Sherman Oaks Film Festival

SOFF offers filmmakers the opportunity to have their films screen in the heart of Los Angeles for an audience that loves independent film. Founded by longtime residents and movie veterans alike, the Sherman Oaks Film Festival looks to showcase the best undiscovered movies available in a beautiful, state-of-the-art theater that features the highest quality projection with cushy leather recliners.

SOFF embraces the work of filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and communities. It is our philosophy to honor their work as filmmakers and not place their work in separate categories based on race, sexual orientation, or gender identification. We have been proud to honor films from every community as Official Selections and Award Winners, honoring their work as filmmakers without being balkanized as "Black filmmakers" or "LGBTQ filmmakers" or "Women filmmakers." At SOFF, all of our filmmakers are filmmakers and we honor them equally.

Podcast + TV Series + Streaming Service
SOFF head programmer Jeff Howard established the "Discover Indie Film" podcast in 2017 and has had over 200 filmmakers sit for an in depth interview. In 2019 the TV series "Discover Indie Film" premiered on Amazon Prime Video; DIF TV is an anthology of shorts handpicked from the festival circuit. In 2023, Jeff launched TVHi, a streaming app available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, iPhone and Android Mobile. Becoming a SOFF Official Selection affords you the opportunity to take part in any of these things, but participation is never required.

The Sherman Oaks Film Festival is proud of the Hollywood professionals who comprise our Board:

Michael Lynn : Television Producer (True Hollywood Stories)
Jamie Ball : Television Executive (Disney Channel)
Zac Reeder : Entertainment Executive (Head of Domestic Distribution at Electric Entertainment)
Shannon Makhanian: Casting Director (The Brothers Bloom, Unknown, Mysterious Skin)
Glen Reynolds: Producer/Manager (Conversations with Other Women, Night Train)

BEST IN FEST
Best Feature Film (over 60 mins) - $1,000 Prize
Best Featurette (20-60 mins) - $750 Prize
Best Short Film (under 20 mins) - $500 Prize

GRAND JURY PRIZES (chosen by selection jury)
Best Feature Film - Arthouse/Experimental
Best Feature Film - Comedy
Best Feature Film - Documentary
Best Feature Film - Drama
Best Feature Film - Horror
Best Feature Film - SciFi
Best Featurette - Arthouse/Experimental
Best Featurette - Comedy
Best Featurette - Documentary
Best Featurette - Drama
Best Featurette - Horror
Best Featurette - SciFi
Best Short Film - Arthouse/Experimental
Best Short Film - Comedy
Best Short Film - Dance
Best Short Film - Documentary
Best Short Film - Drama
Best Short Film - Horror
Best Short Film - SciFi
Best Music Video
Best Director, Feature Film
Best Director, Featurette
Best Director, Short Film
Best Actress in a Lead Role
Best Actor in a Lead Role
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Performance by a Full Cast
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Screenplay, Feature Film (Unproduced)
Best Screenplay, Short Film (Unproduced)
Best Screenplay, TV Pilot/Web Series (Unproduced)

FILMMAKERS AWARDS (Jury of filmmakers from past festivals)
Outstanding Short Films
Outstanding Directors
Outstanding Screenplays
Outstanding Acting, Cast
Outstanding Acting, Individuals
Outstanding Cinematography

PROGRAMMER'S AWARDS
Sexiest Film of the Fest
Uniquely Original Filmmaking

Rules:

Technical Requirements:
Video - DCPs are required for all theatrical screenings. SOFF has a technical sponsor who assists in this process.
Audio - A volume level of -20 LUFS to -18 LUFS during dialog scenes is highly recommended. Your editor should be able to give you an output in this range before you create your DCP.

Q&A's:
The makers of each project are welcome to be part of a Q&A session immediately following their screening. Key cast and crew are also welcome to participate.

Promotions:
Participants agree that their project and material related to their project may be used and/or published in the Sherman Oaks Film Festival program, website and for promotional purposes related to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival.

Submission materials:
Film, video and script submissions are only accepted digitally through FilmFreeway. No physical media or scripts will be accepted at the festival's office address.

Trademark:
If selected, all commercial/private property including all trademark/copyrighted materials shown or recorded on the project is the responsibility of the filmmaker. The festival does not take responsibility for any infringement of copywritten materials.

Rules are subject to change at any time without prior notice.

Run Times & Page Limits:

Feature Films: run time over 60 minutes
Featurettes: run time between 60 and 20 minutes
Short Films: run time under 20 minutes
Music Videos: any length
Screenplays: no page minimum or maximum, standard format and standard title page recommended. Movie and Television screenplays are both accepted.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Pablo Riesgo Almonacid

I really love this festival. You can tell they truly care about independent films and the people who make them. The events are always great, and the Q&As feel super thoughtful — they’re clearly passionate about the work. What’s cool is that they really try to build a sense of community for indie filmmakers here in LA. And even after the festival’s over, they keep supporting you if something good happens with your film. They care — and it really shows.

April 2025

Helpful
Ren Olivieri

The festival was a fantastic experience and I can’t wait to return with my next film. Jeff and his team were incredibly supportive, helpful and positive making my first LA festival experience a lot easier to navigate. The festival provided a wide range of valuable experiences including excellent screenings and networking opportunities. In fact, I met the director of my second short film at Sherman Oaks! Thanks so much for such an unforgettable experience. It was an honored to be included.

March 2025

Helpful
Tal Anderson

What a fantastic experience. The communication and engagement of the festival staff was so helpful and positive, and the festival itself offers so much. Not only did they offer events for networking and celebration, but the venue also offered a very high-quality screening of the films. Even after the festival, there continues to be opportunities to engage and network, through the festival's continuous efforts to support filmmakers. Thank you so much for screening Breaking Normal. We are honored to have been part of the festival.

March 2025

Helpful
Ryan Barton-Grimley

Sherman Oaks Film Festival was really fun! Our horror feature played it after wrapping up a big festival run and honestly... Sherman Oaks was way more fun than festivals 10x the size. The opening night gala was held in this funky warehouse, full bar, and tons of filmmakers from all over the world. It was a great opportunity to meet and network. Our screening was in a beautiful modern theater with great sound and the picture was bright, crisp and colorful... the way it should look! There was a nice red-carpet area with press and even some interviews with local media. It was really strong. And for Los Angeles area... very refreshing! I highly recommend submitting and playing this festival!

March 2025

Helpful
SyL Liu

Such an amazing experience, great festival!!

March 2025

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

December 15, 2024
Opening Date
May 15, 2025
Early Deadline
June 15, 2025
Regular Deadline
July 15, 2025
Extended Deadline
August 15, 2025
Final Deadline
October 15, 2025
Notification Date
December 4 – 7, 2025
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Feature Film - Action/Thriller
Runtime over 60 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Submit Now
Featurette - Action/Thriller
Runtime between 20 and 60 minutes.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Short Film - Action/Thriller
Runtime under 20 minutes.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Feature Film - Animation
Runtime over 60 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Submit Now
Featurette - Animation
Runtime between 20 to 60 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Short Film - Animation
Runtime under 20 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Feature Film - Arthouse/Experimental
Runtime over 60 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Submit Now
Featurette - Arthouse/Experimental
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Short Film - Arthouse/Experimental
Runtime under 20 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Feature Film - Comedy
Runtime over 60 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Submit Now
Featurette - Comedy
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Short Film - Comedy
Runtime under 20 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Feature Film - Documentary
Runtime over 60 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Submit Now
Featurette - Documentary
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Short Film - Documentary
Runtime under 20 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Feature Film - Drama
Runtime over 60 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Submit Now
Featurette - Drama
Runtime between 20 to 60 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Short Film - Drama
Runtime under 20 minutes
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Feature Film - Horror - $500 Prize
Runtime over 60 minutes. Horror $500 Cash Prize: Open to films of all lengths, sponsor EntertainmentEarth.com selects between the Grand Jury Prize winners of Best Horror for Feature, Featurette, and Short to win $500 in store credit.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Submit Now
Featurette - Horror - $500 Prize
Runtime between 20 to 60 minutes. Runtime under 20 minutes. Horror $500 Cash Prize: Open to films of all lengths, sponsor EntertainmentEarth.com selects between the Grand Jury Prize winners of Best Horror for Feature, Featurette, and Short to win $500 in store credit.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Short Film - Horror - $500 Prize
Runtime under 20 minutes. Horror $500 Cash Prize: Open to films of all lengths, sponsor EntertainmentEarth.com selects between the Grand Jury Prize winners of Best Horror for Feature, Featurette, and Short to win $500 in store credit.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Feature Film - SciFi - $500 Prize
Runtime over 60 minutes. SciFi $500 Cash Prize: Open to films of all lengths, sponsor EntertainmentEarth.com selects between the Grand Jury Prize winners of Best SciFi for Feature, Featurette, and Short to win $500 in store credit.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Submit Now
Featurette - SciFi - $500 Prize
Runtime between 20 and 60 minutes. SciFi $500 Cash Prize: Open to films of all lengths, sponsor EntertainmentEarth.com selects between the Grand Jury Prize winners of Best SciFi for Feature, Featurette, and Short to win $500 in store credit.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Short Film - SciFi - $500 Prize
Runtime under 20 minutes. SciFi $500 Cash Prize: Open to films of all lengths, sponsor EntertainmentEarth.com selects between the Grand Jury Prize winners of Best SciFi for Feature, Featurette, and Short to win $500 in store credit.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Music Video
Any length, any genre. Music videos will be judges on filmmaking quality.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Short Film - Dance
Inspired by our love for Dance Films!
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Web Series / TV Pilot
We used to accept them as short films, but now they have their own category. Regardless of genre, please submit your web series to this category. We highly recommend that you submit the pilot episode alone, or at most a few episodes. Best to get your audience interested and leave them wanting more.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Screenplay - Feature Film
Unproduced screenplays for feature films.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $36
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Screenplay - Pilot / Web Series
Unproduced screenplays intended to be television pilots.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $36
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $40
Submit Now
Screenplay - Short Film
Unproduced screenplay intended to be a short film.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $24
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $32
Submit Now
Immersive Short - AR/VR/MR/360
Cutting edge filmmakers are making cinematic immersive experiences – whether it is 360º/180º video, realtime VR, MR, or AR – FILA is going to have the hardware and space required for these medium-defining narrative experiences to be presented at this year’s festival! We will be turning our theater’s lobby into a full-blown immersive and interactive gallery, with experiences open to all festival attendees.
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now

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Pablo Riesgo Almonacid

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SyL Liu