It gives us great pleasure to introduce you to Sacramento's Premier Cinema Experience, The Sacramento International Film Festival, being held April 27-28th, August 16-18th, and December 13-15th, 2024.

For 29 years audiences and filmmakers alike have enjoyed the Sacramento Film Festival (SFF) for its exceptional hospitality and its commitment to visionary artists. SFF regularly showcases Academy Award-winning films like "STRANGERS NO MORE" (Best Foreign Short) and "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" (Best Picture) as well as award-winning LOCAL films and films from around the globe! By accepting only films that have not previously screened in the region and working with Hollywood and independents alike, SFF grows the art and craft of filmmaking here in California's capital city.

While 2020-23 were very difficult years for the festival industry due to COVID, The Sac Film Fest discovered new ways to serve filmmakers including ONLINE/HYBRID AND augmented live modalities like "CineLounge". Join us in 2024 A FULL LIVE and IN PERSON event + Hybrid/Digital offerings, giving filmmakers more options to find and connect to audiences than ever!

Previous guests include Deon Taylor (Black and Blue), Colin Hanks (Fargo), DB Sweeney (The Cutting Edge), Dr. Lew Hunter (UCLA Screenwriting), Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs), Dominique Swain (Lolita), John Daly (Platoon, The Last Emperor), and Timothy Bottoms (The Last Picture Show) to name a few!

Enthusiastic audiences, beautiful venues, and innovative ONLINE PREMIERES offer filmmakers a first-class showcase for serious cinema. In addition, SFF hosts two full-day film conferences as part of our event: The "DIGITAL ODYSSEY" technology expo and the "AMERICAN SCREENWRITER'S CONFERENCE". Add screenings like our "CINE-SOUL" and "CINE LATINO" showcases and you will find a complete cultural experience unlike any other!

SFF organizers are proud to offer this extraordinary "Festival of Cinema" to highlight Northern California as an arts and culture destination and celebrate amazing artists like you.

The following guidelines govern submissions for the Sacramento International Film Festival. For more information, call 916-524-5138. Please read these guidelines carefully and follow all directions for submission.

General guidelines for all films. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

NOTE: Only films that have NOT previously played in Sacramento will be accepted for general entry. Films with ANY form of distribution in the Sacramento region before the fest are disqualified. This INCLUDES Cast and Crew screenings and online showcases like YouTube. The Festival does reserve the right to periodically make exceptions for "RETROSPECTIVE" screenings. That said, any form of distribution seen in the Sacramento region before the fest is generally considered a disqualification.

1) Types and Categories of Entry:
There are three main "Types" of entry for this festival, short-form (under 20 minutes total running time), long-form (20 minutes to an hour total running time), and features, (over one hour total running time), plus special Showcases. The categories are listed below. If you are from Northern California or your film was shot here, it is ALWAYS preferable to submit under the "Nor Call All-Stars" category, regardless of running time as we give much deference to locals.

Please make certain that you have specified which genre(s) your film falls under. A genre helps our judges to identify the film's content. All styles of film will be accepted for review.

2) Eligibility Requirements:
Only films that have NOT previously played in the Sacramento region are eligible for entry. This includes private screenings, physical media, TV, or online distribution of any kind. Employees, volunteers, interns, and board members are prohibited from entering. By acceptance of these rules and submission to our festival, the entrant certifies that he/she has sole legal authority to enter into this agreement.

3) Format Requirements:
Please submit a preview copy of your film via the FilmFreeway or another listed online submission engine. Sound must be 2 channel mono or stereo, 48 hz 16 bit. If accepted, you will be contacted to provide a final screening copy. All final exhibition prints must be submitted in one of the following formats: HD online copy (password-protected Vimeo or Google Docs), 1080p. No other formats will be accepted for screening prints.

4) Disclaimer:
The festival holds no responsibility for lost media or promotional items.

5) Awards: Awards and acknowledgments for best International film, best short, best local short, and the "Visionary spirit" best overall film will be awarded at the festival.

6) By submitting your film you agree that you have the sole legal authority to enter into this agreement. Further, you authorize the Sacramento International Film Festival, The California Film Foundation, and/or their designees to exhibit your film's content (in part or whole), without restriction via Theatrical, Digital Media, TV, Radio, and/or other means.