The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to be named one of MovieMaker Magazine's "25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" (for two years in a row) and "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" (for two years in a row)!

The Sedona International Film Festival celebrates current independent film from around the world. The festival strives to bring the best in narrative features, documentaries, short subjects, animation and foreign language films in all genres to its indie audience. It provides a rich educational opportunity to filmmakers, students and the general public alike through its on-site workshops, panel discussions and seminars.

The Festival's mission statement: "Bringing people together to broaden the understanding of the human condition and celebrate the power of independent film through cinema and the Sedona experience. To educate and inspire filmmakers and audience members to make a difference around the world through film."

The 33rd Annual festival features nine days of independent films: February 20-28, 2027.

CONTINUING THIS YEAR: Our seventh annual SCREENPLAY COMPETITION!

Now celebrating its 33rd season, the Sedona International Film Festival prides itself on bringing the best in independent film to its ever-growing audience of indie film lovers. From features to documentaries, short subjects to animation, and an impressive lineup of foreign films, the Festival screens more than 150 films at the state-of-the-art Harkins Sedona Cinemas, the Mary D. Fisher Theatre and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre (the festival's own art house theater venues) and the Sedona Performing Arts Center, located in beautiful Sedona, Arizona .

The Festival features a gala with an annual celebrity tribute, filmmaker dinners/events each night and an awards ceremony.

Past festival honorees have included: Jacqueline Bisset, Susan Sarandon, Rob Reiner, Marc Shaiman, Bob Mackie, Jeremy Piven, Tom Skerritt, Richard Dreyfuss, Judd Hirsch, Lasse Hallstrom, Lena Olin, Karen Allen, Luis Valdez, Jane Alexander, James Brolin, Cybil Shepherd, Elliott Gould, Mariette Hartley, Michael Moore, John Waters, Peter Bogdanovich, Nicholas Cage, Gary Sinise, Jonathan Winters, Paul Sorvino, Lea Thompson, Phil Rosenthal, Rip Torn, Rita Rudner, Tim Daly, Richard Schiff, Jamey Sheridan, James Karen, David Rasche, Jane Seymour, James Keach, Doris Roberts, Giancarlo Esposito, Nick Nolte, Joe Pantoliano, Mary Stuart Masterson, Diane Ladd, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, along with classic movie icon Robert Osborne from Turner Classic Movies. Additional tributees have included Ned Beatty, Alan Cumming, Lainie Kazan, Peter Masterson, Carlin Glynn, Elizabeth Banks, Ed Asner, Rick Schroder, Elmer Bernstein, Ted Danson, Ann Miller, Donald O'Connor, Mary Steenburgen and Sean Young.

While every festival has its celebrity honorees, the Sedona International Film Festival prides itself on honoring the FILMMAKER first and foremost. The FILMMAKERS are the true celebrities and are given the most attention, focus and accolades at the Sedona festival. This includes Q&A discussions after every screening, complimentary hotel accommodations at one of Sedona's incredible hotels, complimentary meals in the Filmmaker/VIP lounge every day of the festival plus top "All-Access" passes to all festival activities and films. The filmmakers are our "STARS" and we treat them as such!

The Sedona International Film festival boasts a stellar lineup of some of the best independent films from around the world in all genres.

Don't just take our word for it ... here's just a sampling of what some filmmakers had to say about the Sedona International Film Festival:

"Twenty-nine film festivals later, there is really only ONE worth going to ... SEDONA"

"What an unbelievable, wonderful, inspired and inspiring event you ALL just put on."

"Flawless! The atmosphere breathtaking and the films were magnificent."

"I have been to a good few film fests and yours was the nicest experience that I have had. I think all the filmmakers I spoke with share this sentiment."

"I have to tell you, of all the film festivals I've been involved in, yours stands head and shoulders above them all! Somehow, you were able to make our visit a class act and, at the same time, keep your film festival a film festival."

Awards & Prizes

FILM AWARDS:
The Sedona International Film Festival awards Audience Choice Festival Favorite honors to Best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Short, Best International Film and Best Animation. In addition, Director's Choice Awards are given in each category, as well as other categories to be determined each year.

Awards are presented to filmmakers at the awards ceremony at the end of the festival.

SCREENPLAY COMPETITION AWARDS:

First Place — FEATURE SCRIPT: One VIP pass, up to 4 nights in hotel, a TABLE READ by actors of portions of the winning script, awards brunch, an engraved festival award, a festival TV interview, full script coverage and feedback.

First Place — TV PILOT (1/2 hr. or 1 hr.): One VIP pass, up to 4 nights in hotel, a TABLE READ by actors of portions of the winning script, awards brunch, an engraved festival award, a festival TV interview, full script coverage and feedback.

First Place: — SHORT: One VIP pass, up to 4 nights in hotel, awards brunch, a TABLE READ by actors of portions of the winning script, an engraved festival award, a festival TV interview, full script coverage and feedback.

*** EACH First place winner above will be given a plaque at the awards brunch in front of hundreds of industry creatives. Who knows? Maybe they’re looking for an award-winning writer!

Rules & Terms

We understand how fees can add up for film makers. We also understand that a not-for-profit film festival needs to stay in business. As a courtesy, Fee Waivers will be granted to filmmakers IF you have had one of your films selected for the Sedona Film Festival in the past. Otherwise, WE DO NOT GRANT FEE WAIVERS. Please refrain from requesting one.

For entries paying the Student Fee, a copy of a current student ID MUST be included with the submission.

Participation in the Sedona International Film Festival implies understanding and acceptance of festival regulations.

For the Screenplay Competition rules, please see the screenplay category listings.
166 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Serena Dykman

    One of my best and favorite festival experiences ever out of 100+ festivals. A true gem!

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Michelle Mower

    Hands down the best film festival I've ever screened at. So well-organized! The films were all amazing! And the networking parties were incredible.

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Bryan Poyser

    The Sedona International Film Festival is the best! This was my second time attending, first with a short film in 2023 and this time with my feature film Leads. The hospitality of the festival is unmatched - they put up filmmakers in lovely hotels with resort amenitites like free yoga classes, stargazing and even vortex seminars. The parties are fun and frisky and the audiences are packed, curious and appreciateve. And the town itself? Absolutely gorgeous! Don't miss a chance to show your work here!

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Luca Caserta

    I'm deeply honored that my film, "The Reach", was awarded the Director's Choice Award for Best International Short at the 2026 Sedona International Film Festival. Receiving this accolade from such a prestigious festival is awesome, especially given the festival's deep commitment to showcasing thought-provoking, high-quality cinema from around the world. The curation this year was outstanding.
    I'm incredibly grateful to the jury and to the programming team for their recognition and support. It's a pleasure to be part of the Sedona family. I highly recommend this festival to any filmmaker looking for a platform that respects the art of storytelling and offers a truly world-class experience. Thank you for this wonderful award!

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Mat Hames

    Overall I would say this is one of my favorite festivals I've attended and I've had films in a lot of the top tier fests. Sedona Internation al Film Festival was absolutely exceptional. The films selected were all films I wanted to see, many of which play at other top tier festivals. The way Sedona is run feels like an 'A' level fest with some notable things that are even better than most top festivals. First, the communication is great. Second, they are responsive to email questions. Third; the festival itself is run incredibly well. The volunteers are all friendly, the hospitality coordination is first rate, and they treat filmmakers with kindness and respect. I had two different screenings and each Q&A was well run, I met the person before the film screening and they were helpful in walking through how things were going to flow after the film. The theaters are all really high quality, sound quality great, projection is bright and clear. A fun filmmaker lounge, good panel discussions, and excellent parties at night. But the BIGGEST thing about this festival that I loved was the audiences. These film screenings are PACKED. Mine were both full, and one of mine sold out quickly. The audiences in Sedona LOVE their films and they show up. Nothing better than seeing your film in a theater with an appreciative, curious audience. P.S. There was also media there: Variety and Moviemaker had a presence, which filmmakers always like. DId I mention Sedona is awesome? We went on a hike and so glad we did.

    March 2026
    Helpful