San Diego Underground Film Festival

San Diego, CA, United States, North America

04 - 06 Dec, 2020

San Diego Underground Film Festival logo
San Diego Underground Film Festival

San Diego, CA, United States, North America

Is this your festival?

Is this your festival?

About the festival

San Diego Underground Film Festival (SDUFF) is one of the West Coast's premier showcases of video, film, and audio based mediums. Selected MovieMaker Magazine Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2019, SDUFF has quickly risen the ranks to become one of the nation's most challenging, nurturing, and down to earth film festivals. Known for taking risks on young talent alongside showcasing legendary film makers, SDUFF prides itself on being a festival by and for disciples of the moving image.

"In a middlebrow city like ours, such an event challenges the soft and conventional programming that has become the status quo. Yet Betschart and Nakawatase seem downright positive about their radical objective ...Ambition runs deep with these two, and it shows in their programming." - San Diego City Beat

**** Beyond Categories ****

※ UPDATE (5/17/2020) - Installation & Expanded Cinema category have been cancelled for the 2020 festival with plans to resume in 2021.

※ If your film is finished on film, please visit <https://www.sdundergroundarts.org/call-for-entries> for more information.

"Most Metal" Award

About

San Diego Underground Film Festival (SDUFF) is one of the West Coast's premier showcases of video, film, and audio based mediums. Selected MovieMaker Magazine Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2019, SDUFF has quickly risen the ranks to become one of the nation's most challenging, nurturing, and down to earth film festivals. Known for taking risks on young talent alongside showcasing legendary film makers, SDUFF prides itself on being a festival by and for disciples of the moving image.

"In a middlebrow city like ours, such an event challenges the soft and conventional programming that has become the status quo. Yet Betschart and Nakawatase seem downright positive about their radical objective ...Ambition runs deep with these two, and it shows in their programming." - San Diego City Beat

**** Beyond Categories ****

※ UPDATE (5/17/2020) - Installation & Expanded Cinema category have been cancelled for the 2020 festival with plans to resume in 2021.

※ If your film is finished on film, please visit <https://www.sdundergroundarts.org/call-for-entries> for more information.

"Most Metal" Award

Awards & Winners

There are no winners yet for this festival

Terms and rules

FILM SUBMISSION PROCEDURE 
※ Filmmakers are required to fill out a completed application form via FilmFreeway.
※ The festival only accepts online submission links for preview (Vimeo, Youtube, etc.) Film links may be private or public. 
※ All films submitted must be fully completed as works in progress will not be considered.
※ Productions must be independently produced, with the maker retaining complete editorial control and copyright.
※ Submission of an entry indicates acceptance of all regulations, guarantee that a screening copy in the format specified will be made available for the dates of the event, and authorization to publicly exhibit the work at San Diego Underground Film Festival 2020.
※ If screening copy is to be provided by a distributor or agent then entry must be submitted by that distributor/agent, along with any criteria or conditions.
※ Submission of entry grants San Diego Underground Film Festival use of materials and images related to the project for the marketing purposes of San Diego Underground Film Festival and its parent company San Diego Underground Arts.

INSTALLATION & EXPANDED CINEMA SUBMISSION - CANCELLED FOR 2020
※This category has been cancelled for the 2020 festival and will reopen in 2021.

FINISHED ON FILM
This category is for works that have been finished on film only.

※ There is no submission fee for this category.
※ Accepted formats are Regular 8, Super 8, and 16MM.
※ There is no restriction on duration, completion date, or premiere status.
※ Films must be exhibited on film stock.

FILM TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
※ Accepted screening formats are Apple ProRes HQ422, Regular 8, Super 8, or 16mm print.
※ No DCP will be accepted.
※ No 5.1 soundmix will be accepted.
※ Films with dialogues in a language other than English must have English subtitles.
※ San Diego Underground Film Festival reserves the right to refuse a screening copy of poor technical condition that may be detrimental to the screening.
※ San Diego Underground Film Festival reserves the right to revoke a selection status if a file or print is received after the asked deadline.

FILM/FILE TRANSPORTATION
※ The party responsible for sending film materials bears the cost of transporting selected films. The festival incurs the cost of the films return. If sent via mail, the sender must provide the festival with necessary information regarding its return (date needed by/address/phone number). International parcels should be marked ‘For Cultural Purposes Only/No Commercial Value'. The copy will be returned within three weeks after festival completion.

Please note:
※ The festival does not promise transportation or lodging accommodations at this time.
※ All donations are final. No refunds will be given to submissions after 24 hours of purchase.

Ratings & Reviews

Categories and fees

Narrative - Short
Early Bird (1st December, 2019) $30
Regular (29th February, 2020) $40
Late (1st September, 2020) $55

Any narrative work that is under 15 minutes in length

Narrative Mid-Length
Early Bird (1st December, 2019) $35
Regular (29th February, 2020) $45
Late (1st September, 2020) $55

Any narrative work that is over 15 minutes and under 45 minutes in length

Narrative - Feature
Early Bird (1st December, 2019) $40
Regular (29th February, 2020) $55
Late (1st September, 2020) $75

Any narrative work that is over 45 minutes in length

Documentary - Short
Early Bird (1st December, 2019) $25
Regular (29th February, 2020) $30
Late (1st September, 2020) $45

Any documentary work that is under 15 minutes in length

Documentary Mid-Length
Early Bird (1st December, 2019) $30
Regular (29th February, 2020) $45
Late (1st September, 2020) $55

Any documentary work that is over 15 minutes and under 45 minutes in length

Documentary - Feature
Early Bird (1st December, 2019) $35
Regular (29th February, 2020) $45
Late (1st September, 2020) $65

Any documentary work that is over 45 minutes in length

Experimental - Short
Early Bird (1st December, 2019) $20
Regular (29th February, 2020) $30
Late (1st September, 2020) $45

Any experimental work that is under 15 minutes in length

Experimental Mid-Length
Early Bird (1st December, 2019) $30
Regular (29th February, 2020) $45
Late (1st September, 2020) $55

Any experimental work that is over 15 minutes and under 45 minutes in length

Experimental - Feature
Early Bird (1st December, 2019) $40
Regular (29th February, 2020) $55
Late (1st September, 2020) $75

Any experimental work that is over 45 minutes in length

Animation Short
Early Bird (1st December, 2019) $5
Regular (29th February, 2020) $5
Late (1st September, 2020) $5

Any animation with a run length of under 30 minutes

Animation Feature
Early Bird (1st December, 2019) $30
Regular (29th February, 2020) $45
Late (1st September, 2020) $55

Any animation over 30 minutes in length.

Matchmaking

What is the title of your film?

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Choose a film to find matches for

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How long is your film?

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min.

What type of category does your film fall into?

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What is the genre of your film?

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What should be the main focus of your festival strategy?

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Monetary award

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Festival qualifications that you're interested in

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EUR

Start date of submission

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