We focus on a wide variety of filmmakers, from beginner to Academy award winning. We have screened all varieties. We love bridging the gap between those who are just getting their feet wet with those who have skin in the game. Its a great way to help new filmmakers meet those with experience and build their connections. It's a great way for artists to be inspired and motivated to go out and create and tell new stories. Its a way to know that it is all possible with creativity and collaboration. We pride ourselves on being a festival that demonstrates these characteristics of creative unity.

Skiptown Playhouse International Film Festival is a new festival that focuses on low (under 5 million budget) independent films in both short form and feature length. It is a great outlet for filmmakers from all over the world to showcase their work and be seen by distributors, producers, and other industry professionals working in Hollywood. And what better place to be located, than Hollywood itself!

The festival is run by the owner of Skiptown Productions, Vincenzo Carubia, who is also the owner of Skiptown playhouse, and the cats crawl as well as an award winning filmmaker / director and has worked in film acquisitions. From conception to distribution, Vincent is well rounded in all aspects of film and television and Is a Tribeca Film Festival accepted director. He continues to create art through music video, and stage production with his band Lunarcode and his Immersive Edgar Allan Poe Immersive theater experience "Poe-Etique."

This festival is a great opportunity for filmmakers to have their work seen and showcased to industry professionals who have the potential to distribute their work at the major film markets around the world.

Awards & Prizes

Awards will be given to the following categories
(each year new categories may be created based on the material received)

FEATURE FILM CATEGORIES
Best Picture (US OR INTERNATIONAL BEST OF FEST)
Best Director
Best Editing
Best Wardrobe
Best Makeup
Best Special Effects
Best Production Design
Best Performance By a leading male
Best Performance By a leading female
Best Ensemble cast
Best Original Score
Best Supporting Actor (Male)
Best Supporting Actor (Female)
Best Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Documentary

SHORT FILM CATEGORIES (plus sub categories)
Best Narrative Short Film
Best Director Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
Best Music Video
Best Web Series
Best Foreign Language Short Film
Best Experimental Short Film
Best LGBTQ+ Short Film
Best Actor in a Short Film
Best Actress in a Short Film

Rules & Terms

Premiering at our festival is a beautiful thing! However it is not required. You can have screened at other festivals and won awards, that will not affect the selection of your film.
Films MUST be under 5 million in budget.
Films CANNOT have a completion date prior to 2023 to be considered.
Films may have some distribution attached to submit and be considered.
Films must be in the completed stages of production. Minor tweaks only.
Films must be completed with online screeners in order to be considered.
We will ONLY review online screeners at this time for review.
Any films not filmed in English must provide the proper English subtitles to be considered.
Press packages are only necessary after the selection process is completed.
You may submit a POSTER and / or TRAILER / SYNOPSIS / TALENT ROSTER with your film screener submission. It is encouraged but however not required and will not directly effect your chances of selection.

Submitters understand that by submitting they are not guaranteed selection into the festival and even if selected they are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and entrance into all screenings, receptions / etc.
Due to the limited size of the venue, filmmakers accepted into the festival will receive free entree into their own film screening as well as entry into opening and closing night parties.

We screen all of our selected films off of an EPSON HD projector and have upgraded sound system in place for screening with comfortable chairs for your viewing pleasure.

There are NO REFUNDS on any materials or submissions at any time.
All submissions are FINAL.

Please do not contact about the status of your project before the notification date. We will notify you on or within several days of said date.

The number one rule is that you come ready to mingle and have a great time!
104 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Marcella H. Smith

    Thank you for the opportunity to be selected. Congratulations to all winners. Will definitely submit future projects.

    February 2026
    Helpful
  • Wayne Winterstein

    Really great festival! The event was well run, and I was very grateful that my short got accepted.

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • steve chappell

    Thanks again for screening my animated short HOUSE FLY!! Though I was not able to attend in person I did enjoys the correspondence back and forth -and you were kind enough to hand out my movie stickers!- Congrats go out SPIFF for throwing such a great event!

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • sajjad rafiei

    My film was selected in the Iranian films section, but then I didn't understand how my film was screened and what happened? Overall, I was happy with the selection of my film, hoping for bigger things. I suggest that they announce the screenings from next year, have live broadcasts, and communicate more with the filmmakers. Thanks.

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Esmail .

    The Best festival. Thankful for supporting the filmmakers and organizing the festival.

    November 2025
    Helpful