At the Fist Up Film Festival...
We believe watching a good film can change your life…
We believe some films are made to be discussed…

The Fist Up Film Festival presents films that are intended to create impact, inspire discussion and foster understanding. By placing emphasis on the connected experiences between global and local communities, The Fist Up Film Festival creates visual parallels between people’s lived experiences and stories from around the world.

We are a majority volunteer and 100% POC led film festival. We are unique in that we do not require folks to pay to participate or submit their films and we do not charge for our community to come and watch the films. We aim to build authentic and lasting solidarity among Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), in order to undo Native invisibility, anti-Blackness, dismantle white supremacy and advance racial justice. The festival will also help to connect communities with the frontline organizations that serve them, allowing all participants to deepen community knowledge, learn from existing community wisdom, and provide opportunities for direct action and activism. "We firmly believe that “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” Audre Lorde

Films are shown in October at different venues throughout the Bay Area, California. We believe that Social Justice films don't have to make the audience feel horrible about the state of the world. We focus on uplifting stories that show our power!

The only competition is to see who can inspire the most people.

For our 17th Annual #FistUpFilmFestival We will only be excepting films by invitation.
for more information follow us on our new Instagram page @fistupfilmfestival and inbox us any questions.

ADDITIONAL TERMS OF ENTRY

By submitting I understand that I am agreeing to the following:

I am currently the owner of this work. Should ownership or rights to my film change, I must notify the Fist Up Film Festival. I own or control the copyright and am duly authorized to submit this documentary film to the Fist Up Film Festival and to the best of my knowledge, all statements on this document are true; This documentary contains no material which could result in tort claims, royalty claims, claims for breach of contract, or claims of any sort whatsoever; If this documentary is selected for screening at the Fist Up Film Festival, I grant Fist Up Film Festival the right to screen this film in the Bay Area, California, October 2026 as well as our Pop-up festival in NYC May 2026; I understand and agree that this film entry, if selected for the Festival, may be used for promotional purposes for the Festival and/or its partners and I grant Fist Up Film Festival and its partners the rights to use up to two minutes of footage, photographic stills and/or titles and information from the film for promotional purposes; I fully indemnify and hold Fist Up Film Festival and its partners harmless from any claims which may arise in connection with this film. If a claim arises in connection with this film, I will bear all the costs of defense incurred by Fist Up Film Festival and pay any award of damages which may ensue. I also agree to reimburse Fist Up Film Festival for any attorney fees incurred in connection with the defense of such a claim. By submitting my film, I am indicating that I understand, comply with and agree to the Terms of Entry and the eligibility requirements.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • LOVE Fist Up Film Festival!!! Looking forward to submitting more projects in the future!!!

    October 2024
  • spencer i. wilkinson

    The Fist Up Film Festival was amazing in 2024! Such incredible films as well as events for networking and getting further connected to the Bay Area community. The organizers and volunteers are all top-notch folks and we felt truly honored as filmmakers to be part of it. Looking forward to the 16th annual!

    October 2024
  • Jared Hall

    I had a wonderful time-- it was a life-changing experience!

    October 2024
  • We LOVE the Fist Up Film Festival and were so honored to be included this year. Beautiful community-building events! Thank you!

    October 2023
  • Yvan Iturriaga

    Love this festival and the folks organizing it. True community building and great mission.

    November 2022