It is not a rumor, if selected to screen, the MBIFF has always created your Digital Cinema Package (DCP) completely free of charge and offer the package to you no charge, more below.

We felt the best way to describe what sets MBIFF apart is from not our own view point, but another's.
"Having a front-row seat to how you, Heather, and the team operate is incredibly inspiring.
The Myrtle Beach International Film Festival isn't just an annual event; it's the heartbeat of a year-round, powerhouse motion picture hub. In a festival landscape often dominated by politics and casual committees, MBIFF stands as a rare, untainted sanctuary for true independent cinema.
Helmed by active, working filmmakers who live, breathe, and build the industry—quite literally, from a massive 20,000-square-foot studio infrastructure to high-level talent-driven productions—MBIFF gives creators what they actually need: elite technical perfection on a grand 55-foot screen, unmatched submission value, and an entry point into an authentic cinematic family. It is, without question, the Crown Jewel of the Southeast."
Keep pushing the boundaries, Jerry. You and Heather are building something truly legendary down there! -quote-

Submit to the "Crown Jewel of the Southeast" – Where Filmmakers Gain a Year-Round Industry Ally.
For over two decades, the Myrtle Beach International Film Festival (MBIFF) has been celebrated as one of the premier champions of independent cinema. Named the #3 "Top Film Festival in North America" by Film Destination Magazine, one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “Top 25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” and dubbed the "Crown Jewel Motion Picture Hub of the Southeast," MBIFF stands entirely in a class of its own.
Why should you submit to MBIFF? Because we don't just host an event once a year—we live, eat, and breathe the motion picture industry every single day.

Here is what sets MBIFF apart:
Unmatched Submission Value: Free Master Quality DCPs
It’s not a rumor; it’s our commitment to your craft. If your film is officially selected to screen at MBIFF, we will create your Digital Cinema Package (DCP) completely free of charge. If you want a copy of the 2K DCP for your own future theatrical use, it’s yours—100% free. Founder Jerry Dalton and Dalton Pictures have been creating master-quality DCPs for major theatrical exhibition and filmmakers for nearly two decades.

MBIFF isn't run by a casual committee; it's helmed by active, working filmmakers. Festival Director Jerry Dalton and Co-Director Heather Mayes are currently finalizing an additional massive, state-of-the-art 20,000 square foot motion picture studio complex for Dalton Pictures. This expanding facility is the go-to regional hub for independent theatrical distribution and production.

Real Industry Connection & Active Production
Our leadership is actively shaping the landscape of independent cinema.
Our past theatrical distribution of over 30 releases, many who were selected from the line up of past MBIFF events.
When you submit to MBIFF, your project is being evaluated by connected producers who understand the market, know how to secure distribution for the right projects, and are actively creating high-level studio content.

The Largest Film Festival Screen in South Carolina
Your film deserves to be seen the way you intended. MBIFF has screened in a multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art theater on a grand 55-foot commercial screen with pristine, elite sound infrastructure.

The Best Independent Film Audience in the World! We like to think so, plus what we have been told!
Our audience is legendary. MBIFF attracts a deeply passionate, highly engaged crowd of film enthusiasts. Our filmmakers consistently rave about our Q&A sessions, where audiences ask brilliant, probing questions that dive straight into the heart of your art.

A Transparent, Fair, and Unbiased Judging Process
MBIFF remains completely untainted by politics or niche biases. Our unique judging panel is comprised of individuals from all walks of life to ensure a balanced evaluation of how a film connects with a real audience. To ensure cinematic excellence, the panel is anchored by two experienced filmmakers: Jerry Dalton and Heather Mayes. Every single project gets an honest, thorough, fair assessment and to top it off, a guarantee and commitment that every submission is viewed from beginning to end. That is a promise.

At MBIFF, we fiercely champion freedom of speech, raw creative expression, and authentic storytelling. When your film screens here, you aren't just an entry in a program you become a part of our global motion picture family.
Give your film the venue, the technical perfection, and the industry network it deserves. Consider the 22nd Annual Myrtle Beach International Film Festival!

Awards & Prizes

Trophies are awarded

Rules & Terms

Standard film festival rules apply.
You must own the work and not use another entities copyright.
You must have the legal authority to submit the project.
Legal Fair use is allowed for documentaries.
Project must not be available to general public prior to or during screening time. Such as publicly available on YouTube etc.
Projects selected will screen in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in April.
MBIFF reserves the right to determine eligibility of any project submitted.
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival (MBIFF) Submission Rules

Ownership and Copyright: You must own all rights to the submitted work and ensure it does not infringe on any third-party copyrights. You must have legal authority to submit the project.
Fair Use: Documentaries may incorporate legal fair use as permitted by applicable copyright law.
Availability: The project must not be publicly accessible online (e.g., free or paid platforms) or in distribution for paid viewership from the time of submission through the duration of the MBIFF in April.
Screening: Selected projects will be screened at the MBIFF in April. MBIFF reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any submitted project.
Rights and Permissions: The submitting filmmaker confirms they have secured all necessary rights for picture, sound, music, images, and content. Exhibition at MBIFF will not violate or infringe upon any third-party rights.
Promotional Use: By submitting, the filmmaker grants MBIFF the right to use clips, stills, posters, videos, and text from the project for promotional, archival, and other non-commercial purposes, both at the festival and online.
Screening Discretion: MBIFF has the right, but not the obligation, to screen any submitted work during the festival program.

MBIFF reserves the right to update or modify these rules as needed.
72 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • KEN WOMBLE

    A HUGH THANK YOU TO THE MBIFF for selecting 'Til Harvest Comes as 2026 Best Short! The folks at this festival truly care about bringing interesting and entertaining films to their patrons. And the kindness and care they show to filmmakers is great appreciated. Bravo MBIFF!!!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Ken Womble. Incredible film making!!! The story that so many want to ignore, you not only place into a touching motion picture, you place it squarely in their conscience. A film you do not forget.
    This is not just a narrative story of the mind, it is reality for so many struggling small farmers, the same people who was the entire backbone of this nation 150 + years ago and who's spirit stile nobly exist. A must see project! Thank you, we hope to see the feature in a year or two! Keep that camera rolling.

  • Tibor Tasi

    Although I couldn't be there in person, Jerry and the MBIFF team's communication was perfect. They offered plenty of help and opportunities to showcase our work to a wider audience, not only through the screenings but also via media contact lists. What I experienced was excellent and professional. I hope I can attend this great festival with a next project in the future.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Tibor Tasi, What a POWERFUL motion picture, "Dirty Change". A raw, unfiltered glimpse into what is reality for some as spectators only see the conflict in a colosseum style battle of will, stamina and grit. Sometimes what lays under the surface is so much more! We look forward to more of your work. Thank you for creating this powerful story.

  • Anthony Summey

    Jerry and Heather put on a fantastic Film Festival. It was amazing to see our students work on such a large screen. Their hospitality and friendliness was pleasure. I would highly recommend filmmaker to submit to this festival and for anyone who loves movie and wants to support indie filmmakers to attend.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Anthony, It was a thrill to have Clemson University represented at MBIFF 21. You and your guidance of students have made a wonderful animation, "Jurassic Joyride". We look forward to what you and the Clemson crew have in the future!
    We and the audience enjoyed your film and the Q&A after.
    Thank you for sharing your work!

  • Chris Bongirne

    MBIFF is one of the best festivals we have ever attended!!! Jerry and Heather have it. very well organized while still remaining very personal and supportive. We couldn't recommend it enough and will be honored to come back with another project!!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Chris, You and Guy representing "Out of Order" was a thrill for the audience. Congratulations on many awards and overall winner! You and the team earned it! There was laughter in the audience throughout the entire film, a very rare and beautiful thing to hear.
    Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful motion picture with our audience. We look forward to your next project!

  • Adam Reich

    We had a terrific time attending the Myrtle Beach Film Festival! Jerry, the festival founder and a passionate cinephile, was extraordinarily welcoming and was always on hand to offer a small piece of his encyclopedic knowledge of film and the film industry. In fact, all of the festival staff and volunteers could not have been kinder or more supportive of us filmmakers and our films. The festival was well-curated and brought in several talented filmmakers, many of whom we befriended. The screenings were consistently attended by an appreciative and engaged audience, one of the most important elements for visiting filmmakers. And the cinema itself was absolutely beautiful; it had an enormous 20-or-30-foot-high screen, with pristine color and sound! Seeing your film screen in that kind of setup is a once in a lifetime experience. Thanks, Jerry, Heather and the rest of the MBIFF team, for including us in the exciting festivities this year!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Adam, It was great to meet a fellow passionate cinephile! Your story from Hollywood to NY, NY is unique and worthy of a documentary! Your film, from our perspective was extremely deep and written with a brilliance that is rare! Layered many layer deep and stirs conversation with the audience, the mark of a great film. When Heather and I come to NY, we will have to meet and go to B&H Photo, the grotto of every filmmaker!
    Look very forward to your next work! And B&H!