Malibu Film Festival's focus is on supporting emerging directors. As a nonprofit arts organization, the Malibu Film Foundation has held the Malibu Film Festival for close to twenty five years to support emerging directors and introduce their work to audiences, creating a community around independent storytelling.
Malibu Film Festival is produced and staffed by members of the Director's Guild of America (DGA). Emerging Directors interested in joining the DGA, this festival is for you!
The 23rd Malibu Film Festival will take place in-person in 2023 and is now open for film submissions exclusively on FilmFreeway.
Since 1999, Malibu Film Festival has been recognized as a premiere festival for discovering emerging directors. Honorees and Filmmakers who first presented their work at the festival are now amongst the biggest names in the industry include Academy Award® winning director James Cameron (Avatar, Titanic, Terminator); Academy Award® winning director Bryan Fogel (Jewtopia, Icarus, The Dissident);
ABOUT PROGRAMMING
The festival program is selected entirely from a blind submissions pool. No films are given special treatment based on who made them or who they know. Malibu Film Festival programers are comprised of award winning filmmakers, festival alumni, and working union members including DGA, SAG/AFTRA, IATSE and WGA.
DISCOUNT ENTRY FEE:
Malibu Film Festival may provide filmmakers in need of support a discount entry fee code on a case by case basis. Discount Entry Fee Request must be submitted via email info@malibufilmfestival.org. Email Subject Line: Discount Entry Fee Request
CASH AWARDS:
Select films and filmmakers may receive cash awards.
Jury Award for Narrative Feature
Jury Award for Documentary Feature
Jury Award for Narrative Short
Jury Award for Documentary Short
Jury Award for Animation Short
Jury Award for Experimental Short
Jury Award for Breakthroughs
Audience Award for Narrative Feature
Audience Award for Documentary Feature
Audience Award for Best Episode
Audience Award for Best Short Film
