Thank you for considering our festival for your film!
We are looking for the best features, shorts, docs and animation we can find to present in San Francisco. For 22 years SF IndieFest has developed a great reputation for filling theaters, getting press and throwing great parties. Films at our fest regularly get great press reviews, picked up at other fests and find rabid groupies following the makers around town demanding autographs and buying them drinks.
--ANNOUNCEMENT: We have every intention to present this festival in a live movie theater. The only reason we would cancel the fest if we can not find a theater in San Francisco to play films. Should that occur, your submission fee will be automatically refunded by FilmFreeway.
“I’m certainly happy that IndieFest exists, because it is a celebration of films that don’t necessarily get distributed widely,” HITS director David Cross says, “I’m happy to be a part of it with my film, which is very much in the category of a low-budget, little indie movie. I’m glad there’s a place for it.” – SF Chronicle
“Sundance may have sold out, but SF IndieFest keeps it real” – Annie Lo, Flavorpill
“While the Bay Area is flush with festivals, this one remains an under-the-radar standout.” – Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
“The San Francisco Independent Film Festival, the Bay Area’s version of Slamdance, provides a showcase for edgy cinematic work — and a great excuse to do some serious partying.” – David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle
“For many independent filmmakers, festivals such as SF Indiefest—aka the San Francisco Independent Film Festival–are the only way to bring their works before an audience. For filmgoers, SF Indiefest is the place to see original cinematic works created by directors who want to tell edgy stories which come from their hearts and souls. While some have bemoaned the death of cinema, the curators and filmmakers at SF Indiefest are keeping the craft of film alive.” – David Elijah Nahmod, SF SOUNDS
“SF IndieFest is the one festival of the year where you should throw a dart at the program and take a chance. Not because you’re guaranteed a masterpiece, but because it’s the best fest to see something that would never, ever breach your filter otherwise.” -Michael Fox, KQED
Our SCREENPLAY COMPETITION can be found here: https://filmfreeway.com/SFIndieFestScreenplayCompetition
PRESS COVERAGE
Press Coverage for last year's Festival: https://sfindie.com/press-coverage
FILMMAKER COMMENTS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
"Hey Jeff: Just want to shoot you a quick note of thanks on hosting us at IndieFest and giving us our World Premiere. We had a great time and really enjoyed our time at the fest and in SF; it's a great vibe and the diversity of features and shorts in the program made for a really exciting and energized atmosphere. "- Max Gardner, Go/Don't Go
"Festivals bring unexpected benefits. Festivals are essential for brand creation. Premiering at Tribeca was enough to convince people to at least listen to me, but surprisingly it was the San Francisco Indie Fest that was just as crucial for our theatrical release. Our press from this festival helped convince the Red Vic to book us in April (I thank the amazing S.F. publicist Karen Larsen for convincing me of this in advance). We also incorporated festivals into our broader theatrical release, and while we did not claim them as cities in our 17-city count, they helped give us something to crow about."
http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/fall2008/bomb_it.php
"I've got to tell you that Indiefest was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I tell all filmmakers - and festival organizer friends of mine - how you run your fest and how you run each film twice. Every single time people look at me with shocked disbelief. Truly, Bonnie and I loved being a part of the event.
Thanks again for including us. SF Indiefest really made me feel that making YEAR was worth the whole effort.
Best-
MIKE CARROLL"
"We LOVED San Francisco, meeting other filmmakers, seeing their films, participating in your screenplay panel and of course our awesome sold-out screening. You have one of the most engaged, passionate cinephile audiences I’ve ever seen at a film fest — they were incredible." - Warren Sonoda, THINGS I DO FOR MONEY, IndieFest 2020
"You have a great and engaging festival and one that draws on extremely passionate indie film audiences you are rabid for amazing content for which you definitely provide in bunches! You support of us and our film is greatly appreciated and we hope we are privileged To be welcomed back again in the future!" - Avi F.
SF IndieFest is a founding member of the FILM FESTIVAL ALLIANCE
Films: Audience Awards, Jury Prizes
Screenplays: Finalists and Semi-Finalist prizes for both shorts and features
Submit a screenplay here: https://filmfreeway.com/SFIndieFestScreenplayCompetition
Best Feature and Best Short Screenplay Winners and Finalists
Winners receive a Delegate Badge to the Festival, a staged reading from their script, recognition at the festival's Screenwriter Panel/Reception/Live Read, print and media coverage; name inclusion in Festival program materials as a competition finalist.