The Tucson Film Festival (fka TFMF or Tucson Film & Music Festival ) celebrates the past, present and future of the Tucson, Arizona filmmaking scene. The festival accepts narrative and documentary features, and shorts of all genres including Animation, Experimental, Comedy, Drama and World. Tucson Film Festival will continue to focus on music-related content, with an emphasis on films and filmmakers with a connection to Arizona and the desert Southwest.

"The Tucson Film & Music Festival is the best fest I’ve seen in Tucson." 
-- AZ Daily Star

“What a kick ass event!” -- Allison Anders, Director (Gas, Food Lodging / Grace of My Heart)

"Tucson Film & Music Festival was an invaluable experience.   A great promotional tool and a huge boost for our film! The festival's so well organized and the staff are friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. I met and networked with other like-minded filmmakers.  Tucson's a great town for film." 
-- Petina Cole, The Talking Pictures Company

"Tucson Film & Music Festival is stealing much of the limelight from other local festivals."
 -- Caliente / Arizona Daily Star

"The Tucson Film & Music Festival is an awesome venue for exposure and support of independent music culture.  Their support of nerdcore hip-hop in was awesome!  Rock on guys!" -- MC Lars, Musician

“Thanks for having us at TFMF! We had such a great time! We’ve never been to Tucson before… such a cool, fun place to be! -- The Sibley’s (Nowhere Now) Pioneertown, CA

Awards & Prizes

Celebrating its 19th anniversary, the Tucson Film Festival has screened over 750 films since its inception. With attendance of over 7 thousand filmgoers, TUFF has showcased a plethora of Arizona and World Premiere screenings including Academy Award® winner “God Of Love” (dir. Luke Matheny), “Anvil: The Story of Anvil” (dir. Sacha Gervasi),”Strutter” (dir. Allison Anders), “Kumaré” (dir. Vikram Gandhi), "The Song of Sway Lake" and "The Adventures of Power" (dir. Ari Gold), "The Last Safari" (dir. Matt Goldman), "Pavilion" (dir. Tim Sutton), “Hell on Wheels” (dir. Bob Ray), “Scott Walker: 30 Century Man” (dir. Stephan Kijak) and Heaven Adores You: Elliott Smith (dir. Nickolas Rossi).

Rules & Terms

TUCSON FILM FESTIVAL ENTRY RULES AND REGULATIONS

QUALIFICATION FOR ENTRIES: Any feature, short film or video, made for cinema, television or the Internet may be entered. Feature films must be between 50 and 120 minutes in length; Short Films less than 15 minutes. All submitted works must be in English or have English subtitles. Only works completed after January 1, 2022 will be accepted.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: Works submitted for selection must be submitted digitally via secure online screener. Selected films must be presented on DCP or BluRay (NTSC Region 0 or 1 only) for features; ProRes .mov Quicktime file for short films.

SELECTION: All submitted works will be judged by the Festival Committee. The Festival Committee reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any project. Works will be categorized at the sole discretion of the Festival Committee. Selected entrants will be informed of their status on or around September 7, 2023. All features selected must be Arizona premieres. Shorts films selected must be Tucson premieres and not screen at another local festival within 45 days of screening at Tucson Film Festival.

TRANSPORTATION AND INSURANCE: The submitter is responsible for the transport costs, insurance charges and customs fees incurred when shipping material to the Festival. The Festival is responsible for the costs incurred with the return of material to the filmmaker - however, due to budgetary limitations, the material will be shipped via SURFACE MAIL. Filmmakers requesting the return of materials via courier must incur the cost themselves. Although they will take every precaution, the Tucson Film Festival cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage of entry and exhibition materials.

13 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • LaChelle Hunt

    Great communication and quality! Sad I couldn’t be there in person but maybe next year! Thank you for choosing my film!

    November 2022
    Helpful
  • Mitch Iverson

    This was the first festival I've ever submitted to, and they were so helpful walking me through the process. Lot's of wonderful films debuted here. Hopefully this is the first of many for me!

    October 2022
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  • Kenneth Thomas

    The Tucson Film and Music Festival is an amazing experience for the filmmaker. I was treated extremely well - always felt taken care of, and the ability to tech-check the film before the show gave me a sneak preview into how great the projection looked and sounded. And, Tucson is such a cool town; I'll definitely be back. Massively high recommendation!

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Remsy Atassi

    Great programming and a very thoughtful team. 2021 was not an easy year to put on a festival but TFMF brought us out to Tucson and made us feel the love. They really care about making the filmmakers feel appreciated and supporting their work.

    April 2022
    Helpful
  • Cathy Lee Crane

    This festival feels like home for me. Great screening, engaged conversation...even during the pandemic. That's something!

    January 2022
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