Submission Details
The next juried festival, May 6-8, 2026, will be held at the Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art (MOPA@SDMA) in Balboa Park in central San Diego, CA. Highlights of the festival include post-screening discussions with filmmakers, actors and documentary subjects; an opening-night reception; networking opportunities; and awards.
Our submission window is closed. We will be notifying selected filmmakers in February. The lineup will be announced and posted on our website in March. The 2026 official rules and requirements are listed below. The 2027 rules and requirements will look similar and will be posted in Summer of 2026.
During the submission window, the festival accepts military themed films from student, professional, emerging and international filmmakers. 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. Films that reflect and amplify the diverse experiences of our military and veterans are especially desired, including (but not limited to) stories by or about people of various ethnicities, races, genders, economic backgrounds, ages, abilities and those who identify LGBTQIA+.
RULES & TERMS
GI FILM FESTIVAL SAN DIEGO REQUIREMENTS: To be selected for the 2026 GI Film Festival San Diego, films must have been completed after January 1, 2023 and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- A storyline or narrative arc that is about the military or the military experience during service or back home following service.
- A film of any genre, military-themed or not, featuring above the line talent who are currently serving or have served in the military. Above the line talent includes: director, writer, producer and/or principal actor/actress.
SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
We accept films in the following categories: documentary shorts, documentary features, narrative shorts, narrative features, student narrative shorts and student documentary shorts. Please note that student made films submitted under Student categories will only be considered for Student Awards.
Films under 50 minutes (including final credits) are considered short films. Films 50 minutes and over (including final credits) are considered feature films.
PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept screenplays, music videos, marketing videos, PSAs and non-profit institutional videos or testimonials that are not independently produced.
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 a submission fee paid by the entry deadline via FilmFreeway. All submission fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.
DEADLINES AND FEES
***all deadlines are past and the submission window is closed****
Submission fees must be paid by the deadline prior to being reviewed by festival programmers.
Festival will not pay exhibition/screening/rental fees for any accepted entries submitted through our general call for entries.
Sunday, September 7, 2025: Early Deadline (Shorts $25/$22 for Gold members, Features $35/$31 for Gold members, Student $25/$22 for Gold members)
Sunday, October 19, 2025: Regular Deadline (Shorts $35/$31 for Gold members, Features $45/40 for Gold members, Student $25/$22 for Gold members)
Tuesday, November 11, 2025: Late Deadline (Shorts $45/$40 for Gold members. Features $55/$49 for Gold members, Student $25/$22 for Gold members)
HOW TO SUBMIT:
GI Film Festival San Diego exclusively accepts 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.
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
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