San Diego Filipino Film Festival accepts independent films by Filipino filmmakers and/or films that tackle or discuss Filipino stories, culture, and experiences. Please email us if you need clarification on this.
Upon acceptance to the festival, all filmmakers will be asked to submit a DCP copy and/or a DCP link to their films. Filmmakers must make sure to submit tested and working DCP/DCP links. Noncompliance to this requirement will forfeit your acceptance to the festival. Films with non-working DCP/DCP links may be disqualified from the festival if not immediately submitted by the given deadline. The producers/filmmakers of the selected film are solely responsible for the DCP creation and shipping expense.
We believe that film has an enduring impact no matter when it was made or released, that is why SDFFF has no premiere status and no year limit completion requirements. However, we will prioritize acceptance of San Diego film premieres in our programming for both features and shorts.
Only online screeners will be accepted, preferably through a private link via Vimeo or YouTube accessible here on FilmFreeway.
We do not accept unsolicited film entries for review/feedback via email. We accept films via FilmFreeway with completed applications and entry fees.
The festival has no obligation to give feedback for films that have not been accepted in the festival. All films have been reviewed by a programming team based on artistic merit, film's message, and alignment to our festival's mission and vision. Not all films can be accepted in the festival and many factors play into the selection of each film.
SDFC/SDFFF pays no screening fees to accepted films/filmmakers.
SDFFF alumni and volunteers' entry fees are waived upon request.
Accepted films have all the necessary licensing permission or legal copyright to screen at SDFFF. It is understood that SDFC/SDFFF is not responsible for the films not being in compliance with the laws regarding copyright or licensing of intellectual properties including music, logos, artwork, commercial products, etc.
Films or projects that have been previously submitted are not eligible for re-submission. Any re-submitted films will be automatically disqualified from participating in the festival.
SDFC/SDFFF is given the consent to use any and all promotional materials such as film trailer, poster, film stills, filmmaker photos, and other promo materials from the accepted films on all of SDFC/SDFFF social media platforms including and not limited to SDFC’s website, Instagram account, Facebook page, videos, photos, and print materials before, during, and after the festival for promotional purposes of SDFC/SDFFF.
San Diego Filipino Cinema and San Diego Filipino Film Festival have the full discretion to screen your films within the festival or showcase submitted films in parts prior to, during, or after the festival period to help in the promotion of SDFC and SDFFF. SDFC will never screen your films in full outside of SDFFF without your prior consent.
Your film must NOT stream on public online platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, or U.S. streaming platforms two weeks prior to the Festival and the whole duration of the Festival.
Make sure your FilmFreeway film account is updated with your downloadable film materials including your director's bio and photo, director's statement, synopsis, film stills (not behind-the-scenes production photos), and film poster. If your film got accepted to our festival, our team will be using these materials to be used as part of our film fest promos.
Make sure that your email address on FilmFreeway is current and active to make sure you receive our notification if your film gets chosen. Failure to respond to our team after our initial notification email may result in disqualification.
In the event that the Fifth Annual San Diego Filipino Film Festival is canceled due to a law, decree, or regulation enacted by local, State, Federal, or international authorities in response to a force majeure or emergency situation (including, but not limited to, those arising from an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19 and its related impacts), all or most screenings and special events at this year's venues will be canceled. This will also result in the annulment of all contractual obligations related to the Festival.
Should a force majeure or emergency situation occur, SDFFF has the discretion to adapt the format of its Fifth edition as needed, prioritizing urgent needs or the protection of essential public or private interests. This could involve, among other measures, shifting to digital platforms or scaling back the program.
In any of the situations described above, SDFFF will ensure that all participants with submitted or invited films are promptly informed. In such instances, registration fees and any other compensations will neither be refunded nor become payable.
Rules & Terms are subject to change without prior notice. By submitting your film/s to our festival, you agree to comply to the Rules and Terms of San Diego Filipino Film Festival.
