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Submission Details

The next juried festival, May 6-11, 2024, will be held in San Diego, CA.  

Submissions of military-themed films are open to filmmakers of every level from first-timers to pros.  Submissions are also accepted from filmmakers who serve, or have served in the military, regardless of whether or not the film submission is military-themed. 

GI Film Festival San Diego exclusively accepts entries via FilmFreeway. Submission discounts may apply for FilmFreeway Gold members.  Official rules, requirements, fees and deadline schedule is listed below. Good luck!

 

RULES & TERMS:

To be selected for the 2024 GI Film Festival San Diego, films must have been completed  after January 1, 2021 and meet at least one of the following criteria:

  1. A storyline or narrative arc that is about the military or the military experience during service 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 military.  Above the line talent includes: director, writer, producer and/or principal actor/actress.
LOCAL FILM SHOWCASE REQUIREMENTS:

To be selected for the 2024 GI Film Festival San Diego’s Local Film Showcase, films must have been completed after January 1, 2021 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 local above the line talent who is currently serving or has served in the 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.

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 by the entry deadline via FilmFreeway. All submission fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2021.

Non English-language films must be subtitled in English.

Entrants shall obtain all licenses, royalties and permits necessary to present their work. Entrant will assume all costs arising from the use of patented, trademarked, franchised or copyrighted music, materials, devices, processes or dramatic rights used in production of work.

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

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:

We accept films in the following categories: documentary shorts, documentary features, narrative shorts, narrative features, student narrative shorts and student documentary shorts. Additional categories have been added for organizational purposes only. Student films should be submitted under Student categories. 

Films under 60 minutes are considered short films. Films 60 minutes and over are considered feature films.

DEADLINE &  FEES:

JUNE 6, 2023: Submissions open

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023: Early Bird Deadline ($35 fee, Students $25, FilmFreeway Gold members $31)

OCTOBER 16, 2023: Regular Deadline ($45 fee, Students $25, FilmFreeway Gold members $40)

NOVEMBER 11, 2023: Late Deadline ($55 fee, Students $25, FilmFreeway Gold members $49)

HOW TO SUBMIT:

GI Film Festival San Diego is exclusively accepting entries 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.

SUBMIT ON FILMFREEWAY

FILM AND VIDEO ENTRIES:

Entries must be submitted via online FilmFreeway link for pre-screening.  Please make sure to include the password 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Got a question? Check out our FAQ’s.