Now in its 25th year, the OJAI FILM FESTIVAL continues to grow in importance and prestige as one of the country’s premier destination festivals. The 4-day event has a reputation for showcasing the best new films from emerging and established filmmakers, and has helped launch a number of careers over the last two decades. Since 2000, 15 alumni have received Academy Award nominations, two have won an Oscar, and numerous others have gone on to gain distribution and win prestigious awards.

All local filmmakers are automatically entered into our regional Gold Coast track which highlights local talent and offers its own prize: the Bill Paxton Award.

FILMMAKER BENEFITS
1. Free Lodging: Local hosts open their homes and welcome accepted filmmakers attending the festival
2. Awards Brunch: Filmmakers and guests are treated to a picturesque brunch at the Awards Ceremony
3. VIP Passes: Filmmakers and guests enjoy the entire festival, receive virtual passes and get access to exclusive networking evening parties
4. Q&A Panels: Filmmakers are invited to engage with the audience after their film presentations

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Festival's theme is “Enriching the Human Spirit Through Film,” but submissions of all types are welcome. The Festival provides audiences a diverse lineup of titles from around the world, including many groundbreaking works that would otherwise be inaccessible. At the same time, it gives filmmakers access to a highly appreciative audience of savvy and informed film fans.

The festival makes the most of its unique location, only 75 miles north of Hollywood - yet comfortably removed from the typical industry hustle and bustle. With its relaxed atmosphere and breathtaking beauty, Ojai is an ideal spot for filmmakers to mingle with visiting industry guests, artistic colleagues, and distributors.

Trophies are awarded to the winners in every category, along with Honorable Mention Certificates.

CATEGORIES:
Best Narrative Feature, Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, Best Animated Film, Best Film Exemplifying The Festival Theme, Audience Award

ADDITIONAL PRIZES:
Best Student Film: Winners receive a Panasonic $60,000 Camera Rental Package

Social Impact & Vision Award: Winners receive a Panasonic $60,000 Camera Rental Package

Bill Paxton Award: The best film in the Gold Coast track receives a Castaway 7 Sound Package which includes an award winning sound engineer and studio time

All winners are honored at the Awards Brunch, with an opportunity to speak to the filmmakers and community in attendance.

ENTRY DEADLINES:
Early Deadline: February 29, 2024
Regular Deadline: March 31, 2024
Late Deadline: April 30, 2024
Extended Deadline: May 31, 2024

MEDIA FORMATS:
Formats accepted for festival screening are as follows:

Blu-ray and streaming files in most formats

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Each submission must include:
· An Online Screener.
· Completed entry form (signed and dated) for the appropriate category
· An Online payment via credit card

Any film completed after November 1, 2021 is eligible for submission.

Please include one or more production stills from your film for publication in our Festival Program. We will need these ASAP if your entry is accepted.

SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR FILMMAKERS CURRENTLY RESIDING IN IRAN
If you are a filmmaker currently residing in Iran, we have a special program just for you! If you are interested in learning more about this program, please send an email to:

Atefeh Rahmani
Iran2022Ojai@gmail.com

and she will promptly respond with full details.

ENTRY FEES:
Early deadline (February 29) entry fees: Features -- $45, Shorts -- $40
Regular deadline (March 31) entry fees: Features -- $50, Shorts -- $45
Late deadline (April 30) entry fees: Features -- $65, Shorts -- $60
Extended Deadline (May 31) entry fees: Features -- $85, Shorts -- $80

(Features are defined as films with a running time of 40 minutes or longer.)

Student-produced films receive a 25% discount in all categories!

For student-produced work, a copy of a current student ID, or evidence of work being completed while entrant was a student, must be included with the application.

SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS AND RETURN OF ENTRIES:
Public screening prints of entries selected for exhibition must be shipped pre-paid and in a suitable container, with insurance the responsibility of the entrant.

RETURN OF ENTRIES:
Exhibition prints selected for screening at the Festival will be returned at no charge to the entrant. Return shipments will be insured for $100. Other arrangements may be negotiated if necessary.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
I state that I am authorized to submit this film/video to the Ojai Film Festival for consideration and have read, understand and agree to all entry requirements. I hereby release the Festival from all liability resulting from its exhibition of my film/video. I agree that if the Ojai Film Festival accepts my film for exhibition at the Festival, I will make it available for that purpose without requiring the payment of a screening fee.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sandy Cummings

    Fantastic festival! It was well organized, the audience was wonderful and we felt embraced by the community. We were so honored to win both Best Feature Doc and the Audience Choice Award! We would go back in a heartbeat.

    December 2023
  • I was not able to attend Ojai Film Festival, but the editor of our film "Wine, Women, & Dementia" did and had a great time at the festival, including our screening and the Q&A that followed! Communication from the fest was top notch.

    November 2023
  • Mike Pniewski

    Absolutely loved the Ojai Film Festival! Terrific city and a wonderful venue filled with great audiences. Everyone was supportive of the filmmakers and were genuinely enthusiastic about the event and their city. The staff was kind and helpful and we are soooo looking forward to coming back very soon.

    November 2023
  • Frances Chewning

    A sweet, fulfilling festival. The mission "to enrich the human spirit" shines through. The hospitality, engaged audience, beautiful environment, and wonderful programming made this festival one of my favorite festival experiences. Very grateful to have been selected to participate.

    November 2023
  • Robert Redfield

    A fun festival in a beautiful cozy small town. Organizers were over-the-top hospitable and their actions demonstrated that the filmmaker comes first. The networking with other filmmakers was very productive.

    November 2023