The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences® has named the Santa Fe International Film Festival as a qualifying festival in the category of Short Films. Winners of the Best Narrative Short, Best Animated Short, and Best Documentary Short awards may qualify to enter the Academy Awards® provided the films otherwise comply with the Academy rules.

"Superbly curated programming" says Variety. SFiFF is a creative center for film in Santa Fe, allowing filmmakers to connect with industry and distributors. SFiFF showcases emerging and established filmmakers by screening features and shorts in one of the greatest art cities in the world. SFiFF provides over $100k in cash and prizes, filmmaker travel stipends, juried awards, and all-access passes to the festival.

SFiFF has been named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2025. “SFiFF gives back to its thriving film community in every sense — from programs for students to some of the most generous prize packages of any festival in the world," says Tim Molloy, Editor-in-Chief of MovieMaker. "It's a great way to link up with distributors and to learn from masters like Catherine Hardwicke, and we're certain that anyone who visits Santa Fe will find it as artistically inspiring and rejuvenating as we do.”

Partnerships with stunning local movie theaters like Sky Cinemas, George R.R. Martin’s Jean Cocteau, the historic Lensic Theater, and the Center for Contemporary Arts ensure films are presented with the utmost high-quality projection and sound.

SFiFF is New Mexico's foremost attraction for cinephiles -Pasatiempo Magazine

Recent guests have included Edward James Olmos, Amy Goodman, Ricki Lake, Bryan Cranston, Christopher Guest, Sterlin Harjo, Godfrey Reggio, Catherine Hardwicke, Oliver Stone, Shirley MacLaine, Ethan Hawke, Wes Studi, Jay Roach, Ali MacGraw, Tantoo Cardinal, and John Sayles.

Feature Film Categories: Narrative, Animated, Documentary, Experimental, Indigenous, Student, New Mexico and International.
Short Film Categories (under 40 minutes): Narrative, Animated, Documentary, Experimental, Indigenous, Student, New Mexico and International.

Mission
To highlight the importance of supporting the arts, creativity, and culture, the Santa Fe International Film Festival showcases the city’s forward-thinking artistic vision and celebrates cinematic and media excellence, setting a national standard.

Awards & Prizes

Santa Fe International Film Festival provides over 100k in cash and prizes. 2026 SFiFF winners will receive:
• Narrative Feature Award presented by Panavision: Includes camera package courtesy of Panavision valued at $60,000, and $1,000 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
• Best Documentary Feature: $1,000 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
• Best Narrative Short: Includes camera package courtesy of Panavision valued at  $15,000, and $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
• Best Animated Short: $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
• Best Documentary Short: $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
• Best New Mexico Short: $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
• Best Indigenous Short: $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
Awarded films in categories of Best Narrative Short, Best Animated Short, and Best Documentary Short are qualified for Academy Awards®.

Non-Cash Awards:
Audience Choice Best Narrative Feature
Audience Choice Best Documentary Feature
Audience Choice Best Narrative Short
Audience Choice Best Documentary Short
Best New Mexico Feature
Best Experimental Short

Rules & Terms

RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR 2026 SUBMISSIONS

The following is an explanation of the Rules and Guidelines governing film submissions to the 2026 Santa Fe International Film Festival. Compliance with these Rules and Guidelines is necessary in order to participate in the Film Festival. Submission of a film implies unconditional acceptance of the Rules & Guidelines, therefore, please carefully read through the Rules prior to submitting your film. If you have any questions, please contact the Santa Fe International Film Festival: contact@santafe.film or 505-397-0371.

1. The Santa Fe International Film Festival accepts submissions for films in the following categories:

Features Films: Narrative, Animated, Documentary, Experimental, Indigenous, Student, New Mexico, and International.
Shorts Films (under 40 minutes): Narrative, Animated, Documentary, Experimental, Indigenous, Student, New Mexico, and International.

2. The Entrant/s submitting the film must hold all legal rights for the submission, as well as all necessary clearances for public exhibition.

3. The Filmmaker/s retain/s all submission and intellectual property rights.

4. To be eligible, your film must not have played in person or online in the state of New Mexico, USA. Please contact SFiFF office with any questions.

5. Films must be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway.

6. The Filmmaker/s is/are responsible for making sure all submission materials are submitted by the submission deadline indicated. If your film does not arrive or is not uploaded by the deadline for which you have registered, you may be required to pay the higher submission fee or withdrawn.

7. Each submission must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Submission fees are in are U.S. Dollars per submission and is non-refundable. Cash is not accepted.

8. If a film received 50% or more of its funding from sources outside of the United States, the film may be submitted as an International Film.

9. Subtitles must be in English.

10. Please keep screener links and passwords up-to-date and notify the SFiFF office promptly with any changes. Please test your media prior to submission to make sure they run properly and are not damaged.

11. Filmmakers are allowed to submit more than one film for the Festival provided that each film is submitted separately and meet SFiFF guidelines.

12. Filmmakers are allowed to re-submit a film that was previously submitted provided significant changes were made and all eligibility requirements are met. When re-submitting the film, include a brief letter detailing the changes made.

13. A student submitting a film must provide a photocopy of a current and valid student ID or a letter from his/her school verifying enrollment.

14. If you would like your materials returned after the festival, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

15. Entrants may contact the SFiFF to find out if the Festival received the submission: contact@santafe.film or (505) 397-0371. Filmmakers submitting through FilmFreeway can check their status through the website.

16. The Filmmaker is responsible for all inbound shipping costs, domestic or international.

17. All personal contact information is to remain confidential and not to be shared with any third parties.

18. SFiFF reserves the right to use images from films selected in the Festival for marketing purposes.

19. All decisions regarding award winners are considered final and incontestable.

20. All films submitted must have been completed between September 2024 and July 2026.

21. Applicants acknowledge that SFiFF reserves the right to change the nature of screenings and events due to circumstances related to public health and welfare or at the direction of local, state, or federal authorities. In such cases, no submission refunds shall be issued.

22. As an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival, SFiFF provides access to the following qualifying and eligibility rules: https://www.oscars.org/oscars/rules-eligibility
90 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Dan Perlman

    Honored to have had our doc short Being Bublé premiere at SFIFF. It started a great festival run of Oscar-qualifying film fests and high quality festivals. Santa Fe was a great experience. Hope to be back soon!

    May 2026
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  • Nachtgesichter Nightfaces

    Winning the Oscar-qualifying award for Best Narrative Short Film at the Santa Fe Film Festival is a career-defining honor for our team. The festival’s prestige and its commitment to high-quality storytelling are truly impressive, making it a must-submit for any filmmaker aiming for the top. We are beyond grateful for the recognition and highly recommend this world-class festival!
    A special thanks goes to Derek Horne for his passionate work and exceptional support. His genuine dedication to short filmmakers made us feel incredibly well-cared for.

    April 2026
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  • Marisa Fox

    What a wonderful festival in a magic part of the country. I'd recommend this festival to any director, particularly first-time filmmakers like me. I was so warmly received, given an extra screening after my first one sold out, was featured on a directors' panel and got to mingle with some directors I'd long admired. It was an honor to be accepted into such a well curated, selective festival.

    February 2026
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  • Johnny Taranto

    I can't thank the Festival organizers enough for how seamless and lovely the whole experience was. The best festival I've ever attended, and I'm honored to have had "More Money" screen as an official selection. It was a life changing experience and brought some impeccably curated creative weirdos who forged deep ties. I'll be back in whatever capacity I'm welcome. Also, Santa Fe is a place all should make a point of visiting at least once in their lives; ideally, as often as they can.

    January 2026
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  • Dean Anderson

    My favourite discovery this year was just how wonderful this festival truly is. I’d heard great things, but the experience exceeded every expectation. Friendly people, amazing films, filmmaker parties, film-location visits, sunshine, and plenty of time to explore the city—every part of it was memorable. I honestly can’t say enough. Don’t hesitate!

    November 2025
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