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, 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." - Arizona 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

Now in its 22nd year, the Tucson Film Festival has screened over 950 films since its inception. With attendance of over 10 thousand filmgoers, TFF has showcased a plethora of Arizona and World Premiere screenings including Academy Award® winning shorts "I'm Not A Robot" (dir. Victoria Warmerdam) and “God Of Love” (dir. Luke Matheny), plus feature films “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).

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 40 and 120 minutes in length; Short Films less than 20 minutes. All submitted works must be in English or have English subtitles. Only works completed after January 1, 2025 will be accepted.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: Works submitted for selection must be submitted digitally via secure online screener. Selected films must be presented on 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 5, 2026. 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.

Overall Rating
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Value
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Networking
  • Yasmin Rais

    Wonderful film festival in a very cool town! We were thrilled to screen 'Dressed to the Nines' here. Michael curates the festival with such care and great taste and was a dream to deal with. We wouldn't think twice about submitting here again and can't wait to come back. Thank you, Michael.

    April 2026
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much! 🫶🏼

  • What a great fest to have the world premiere of our short film! I highly recommend this fest. Great location in Tucson and Michael was a great host. Can't wait to submit again in coming years with new projects.

    February 2026
  • Pardeep Sahota

    We were sorry to miss the event in person, but the organisation and communication were genuinely great. The programme looked thoughtful and well put together. A festival we’d gladly return to in the future

    December 2025
  • McKenna Murphy

    I had a wonderful time at the Tucson Film Festival. Michael made me feel very welcomed and everyone was so thoughtful and kind. I had such a great time sharing my film with those in attendance. Thank you for the amazing opportunity Tucson Film Festival!

    November 2025
  • susan carpenter

    Couldn’t have asked for a friendlier, more enthusiastic reception to our film during the 2025 fest! Michael was extremely welcoming and even arranged our hotel and a lovely dinner after our screening. Good vibes. Good people. Highly recommend!

    November 2025