The Silver Springs International Film Festival Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to leading our community in creative and cultural discovery through the medium of motion pictures. We seek to discover and encourage independent artists from the United States and around the world and we strive to build community among those artists and their audience. By increasing awareness, accessibility and a broader appreciation of the cinematic arts within our community we endeavor to support the educational, cultural and economic well-being of our region.

The Silver Springs International Film Festival is an international cultural event created to elevate awareness of Ocala/Marion County, FL, Florida’s Silver Springs State Park and the area’s contributions to the Cinematic Arts, as well as the cultural landscape of Florida. The springs have inspired generations of nature lovers and filmmakers alike; serving as a dramatic backdrop for countless film, television and commercial shoots and the “laboratory” where cinematography legend Bruce Mozert conceived, developed and perfected underwater photography.

The Festival is held in historic downtown Ocala in the beautifully restored Marion Theatre. While the theatre attracts viewers with its classic architecture and themes, the viewing experience is completely modern and includes:

Brand new, fully digital and state-of-the-art projections from Blu-Ray or DVD.

Dolby Sound in the Following Options:

5.1 Format

6.5 CP

7.1 Digital

2 Screens - 28 ft wide x 21 ft tall with seating for 316 in the main theatre and 94 in the
balcony theatre.

The majority of the festival is programmed from general submissions. We also offer a few "special interest film blocks" to create opportunities for certain films that target issues and ideas specific to our community. These blocks include, "Horse Fever" - highlighting Equine interest films, "Green Screen" featuring eco-friendly films and "Cinemagic" films for younger audiences and their families. By programming the “special interest” blocks we can offer these filmmakers the best audience possible for their particular genre.

The Bruce Mozert Lifetime Achievement Award

The “Fresh Squeezed” Award for Best Florida Made Feature. In addition to the “statue”, this Award includes a cash prize of $7,000; reimbursement (up to $500) of travel/lodging expenses to attend the 2016 SSIFF.

The “Fresh Squeezed” Award for Best Florida Made Short. In addition to the “statue”, this Award includes a cash prize of $1,000; reimbursement (up to $250) of travel/lodging expenses to attend the 2016 SSIFF.

Best Student Short. In addition to the “statue”, this Award includes a cash prize of $1,000; reimbursement (up to $250) of travel/lodging expenses to attend the 2016 SSIFF.

Best Feature Film

Best Feature Documentary

Best Short Film

Best Documentary Short

Audience Choice – Best Feature

Audience Choice – Best Short

• The competition is open to any film or video completed after July 2014.

• Categories include: Feature (Over 60 minutes), Short (under 20 minutes), Documentary, and Animation.

• Filmmakers may submit multiple qualifying films. Each film requires a separate, specific submission form and applicable fees for each submission.

• Submissions require 3 screeners per film submitted. The festival will accept DVD and Blu-ray and *on-line screeners. Official Selection films will screen from DVD or Blu-ray for festival presentation.

• Productions that are not in English must be subtitled or dubbed in English.

• Each entry must be submitted with completed entry form and entry fee.

• Do not submit Press Kits with your submission. Upon acceptance into the festival, Official Selection notification will include instructions for Press Kit Submissions and required clearances.

• All screeners must be clearly labeled with film title and all contact information. Please use a Sharpie marker or print directly on the disk - disks with paper / self-adhesive labels will be disqualified. Recycled or scratched discs will be disqualified. Please send a new disc.

• If your film is disqualified for any reason your entry fee will not be refunded.

• Submission of an entry explicitly serves as a release for the SSIFF to use the work submitted in whole or part (including stills for promotion and publicity purposes). • SSIFF accepts no responsibility for breaches in copyright. SSIFF will not engage in securing clearances for any of the films submitted. The entrant releases SSIFF for any and all claims and liabilities with respect to screening the entry before, during and after the festival. • The entrant grants SSIFF the rights to reproduce the work submitted to include it as part of a compilation for the express purposes of promoting the festival and to exhibit the work by any means of communication to the public. • The entrant warrants that all rights of the submitted work are cleared for festival usage by the festival submission deadline. You will be notified via e-mail or FilmFreeway, accordingly. The festival will not be held responsible for loss or damage through post or handling. Due to high volume submission screeners cannot be returned.