The WitnessTree Film Festival is an in-person short film festival held in San Diego, California, dedicated to showcasing films that mean something—stories that entertain, inspire, and resonate with audiences.

The festival celebrates high-quality independent filmmaking with soul: films that make audiences laugh, cry, and sit on the edge of their seats while reflecting themes of goodness, hope, and moral clarity. WitnessTree aims to provide a professional theatrical platform for filmmakers creating thoughtful, meaningful cinema.

Selected films will be screened during festival week at UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley (Hazard Center), a professional theatrical venue in San Diego. Audiences will experience a curated lineup of short films from a variety of genres including drama, comedy, thriller, documentary, animation, and science-fiction/fantasy.

All films are reviewed by jury using a structured scoring process. Selected works will compete for a range of honors including Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Performance, Best Production Design, and several genre awards curated from the submissions received.

WitnessTree Film Festival exists to support filmmakers who believe storytelling matters and who strive to create films that audiences can enjoy in a meaningful and uplifting cinematic environment.

Festival Week: August 21–27, 2026
Location: UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley, San Diego, California

Awards & Prizes

Selected films will compete for a range of honors recognizing excellence in storytelling and filmmaking craft.

Core awards include:

• Best Short Film
• Best Director
• Best Screenplay
• Best Performance
• Best Production Design

In addition, several genre awards will be curated based on the types of films submitted. These may include categories such as:

• Best Comedy
• Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy
• Best Thriller
• Best Romance
• Best Drama
• Best Documentary
• Best Animation

All winners are determined by an independent jury using a structured scoring process.

Award winners will receive official WitnessTree Film Festival laurels and recognition during the festival’s awards presentation. Physical trophies will also be presented to select winners.

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility
The WitnessTree Film Festival accepts short films with a total runtime of 30 minutes or less, including credits.
2. Submission Format
All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway. Selected films must be provided in a high-quality digital screening format suitable for theatrical projection.
3. Completion Date
Films completed in recent years are eligible. There is no strict premiere requirement; however, the festival prioritizes films that have not yet received wide exposure.
4. Language
Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles.
5. Content Guidelines
Films should be suitable for a public theatrical audience and aligned with the festival’s focus on morally grounded storytelling, goodness, and hope.

The festival does not accept films containing:
• Anti-Christian or anti-biblical messaging
• Foul language
• Sexual content or sexual innuendo
• Gratuitous violence

Violence may be present if it serves the story and is not glorified.
6. Submission Fees
Submission fees are non-refundable.
7. Selection Process
All films are reviewed by an independent jury using a structured scoring process. Jury decisions are final.
8. Screening Rights
By submitting a film, the filmmaker grants WitnessTree Film Festival permission to screen the film if selected during the festival event.
9. Promotional Use
The festival may use still images, trailers, and excerpts of selected films for promotional purposes.
10. Responsibility
The submitter must have the legal rights to submit the film and all included content.