San Francisco is the "oldest festival of the two Americas" and is an important festival particularly for the public. The variety of the program and the great number of special awards are attractive for the audience and the filmmakers.

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, documentary and animated) competitions for the 88th annual Academy Awards.

Feature films

New Directors Prize (for a debut narrative feature) — $10 000
McBaine Documentary Feature Award — $10 000
McBaine Bay Area Documentary Feature Award — $5000
Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature
Short films

Documentary Short — $2000
Narrative Short — $2000
Animated Short — $2000
New Visions Short — $2000
Family FIlm — $1500
Youth-produced short films

Youth Works — $1000

Productions completed after January 1, 2023;
Rough cuts or works-in-progress are accepted and reviewed. However, filmmakers are urged to submit as close to the final cut as possible.
US premiere recommended;
Projects must be a premiere in San Francisco Bay Area.
Documents and Other Requisite Items

Fill out online entry form;
Pay registration fees;
Additional Information

The winner of the short film competition automatically qualifies for the OSCAR competition for the Best Short Film.

Screening Media Type

HD CAM
35 мм
DCP
Audio language: original

Subtitles language: English

Premiere Requirements

City premiere required.