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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

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Testimonials

FESTIVAL JUDGES

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Thomas Harlow

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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.

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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

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Speakers
Agenda

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

Award Winning Films

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

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.

Winners