Since Sydney Pollack helped found it 16 years ago, to our most recent festivals showcasing Nicole Holofcener, John Santos, Bill Plympton and Frieda Lee Mock, the Mendocino Film Festival has established a reputation as a showcase of artistic talent and independent film – all set against the backdrop of Mendocino’s stunning natural beauty and friendly hospitality in Northern California.

From the first filmmakers to draw inspiration from Mendocino’s breathtaking scenery a century ago to the trailblazers who filmed iconic pictures like Same Time, Next Year, Summer of ’42, and The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming!, Mendocino has a rich heritage of artistic excellence. Every year, the Festival invites independent filmmakers to join this talented community and become a part of that cinematic tradition.

Audience Choice Award for Best Feature-Length Film (narrative or documentary)
Best Documentary Feature
Best Narrative Feature
Best Short Film
Special Jury Awards

For an example of previous years’ programs, please visit http://mendocinofilmfestival.org/films/

1. Submissions in languages other than English must be subtitled. Please note if your film has subtitles.

2. Multiple entries are allowed from a filmmaker and each entry may be entered in multiple categories.

3. Online screeners are preferred.
If you choose not to upload your project to FilmFreeway’s site, please provide an online link to your submission and be sure to include the password in an email correspondence sent directly to program@mendocinofilmfestival.org.

If you choose to send a DVD screener as well, please format it in NTSC, label the cover with the FilmFreeway Tracking ID, film title, category, total run time, and filmmaker name and telephone number, and forward it to the Mendocino Film Festival mailing address:
Mendocino Film Festival
PO Box 1843
Mendocino, CA 95460.

For UPS, FedEx, and other delivery services, please send screener to:
Mendocino Film Festival
Attn: Programming
45062 Ukiah St.
Mendocino, CA 95460

4. The Mendocino Film Festival does not download submissions or accept Dropbox submissions. Please only send links to your media hosted on 3rd party servers such as Vimeo or YouTube.

5. Written comments describing entries are beneficial.

6. DVD Entries will not be returned unless a stamped, self-addressed mailer is provided.

7. EXCLUSIONS - Industrial and instructional films are not eligible for any of the sections of the Festival. The same applies to racist, obscene, excessively violent and propagandistic films.

8. FOR EXHIBITION - We require a copy of your master QuickTime file (Apple H.264 or ProRes 422 are the preferred codecs) as it was finished in its original frame-size and frame-rate.
Pre-rolls, slates, or color-bars are NOT necessary and should not be included.
You can send us an external hard drive, USB flash drive, SD card, or upload via cloud storage/transfer services such as Dropbox, HighTail, Box, GoogleDrive, etc.
We also require two backup copies of your movie on a Blu-Ray or DVD (Blu-Ray is the preferred medium).

9. Entrants will be notified of their acceptance or rejection to the festival by April 15, 2024.

10. Audience Choice Award will be given to the favorite feature-length film (documentary or narrative).

11. Directors of selected films are encouraged to attend the festival. Details to be provided in festival acceptance letter.

Rules & Terms
By submitting your film for consideration to the Mendocino Film Festival, you are telling us that you have full authority to do so, that the film is cleared for potential festival exhibition, and that you accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property therein. Submitting your film to us constitutes permission to exhibit your work at the Mendocino Film Festival. The Mendocino Film Festival is also hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. You shall also indemnify and hold harmless the Mendocino Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • This is an excellent festival! Many great films in a very beautiful setting. The communication was wonderful. They do everything for the filmmaker. We were honored to be a selection!

    June 2023
  • Peter Dorn Ravlin

    I’ve been a filmmaker on the Mendocino coast for 10 years. To be included in Reel Mendo was my very own Cinderella story. I enjoyed being able to connect with other filmmakers at the before party and see the other participants’ work on the big screen. Being on stage was a curious mixture of euphoria and terror, as was actually seeing an abridged version of our short “Dust Angel” being viewed by, for me, a huge audience. I’m happy that a mentor who has supported my filmmaking journey was able to see me and my right-hand man Steve Ritchie be part of the Q.A session.

    I would love to support Reel Mendo to expand, as there are many excellent and dedicated filmmakers on the coast hungry to have their work seen. I’ve known so many who submitted over the years and we’re not selected. And I know of many who want to submit in the future.

    The feeling of joy I experienced getting my multiple award-winning short “Dust Angel” into the festival is the same feeling I would get if a movie I made got into the Criterion Collection.

    Thank you to the staff and volunteers of the Mendocino Film Festival.

    June 2023
  • Linda Mai Green

    Amazing festival in a beautiful location. I felt very valued as a filmmaker and it was the perfect size festival for getting to know folks in film and in the local community.

    July 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much, Linda! We look forward to more to come from you!

  • Abbott & Leland Productions

    Mendocino Film Festival was one of the best festivals I’ve experienced. The team behind the festival, the community support and the several parties with amazing food, gives a warm opportunity to meet & network with other filmmakers and supporters. They treat the filmmakers so well and set in one of the most beautiful towns along the California Coast. I’d make this the top of your festival submission and/or attending list. Plus a great lineup of films!

    June 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much!

  • Kellen Lim

    As a local audience member, former volunteer, and now a budding filmmaker, I must say that this summer event is something I always look forward to the most. MFF over the years have put together a really nice selection of films that are often entertaining, funny, insightful, urgent, and fulfilling. It offers a few social events happening where you can meet some really great people.

    I recommend this festival highly! Many thanks to the hardworking staff, volunteers, and crew for this year’s season!

    June 2019