Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival launches its 19th year, gathering us together in vibrant celebration of non-fiction film and those who make it happen. The festival will take place from April 15-18, 2027.

Submissions to SDFF 2027, are open to any independent non-fiction filmmakers, from every part of the world. Proudly progressive, we often highlight social justice, journalism, hybrid content and style. Films are chosen for excellence in craft, character, storytelling and authenticity.

We relish being introduced to experience beyond our own. Music, memoirs, history and fun; nature’s grandeur, art and design. What is it like for any life to wake to its existence?

“And when the very nature of truth is under attack at the highest levels, the documentary filmmaker takes on new importance. I need them in my life as much as I need journalism, history, counsel, activism and poetry. And so, do you.”
— Molly Thompson, VP A&E Networks
Excerpt from her keynote address:
2018 IDA Getting Real conference

Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival is an Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences qualifying event for short-form documentaries. The juried winner of the Best Mini-Doc and Best Short Documentary categories automatically qualifies to compete for a Documentary Short Oscar® the following year.

“If you want someone to hear the truth, you should tell them the truth. But if you want someone to LOVE the truth, you should tell them a story.”
— Andrew Peterson

Some of the finest storytellers in film are alumni of SDFF. Their work has earned Pulitzer, Emmy®, Oscar®, BAFTA, Grammy and Peabody recognition. We have followed alums from their first school project as they navigate continuing careers. Others are first timers on the festival circuit. A sense of purpose and an indelible impact brings us into their realm. Be it animated, re-enacted, expansive in scope or micro focused. Facts and feelings are authentic. Real.

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS & PRIZES
Jury Award Feature: $1,000 - 40 minutes – 140 minutes
Jury Award Short: $TBD 10 - 39 minutes (Academy Award® Qualifying)
Jury Award Mini-Doc: $TBD - Under 10 minutes (Academy Award® Qualifying)
Audience Award: TBD - Feature
Audience Award: TBD – Short

All films selected for SDFF are eligible to be considered for competition except those titles curated and invited for special programs. Acceptance to SDFF does not guarantee selection for juried competition. Up to 10 films are selected by committee for each competition category: Best Mini-Doc, Best Short, Best Feature.

Jurors for SDFF are selected from distinguished members of the worldwide film community. The jury award winner of the prior year is included in their winning category’s deliberations and decisions.

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms

⬌ Submission Requirements:

A Feature Film is 40 minutes – 140 minutes; no longer.
A Short Film is: 10 - 39 minutes (Academy Award® Qualifying)
A Mini-Doc is : Under 10 minutes (Academy Award® Qualifying)

Submission Entry fees are nonrefundable.
They offset a portion of our administrative costs in bringing you and your audience together.

All submission entry deadlines are firm.
All entry deadlines are upload deadlines.

Access and passwords must not be changed until the Festival closes all in-person and selected streamed programs.

SDFF is incorporating accessibility improvements as best we can. Our venues are undergoing upgraded construction for improved access. If your film is in English, it would be appreciated if you also provide captioning. Please provide either .srt or .vtt files or burned in captioning on the film print.

⬌ ELIGIBILITY:
Films of any completion date are eligible for submission. Accepted films must not have been publicly screened anywhere in Northern California* within 60 days prior to or during the festival dates. *Excludes films curated for special programs.

We do not accept rough cuts. A submitted film must be "exhibition ready". Your work is judged as what it is, not what it could be.

Foreign language films must be made available with English subtitles.

Each accepted film may be screened more than once during the Festival. Programming is at the discretion of Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival.

⬌ AI USAGE:
Detail if AI [Artificial Intelligence] has been used in any way for production of your submission.
If so, add the specific use [ i.e. Budgeting, pre-production planning or research, any visual or audio elements of content]. Please note the % of AI use within the finished project. This is a documentary film festival. Our goal is to provide and expand the impact of authentic material and information. We are vigilant and still learning ... as are the purveyors of AI services.

⬌ EXHIBITION FORMATS:
SDFF has multiple screening venues in Sebastopol. Some require DCP; others do not use DCPs . You will be informed of the required screening format when the program is locked.

By entering your film, you agree to provide compatible exhibition format(s) at least 60 days before the start date of the festival to give SDFF print traffic manager time to QC your doc.

Films are to be delivered via digital transfer. Before sending your media, please verify that your film plays correctly. Do not include menus, trailers and other special features.

⬌ COMMUNICATION:
Each entry needs to include the following contact information:
➦ Director: Full name, email address, phone number, postal mailing address
➦ Rights Holder [if different]: company name; contact name, email address, phone number, postal mailing address.
➦ Distributor Contact: company name, contact name, email address, department, phone number, postal mailing address.

You are responsible for updating SDFF directly regarding any change to your contact information. Ensure that emails from director@sebastopolfilm.org or FilmFreeway are not blocked by spam filters.

⬌ FILMMAKER AGREEMENT to Terms of Entry:
By submitting this work, filmmakers understand and agree to the following:

•Filmmakers have ownership or control of the copyright and are duly authorized to submit this film to Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival.

•Should ownership or rights to your film change after submission, an agreement to screen at the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival will be honored, upheld and not be infringed.

•You will be notified of selection by December 15, 2026

•If your submission is selected for programming within SDFF 2027, you will receive a filmmakers agreement. Your acceptance is confirmed by signing, dating and returning this agreement to SDFF. Once received, your film can not be withdrawn from the program.
48 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dan Perlman

    Sebastopol Docs spotlights so many incredible documentaries. They clearly love film and supporting filmmakers of all kinds and subjects, which is rare.

    Honored to have our doc short BEING BUBLE as a part of their Festival.

    Hope to be a part of the Fest again!

    May 2026
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  • Ibai Vigil–Escalera

    Thank you for having us at the festival. Great communication.

    April 2026
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  • Vivian Kleiman

    Simply put: All doc filmmakers love this festival! The longtime steering committee created a dynamic program. To be honest, the new management that took over the reins this year stumbled a bit as they worked to get up to speed. But it all went smoothly in the end. I highly recommend this festival to filmmakers and also film afficianados.

    April 2026
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  • Vanessa Wells

    I was delighted to have been selected for this festival. Fabulous hospitality from the hosting team - and a great mix of documentaries that were really well attended by an enthusiastic local community! Highly recommend!

    April 2026
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  • Matthew Benton

    While I wasn't able to attend, the SDFF team was so hospitable and communicative throughout the whole submission & acceptance experience. I'm eager to submit future projects and attend in years to come. Thankful for my film being apart of this year's festival.

    April 2026
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