Organized by independent film production company Diamond in the Rough Films, our 4th annual film festival wants to highlight the TRULY independent film. Even if it is "rough around the edges" or just plain out there. The filmmakers who scrape and sweat to put a good movie together against all odds. We want films that take risks, not hollow 4K mirages. If the names Cassavettes, Araki and Korine mean anything to you (and if they don't, then you should look them up on IMDB immediately), then we might be the festival you're looking for. We are excited to be hosted by and working with The Cinema Exchange this year!

We will award laurels to all accepted films, (awards and prizes will be announced soon):

1. Best Short Film
2. Special Jury Prize
3. Grand Jury Prize (Best of Festival)
4. Any other award we feel like giving.

In addition to award certificates, winners will be featured on the Celluloid Dreams radio show and podcast (http://www.celluloiddreams.net) where they will be interviewed 1 on 1 with San Francisco Film Critics' Society member (and former President) Tim Sika.

We except films in the following categories:

Narrative Features - over 60 minutes
Narrative Shorts - 30 min or less
Doc Features - over 60 minutes
Doc Shorts - 30 min or less

1. No films depicting pornographic visuals or animal cruelty.

2. The person submitting to the festival claims ownership of video. The film festival will not be responsible for copyrighted, stolen, or uncredited works.

3. The film festival and film festival committee have the right to refuse and or decline any film submitted to the festival.

4. There is no limit on submissions but please make sure each submission is entered separately and films may have been completed at anytime.

5. All submissions must be submitted via FilmFreeway for viewing in online format only. We will not accept DVD's for the submission process. DVDs may be requested if your film is accepted.

6. San Jose Bay Area filmmakers are especially encouraged to apply.

7. Do not send any press material until notified.

8. All films must be made available in a downloadable file format.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Germain Robin

    The DITR team is amazing! And being able to screen our film in this festival is great chance we deeply appreciate, there is plenty of festival in California but you have to try this one!

    August 2018
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you! "The Noise of the Light" was really amazing - the audience was disturbed in the best way by it! :-)

  • Wasn't able to attend, but the communication was great, everyone I spoke with was frieldly and welcoming, and I'm beyond excited that our film got to be a part of it!

    August 2018
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Scott! Obviously, we were deeply impressed with what you pulled off with "Goodbye, Lincoln Scott". Can't wait to see your next film!

  • Jeffrey Garcia

    Cool people, cool fest 10/10 would attend again

    August 2018
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Jeffrey! Long live "Whimsy and Hester"!!! :-)

  • Carl Molina

    Very fun and insightful festival in the south bay. Communication was efficiently fast and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. Got to meet cool Bay Area filmmakers. Definitely will submit to this festival again.

    August 2018
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Carl!! We loved screening JORY and look forward to your next film.

  • Tomas Gold

    An all-round brilliant festival, featuring an eclectic lineup of feature and short films! Unfortunately I was unable to attend my film's screening, so I can't give a 'Networking' rating, but I'm sure that it was great for the filmmakers and audiences who did attend. Definitely a must submission for indie filmmakers!

    January 2018
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Tomas! We loved programming "The Enigma Duel"!