Blog: Film festivals

Welcome to the Yucca Valley Film Festival, the official festival of the Town of Yucca Valley since 2019, the gateway to the Joshua Tree National Park.


The Yucca Valley Film Festival has been recognized as CULTURAL CONTRIBUTOR in 2023 by:

- the US CONGRESS
- the US SENATE
- the COUNTY of San Bernardino
- and the Basin Wide Foundation
We also placed in the top 3 of Best Annual Event in the Morongo Basin, voted by over 50K+ residents.


Previous events' pictures can be found here:
www.facebook.com/Yuccavalleyfilmfestival/photos_albums

INTRODUCTION

Yucca Valley is the economic hub for the Morongo Basin is the natural gateway to Joshua Tree National Park (2.8M visitors in 2022).

The Town already lives to the rhythm of artists and creative minds, coming to Yucca Valley in search of the perfect spot to create and find a receptive audience.

The festival started in 2019, generating a buzz with local audiences (3 packed screening nights with red carpet), attracting attendance by international talented filmmakers, and benefiting from a large press coverage.

The Film Festival was listed as the main cultural event for the Town in the Hi-Desert Star, and got covered by NBC, Z 107.7, Spot on California, Desert Road Trippin', Greater Palm Springs... (See PRESS albums on Facebook and Festhome).

The Yucca Valley Film Festival became a recurring, family friendly annual rendez-vous for all the Hi-Desert Community, film lovers and art lovers. 2020 was a digital edition reaching more than 30,000 viewers and interactions through screenings, QnAs, roundtables, a Masterclass with William BALDWIN...
2021 will once again be a celebration of movies and visual arts in the heart of the Mojave Desert, wether in person or hybrid.

Yucca Valley also carries a vast movie heritage in itself, and also with the historic movie sets of Pioneertown. In 2016, TIM BURTON shot scenes of “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” on Old Woman Springs Road.

More than 50 titles are listed on Imdb with scenes shot here.


Masterclass 2024 with Shane Stanley
Masterclass 2023 with Rosanna Arquette
Masterclass 2022 with Brent Huff, Mina Sundwall
Masterclass 2021 with Michael Dante
Masterclass 2020 with William Baldwin
Masterclass 2019 with John Stanier


EVENT PROGRAM
Our typical program includes:

FRIDAY
Kick off event - Yucca room
- Event presentation
- Red Carpet
- Mayor’s opening speech
- Opening short film(s)
- Feature film Yucca Valley premiere

SATURDAY
Screenings & talks
- documentaries in competition
- followed by talk with artists and audience
- Audience vote

- Script roundtable with script writers talking about their work

​Screening & talk
- Animated films in competition

Screening & talk
- Student films in competition
- followed by talk with artists and audience
- Audience vote

Screening & talk
- Short films in competition
- followed by talk with artists and audience
- Audience vote

SUNDAY
Morning: Mixer & Industry talk, reserved to filmmakers with a badge

Screening & talk
- Visual Arts in films (experimental and visually creative audiovisual work)
- Music Videos
- followed by talk with artists and audience
- Audience vote

Closing event with
- Red Carpet
- Result of the week-end drawing lots
- Result all official winners (every category)
- Result of the audience votes (every category)
- Screening of the winning movies with artists’ introduction & followed by talk with filmmakers
- Closing speech by the Mayor

Program is subject to change, check our website for final and updated program at all times.

The shnit worldwide shortsfestival is a premier platform for the exhibition and promotion of short films. This festival is a unique transnational event held simultaneously in ten cities across five continents. The festival consists of three main segments:

▪ shnit PLAYGROUNDS* | Running until August 31st, 2025
▪ shnit EXPANDED | Running until September 30th, 2025
▪ shnit FINALE | Amsterdam – September 30th, 2025

The winner of the WORLDWIDE COMPETITION, as well as the shnit audience-nominated films of the WORLDWIDE & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION, will become eligible to enter the 2026 Oscars® in accordance with the rules of the 98th Academy Awards® [Cinematic release].

Over the past twenty-three years, shnit has evolved into a major international short film festival, continuously reinventing itself. Originally a local initiative, it is now a global event connecting and inspiring filmmakers and audiences from different cultural backgrounds. The festival promotes diversity, originality, and artistic exchange. With its high-quality cinematic selections, shnit attracts over 30,000 visitors, making it one of the leading short film festivals worldwide.

shnit is a non-profit organization, coordinated in collaboration with festival executives. The festival operates on principles of excellence and professionalism, fostering its international expansion.

* Planned PLAYGROUNDS for 2025
shnit worldwide shortsfestival takes place simultaneously in the several cities, the shnit PLAYGROUNDS, on five continents. The planned PLAYGROUNDS 2025 are:

▪ Buenos Aires [Argentina]
▪ Cairo [Egypt]
▪ Cape Town [South Africa]
​​▪ Goa [India]
▪ Hong Kong [China]
▪ Moscow [Russia]
▪ Sydney [Australia]
▪ San José [Costa Rica]
▪ Toronto [Canada]
▪ Bern [Switzerland] – shnit OPENING
▪ Amsterdam [The Netherlands] – shnit FINALE

We love horror and we're very excited to watch your films!

The Bloody Horror International Film Festival (BHIFF) is an international festival seeking the best in indie horror (both amateur and professional).

The festival is set up in two yearly sessions. Selected films will be recognized and awarded in various categories.

BHIFF has made a point to keep our entry fees low as to give everyone the chance to enter, and we offer a high number of award categories!

BHIFF is headquartered in Canada, but its panel of judges is set in different parts of the world and comes with a variety of horror film expertise.

As of June 2025, BHIFF will now be sharing more content on social media! We think this is a great way to help promote your work/creations for everyone to see! We hold the rights to use any material submitted and will use this to promote your amazing creations! We may use film trailers, posters and clips of submitted films (even non-inning films)

Here at BHIFF, we feel everyone's work is a masterpiece! We have the hard job of choosing our Official Selections and Winners. This doesn't mean we didn't love all the films. We aren't always able to screen all of the Official Selections and Honorable Mentions because we have time limits at the venues.

So, we feel that sharing on social media is a great way to get everyone work seen!

We have partnered up with the nice folks over at B-Movie TV!
B-Movie TV is a Live TV Channel that is available via Roku Box. B-Movies 24/7!

Every film that wins BHIFF's Baddest B-Movie award will be exclusively screened LIVE on B-Movie TV's channel! How cool is that?!

Lots more exciting stuff coming soon!

We're always very excited to see your creations!

A space dedicated to appreciating and promoting a wide variety of fiction works. Our festival was born with the purpose of giving visibility to new narratives, highlighting the talent behind each story, and creating a meeting point for those who live and breathe cinema with passion. Here, images speak louder than a thousand words, and each short film is a window into extraordinary worlds. Through screenings, forums, and cinematic experiences, Infrarrojo Film Fest aims to be a stage where fiction comes to life and the art of storytelling shines with its own light.

The Amiens Emotional and Sexual Life Education Film Festival (FFEVA), organized by La Fabrique d'Images, is the first French short film festival dedicated to emotional and sexual education. The first edition will be held in Amiens from May 26 to 28, 2025. This festival offers an international selection of documentaries and short films addressing themes such as sexual diversity, consent, STI prevention, gender identity, gender equality and egalitarian relationships.

FESTIFAL is an International Short Film Festival whose main topic is rural areas; it is held every two years in Urrea de Gaén (Spain).

In order to energize the cultural atmosphere in the region, Bajo Martín Study Center proposed in 2009 the organization of an International Short Film Festival of rural themes.

This presents other realities and rural environments different from ours in different parts of the planet, through documentary and fiction films.

This project was born with the idea of combining cinema with rural environment and bringing it closer to the inhabitants of the region and to the general public. The festival has been consolidating edition after edition, increasing its importance within the circuit of festivals. Each year the number of proposals received increases, mostly short films of great quality sent from all parts of the world.

Festival has become, over the years, an inescapable event within the cultural agenda of the region. It has become very successful, with a high level of attendance, and a great number of public viewers come to see the finalist works throughout the contest.

More information:

http://festifal.wordpress.com
festifalcebm@gmail.com

Welcome to the PLA. Juneda Rural Film Festival, a space for advocacy, dissemination and celebration of cinema that is in dialogue with the rural environment.

Festival Nacional de cortometrajes y Audiovisual "Rafal en Corto".

Mogilev State Enterprise "Kinovideoprokat" welcomes you and informs that in September 2025 in the city of Mogilev, Republic of Belarus, the XXVIII International Festival of Animated Films "Animaevka-2025" will be held.

Over the years, the festival has become a celebration of animation for children and adults. Events are held in all regional centers of Belarus.

For viewing, film screenings of competitive and non-competitive programs, creative meetings with the creators of animated films, master classes, exhibitions of children's fine and decorative and applied arts are organized.

As part of the treatment:

- competition of animated films;
- competition of children's animation creativity
- competition of children's fine and decorative and applied arts.

Only for Mexiacan Filmmakers.

The "Horror Mountains Film Festival" stands as a vibrant annual cinematic event taking place in the picturesque city of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.

This captivating festival draws filmmakers, cinema enthusiasts, and horror genre devotees from around the globe. It spans several days, occupying various venues within the city.

In its lineup, the festival unveils an eclectic selection of films covering the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction, and suspense. From world premieres and independent productions to revered classics and internationally significant works, the film offerings cater to the discerning tastes of horror fans. Screenings encompass a broad spectrum, ranging from chilling ghost narratives and serial killer stories to the portrayal of supernatural creatures and paranormal events.

Beyond film screenings, the "Horror Mountains Film Festival" enriches attendees' experience with a series of complementary activities and events. These include roundtable discussions and panels featuring directors, writers, and actors, providing a space to explore the creative and technical aspects of horror cinema. Additionally, question-and-answer sessions are organized after screenings, offering a unique opportunity to interact directly with filmmakers and the cast.

The Open Festival Marseille has several objectives:

Allow the general public to discover the creative richness of ( french and foreigners) short fiction films free of charge in the best conditions, in this case those of the Pathé cinemas in Marseille, our main partner.

Discover or rediscover the pleasure of cinema in theaters.

Allow young directors to present their short films in public with the prospect of winning one or more of the five prizes and trophies awarded: (free participation, travel partly reimbursed on a flat rate basis)

-Jury Prize, awarded by nine members from the film industry. (actresses, actors, technicians, casting director, etc.)

-Public Prize awarded after voting
Club Prize intended to reward a school, self-produced or associative film

- “Young Look” Prize designated by a jury made up of students from SATIS (Aix-Marseille Faculty) and students from the Marseilleveyre preparatory class for cinema careers

-Coq Prize designated by our partner Pathé, this prize translates into one month of programming in the first part of a feature film showing at the Pathé Madeleine cinema (Marseille)

Furthermore, we welcome and invite the young authors of the selected films during the duration of the festival, during which we also offer them a tour of the Martigues studios (Provence Studios) and the Marseille studios of Saint-Menet.

Debates and discussions with the public between each screening of 6 to 7 films

The Capricorn Film Festival is a not for profit organisation that discovers local, national and international cinema gems, and shares them with a diverse audience of film lovers.

The Capricorn film festival was established to encourage production, not just exhibition. Our event is not just about ‘showing’ films – it’s about ‘making’ them. We aim to provide you with the opportunity to showcase your work to as wide an audience as possible, and help you promote your career and film-making endeavours.

The event is held mid year, where a crowds of thousands from all over Central Queensland enjoy five days of cinema, supporting filmmakers from the region and all corners of the globe.
​
Shortlisted films are screened at the event with a total prize pool of $4,000 in cash and prizes awarded between the winners of each category.
​
The festival is open to any level of filmmaker, from amateur to professional and is supported by some of Australia's premiere filmmakers and industry companies.

We appreciate our Festival ALUMNI. Contact us to receive your DISCOUNT coupon code on any upcoming entries.

Eszena is a young film festival that was born in Zaragoza, in 2023, with the intention of creating a space for the exhibition of audiovisual projects of young people.

Eszena arose from the need to bring cinema closer to young people and put them (ourselves) as a priority, because Generation Z needs spaces to show their creations, resources to advance them and meeting points to continue nurturing the young artistic fabric.

The third edition of the ReA Short Film Festival will take place on Saturday 6 September 2025 in La Roche-en-Ardenne at the Cinéma "Le Faubourg Saint Antoine" / formerly "le Carrefour" and on the adjoining square:

Place du Bronze
6980 La Roche-en-Ardenne/Belgium

The call for films is open!

This festival is giving 10 short films and their teams the chance to present their work. It will also give 5 short films for children the chance to meet a whole new and younger audience at the Festival.

The Festival will take place on 6 September 2025 from 11am to 1am.

This town is bewitched.

Fables of the Demons have taken deep root in the dark hearts of our followers both near and far, they come in droves to take in the horrors upon the silver screen.

Desmond District Demons is an annual independent film festival that takes place every October. We look to celebrate the dedication and passion of genre filmmakers from across the globe and especially in our locally grown talent in Michigan.

Our journey began with a shared vision among fellow filmmakers, a desire to create a platform where exceptional films could be showcased and appreciated for the artistry and dedication they embody.

Throughout our many seasons, we've been fortunate to witness the dark, twisted imaginations of filmmakers from every corner of the world to share with our audiences. Our communities shared devotion to genre cinema humbles us year after year.

Films from around the globe participate in a competition to win judged awards, as well as audience choice awards. (non-cash) We also like to bestow an award on our favorite Michigan filmmaker as well.

Michigan filmmakers submitting to the festival also have access to a special discount to encourage and help our local talent get their films on the silver screen in front of a live audience.

Amity International Film Festival is committed to supporting emerging talent and providing fun, original and thought-provoking cinematic experiences. AIFF is a Two-Day celebration of the art of filmmaking and the contribution that films make to our culture.

This will showcase documentaries and short films on popular science, technology, health & environmental issues. This event also creates a platform to interact with filmmakers, scientists, and enthusiasts to develop a better public understanding of the universe; encourage citizen science and public participation and promote appreciation of science films.

Mission:
Through the projection of popular science, technology, health & environmental-themed films and facilitated discussion — educate, raise awareness, and inspire the adoption of solution-oriented sustainable actions.

Vision:
Stimulate, energize and activate communities through deep involvement in the Amity International Film Festival, maximizing citizen reach and expanding the movement of Healthy Biosphere.

Goals:

1) Create thought-provoking, transformative opportunities for understanding various scientific aspects, and the power of human involvement.

2) Pack an intensive education & awareness punch through rich film stories, interactive discussions, and experiences.

3) “Expand the movement” by attracting people not generally involved in or already committed to “green” activities.

Date: 1st- 6th June 2025 Location: Amity University, Noida

The Oniros Film Awards® is an International Monthly IMDb Qualifying competition with a public Screening Event held in New York City every three months, celebrating films and filmmakers from all around the world. Our mission is to discover high quality and ambitious films, to promote filmmakers’ works and to be the next step in their career. The Oniros Film Awards® is all about Dreams (ὄνειρος = oneiros, Dream in Ancient Greek) and is conceived by Dreamers for Dreamers. Dream Big, always!

(Oniros Film Awards® is a registered Trademark - All Rights Reserved 2017-2025)

We invite you to participate in the sixth edition of ANIMAL Film Fest, which will take place on October 2, 3, and 4, 2025, with a hybrid format (in-person and online) in the city of Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico.

We recommend reading the complete call for submissions before registering your short films.
Registration and participation in the 6th edition of ANIMAL Film Fest imply full acceptance of these regulations.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

ROT Movie Makers invites general public, as well as independent and professional filmmakers, film students, communication, animation, visual arts, multimedia and careers related, to participate in the sixth edition of ANIMAL Film Fest, to be held on October 2, 3, and 4, 2025, in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico.

AFF is a ROT Movie Makers’ production.

Rome Prisma Film Awards was founded in 2018 by Stefano Perletta and the production company Il Varco. Hosted by Cinema Azzurro Scipioni, in its first year it saw Silvano Agosti as the president of the jury, a legendary Italian director that has worked alongside the greatest Italian professionals like Ennio Morricone, Vittorio Storaro, Nicola Piovani and many others. Over the course of its second year it moved to Cinema dei Piccoli, one of the oldest movie theaters of Rome, in the heart of Villa Borghese park since 1934.



In September 2020 we embarked on a new path under the curatorship of a new artistic director, Marcello Di Trocchio. During the Covid-19 pandemic that shut down festivals all over the world, we created a monthly streaming on Twitch with a teeming community following us from every corner of the Earth. In July 2021, after the re-opening of cinemas in Italy, we moved to one of the city’s most prestigious and characteristic movie theaters, located in the historic Campo de’ Fiori square: Cinema Farnese, where we started having screenings every two months.



From January 2022 we started a little big revolution: we opened the invitation to the events not only to the Rome-based film audience, but also to all filmmakers who had submitted their own project to our festival in the months preceding the event. In this way, one edition after the other, we contributed to making the Prisma events not only film evenings different from the others, but also a real opportunity to come together for hundreds of filmmakers from all over the world, who all too often feel lost in front of the endless quantity of audiovisual products that every day, at an unstoppable speed, are made, shared and forgotten – and who also feel equally lost in front of the thousands of film festivals that all too often, rather than opportunities to meet, seem to offer laurels to be exhibited on movie posters and social media.



That’s how the Prisma Awards have organically grown into one of the most community driven festivals, gathering over the last three years alone more than 300 artists between directors, producers, actors and movie professionals, coming from all parts of Italy, Europe and the world.



From September 2022, in order to raise the quality of the events, we have started reducing their number: from six a year to three, one every four months, always at Cinema Farnese – each time showcasing short films capable of making the audience laugh, cry, in any case be moved, together in the embracing darkness of the movie hall.



During the course of six years we have received more than 17.000 film projects from 150+ countries and we’ve been reviewed more than 900 times, thus becoming the #1 most reviewed film festival in Europe and one of the best reviewed in general.



Many of the films we’ve screened have passed through first-class festivals, like the short films August Sky by Jasmin Tenucci or Fár by Gunnur Martinsdóttir Schlüter, both winners of the Special Mention at Cannes Film Festival (2021 and 2023 editions), or Censor of Dreams by Leo Berne and Raphaël Rodriguez and Ice Merchants by João Gonzalez, both shortlisted in the Academy Awards (2022 and 2023 editions), or Nate Milton’s Eli from the official selection of Sundance Film Festival. At the same time, we are always proud to bring to the big screen also unpublished gems that we fortunately intercept and that almost nobody else shows.



We never stop collecting the best of emerging cinema, from all kinds of budgets, genres and cultural origins, and we can’t wait to see, day after day, year after year, more stimulating authors and more interested viewers to join us in this beautiful, challenging, creative journey.



These are the Rome Prisma Film Awards. We unite people, through films, in the very heart of Rome.