Established 2017

Bay Area
Film Festival™

Supporting filmmakers, artists, composers, and creative communities since 2017.

A celebration of film, music, and storytelling across the San Francisco Bay Area. Our festival premieres online in December 2026, followed by a live celebration in the Bay Area in February 2027.

The Bay Area Film Festival was created to connect the region's creative community — filmmakers, artists, composers, students, and audiences — across one of the world's great centers of film, music, and innovation. A central part of our mission is to build lasting partnerships with the Bay Area's film and entertainment companies, from independent studios to industry leaders, championing their work while opening new opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and exhibition. By bringing the region's creative and corporate worlds together, we aim to celebrate the Bay Area's role in shaping the future of storytelling and to support the next generation of artists working here.

Visit our submission page to share your work with us.

Key Dates

Submissions
July 1 – Sept 30, 2026
Online Festival
December 2026
Live in the Bay Area
February 2027

* Dates are subject to change as we finalize details; the February venue will be announced soon.

About the Festival

Find out about our organization, mission, and vision.

Get Involved

Support the festival through sponsorship, partnership, volunteering, or participation.

Stay in the loop

Be the First to Know

Submissions open July 1 and close September 30, 2026. Join our list and we'll let you know the moment entries go live — plus festival news along the way.

No spam — just festival updates. Unsubscribe anytime.

Bringing the world's best in class films to audiences across the Bay Area.

Our Mission

To celebrate film, storytelling, and creative expression while connecting filmmakers, artists, audiences, and industry professionals throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

The Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay Area has long been one of the country's most important centers of creative and entrepreneurial energy. Over the past several decades it has grown into a vibrant home for art, film, technology, music, and innovation.

Home to world-renowned studios, independent filmmakers, composers, and music producers, the region continues to inspire creative work enjoyed around the world. Today it is home to many of the companies shaping the future of film, animation, and visual effects — from Pixar and Lucasfilm's Industrial Light & Magic to Netflix, Apple, Amazon, and Dolby.

Our Vision

The vision for the Bay Area Film Festival was first established in 2017, when the concept was developed to create a festival dedicated to celebrating the region's role in film, arts, music, and creative innovation.

Since then, that vision has stayed focused on building a platform that highlights the Bay Area's creative achievements and supports artistic engagement across the region.

Why the Bay Area

The region's cultural influence keeps growing, reinforcing the need for a dedicated platform that showcases its creative community. Enthusiasm around film-related events and creative programming continues to demonstrate the strong interest that exists for film, storytelling, music, and the arts.

Looking Ahead

As we evaluate future opportunities for the festival, we are exploring ideas that reach beyond a single annual event, supporting film, media, music, education, and creative collaboration throughout the year. The long-term goal is a broader platform that strengthens the Bay Area's position as a leading center for creativity and artistic expression.

Creative Initiatives

Alongside film exhibition, the organization is exploring initiatives that support original film music, soundtrack development, creative collaboration, and educational opportunities for emerging artists, filmmakers, and musicians alike.

“
Since the festival concept was first established in 2017, our vision has been to create a platform that reflects the Bay Area's role as one of the country's most dynamic centers for creativity, innovation, film, music, and the arts.
— Max Ahmadi, Executive Producer, X DOT 25 Music

Our Goals

  • Showcase independent films and emerging voices.
  • Build partnerships across the Bay Area creative community.
  • Support filmmakers through networking, education, and community engagement.
  • Create opportunities for collaboration between filmmakers and composers.
  • Promote the Bay Area as a destination for film, arts, and creative innovation.
  • Create year-round opportunities for artistic collaboration and cultural programming.

Our History

The Bay Area Film Festival concept was established in 2017 as part of a long-term vision to create a festival dedicated to celebrating the region's creative community and growing cultural influence. The project has continued to evolve over the years toward a public launch of the festival initiative.

Partnerships help strengthen opportunities for filmmakers, artists, musicians, and the broader creative community.

The Bay Area Film Festival welcomes partnerships with businesses, artists, educational institutions, nonprofits, and community organizations that share our commitment to creativity, storytelling, and cultural engagement.

The Bay Area Film Festival is supported by a growing network of creative organizations dedicated to music, arts, culture, and community engagement.

Founding Partners

  • X DOT 25 Music — World Fusion, World Traditional, and Contemporary Global Music
  • Yellow Curb Records — Independent Alternative, Rock, and Americana
  • Obsidian Hymns Records — Metal, Symphonic, and Cinematic Music

Become a Partner

Interested in partnering with the Bay Area Film Festival? Complete the form below and we'll contact you to discuss sponsorship, collaboration, artist development, and community engagement opportunities.

News & Updates

Announcements from the Bay Area Film Festival team.

June 2026

Submissions Open July 1

It's official — the first Bay Area Film Festival arrives online in December 2026, with a live celebration in the Bay Area to follow in February 2027. Submissions open July 1 and close September 30, 2026, giving filmmakers, artists, and composers a full three-month window to share their work.

We welcome narrative, documentary, short, student, music video, animation, and experimental work, from the Bay Area and beyond. Head to our page to tell us about your film, and join the mailing list to catch every update along the way.

June 2026

Our Logo Is Finally Here

After years of sketches, refinements, and false starts, our logo is finally done — and you'll now find it across the site. Rather than the laurel wreath you see on so many festivals, our mark celebrates where we come from, built around the Bay Area's iconic bridges as a symbol of connection, craftsmanship, and the creative community we exist to bring together. We couldn't be prouder to finally call it ours.

The Bay Area Film Festival logo
January 2026

Meet Our Founding Partners

Every festival starts with the people who believe in it first. Three independent Bay Area record labels signed on as our founding partners — and it's fitting they come from music, because the bond between film and sound sits at the heart of what we're building.

  • X DOT 25 Music — World Fusion • World Traditional • Worldtronics
  • Yellow Curb Records — Indie Alternative • Rock • Americana
  • Obsidian Hymns Records — Metal • Symphonic • Cinematic

From global and traditional sounds to rock, Americana, and cinematic metal, these labels span exactly the kind of range and ambition we want the festival to celebrate. Their early backing helps us turn an idea into real opportunities for filmmakers, composers, musicians, and audiences across the region.

We're only getting started, and there's room for more. Organizations interested in joining them can visit our page.

December 2023

Why the Bay Area Needs This

The Bay Area is one of the fastest-growing and most creative regions in the world. As its population, industries, and global influence keep expanding, so does its appetite for film, music, and art — and for the places where people gather to share it.

Yet for all the talent concentrated here, from world-class studios and composers to independent filmmakers and students, the region still has room for more arts organizations, venues, and events that match its scale. Its cultural life hasn't always kept pace with its growth.

That gap is why we set out to build the Bay Area Film Festival: to create a dedicated home for film and storytelling, to champion the people and companies making it here, and to give a fast-growing creative community more ways to connect, collaborate, and be seen.

September 13, 2017

Announcing the Festival

On this day we officially registered the Bay Area Film Festival website. Keep an eye out over the coming months for steady updates from our team as we continue to shape our program.

Submissions

Be part of the Bay Area Film Festival — online December 2026, live February 2027.

We're shaping the program for the Bay Area Film Festival — screening online in December 2026, with a live celebration in the Bay Area in February 2027 — and we'd love to hear from filmmakers, artists, and composers who want to be part of it.

Submissions open July 1 and close September 30, 2026.

* Dates are subject to change as we finalize festival details.

We welcome short films across narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, student, and music-video forms — from the Bay Area and beyond.

Categories

We're accepting short films under 40 minutes in the following categories. Feature-length films will join the lineup in future years.

  • Narrative Short
  • Documentary Short
  • Animated Short
  • Experimental Short
  • Student Film
  • Music Video
  • AI / Generative

A special Best Original Score award is selected across all entries — no separate submission needed; just tell us about your composer.

On AI: we welcome work made with AI — the AI / Generative category is its home, and every entry discloses how AI was used. Films are judged on their merits, not for or against AI. Work that simulates a real person without consent, or that infringes copyright, isn't eligible.

Entry Fees

Your first film is the full entry fee; each additional film is discounted. Enter early to save.

DeadlineFirst entryEach additional
Early-BirdJuly 1 – August 15 $60 $30
RegularAugust 16 – September 30 $80 $40

All entry fees are non-refundable.

How to Submit

Step 1. Complete the entry form below, including a private screener link (an unlisted or password-protected Vimeo or YouTube link works perfectly).

Step 2. Pay your entry fee using the matching button in the payment section just below the form. We'll confirm your entry by email.

Submissions open July 1, 2026

Entries aren't open just yet — check back on July 1 to submit your film. Want a reminder? Join our mailing list on the home page and we'll let you know the moment it opens.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few things filmmakers often ask.

What kinds of films can I submit?
We're accepting short films under 40 minutes across seven categories: narrative, documentary, animated, experimental, student, music video, and AI / generative. Feature-length films will join in future years.
Do you accept films made with AI?
Yes. AI-made work has its own AI / Generative category, and every entry discloses its level of AI use — no AI, AI-assisted, or generative AI. Films are judged on their merits, not for or against using AI. Work that simulates a real person without consent, or that infringes copyright, isn't eligible.
When do submissions open?
Submissions open July 1, 2026 and close September 30, 2026. Enter by August 15 for the discounted early-bird rate. You submit using the entry form above.
Where does the festival take place?
The Bay Area Film Festival takes place in two parts: an online festival in December 2026, followed by a live celebration in the Bay Area in February 2027. The February venue will be announced soon.
Do I need to be from the Bay Area to submit?
No. We welcome filmmakers from the Bay Area and beyond. That said, celebrating and supporting the region's own creative community is at the heart of what we do.
Is there a submission fee?
Yes. Entry is $80 for your first film and $40 for each additional film, with a discounted early-bird rate ($60 / $30) through August 15. All entry fees are non-refundable.
I'd like to sponsor, partner, or volunteer — how?
Wonderful. Visit our Get Involved page or use our contact form to tell us how you'd like to take part. We're always glad to hear from people and organizations who want to support the festival.

We'd love to hear from filmmakers, artists, musicians, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners interested in the Bay Area Film Festival.

Contact Us Below

Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 2026

The Bay Area Film Festival ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website bayareafilmfestival.com. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit the site, submit a film, join our mailing list, or pay an entry fee, and how we use and protect it.

Information We Collect

We collect the information you voluntarily provide through our forms, which may include:

  • Your name and email address
  • Organization name (for partnership or sponsorship inquiries)
  • Film submission details — title, category, runtime, country of origin, synopsis, composer, and your AI-use disclosure
  • A private screener link (and password, if provided) so we can view your film for judging
  • Anything else you choose to include in a message

When you pay an entry fee, your payment is processed by Stripe. We do not collect or store your full card details — Stripe handles that directly. We receive a confirmation that includes your name, email, the amount paid, and the film title.

Our own website does not use cookies, tracking pixels, or third-party analytics. Stripe's secure checkout pages, which open on Stripe's own website, operate under Stripe's privacy policy.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to evaluate your film submission, communicate with you about your entry, process and confirm your payment, run and administer the festival, and respond to partnership, sponsorship, and general inquiries. Submission details and screeners may be shared with our programmers and jurors for the sole purpose of evaluating your film. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information, and we will not share it except as needed to operate the festival or as required by law.

Third-Party Services

We rely on a few trusted services that have their own privacy practices, which we encourage you to review:

  • Netlify hosts our website and processes our form submissions (netlify.com).
  • Stripe processes entry-fee payments (stripe.com).

Screener Links

You provide a link to your film hosted on a third-party platform such as Vimeo or YouTube; we recommend using an unlisted or password-protected link. We access it only to evaluate your submission, and how your film is stored and protected on that platform is governed by that platform's own terms.

Data Retention

We retain submission and inquiry information only as long as necessary to evaluate your entry, administer the festival, meet our record-keeping and tax obligations, or until you request removal. You may request deletion of your information at any time using the contact form, subject to records we are required to keep.

Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you. California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), including the right to know what we collect and to request deletion; we do not sell personal information. To exercise any of these rights, please use the contact form on this website.

Age

Entrants must be at least 18 years old, or have a parent or legal guardian submit and agree to these terms on their behalf. Our website is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us so we can remove it.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.

Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please use the contact form on this website.

Terms of Service

Last updated: June 2026

Welcome to bayareafilmfestival.com. By accessing or using this website, or by submitting a film, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please do not use this website or enter the festival.

Use of This Website

This website is operated by the Bay Area Film Festival, a film festival based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its content is provided for informational purposes about the festival, its program, partners, and activities. You may browse and use this website for personal, non-commercial purposes only.

Intellectual Property

All content on this website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, and the overall design, is the property of the Bay Area Film Festival or its respective partners and content creators, and is protected by applicable copyright and intellectual property laws. The "Bay Area Film Festival" name and logo are trademarks of the festival, with a trademark application pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any content on this site without prior written permission.

Eligibility

To be eligible, a film must be a short film of 40 minutes or less and fall within one of our published categories. Films not in English must include English subtitles. Each film requires its own entry form and entry fee. Entrants must be at least 18 years old or have a parent or legal guardian submit on their behalf.

Your Rights and Warranties

By submitting a film or other materials, you confirm and warrant that:

  • You own or have secured all rights necessary to submit and exhibit the work, including rights to all music, footage, images, and other content it contains;
  • You have the consent of any identifiable individuals appearing in the work;
  • The work does not infringe the copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other rights of any third party;
  • The information you provide, including your AI-use disclosure, is accurate and complete.

You keep your copyright. You retain full ownership of your film. Submitting it does not transfer any ownership to us.

License You Grant Us

By entering, you grant the Bay Area Film Festival a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to view and evaluate your film for selection. If your film is selected, you additionally grant us the non-exclusive, royalty-free right to screen and exhibit it as part of the festival, and to use its title, your name, still images, short excerpts, the trailer, and the poster to promote the festival across any media. No screening fee or other payment will be owed to you for participation. Selected films may be subject to a separate screening agreement.

Entry Fees and Payment

Entry fees are charged per film and are processed securely by Stripe; Stripe's terms apply to the transaction. All entry fees are non-refundable — including if your film is not selected, is withdrawn, is found ineligible, or is disqualified. Paying an entry fee does not guarantee selection, screening, or a response.

Use of AI

Every entry must disclose its level of AI use. Work made with generative AI is welcome in the appropriate category, but must not infringe any copyright or simulate a real person without their consent. Inaccurate disclosure or non-compliant AI content may result in disqualification without refund.

Selection, Disqualification, and Changes

All submissions are evaluated at the sole discretion of the Bay Area Film Festival, whose decisions are final. We are under no obligation to screen, respond to, provide feedback on, or retain any submission. We may reject or disqualify any entry, without refund, that is ineligible, violates these terms, contains false information, or includes infringing, defamatory, hateful, or otherwise prohibited content. Festival dates, venue, format, and schedule may change at our discretion without liability to you.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Bay Area Film Festival, its organizers, partners, and staff from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your submission or your breach of these terms, including any claim that your film infringes a third party's rights.

Disclaimer of Warranties

This website is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. The Bay Area Film Festival does not warrant that the website will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Bay Area Film Festival shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of this website, your submission, or your inability to access the site.

Third-Party Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites, services, and social media platforms, including Stripe and the platforms that host your screener. These links are provided for convenience only, and we assume no responsibility for the content or practices of any third-party service.

Governing Law

These Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California and the United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. Your continued use of the website or participation in the festival constitutes acceptance of any updated terms.

Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please use the contact form on this website.