The longest-running film festival in the Americas, the San Francisco International Film Festival, recognized throughout the world for its eclectic, intelligent and adventurous programs and events, is accepting submissions to SFIFF53 (April 22–May 6, 2010). Works in all genres, forms and lengths are considered.

Golden Gate Awards Competition
SFIFF is deeply rooted in the finest traditions of film appreciation both as an art form and as a meaningful agent for social change and is an important showcase for the most searching and probing films from around the globe.

General Information for Entries

• All entries must have been completed on or after January 1, 2009.
• Features previously exhibited in the Bay Area, either theatrically, at another local festival or via television or Internet broadcast are not eligible to apply.
• Productions partially financed by television companies intended for theatrical presentation may be entered in non-television categories.
• Bay Area filmmakers are eligible for additional Bay Area awards given in recognition of the rich variety of work that has established Northern California as a center of independent production. Awards are presented to a documentary feature film and two short films. To qualify for a Bay Area award, entries must have been made by a filmmaker who is a current resident of the San Francisco Bay Area (the area from Monterey to Mendocino: postal zip codes 93901 to 95457).
• 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.
• All entrants will be notified of the Festival’s decision by the end of February.

Golden Gate Awards Competition
For Documentaries, Shorts, Animation, Experimental, Youth-Produced and Television Works. Read more...

Features
Any feature over 40 minutes completed after January 1, 2009 is eligible to be invited to the Festival. Work in all genres and forms (narrative, documentary, animation, experimental) is accepted in this category. Read more...

Shorts
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes the San Francisco International Film Festival as a qualifying festival for the short film (live action and animated) competitions for the 82nd annual Academy Awards. Read more...

Works for Television
Narrative and documentary works specifically financed and produced for broadcast must be entered in television categories. Read more...

Youth Works
SFIFF supports, encourages and champions the work of youth media makers from around the Bay Area and around the world. Short works produced by filmmakers 18 and younger are eligible for this category. Read more...

How to Enter
Everything you need to know about submitting your film to SFIFF53. Read more...

Enter Online
You may enter your film either through Withoutabox or through the San Francisco Film Society’s Web site. Read more...

FAQs
Answers to questions about the ins and outs of entering films, formats accepted, premieres and protocols. Read more...