits our programming, please review our archives.
• Studios and Sales Agents: Please do not submit to VFF23 if you require a fee for screening at VFF. As a non-profit arts organization, it is not in our budget.

VFF23 SUBMISSION BASICS

1 – All completed submissions received between September 5, 2022 through April 30, 2023 will be considered for The Valley Film Festival 2023 (VFF23).

2 - VFF requires an LA premiere status for feature films. Premiere status will also be taken into account for short films and those that have not yet screened in Los Angeles County prior to VFF23 will be given priority.

3 – The “10 Degrees Hotter” competitive program will only consider submissions completed in 2021, 2022 or on track to be completed prior to VFF23

4– Eligible submissions, if not chosen for the “10 Degrees Hotter” competitive program, will be considered for an Audience Award program or a juried "Best of" program.

5 – Submissions not in English must have English subtitles.

IF ACCEPTED TO VFF23:

1 - If selected to VFF23, you will be asked to sign an Acceptance Agreement within five (5) business days of initial contact. Failure to do so forfeits acceptance into VFF23.

2 – The filmmakers accept responsibility for all trademark and copyrighted materials, shown or recorded, on the project and have the necessary releases for a theatrical screening.

3 - Official selections will be asked to provide a DCP approximately four (4) weeks prior to the festival. Please do not submit to VFF23 if you're not able to provide a DCP for screening purposes.

4 - Filmmakers with a feature or short film in the “10 Degrees Hotter” competitive program will be asked to supply a password-protected link for our panel of jurors.

5 – While we will always ask first, Filmmakers agree that their film, or clips from it, and all other material related to their project may be used and/or published in the event program, VFF website, social networking sites, blog, or for other Festival promotional purposes.

6 – Filmmakers promise to provide VFF with a full electronic press kit that must include a trailer, images for web and print, cast & crew information, and film synopsis. We can't promote you without your help.

7 – We ask that you participate in VFF as much as possible. If you’re unable to attend your screening, please have a representative attend in your place. Please support your peers and celebrate independent cinema.

8 - The cost of delivery and pick-up of all materials is the responsibility of the filmmaker.

9 - VFF holds no responsibility for lost or damaged films or promotional materials. Of course we’re going to handle your deliverables with care, but it is solely up to the filmmaker to take full responsibility.

10 - Take a deep breath, relax, and have fun!

OUR PLEDGE TO THE FILMMAKER:

1 – VFF promises to watch each submission, from start to finish. Guaranteed. You took the time to submit your project to VFF23 and we’ll take the time to watch it. (Please note that your Vimeo counter will not take into account views if embedded into FilmFreeway.com)

2 – At the end of each submission period, and during the final weeks of our selection process, VFF will regularly update the main contact on the status of the film. If you change your email address, please be sure to update VFF. Additionally, we ask that you add info@valleyfilmfest.com to your address book, follow @ValleyFilmFest on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram and please do not unsubscribe from our email list until films have been selected. This will ensure you receive all communications from VFF during the submission period.

3 - VFF will never share your contact information, or any part of your film, with a third party without your permission.

4 - Upon request, VFF will extend screening notes to filmmakers, after the festival has ended.

Submitting to VFF23 through FilmFreeway.com confirms that you are authorized to do so and that you've read, understand and agree to the VFF23 Terms of Entry.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Yalian Li

    I loved Valley Film Festival! Tracey deeply cared about every film, and her whole team was very supportive of all the filmmakers.
    Amazing staff. Great atmosphere. I enjoyed hanging out and spending time at this festival. I got to meet a bunch of wonderful talented filmmakers. Highly recommend.

    September 2022
  • Ravi Kiran

    This is a highly organized, well-programmed festival. Tracey Adlai and the rest of the staff did such a great job putting the festival together and communicating to us filmmakers. I wholeheartedly recommend submitting to and attending the Valley Film Festival!

    August 2022
  • James Hughes

    One of the world's very best film festivals.

    From the first communication they greatly impress, and continue to do so throughout the festival.

    With so many in attendance, and lots of social media activity, they ensure everyone is kept abreast of all events and screenings.

    They even continue to support and communicate with the filmmakers long after the festival has ended. Just an incredible top class experience.

    August 2022
  • One of the best festivals when it comes to communication!

    August 2022
  • Chris Chan Lee

    Festival director Tracey Adlai genuinely cares about every film and filmmaker in the program. This year's PR person Kevin Mardesich really went through great lengths to raise visibility for our film and the festival, and quite innovative in his approach. Amazing staff all around. Got to meet a bunch of wonderful talented filmmakers. Highly recommend.

    August 2022