The Imperial Valley Film Festival & Artist Showcase is a juried exhibition of independent filmmakers' and artists' work. This year's festival will include a screening of films, industry panels, Q&As with working professionals, and an Artist Gallery. The Festival will showcase a wide range of film projects, including shorts, features, music videos, and documentaries created by students and independent filmmakers from throughout the world, with special emphasis given to those who live/lived, attend school, have local ties to, or work in Imperial County, Yuma and Mexicali.

This year, we have a new category, recognizing women in film. Films producer or directed by women are encouraged to submit their work!

And, as always, filmmakers from around the globe are encouraged to submit and showcase their work.

Special guests who have previously appeared at the festival include Editor/Producer George Folsey Jr, producer of "An American Werewolf in London" and Michael Jackson's Thriller, Max Arciniega, actor from "Breaking Bad," "Bosch," and "Better Call Saul," and Michael Lannan, creator and Executive Producer of the HBO series "Looking."

Awards will be given in the following categories:
Best of the Festival
Best Music Video
Best Documentary
Best Representation of Imperial Valley Life
Best Short Film
Best Feature Film
Special Recognition Award: Women in Film

Awards and prizes are subject to change based on the final list of entrees.

Submission to the Imperial Valley Film Festival includes two (2) ticket to the entire festival.

Submissions made after the deadline will not be accepted.

Multiple entries are allowed, but filmmakers must submit each entry individually.

No fee waivers will be granted. Any requests will simply be ignored.

Filmmakers living within Imperial County, CA, Mexicali, Mexico, or Yuma, AZ are eligible for a discounted submission fee. This also applies to films produced within the listed areas. Submissions to the "Imperial Valley Filmmaker" category are eligible for all award categories. However, submitters may be asked to provide evidence that he or she is a current resident of Imperial County, Mexicali, or Yuma. If the submitter does not provide sufficient evidence, the film will be automatically rejected and no refund will be provided.

Submissions to the "Women in Film" Category are eligible to win the Special Recognition Award as well as all other categories.

The festival will accept films that adhere to the Motion Picture Association of America Ratings Board System, which includes: General Audience (G), Parental Guidance Suggested (PG), Parents Strongly Cautioned for anyone below the age of 13 (PG-13), and Restricted to anyone below the age of 17 (R). Any film or video containing R-rated material, nudity, graphic violence, or in the exclusive opinion of the Imperial County Film Commission glamorizes drug use or drug references, or alcohol or cigarette consumption may not be accepted for screening. Each film will be taken on a case-by-case basis.

No film that would be considered NC-17 will be accepted.

All films must be in English or have English subtitles.

Entry videos may only be submitted online through FilmFreeway.

Submission to the festival does not guaranteed acceptance.

If accepted, films will be screened in digital file format. Final delivery of films will be submitted through Dropbox or on a physical drive to the Imperial Valley Film Commission.

By submitting, the submitter states that she or he:

Is authorized to submit the Film as the owner or an Agent of the owner.

Has accepted the rules and regulations of the Imperial County Film Festival.

Agrees that the submitted copy will not be returned and no refunds will be given.

Allows the Imperial County Film Commission the right to promote, through all media types and outlets, including through the use of clips, the film submitted and to allow the film to be screened at the Imperial Valley Film Festival event.

Understands the Imperial Valley Film Festival is not responsible for damages or losses resulting from the festival acceptance or rejection or any other possible or unforeseen circumstance.

For additional information, please visit the Festival's website.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Martin Castillo

    Beautiful experience. Incredible talent! There is something about the Imperial Valley as a community that needs to be represented more in film. This festival is definitely pushing to show who we are and our diversity.

    October 2018
  • Isaul Beltran

    Amazing film Festival! I can’t wait to submit another film here. The communication from festival to attendee was impecable, they were very hospitable and we watched some quality films.

    October 2018
  • Mariya Pyter

    Thank you very much for the festival for selecting my film “ on the way to Lovetown”! Great festival and great communication from the team!!)))

    October 2018
  • Ramón Torres

    We were unable to go but the film festival team was very communicative which was appreciated!

    October 2017