Add to shopping cart
Submit to the Festival
More>

Introduction to the film festival

The San Francisco International Film Festival presented by SFFILM is an essential stop on the circuit for emerging storytellers and established filmmakers alike. The 2025 edition will take place from April 17–27 in venues in San Francisco and around the Bay Area. The San Francisco International Film Festival is the longest running film festival in the Americas, bringing films from around the world to discerning and warm Bay Area audiences since 1957. SFFILM is rooted in the culture of film appreciation by exploring film as an evolutionary art form, and as a transformative force for social change.

For nearly seven decades, the San Francisco International Film Festival has hosted countless world premieres including Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It, Jonathan Demme’s Stop Making Sense, Sydney Pollack’s Bobby Deerfield, Wayne Wang’s Center of the World, Abbas Kiarostami’s The Wind Will Carry Us, Helen Hunt’s Ride, and Stephan Eliot’s The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Past guests of the Festival include Akira Kurasawa, Greta Gerwig, Joan Chen, Vanessa Kirby, Boots Riley, Michelle Yeoh, Bo Burnham, Charlize Theron, Savanah Leaf, Shah Rukh Khan, David Byrne, Wesley Morris, Sandra Oh, Christopher Nolan, Celine Song, Mary Harron, Steven Soderbergh, and many, many more.

The 2025 SFFILM Festival will take place from April 17–27, 2025 with both in-person and online events, parties, talks, and more. Screening schedules, venue footprint, and in-person event structure are all subject to some change based on the realities of producing a safe and accessible film festival at that time.

Awards

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) recognizes SFFILM Festival as a qualifying festival for their short film (live action, documentary, and animated) competitions. NOTE: In line with AMPAS rules regarding short films, Mid-Length Film winners do not qualify for short film categories.

SFFILM Festival is a qualifying festival for Cinema Eye Honors for nonfiction filmmaking.

? Golden Gate Awards

The Golden Gate Awards recognize the best of international and independent cinema by honoring excellence and superior innovation in narrative, documentary, shorts, animated, and youth-produced work.

The juried Golden Gate Awards include the New Directors Prize for a first narrative feature with a $500 cash prize, Best Documentary Feature with a $500 cash prize, and Best Bay Area Documentary Feature with a $400 cash prize. The Golden Gate Award for Best Mid-Length Film (31–60 minutes) has a cash prize of $350, and the Cine Latino award has a cash prize of $400. Short prizes and cash awards will be given for Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Animated Short, and prizes for Bay Area Short Film, Family Short Film, and Youth Works Short Film.

Audience Awards for Best Narrative and Documentary Features will also be presented, decided by audience ballot.

Rules

Genre ：Action Comedy War Science fiction Ethics Terror Thriller Violence Adventure Crime Family Music Love VR/3D Magic Fantasy Shootout Suspense Youth Inspirational Literary Biography Western Drama others Documentary
Subject ：Unlimited
Video Format ：MPEG4 DCP MOV MPEG

As of 2020, a California premiere is required for all feature films. This does not apply to mid-length or short submissions, though a Bay Area premiere is strongly preferred.

The San Francisco International Film Festival focuses on new and exciting work by independent and international filmmakers. Titles are only eligible if the film’s premiere date is after September 1, 2024. This does not apply to mid-length or short submissions.

Any film (feature, shorts, and mid-length) previously exhibited publicly—either theatrically, via television, VOD, or internet broadcast—is not eligible for submission. Festival participation in other states does not disqualify a work’s eligibility for the SFFILM Festival.

All filmmakers must provide accurate and complete information when submitting to the SFFILM Festival. SFFILM requires each filmmaker to include the following specifications:

Incomplete application / entry forms will not be accepted and will need to be re-submitted.

A complete application includes participation in SFFILM’s demographic survey.

The Festival is unable to waive entry fees or provide discounts beyond those indicated. Entry fees are not refundable. We encourage and urge all filmmakers to submit by the early deadline of September 30 before fees increase.

You may submit any number of titles; however, a separate entry form, preview copy, and entry fee are required for each title. If the Festival determines a work is entered in the wrong category and needs to reassign it, any discrepancy in entry fees between the categories must be paid by the filmmaker.

Narrative, documentary, and animated short films (under 30 minutes) can also be considered for inclusion in our popular Family Films program. Family Films should be suitable for ages 7 and up. Selections in this category engage and entertain the entire family. This program traditionally mixes emerging talent with established filmmakers such as Domee Shi, Glen Keane, Bill Plympton, Cartoon Saloon, Aardman Animations, and Tonko House.

Rough cuts or works-in-progress are accepted and reviewed. However, filmmakers are urged to submit as close to the final cut as possible. The Festival will not accept new versions of an entry unless requested by the programming staff. If you update the film link on your submission page after applying to SFFILM, we cannot guarantee the new version will be considered.

All entrants will be notified of the Festival’s decision by March 19, 2025.

Evaluation

Jury Profile
Jury Name Judge photos Jury Profile

Authorization type

    Proxy Submission

Duration (several sessions)

    68

Film Festival Features

  • Red Carpet
  • Celebrity Guest
  • Filmscreen
  • Cash prize
  • Trophy
  • Copyright transactions
  • Certificate

Dates & Deadlines

  • 2024-08-14
    Submission start time

  • 2024-09-24
    Earlybird Deadline

  • 2024-11-12
    Regular Deadline

  • 2024-12-10
    Late Deadline

  • 2024-12-10
    Submission end time

  • 2025-03-19
    Finalist notification start time

  • 2025-03-20
    Finalist notification end time

  • 2025-04-17
    Award ceremony start time

  • 2025-04-27
    Award ceremony end time

Categories and fees

  • Narrative Feature
    Video length ：60 - 180
    Narrative feature films, 60 minutes and over in runtime.

    2024/09/24
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 60 Dollar

    Student： 50 Dollar

    2024/11/12
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 75 Dollar

    Student： 65 Dollar

    2024/12/10
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 90 Dollar

    Student： 80 Dollar

    Not available
  • Documentary Feature
    Video length ：60 - 180
    Feature-length documentary/non-fiction films, 60 minutes and over in runtime. SFFILM Festival is also a qualifying festival for Cinema Eye Honors for nonfiction filmmaking.

    2024/09/24
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 60 Dollar

    Student： 50 Dollar

    2024/11/12
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 75 Dollar

    Student： 65 Dollar

    2024/12/10
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 90 Dollar

    Student： 80 Dollar

    Not available
  • Animation Feature
    Video length ：60 - 180
    Animated features, 60 minutes and above in runtime.

    2024/09/24
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 60 Dollar

    Student： 50 Dollar

    2024/11/12
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 75 Dollar

    Student： 65 Dollar

    2024/12/10
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 90 Dollar

    Student： 80 Dollar

    Not available
  • Mid-Length Animated—(31–59 Minutes)
    Video length ：31 - 59
    SFFILM has established a new Golden Gate Award in recognition of filmmakers creating innovative work outside of the traditional "short film form". Some notable, award-winning mid-length films include: "End Game", "Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)" and "Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma" This new award comes with a cash prize of $1,500.

    2024/09/24
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 35 Dollar

    Student： 30 Dollar

    2024/11/12
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 50 Dollar

    Student： 45 Dollar

    2024/12/10
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 65 Dollar

    Student： 60 Dollar

    Not available
  • Animated Short—(under 30 Minutes)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Animated short films under 30 minutes in runtime. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes SFFILM Festival as a qualifying festival for all Academy short film competitions (live action, documentary and animated). Note: Previous television or Internet broadcast will disqualify a work from Oscar consideration. Narrative, documentary and animated short films can also be considered for inclusion in our popular Family Films program with a cash prize of $1,000. Family Films should be suitable for ages 7 and up and are meant to engage and entertain the entire family. Notable past participants include Cartoon Saloon, Tonko House, Aardman Animations, Julia Pott, and Glen Keane.

    2024/09/24
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 35 Dollar

    Student： 30 Dollar

    2024/11/12
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 50 Dollar

    Student： 45 Dollar

    Not available
  • Mid-Length Documentary—(31–59 minutes)
    Video length ：31 - 59
    SFFILM has established a new Golden Gate Award in recognition of filmmakers creating innovative work outside of the traditional "short film form". Some notable, award-winning mid-length films include: "End Game", "Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)" and "Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma". This award comes with a cash prize of $350.

    2024/09/24
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 35 Dollar

    Student： 30 Dollar

    2024/11/12
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 50 Dollar

    Student： 45 Dollar

    2024/12/10
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 65 Dollar

    Student： 60 Dollar

    Not available
  • Documentary Short—(under 30 Minutes)
    Video length ：1 - 30
    Documentary short films under 30 minutes in runtime. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes SFFILM Festival as a qualifying festival for all Academy short film competitions (live action, documentary and animated). Note: Previous television or Internet broadcast will disqualify a work from Oscar consideration. Narrative, documentary and animated short films can also be considered for inclusion in our popular Family Films program with a cash prize of $300. Family Films should be suitable for ages 7 and up and are meant to engage and entertain the entire family.

    2024/09/24
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 35 Dollar

    Student： 30 Dollar

    2024/11/12
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 50 Dollar

    Student： 45 Dollar

    Not available
  • Narrative Short—(under 30 Minutes)
    Video length ：1 - 30
    Narrative short films are under 30 minutes in runtime. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes SFFILM Festival as a qualifying festival for all Academy short film competitions (live action, documentary and animated). Note: Previous television or Internet broadcast will disqualify a work from Oscar consideration. Narrative, documentary and animated short films can also be considered for inclusion in our popular Family Films program with a cash prize of $300. Family Films should be suitable for ages 7 and up and are meant to engage and entertain the entire family.

    2024/09/24
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 35 Dollar

    Student： 30 Dollar

    2024/11/12
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 50 Dollar

    Student： 45 Dollar

    Not available
  • Mid-Length Narrative—(31–59 minutes)
    Video length ：31 - 59
    SFFILM has established a new Golden Gate Award in recognition of filmmakers creating innovative work outside of the traditional "short film form". Some notable, award-winning mid-length films include: "End Game", "Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)" and "Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma". This award comes with a cash prize of $350.

    2024/09/24
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 35 Dollar

    Student： 30 Dollar

    2024/11/12
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 50 Dollar

    Student： 45 Dollar

    2024/12/10
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 65 Dollar

    Student： 60 Dollar

    Not available
  • Youth Works—(under 30 minutes)
    Video length ：1 - 30
    SFFILM Education supports, encourages, and champions the work of young filmmakers from around the Bay Area and around the world. Works produced by filmmakers 18 years and younger are eligible for this category. All Youth Works category submissions must include with the application a scanned copy of a photo ID indicating proof of age (18 or younger) at the time of production. If you fail to submit a photo ID or if your submission does not meet the requirements for Youth Works, your entry will be automatically disqualified. Adult participation in Youth Works is limited to an advisory role. Youth work films are 30 minutes and under.

    2024/09/24
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 0 Dollar

    2024/12/10
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 0 Dollar

    Not available

Related film festivalMore

Follow us

  • Follow the following platforms

    Facebook
    Twitter
    WeChat
    Official Weibo
  • Contact number：+86-10-80877820
  • Service hours：10am--8pm
  • E-mail：service@sfilmmaker.com
  • Company name：Shao Studios Media (Beijing) Co., Ltd
  • Company address：96-1-501, yuanyangdongfanggongguan， Tongzhou District, Beijing, China

©Beijing ICP15055141-3 Beijing Public Network Security No. 11011202000526 ICP Business permitted licence: No. B2-20210871 [License for production and operation of radio and television programs: No. 03997]

Online Service