SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL's MISSION is to celebrate African American cinema and the African cultural Diaspora and to showcase a diverse collection of films – from emerging and established filmmakers. This is accomplished by presenting films, which reinforce positive images and dispel negative stereotypes, and providing film artists from the bay area in particular and around the world in general, a forum for their work to be viewed and discussed. SFBFF believes film can lead to a better understanding of and communication between, peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while simultaneously serving as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.

An early proponent of the global perspective, the festival has always been ahead of its time. Long before popular culture paid lip service to ‘going global’, we were walking the walk, presenting global motifs and topics from filmmakers around the world.

Recognition of the top winners from each category + whatever we can gather to give the winners. Sometimes money and sometimes swag!

1. Digital download access via FilmFreeway
2. Short filmmaker bio/headshot photo
3.Byline and or short synopsis of the film(no more than 3 sentences)
4.Film Poster
5.Social media handles (if applicable)

*Any submissions that do not include 1-4 of the above will be deemed ineligible

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Filmmaker/Actors/Directors/Screenwriters can be of any race/ethnicity however the story of submitted film(s) must be based upon:

African American cinema and the African cultural Diaspora.
(Black Stories, History, Representation etc.)

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IMPORTANT DATES:

CALL FOR ENTRIES END January 1, 2023
unless some other conversation has stated otherwise.

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION :
All selected films and filmmakers will be notified by January 9th, 2023

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JUDGING :

Each entry will be viewed by the Festival committee and rated on a 5 (five) point scale.
The committee will also rate for general interest, creativity and production values.

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Awards:
-Top films per genre will be noticed
-Awardee laurel
-Swag bag
-Any film considered for a festival award cannot have had commercial theatrical play domestically.

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Disclaimer:
-All precaution will be taken to ensure proper handling of materials submitted
-The festival, its judges or its agents cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to any film or video entered or any materials submitted in the connection therewith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the festival, its judges and agents shall be held harmless from damage

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COMPETITION AGREEMENT:
=>I/We have read all of the San Francisco Black Film Festival rules.

=>I/We understand and have complied with these rules.

=>I/We warrant the submission of my/our original work and there are no
disputes regarding the ownership of the submission.

=>I/We also warrant the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead and I/we fully indemnify the Festival against any claim made for such violations of law. To the best of my/our knowledge, all of the statements herein are true and correct.

=>I/We understand that failure to adhere to the Festival rules will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee.

=>I/We agree to hold the San Francisco Black Film Festival harmless from and defend them against all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, we/the.

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For digital submissions, filmmaker signatures are kept "on file." Include ALL relevant terms and conditions in the box below. For example, if your terms and conditions refer to your general rules, paste them below too.
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SFBFF is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless SFBFF from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
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Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • One of the best festivals! I'm honored to be apart of this community.

    June 2023
  • Jarrett Roseborough

    We are so grateful that our production “This is My Black” was selected to be featured in this prestigious film festival!

    June 2023
  • A beautiful and powerful film festival.
    It was an enormous pleasure to have my film "How Many More?" shown at this festival.
    Long life and lots of cinema for the world.

    September 2022
  • Bradley Gueho

    Great festival with awesome social media promos and communicates well with their filmmakers!

    August 2022
  • Maisha Azadi

    WE were selected for the online virtual platform, but we didnt get information as to when our project was screening to share with our audiences. There was a great attempt to accommodate us if we traveled to the event. Im grateful for the selection and look forward to the ways the festival will continue to grow!

    July 2022