17th Annual Santa Fe International Film Festival

The 17th Annual Santa Fe International Film Festival (SFiFF) is scheduled for October 15-19, 2025, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

As New Mexico’s premier cinematic event, SFiFF celebrates independent and international cinema, offering a platform for filmmakers and enthusiasts to engage with diverse storytelling.

Festival Highlights:

• Dates: October 15-19, 2025
• Location: Various venues across Santa Fe, including historic theaters and modern cinemas.
• Programming: A curated selection of feature films, documentaries, shorts, and animated works from around the globe.
• Events: Industry panels, workshops, networking opportunities, and special screenings.

Founding and Early Years

Established in 2009 as the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, SFiFF began as a grassroots initiative to celebrate independent cinema. The inaugural event was modest, attracting around 1,000 attendees. Over the years, the festival experienced substantial growth, with attendance surpassing 12,000 by its 16th edition in 2024.

Rebranding and Expansion

In July 2022, reflecting its broadened scope and international reach, the festival rebranded itself as the Santa Fe International Film Festival. This change signified its commitment to showcasing a diverse array of films from around the globe.

Mission Statement:

SFiFF is dedicated to supporting the arts, creativity, and culture by showcasing Santa Fe’s forward-thinking artistic vision. The festival celebrates cinematic and media excellence, setting a national standard for film festivals.

Oscar® Qualifying Festival:

SFiFF is recognized as an Academy Award®-qualifying festival in the categories of Documentary Short, Narrative Short, and Animated Short. Winners in these categories are eligible for Oscar® consideration, highlighting the festival’s commitment to excellence in filmmaking.

Awards & Prizes – SFiFF 2025

Santa Fe International Film Festival offers over $100K in cash and prizes.

Cash Awards:

• Narrative Feature Award (Presented by Panavision): $60K camera package, $30K post-production package, and $1K cash.
• Best Documentary Feature: $1K cash.
• Best Narrative Short: $15K camera package and $500 cash.
• Best Animated Short (New in 2025): $500 cash.
• Best Documentary Short: $500 cash.
• Best New Mexico Short: $500 cash.
• Best Indigenous Filmmaker Short: $500 cash.

🏆 Winners of Best Narrative Short, Best Animated Short, and Best Documentary Short qualify for Academy Awards®.

Non-Cash Awards:

• Audience Choice (Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Narrative Short, Documentary Short)
• Best New Mexico Feature
• Best Experimental Short

Submission Deadlines:

• Earlybird Deadline: March 4, 2025
• Regular Deadline: May 1, 2025
• Late Deadline: June 11, 2025
• Final Deadline: July 17, 2025
• Notification Date: September 9, 2025

Filmmakers are encouraged to submit their works through the festival’s official submission platform.

Early Bird Passes:

Early bird festival passes will be available starting August 2025, offering attendees access to all screenings and events. Passes can be purchased through the SFiFF website.

Join the Celebration:

Experience the art of cinema in the enchanting city of Santa Fe. Whether you’re a filmmaker, industry professional, or film lover, the 17th Annual Santa Fe International Film Festival promises a rich and engaging experience.

For more information, visit the official SFiFF website.

Some Review of Santa Fe International Film Festival

• Chad Zemel, Director of “DL Guy”: “The SFiFF team aren’t just programmers. They are filmmakers’ biggest fans and advocates, rooting for your success at the festival and beyond. It’s truly heartwarming to feel so much love from such an art-centric town.”

• Elias Kelleher, Director of “Lady May”: “I had an amazing time at SFIFF ‘24. The movies were all unique and interesting. A genuine film-loving, indie community feeling amongst the SFIFF team and patrons. I travelled from Australia to see my short film play and everyone involved made me feel so welcome and at home.”

• Tim Molloy, Editor-in-Chief of MovieMaker Magazine: “SFiFF gives back to its thriving film community in every sense—from programs for students to some of the most generous prize packages of any festival in the world.”

• Variety Magazine: Described SFiFF as having “superbly curated programming.”

• Pasatiempo Magazine: Referred to SFiFF as “New Mexico’s foremost attraction for cinephiles.”