The Inland Film Festival (IFF) is a grassroots film festival and workforce and economic development initiative led by Arts Connection – The Arts Council of San Bernardino County. Founded in 2023 with support from the Creative Corps Grant, the Garcia Center for the Arts, and local artists, the festival was created to celebrate and uplift Inland Empire filmmakers and the stories that reflect the cultural fabric and creativity of our communities.

Now an annual event, IFF strengthens the Inland Empire’s storytelling ecosystem and film and media sector by connecting local and regional talent to high-growth careers in film, media, and creative production.

IFF prioritizes films with ties to the Inland Empire, with many selected works highlighting filmmakers and stories from San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Recognizing filmmaking as a collaborative practice, the festival also includes submissions from Los Angeles and San Diego Counties to expand opportunities for connection while maintaining a strong regional focus.

The festival features a multi-day program that supports both storytelling and career pathways. It begins with an Industry Summit on Friday, October 16, followed by curated film screenings on Saturday, October 17, and concludes with a Best of Fest awards ceremony on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Programming includes a regional call for submissions, screenings, workshops, and panels led by industry professionals. These offerings span key areas of the film and media sector, including motion graphics, pre-production, editing, acting methodologies, and intimacy coordination, alongside networking opportunities that foster meaningful connections between creatives and industry leaders.

In the months leading up to the festival, IFF also offers hands-on workshops, technical training, and industry resources that support both emerging and established artists in advancing their cinematic careers.

Awards & Prizes

Audience Award (Open to all Films):
We recognize the power of the audience. The audience votes for their favorite film at the film festival. All votes are anonymous; only the attending audience members are eligible to vote for the best film of their choice.

Category Awards (Open to all Films):
- Best of Fest
- Best Live Action
- Best Documentary
- Best Animation
- Best Music Video
- Best Film Series
- Best Experimental
- Best Student Film

Rules & Terms

1. Submission Guidelines: All films must follow the festival's guidelines regarding film length, format, and submission deadlines.

2. Original Content: Films must be original works, respecting copyright laws and avoiding plagiarism.

3. Rights and Permissions: Filmmakers must ensure they have obtained all necessary rights and permissions for any copyrighted material used in their film.

4. Language and Subtitles: Applicants submitting films that contain significant non-English spoken dialogue must provide accurate on-screen English subtitles.

5. Premiere Status: The Inland Film Festival accepts both premieres and previously screened films outside of IFF.

6. Entry Fees:
- General Submission Cost: $25
- Student Submission Cost: $20

7. Judging and Selection: The festival's selection committee and/or jury will have final decisions regarding film acceptance and awards.

8. Promotion and Publicity: IFF reserves the right to use excerpts or stills from all film submissions for promotional purposes only.

9. Attendance: If your film is selected, we encourage you to attend the festival and engage with the audience and fellow filmmakers.

10. Format: Films MUST be submitted horizontally and with a resolution of 1080p or higher. File formats accepted are: .MOV and .MP4.

Please email inlandfilmfestival@artsconnectionnetwork.org for any accommodation/accessibility requests.

IFF deserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any project that does not follow the rules and terms of the festival.
12 Reviews
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Value
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Networking
  • Javo Aguirre

    I had an outstanding experience at the Inland Film Fest. It was an absolute honor to showcase both Dreamer and For I Have Sinned, and I am grateful for how well they were received by the audience. I received great feedback that meant a lot to me as a filmmaker. There were excellent networking opportunities with the Inland Empire Arts Council, Futures First, the Desert Empire Film Foundation, and many other very talented filmmakers who shared their passion for storytelling.

    The venue was fantastic, with so many wonderful films screening all day on gigantic screens at the Regal Cinema Theatre in San Bernardino. The atmosphere was full of excitement and appreciation for cinema. I would love to return in the future. Being included in this festival was truly an honor.

    November 2025
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  • Dr. Gregory McWhorter

    Nice festival. We were thrilled to screen and experienced good communication. We wish there had been more opportunities for meet-ups/networking. We came, we watched, we left. The awards ceremony seemed like they had an agenda of who they were trying to nurture so we felt a bit left out there as older filmmakers. Worth submitting to.

    November 2025
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  • Mike Sorrentino

    Congratulations to the entire staff and volunteers for IFF. Your passion and commitment really showed. In only their second year, you can tell that they are really building a great platform for Inland Empire creatives. Amazing communication from submission to the Award's Show.

    Very excited to have 3 films exhibit on a bona fide theater screen at the Regal Cinema. Thanks to some of the cast and crew from Grow Old (2nd Place - Music Video), Land of Enchantment and PinPoint who came out to support our work.

    Hope to be at IFF next year. Cheers!

    September 2025
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  • Mathew Layton

    Had a great time, and saw some really good films and met some super talented filmmakers.

    September 2025
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  • Ana Rodak

    Such a wonderful festival experience! Everything was so well organized, from communication with the team to the screenings themselves. As a filmmaker, I truly felt welcomed and supported. The staff went above and beyond to make sure each film and filmmaker received attention, and the programming was curated beautifully. It was an honor to have my work included, and I would definitely submit again in the future.

    September 2025
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