Submission Details

The final deadline to submit films for consideration in the 2022 festival was January 3, 2022.  Official selections will be announced in late March.  The box office will open in April for all movie fans, filmmakers, and supporters.

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The 2022 juried festival takes place May 17-21 at the Museum of Photographic Arts in central San Diego and includes the Local Film Showcase, which features San Diego’s filmmakers, events, people, or places. Virtual options such as video on-demand rentals will be featured.

Submissions of military-themed films are open to filmmakers of every experience level.  Short or feature length film submissions from any filmmaker who serves, or has served, in the U.S. Military are welcome, regardless of whether or not the film submission is military-themed.

Official submissions are eligible for awards in numerous categories, including (but not limited to)  Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Short, Best Narrative Short- Local Film Showcase, Best Documentary Short, Best Documentary Short- Local Film Showcase, Best Student Film, Best First Time Filmmaker, Local Choice Award, and Best Film Made by Military or Veterans.

GENERAL FESTIVAL REQUIREMENTS:

To be selected for the 2022 GI Film Festival San Diego, films must have been completed and released after January 1, 2019 and meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. A storyline or narrative arc that is about the military experience-  past or current day- USA or international- during service, in war or back home after service.
2. A film of any genre, military-themed or not, featuring above the line talent who is currently serving or has served in the U.S. military.  Above the line talent includes: director, writer, producer, and/or principal actor/actress.

LOCAL FILM SHOWCASE REQUIREMENTS:

To be selected for the 2022 GI Film Festival San Diego’s Local Film Showcase, films must have been completed and released after January 1, 2019 and meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. A storyline or narrative arc that is about the military experience within San Diego County or Imperial County.
2. A military-themed film that is made by individual(s) who reside in San Diego County or Imperial County.
3. A military-themed film that features more than 60% of cast and crew from San Diego County or Imperial County.
4. A military-themed film that was shot or edited within San Diego County or Imperial County.
5. A film of any genre featuring above the line talent who is currently serving or has served in the U.S. military.  Local filmmaker should reside in San Diego County or Imperial County. Above the line talent includes: director, writer, producer, and/or  principal actor/actress.

To be considered for the Local Choice Award, the film must have at least 60% of the cast, crew and locations sourced from San Diego County or Imperial County.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:

Narrative Short (under 60 minutes): Professional/Independent/Student
Documentary Short (under 60 minutes): Professional/Independent/Student
Narrative Feature (60 minutes and over): Professional/Independent/Student
Documentary Feature (60 minutes and over): Professional/Independent/Student

***PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept screenplays, music videos, marketing videos, non-profit institutional videos or testimonials that are not independently produced, and PSAs.

DEADLINE &  FEES

July 4, 2021: Submissions open

October 4, 2021: Earlybird Deadline ($35 fee, Students $25)

December 6, 2021: General Deadline ($45 fee, Students $25)

January 3, 2022: Late Deadline ($55 fee, Students $25)

GENERAL RULES

Competition is open to U.S. and international entries. There is no limit to the number of films you can submit. Each film must be submitted separately with submission fee paid. All submission fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. All submissions must have been completed and released after January 1, 2019.

HOW TO SUBMIT:

The festival is no longer accepting submissions for the 2022 event. All submissions are handled via FilmFreeway. FilmFreeway offers free HD online screeners, unlimited video storage, digital press kits, and more. Filmmakers who are FilmFreeway Gold members can get a discount on the submission fee.

FILM AND VIDEO ENTRIES:

All submissions will be handled online via FilmFreeway and should include links to view your film along with passwords if password protected. No physical screeners will be accepted or viewed. This ensures that your film receives proper attention and consideration by the Selection Committee.

If selected for the festival, filmmakers will be required, no later than March 18, 2022, to provide a labeled DCP for festival presentation and a stereo QuickTime file as a backup. In the situation that our festival chooses to go virtual if an in person festival is not a safe option, MP4 videos with h.264 codec will also be required. Hard drives, thumb drives and DCPs should be shipped in sturdy, reusable containers or bubble wrap envelopes with return shipping information enclosed. DCPs and drives provided will be returned after the festival run. The festival will incur the cost of the film’s return. If available, direct links for download of files can also be provided.

JUDGING AND SELECTION PROCESS:

JUDGING ROUND ONE
The first round of judging consist of a technical review of the submissions. A volunteer group of industry professionals judge the films on their general Story/Plot, Production Value, and Sound Quality. Each criterion will be judged on a scale of 1-10.  Top scoring films will move to round two.

JUDGING ROUND TWO
Round two consists of a panel of festival advisers who will watch the films, score them, and recommend for awards. Highest scoring films will be selected by KPBS for inclusion in the festival.

JUDGING ROUND THREE
Judges designated by KPBS will select the winners in each award category.

TENTATIVE AWARD CATEGORIES:

Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Film Made by or Starring Military or Veterans
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best First-Time Filmmaker
Best Student Film- Documentary Short
Best Student Film- Narrative Short
Best International Film
Founders Choice
Best Narrative Short- Local Film Showcase
Best Documentary Short- Local Film Showcase
Best Narrative Feature- Local Film Showcase
Best Documentary Feature- Local Film Showcase
Best Student Film- Local Film Showcase
Best Film Made by or Starring Military or Veterans- Local Film Showcase
Local Choice (Note: Only films where at least 60% of the cast, crew and locations have been sourced from San Diego County or Imperial County are eligible.)

PLEASE NOTE: Each category must have a minimum of 3 official selections to remain as an award category and if jurors deem all films in a category undeserving of awards, they can elect to not choose an award for that category.

REPRODUCTION AGREEMENT:

Submission of an entry gives the festival permission to have excerpts of accepted work, including trailers, shown at promotional activities related to the festival including TV, Radio, and Social Media unless otherwise requested in writing by the filmmaker. If selected, a signed release from the filmmaker will be required.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

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