Celebrating our 20th year!

Sunscreen is known for its friendly atmosphere in a sun-kissed waterfront setting in the arts-centric city of St. Petersburg, FL. Since 2006 the festival has screened top-notch indie films, provided our filmmakers with quality workshops and panels packed with Hollywood talent, hosted great parties, and has been the top film festival in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, Florida area. Sunscreen is consistently ranked among the top 100 reviewed film fests on FilmFreeway out of over 12,000 festivals on FilmFreeway.

The Sunscreen Film Festival was one of 23 festivals sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (the Oscars) in 2013-2014, named one of the top 25 “coolest’ film festivals by MovieMaker Magazine and Best Film Festival in the Tampa Bay Area by Tampa Bay Magazine.

The Sunscreen Film Festival is organized and presented by the St. Petersburg Clearwater Film Society. A nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to education, economic development, informing the public about the art of visual storytelling, enhancing opportunities for local filmmakers to develop their craft and art, and increasing the public’s awareness and support of local filmmaking as a cultural and economic asset.

The Sunscreen Film Festival has grown from its first festival in a local art gallery in 2006 to an internationally recognized event in St. Petersburg, FL. The festival has become known for its commitment to filmmakers. The festival is for filmmakers by filmmakers. Sunscreen is committed to diversity, taking chances on creative and edgy films. Celebrating diversity is a core value of St. Petersburg and the festival seeks each year to showcase that value.

One aspect that makes Sunscreen unique is that our celebrities and special guests participate in workshops, classes, or other events supporting the festival’s mission. Everyone who attends Sunscreen is accessible and easy to interact with. Many filmmakers love the collegial atmosphere during the festival and appreciate the chance to learn from one another. Sunscreen provides at least a dozen workshops during the festival each year.

Diversity Statement: Sunscreen Film Festival

At the Sunscreen Film Festival, we believe diversity fuels the creativity of the film industry. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where filmmakers from all backgrounds can share their unique stories.

Our festival embraces filmmakers of various races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds, reflecting the world's diversity. We strive to promote equal opportunities and support underrepresented voices, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities.

We ensure a fair selection process with a diverse panel of judges, evaluating films based solely on their artistic merit. We also provide networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for filmmakers from underrepresented communities and collaborate with like-minded organizations.

Join us at the Sunscreen Film Festival, where diversity is central to our programming and commitment to an inclusive film industry.

Sunscreen History Summary 2006-2024

Total Films Accepted:
3,261 films were accepted into the Sunscreen Film Festival from 2006 to 2024.

Country Representation:
75 unique countries were represented among the accepted films.

Genres:
443 unique genres were listed among the films.

Languages:
Films were produced in 70 unique languages.

Sunscreen presents juried awards in the following categories:

Best Short Film
Best Florida Film (Short or Feature)
Best Comedy (Feature)
Best Documentary Feature
Best Documentary Short
Best Web series Short
Best Narrative Feature Film
Best International Film (Feature)
Best International Film (Short)
Best Animated Film Short
Best High School Student Short
Best College Student Short
Best Director (Feature)
The Dale Pople Best Sci Fi Film Award
The Dave Barrett Cinematography Award

1. Productions may be created in any format, but all entries for pre-screening must be in a digital file.
2. Productions must be entered by the primary rights holder or their authorized representative. If you are acting on the behalf of the rights holder of the film, you may be required to furnish proof of authorization.
3. All entries must be in English, dubbed in English or contain on-screen English subtitles. Non-English entries submitted without dubbing or on-screen English subtitles will be automatically disqualified.
4. Entries must be be submitted by deadline dates.
5. Works-in-progress may be accepted for consideration, provided a completed version will be available by March 17, 2025.
6. We do not require, but STRONGLY RECOMMEND providing an "all audiences" trailer (downloadable) for your film in online format. This will greatly increase your chances of being included in all social media promotions for the Festival and social media is what this festival relies upon for advertising and promotion.
7. For each accepted entry, the Sunscreen Film Festival will allocate up to four (4) filmmaker passes to all festival events. A representative of your film must pick up all passes at check-in.
8. Based upon availability, Sunscreen will arrange discounts at hotels for filmmakers traveling to the Festival. This is provided on a first come, first serve basis.
9. Local premiere preferred. Films that have screened at another film festival in the Tampa Bay area are eligible to be accepted, but only in special circumstances. In most cases, films that have already screened at any other Tampa Bay area film festival before the Sunscreen Film Festival will NOT be accepted.

TERMS:

1. Only complete entries (including entry, payment, and media file) will be processed and considered for screening.
2. Films must have been created no earlier than 2023.
3. Films promoting or advertising products or services for "for-profit" companies (excluding music videos) will not be given consideration.
4. Entrants will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance into the fest by March 6, 2025.
5. Entrant stipulates that they control all rights to the submission and that public exhibition is authorized during the 2025 Sunscreen Film Festival if the film is accepted to the Festival.
6. If selected, entrant agrees to provide a copy of the film in an approved format for public exhibition no later than March 17, 2025.
7. If the Entrant wishes to decline acceptance to the Sunscreen Film Festival, it must be provided in writing no later than March 11, 2025.
8. There are no refunds of submission fees.
9. If your film is selected for screening, entrants will be required to fill out a festival acceptance form. The form link will be emailed to the contact person listed in FilmFreeway for all accepted films.
10. Participants agree that all materials related to their film (including excerpts of the film) may be published for any promotional purpose related to the Sunscreen Film Festival, including the Festival Program, Festival Web Site, and any local or national media. Posters and images of the film may be used independently or in combination with images from other films to promote the film and the Sunscreen Film Festival.
11. Productions must be entered by the primary rights holder or their authorized representative. If you are acting on the behalf of the rights holder of the film, you may be required to furnish proof of authorization. Films already steaming or available for purchase, films that have aired on a broadcast, cable or VOD platform for wide viewing by a general audience will not be accepted.
12. DCP's will not be mailed back unless the filmmaker provides a return shipping label.
13. DCP delivery deadline is March 21st. Anything sent after this deadline may not be included in the festival.
14. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Sunscreen Film Festival 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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Eden Ohayon

    We had an incredible time at Sunscreen! We were honored to have our short included in this year's program. All of the events were top-notch, and we were so grateful to connect with other filmmakers. Many thanks to Tony Armer and Doug Tschirhart for putting together such a wonderful fest!

    May 2025
  • Sunscreen deserves to be recognized as one of the top festivals in the country. The range of films, topics, and perspectives was amazing.
    The venue was beautiful, the screening quality was top-notch, and the panels were really useful. We met so many incredible people, and by the end of the festival, it felt like we were all friends! The parties were a blast, and everything, from the films to the organization, was great. Huge thanks to Tony Armer and the entire team for creating such a fun event!

    May 2025
  • Luiz Antonio Godoy

    I can only thank Sunscreen for screening my film in such an amazing event. The venue is so charming and has an incredible quality of image and sound, and the event was very well organized. Multiple opportunities to network in a beautiful town. I’m looking forward to go back to it next year!

    May 2025
  • Keith Rubin

    Doug and his team put together an amazing festival and were so communicative and helpful throughout the process! While we weren't able to attend in person this year with our film BRETT WAS A F*CK, we've heard rave reviews from those who did attend. Can't wait to submit again in the future!

    May 2025
  • Domenico Pontoriero

    Being part of the Sunscreen Film Festival was an absolutely amazing experience. I met wonderful people and enjoyed every moment. My film was treated with so much respect and appreciation, and I felt like my crew and I were part of something really special. It inspired me to start working on my next film project, and I plan to attend the festival next year just to catch all the workshops that I missed.

    May 2025