SUBMIT A FILM
Submissions for the Santa Fe International Film Festival’s 17th edition are now open
Recognized with the Arts Innovator Award at the 2021 Santa Fe Mayor’s Arts Awards, the 17th Annual Santa Fe International Film Festival takes place October 15th-19th, 2025.
The Santa Fe International Film Festival is proud to announce that The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences® has named the SFiFF as a qualifying festival in the category of Short Films. Winners of the Best Narrative Short, Best Animated Short, and Best Documentary Short awards may qualify to enter the Academy Awards® provided the films otherwise comply with the Academy rules.
"Superbly curated programming" says Variety.
SFiFF is a creative center for film in Santa Fe, allowing filmmakers to connect with industry and distributors. SFiFF showcases emerging and established filmmakers by screening features and shorts in one of the greatest art cities in the world. SFiFF provides over $100k in cash and prizes, filmmaker travel stipends, juried awards, and all-access passes to the festival.
SFiFF has been named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” in 2024. “SFiFF gives back to its thriving film community in every sense — from programs for students to some of the most generous prize packages of any festival in the world," says Tim Molloy, Editor-in-Chief of MovieMaker. "It's a great way to link up with distributors and to learn from masters like Catherine Hardwicke, and we're certain that anyone who visits Santa Fe will find it as artistically inspiring and rejuvenating as we do.”
Awards & Prizes
Best Narrative Feature presented by Panavision: Includes camera package courtesy of Panavision valued at $60,000, a post-production package from Light Iron valued at $30,000, and $1,000 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
Best Documentary Feature: $1,000 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
Best Narrative Short presented by Panavision: Includes camera package courtesy of Panavision valued at $15,000, and $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
Best Documentary Short: $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute
Best New Mexico Short: $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
Best Short by an Indigenous Filmmaker: $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
NEW IN 2025 Best Animated Short: $500 cash prize from the Santa Fe Film Institute.
All award winners receive a special artisan-made SFiFF Statuette Award.
Features Film Categories : Narrative, Animated, Documentary, Experimental, Indigenous, Student, New Mexico and International.
Shorts Film Categories (under 40 minutes): Narrative, Animated, Documentary, Experimental, Indigenous, Student, New Mexico and International.
Rules and Guidelines
As an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival, SFiFF provides access to the A.M.P.A.S.® qualifying and eligibility rules.
More information on SFiFF’s submission guidelines are available here.
“An all inclusive resort for cinephiles...”
“The SFiFF team aren’t just programmers. They are filmmakers’ biggest fans and advocates, rooting for your success at the festival and beyond. It’s truly heartwarming to feel so much love from such an art-centric town. Congratulations on the new Oscar-qualifying status - well deserved!”
“I had an amazing time at SFIFF ‘24. The movies were all unique and interesting. A genuine film loving, indie community feeling amongst the SFIFF team and patrons. I travelled from Australia to see my short film play and everyone involved made me feel so welcome and at home. Felt very special to be part of a festival as it’s about to blow up!”
