The Goldhour Film Festival was built on a simple belief: the world, and the people in it, are worth treasuring. Filmmakers know "golden hour" by heart. It's the light they chase, the window they plan entire shoots around, the moment that makes ordinary settings feel magical.

We named our festival after that moment, and we program it the same way: films that make us fall in love with our world and feel the connection between us.

Each year, we bring together bold, human stories and the filmmakers who had the courage to tell them - through narratives, documentaries, and new media work. Goldhour is a creative sanctuary, a stage for independent artists to create and present unique, inventive new work.

The 2026 edition of the Goldhour Film Festival marks its first year in a new home: Los Angeles, taking place October 24th, 2026.

Awards & Prizes

🏆 JURY AWARDS
Best Writing
Best Directing
Best Male Lead
Best Female Lead
Best Cinematography
Best Production Design
Best Editing
Best Sound

🏆 Goldhour Award
🏆 Audience Choice Award

Rules & Terms

2026 GOLDHOUR FILM FESTIVAL SUBMISSION TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1. Films can’t be made before summer 2024.
2. English Language or English Subtitles – All films submitted to the Goldhour Film Festival must be in English or have English Subtitles.
3. Delivery – Films must be delivered in .mov or mp4 format. We do not accept any other formats.
4. Screening Fee - GFF does not offer screening fees.
5. Copyright – By submitting filmmakers acknowledge they own the full copyright to their film, soundtrack, and all other elements contained within the film, and have the legal right to exhibit the film in the United States. The festival takes no responsibility for any copyright violations, and the filmmaker agrees they are the sole responsible party of their work.
6. Non-Discrimination – The Goldhour Film Festival has a strict non-discrimination policy and has zero tolerance for films promoting discrimination. Any film that actively promotes hate speech or discrimination against any protected class (Race, Ethnicity, Nationality, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Religion, Ability, Age, etc.) will be immediately disqualified.
7. All footage must be original! No stock footage or pre-shot footage allowed. No pre-made visual effects, animation, graphics, or text is allowed. No generative AI of any kind is allowed. Everything must be created within the official time period.
8. No nudity or graphic content. Filmmakers are encouraged to keep their projects equivalent to a “PG-13” rating.
9. All filmmakers and teams grant the festival permission to use the films in promotional material, either in part or in whole, and grant the festival permission to upload or distribute the film online.
10. Agreement - By submitting to the Goldhour Film Festival filmmakers agree to all rules, terms, and conditions.