1. Resources for filmmakers in Santa Cruz
  2. Professional resources
  3. Santa Cruz film festivals and awards shows

Santa Cruz Film Festivals and Awards Shows

A comprehensive guide to Santa Cruz film festivals and awards shows, including information on eligibility, prizes, and more.

Santa Cruz Film Festivals and Awards Shows

Santa Cruz is a vibrant city with a thriving artistic community, and its many film festivals and awards shows are a testament to that. From the Santa Cruz Film Festival to the Santa Cruz International Film Awards, these events draw filmmakers from all over the world to showcase their work and compete for recognition. Whether you’re a professional filmmaker or just starting out, these festivals and awards shows are a great way to get your work seen and hone your craft. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular Santa Cruz film festivals and awards shows.

Santa Cruz Film Festivals and Awards Shows

are a great way for filmmakers to showcase their work and be recognized for their talent.

With several festivals and awards shows held in Santa Cruz, filmmakers have the opportunity to compete for prizes, recognition, and even cash awards. In this guide, we’ll cover the key details of each event, from eligibility criteria to prizes, so that filmmakers can make an informed decision about which festivals and awards shows they should enter. The Santa Cruz Film Festival is one of the most popular events in the city. It is a two-week long event that takes place every year in April.

The festival screens a variety of films, from short films to feature length films. Eligible films must be no longer than 45 minutes and must have been completed within two years prior to the festival date. The jury awards cash prizes to the best films in different categories, such as Best Feature Film and Best Documentary. In addition, there are also special awards such as the Audience Award and the Innovative Production Award. The Monterey Bay International Film Festival is another popular event that takes place in Santa Cruz.

The festival focuses on independent films from both local and international filmmakers. The festival screens a variety of genres, including documentary, narrative, animation, experimental, and music videos. The jury awards cash prizes for Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Feature, Best Short Film, Best Animation Feature, and Best Music Video. The Santa Cruz Film & Video Festival is another event that takes place in Santa Cruz. This festival is dedicated to showcasing local and independent filmmakers from around the world.

The jury awards cash prizes for Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Film, Best Animation Feature, and Best Music Video. The Santa Cruz International Film Awards is an annual awards show that recognizes outstanding films from around the world. Eligible films must be no longer than 45 minutes and must have been completed within two years prior to the submission deadline (which is usually in April). The jury awards cash prizes for Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Film, Best Animation Feature, and Best Music Video. The Santa Cruz International Screenwriting Contest is an annual contest dedicated to discovering emerging screenwriters from around the world. Eligible screenplays must be no longer than 120 pages and must have been completed within two years prior to the submission deadline (which is usually in April).

The jury awards cash prizes for Best Drama Script, Best Comedy Script, Best Short Script, Best Animation Script, and Best Music Video Script. In addition to these major film festivals and awards shows in Santa Cruz, there are several other smaller events that offer filmmakers the chance to showcase their work. These events include the Santa Cruz Independent Film Festival (SCIFF), the Santa Cruz 48 Hour Film Project (SCFHP), and the Santa Cruz Student Film Festival (SCSFF). Each of these events has their own eligibility criteria and prize structure. When applying for any of these events, filmmakers should read all of the rules carefully before submitting their film or screenplay. They should also make sure that they meet all of the eligibility criteria and submit all required materials on time.

Once they’ve submitted their film or screenplay, they should be prepared to answer any questions that may arise during the selection process. Filmmakers should also take advantage of resources available to them in Santa Cruz. From networking events to grants and other funding opportunities, there are many ways for filmmakers to get their projects off the ground. Filmmakers can also find support from local organizations such as Screening Room Productions or Santa Cruz Media Arts which offer workshops on filmmaking topics such as cinematography, editing, sound design, and more. By taking advantage of these resources in Santa Cruz and participating in film festivals and awards shows, filmmakers can get their projects seen by audiences around the world and gain recognition for their work. With this guide covering the key details of each event in Santa Cruz from eligibility criteria to prizes, filmmakers can make an informed decision about which festivals and awards shows they should enter.

Awards Shows in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is home to a number of awards shows that recognize the outstanding work of filmmakers in the area.

The Santa Cruz Film Awards, the Santa Cruz County Music Awards, and the Santa Cruz County TV Awards are just a few examples. Each event has its own eligibility criteria, submission deadlines, accepted films/shows, prizes, and application process. The Santa Cruz Film Awards is an annual event that celebrates the best short films created by local filmmakers. It is open to all filmmakers aged 18 or older who are based in Santa Cruz County or have their films produced there. To be eligible for the awards, films must be under 15 minutes long and must have been produced no more than two years prior to the festival.

Submissions must be made by the end of May, and winners are announced at a special awards ceremony in July. The Santa Cruz County Music Awards are held each year to recognize the best musical performances and compositions from local artists. Eligible musicians must have performed or released a recording within Santa Cruz County during the previous year. The submission deadline is typically in April, and winners are announced at an awards ceremony in June. The Santa Cruz County TV Awards celebrate the best television programs produced in or about Santa Cruz. Eligible shows must have been produced within the last two years and must be 30 minutes or longer.

Submissions must be made by the end of April, and winners are announced at an awards ceremony in June. These are just a few of the awards shows that take place in Santa Cruz. There may also be additional events that offer filmmakers the chance to showcase their work. To find out more information about each event, including eligibility criteria, submission deadlines, accepted films/shows, prizes offered, and how to apply, visit the websites of each awards show.

Film Festivals in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz International Film FestivalThe Santa Cruz International Film Festival (SCIFF) is a five-day event held annually in April, showcasing independent films from all over the world. The festival accepts submissions in all genres, from short films to feature length films.

Eligibility criteria include having a total running time of no more than 180 minutes and being produced within the last two years. The deadline for submissions is usually in December. SCIFF also offers prizes for Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, and Best Documentary. To apply, filmmakers must submit a completed entry form and provide an online screener.

Santa Cruz Film Festival

The Santa Cruz Film Festival (SCFF) is a week-long event held every October, screening films from all genres and featuring live music and panel discussions.

The eligibility criteria include having a running time of no more than 120 minutes and being produced within the last two years. The deadline for submissions is usually in August. SCFF also offers prizes for Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, and Best Documentary. To apply, filmmakers must submit an online application and provide an online screener.

Santa Cruz Surfer Film Festival

The Santa Cruz Surfer Film Festival (SCSFF) is an annual event held in September, celebrating the best in surf films.

The deadline for submissions is usually in July. SCSFF also offers prizes for Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, and Best Documentary. To apply, filmmakers must submit an online application and provide an online screener.

Other Festivals

Santa Cruz is also home to several smaller film festivals and awards shows, such as the Santa Cruz Women's Film Festival, the Santa Cruz Latino Film Festival, and the Santa Cruz Music Video Festival. Each of these events has its own eligibility criteria and submission deadlines, so filmmakers should visit their websites for more information. Santa Cruz is home to a vibrant film community, with several film festivals and awards shows offering filmmakers the chance to showcase their work.

This guide covers the key details of each event, from eligibility criteria to prizes, so that filmmakers can make an informed decision about which festivals and awards shows they should enter. It is important for filmmakers to do their own research when choosing which festivals and awards shows to enter, as each event has different eligibility criteria and prizes. Further resources can be found online, such as the Santa Cruz Film Office website, which lists upcoming events and provides support for filmmakers in the area. We hope this guide has provided an overview of the Santa Cruz film festivals and awards shows available, and given filmmakers the information they need to make an informed decision when selecting which events to enter.

Barry Fondy
Barry Fondy

Pop culture maven. Total zombie geek. Typical tv guru. Avid music lover. Award-winning bacon trailblazer.