Offering more than simply a film competition, IIFF is a thrilling place to swap perspectives, merge ideas, engage in eye-opening debates, forge new friendships, and uncover unknown talents. It all unfolds in sun-dappled Irvine, California, not far from the entertainment capital of the world. Recent Academy favorites, including The Act of Killing and The Lady in Number Six: Music Changed My Life established early momentum at this festival.
Major film distributors and Academy Award-winning judges infuse IIFF with countless opportunities to champion, celebrate, and enhance promising filmmaking careers. Last year alone, 11 of the festival’s Official Selections were shortlisted for Academy Awards, with nine Oscar nominations between them. With so much talent funneled right to Hollywood’s back door, it’s no wonder so many industry heavyweights pay a visit, year after year.
IIFF eagerly welcomes international and American narrative shorts, documentary shorts, animated shorts and student films,. It all converges in Irvine for a spectacular 7 days. At this unforgettable festival, talent truly has no limits.
The festival thrills at opportunities to honor up-and-coming filmmakers and industry veterans, side by side. last year, IIFF welcomed seven-time Emmy winning actor Ed Asner (Up, The Mary Tyler Moore Show) and Academy Award winning director John G. Avildsen (Rocky), both of whom received Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Submit your best work to IIFF today, and prepare to take your career to new and exciting heights!
$5,000 in goods and services to its talented winners in a variety of categories.