Step into a cinematic revolution of Vertical Films at the Marin Vertical Film Festival, our inaugural celebration of bold, phone-native filmmaking held in the breathtaking coastal haven of Marin County, California right on the Bay in Tiburon.

This festival transforms the traditional screen into a towering 9:16 canvas—the exact format of your smartphone, the device that now commands the world’s attention.

This isn’t just a festival. It’s a movement. We are the first and only festival in the BAY AREA dedicated exclusively to films shot, edited, and experienced in 9:16 vertical orientation—the rising standard for mobile-first storytelling. From gripping micro-dramas to surreal visual poems, every entry is crafted for the way billions watch content today: one-handed, on the go, full-screen, and fully immersed.

Our Festival Opening Night will be 9:16:26

Awards & Prizes

THE MINERVA AWARDS

Minerva Award for Feature Narrative
Minerva Award for Feature Documentary
Minerva Award for Vertical Narrative
Minerva Award for Vertical Documentary
Minerva Award for Vertical Animation
Minerva Award for Short Experimental
Audience Award for Best Vertical
Audience Award for Best Soap Opera
Audience Award for Best Horror
The Carl Solomon Award for Best Breakout Performance
The Ron Tibur Award For Best Director

Rules & Terms


By entering the MARIN VERTICAL FILM FESTIVAL you agree to follow our policies, rules, and guidelines.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY:

• We consider films in any language, from anywhere on Planet Earth. Please ensure your film has English subtitles if in another language.
• We accept films no matter what year they were completed.
• We will not accept films that have had theatrical release in the US.
• We will not accept films that were self-distributed by filmmakers online.
We will not accept films that are streaming online.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS:

• Make sure the screener link URL remains the same, even if you update your screener for any reason.
• If there's anything wrong with the submission, we will contact you. If this occurs, applicants will be required to update the submission and adhere to deadlines.
• Our entry policy is no refunds or exchanges.

FILMMAKERS WHO ARE ACCEPTED:

• Will be notified via email, phone, or text. Filmmakers must confirm their participation by the given deadline, otherwise they might lose their spot in the line-up.
• Must be the authors of their submitted work and be ready to sign an agreement stating that they own all rights to their film and its components ahead of screening at MVFF.
• Are responsible for delivering their festival exhibition copy, trailer, screener link, press stills, and press-kit on time.
• Are encouraged to attend our festival in Hollywood.

For pre-screening selection purposes, we ask for either:
a) Online screeners
b) DVDs or Blu-ray sent to our mailing address.