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)

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)

AUDIENCE AWARDS (audience selections)
Audience Award, Feature Film
Audience Award, Featurette
Audience Award, Short Film
Audience Award, Documentary Film

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

Bill Prokopow

It was great to have a hometown showing of my film 'Entrainment' at the wonderful SOFF. Jeff is a fantastic festival organizer and we had a marvelous Q&A after the showing where we went in depth and didn't feel rushed talking about the film. We had a great experience! Thank you!

September 2024

Helpful
Mariya Somova

Thank you Sherman Oaks for selecting our film. It was an amazing experience. Special Thank you to Jeff Howard. We felt very welcomed.

September 2024

Helpful
Melissa Jane Rodriguez

We were deeply honored to be a part of SOFF. The team provides an exceptional experience for all and continues to send invites for mixers to keep the filmmakers connected. We hope to come back for another run soon!

September 2024

Helpful
Christine Bridges

Great festival and some really great screenplays. What a treat to be chosen out of 166! Look forward to taking our project back when it is filmed.

August 2024

Helpful
Pirie Martin

It was an absolute pleasure to be part of the 2023 festival, unfortunately I was unable to attend in person, but I had a fantastic chat with Jeff Howard in a virtual Q&A which made it feel less remote. I definitely appreciate the expertise, passion and dedication from the SOFF team running the festival!

January 2024

Helpful

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Dates & Deadlines

December 4, 2023
Opening Date
May 15, 2024
Early Deadline
June 15, 2024
Regular Deadline
July 15, 2024
Extended Deadline
August 15, 2024
Final Deadline
October 10, 2024
Notification Date
December 5 – 8, 2024
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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