SDSFF
San Diego
Short Film Festival
An Intimate Short Film Festival,
listed on IMDb, the San Diego Short Film Festival celebrates the art of storytelling through short films, showcasing the work of talented filmmakers from around the world. From thought-provoking dramas to captivating animations, the festival presents a rich tapestry of storytelling, offering a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their craft for fellow film enthusiasts.
Jun 29, 2024
Quarterly Film Screening Awards
& Annual Film Festival
Sep 28, 2024
Dec 28, 2024
Mar 29, 2025
Testimonials
FESTIVAL JUDGES
01
James Kirby
Chief Judge
James Kirby is an unapologetic award winning amateur filmmaker from Des Moines, IA., although he is currently working in San Diego, CA.
Kirby proudly acknowledges his directorial acumen to be on a sliding scale somewhere between Ed Wood and Akira Kurosawa. Bringing to bear decades of cinephilic experience and a degree in theatre arts, Kirby is earnestly seeking to improve with each project and to simply tell and watch interesting stories.
FOLLOW
Petra Kralickova
Judge
Growing up in former Czechoslovakia, Petra was captivated by the whimsical and imaginative films of Jan Švankmajer and Karel Zeman. These cinematic gems, filled with surreal storytelling and fantastical visuals, sparked her lifelong love for creativity and wonder. Now, as the Executive Director at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures in Kansas City, MO, she brings that sense of magic to life. Petra is passionate about cultural accessibility and community impact. Her journey includes roles as Director of National Development at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Curator at the Kennedy Museum of Art, and Director of Exhibitions at Ohio University's School of Art + Design. Petra also contributes as a Peer Reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums and a Grant Reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
02
FOLLOW
03
Mark Solomon
Judge
Mark Solomon is a producer of short films. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Mark currently resides in Denver, CO. Mark is also a business coach, public speaker and an aficionado of the silver screen. Mark knows what it takes to amuse an audience and how to spark their imagination. Story telling is both art and science. When done correctly, you can entertain people, teach them a lesson or even inspire them to greatness.
FOLLOW
Bruce Green
Judge
Bruce Green is a Hollywood character actor. Film credits include the Coen brothers’ True Grit (2010). Television credits include NBC's Parks and Recreation and The CW’s Supernatural. He lives in Los Angeles.
FOLLOW
04
Thomas Harlow
05
Judge
Thom is film fanatic and award-winning filmmaker from Des Moines, Iowa. Thom was raised by Lucas, Spielberg, and Lynch and as teen he was regular at various Midwestern theaters and video stores (special shoutout to Showtime Video). He started making films on a Super 8 camera he picked up at a thrift store for $2 (finding film was not easy). He’s currently in the tech field and still writing.
FOLLOW
Ayana Pitterson
Master of Ceremonies
"The Thrifting Diva" Ayana Pitterson was born in Trinidad and raised in New York City. An influencer and expert in the world of second-hand shopping, Ayana launched the Facebook group Thrifting Divas, which is home to a dynamic community with over 100,000 followers across various social media platforms, including the successful YouTube channel, THRIFTING DIVA. Ayana shares a wealth of tips, tutorials, and inspirational content aimed at living fabulously on a budget.
Lifestyle Influencer
06
FOLLOW
Agenda
Short Film Screenings & Events
December 28th
Quarterly film Screening Festival
09:45 am
Opening Ceremony
10:00 am
Block I:
The Chat by Matthew Taylor
Best Friend by Tim David
Dinner Time by Karla P. Gonzalez
Darling (You're Head's Not Right) by Gareth Hooper
Do Not Touch The Art by Sofi Rivera
Ant Hotel by Yo-Yo Teng
Fremont Neon by Thomas Coruzzi
Traces by Allyson Sherlock
Descension by Sean Ryan
Coyote Gold by Adam Thiele
PAST
11:30 am
Intermission: 25 min.
11:55 am
Block II:
12:00 pm Room 214
Filmmaker Q&A Group 1
Thomas Coruzzi
Tim David
Asya Reyes
Vito Rubalcava
Adam Thiele
Violence of Action by Benjamin Orisich
You Look So Pretty by Anna Tuason & Taylor Urquhart
The Ceiling by Louisa Connolly-Burnham
A Comfortable Bed by Kyle Graham
My First Breath: The Story of Carl Gibson by Karen Shayne, Kiya Naka
Bunny Man Bridge by Hayden Jalazo
PAST
1:25 pm
Intermission: 25 min.
1:50 pm
Block III:
The Phoenix by Regina Pigsley
A Real Adventure by Iggi Ogard
Rolling for Rizz by David Dawson & Jordan Jacobo
Jedi Love by David Anthony Butler
Amends of the Father by Stephen Sorrentino
3:20 pm
Intermission: 25 min.
2:00 pm Room 214
Filmmaker Q&A Group 2
Mytrell Foreman
Ben Orisich
Louisa Sexton
Karen Shayne
3:45 pm
Block IV:
PAST
4:00 pm Room 214
Filmmaker Q&A Group 3
JM Balbuena
David Butler
David Dawson
Stephen Sorrentino
Pizza Date by Christopher Santiago
Letters for Time by Pietro Ragusa
Those Who Remain by Christabel Green
Immortal by Carlton Salter
Asynchronous by Jasper Capalad
PAST
5:15 pm
Intermission: 25 min.
5:40 pm
Block V:
The Quinceañera Quest by Asya Reyes
Keep Me by Mytrell Foreman
Elotero Raro by Vito Rubalcava
I boarded the Wrong Plane by Tamsin Louise Parker
Roll Up for Equity by JM Balbuena
6:30 pm
Award Ceremony at
5:40 pm Room 214
Filmmaker Q&A Group 4
Jasper Capalad
Christabel Green
Carlton Salter
Christopher Santiago
PAST
Festival Rules
Awards & Prizes
All films submitted will be watched and selected or not selected for inclusion in the festival by an impartial selection committee of festival programmers, filmmakers, industry professionals, cinephiles and short film aficionados. Not all selections will be screened at the festival.
NOT SELECTED - We thank you for submitting but your film was not selected at this time.
SELECTED - Your film was chosen by our selection judges but may not be chosen for screening or an award. You are authorized use of the SDSFF Official Selection laurel.
NOMINEE - Your film was chosen for inclusion and is eligible for an award(s) but may not be screened at the festival. You are authorized use of the SDSFF Nominee laurel.
HONORABLE MENTION - Your film was chosen for inclusion and scored among the top films without winning an award and may not be screened at the festival. You authorized use of the SDSFF Honorable Mention laurel.
FINALIST - Your film has won an award in a best genre category but has NOT won Best Picture of the Season (or Year) and may be screened at the festival. You are authorized use of the SDSFF finalist laurel.
WINNER - Your film has won an award and may be screened at our festival. You will receive a Winner certificate (via U.S. post) and authorized use of the SDSFF winner laurel.
Winners will be announced the day following the screening at the awards presentation party. Official Selection will authorize and permit SDSFF to use excerpts of the submission, including film trailers, stills, promotional materials for promotion activities related to the festival.
SDSFF accepts Short Films: up to 40 minutes in length. All entries must be in English or have English subtitles.
There may not be a winner or even a selection for any particular category. The decisions of our judges are final and unappealable --So PLEASE DO NOT ASK!
Any film genre category submission includes 1 free technical category submissions (your choice) per filmmaker, if desired. To submit, email your desired selections to the SDSFF after your genre category submission fees are paid. Additional technical categories may be selected for regular submission fees.
Pornographic entries will be disqualified without return of submission fees.
All entries MUST have an online screener via the FilmFreeway platform. FilmFreeway is the ONLY way to submit your film. If selected for screening, it will be required for the filmmaker to submit a DCP for exhibition purposes upon request. Great care and precautions are taken when handling your DCP film once submitted to SDSFF, but SDSFF accepts no liability nor responsibility for lost or damaged files that are submitted to us. Delivery cost will be paid by the filmmaker, including the cost of shipping the DCP back to the filmmaker. If DCP is not specifically requested filmmakers are responsible to provide an appropriate MOV or MP4 file (download on FilmFreeway is usually acceptable).
Gallery
San Diego Short Film Festival
Official Selections
June 29, 2024 Season
"Pick up a camera. Shoot something. No matter how small, no matter how cheesy, no matter whether your friends and your sister star in it. Put your name on it as director. Now you're a director. Everything after that you're just negotiating your budget and your fee."
-- James Cameron
San Diego Short Film Festival
Experience the power of storytelling through the art of filmmaking, where creativity knows no bounds and diverse voices find expression. Join us at the San Diego Short Film Festival to celebrate the magic of cinema.
With a focus on creativity and innovation, the San Diego Short Film Festival aims to inspire and connect filmmakers, providing a platform for them to share their unique perspectives and creative visions with a global audience.
From thought-provoking dramas to captivating animations, the festival presents a rich tapestry of storytelling, offering a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their craft and connect with fellow film enthusiasts.
