We are thrilled to be entering the 25th Annual Phoenix Film Festival! A quarter of a century programming incredible films and we want you to be a part of this special anniversary celebration. During our 11 day festival, we have the pleasure of entertaining over 20,000 people with awesome films from so many great filmmakers.
Our festival happens annually in the spring in the very northeast corner of Phoenix on the border of Scottsdale. We have a fancy theatre, responsive audiences and plenty of cool kids on our staff to make this the greatest experience of your life. Or at the least, pretty damn good.
We hope you consider submitting and trusting us with your film. Keep on reading if you want to hear us brag about ourselves, our marketing people insist we do. We also have some quotes from our great filmmakers. And now onto the superlatives.....
The Phoenix Film Festival has historically been named one of The 25 Coolest Film Festivals and a Top 50 Worth the Entry Fee by MovieMaker Magazine and have been called the most filmmaker-friendly festival out there. Most recently, we also earned a spot on MovieMaker's 20 Great Film Festivals for First-Time Moviemakers. The Phoenix Film Festival is a program of the 501c(3) non-profit Phoenix Film Foundation, started in 2000, and it has quickly become Arizona's Largest Film Festival.
The Phoenix Film Festival annually holds over 250 screenings, amazing parties and provides filmmaking seminars to capacity audiences. The Festival takes place all in one convenient location and is held on 7 screens at the state of the art gorgeous Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre. You'll love attending our parties and events held in the Party Pavilion just outside the theatre. Everything you need is right on site.
Don't just take it from us, here are just a few comments we received from our past filmmakers......
"Phoenix Film Festival is the gold standard for a film festival that appreciates and rewards truly independent film. This was our second time in attendance and I can't wait to make another movie so we can go back! Multiple packed screenings, an engaged and committed local audience, an amazing group of films, and constant opportunities to connect with other filmmakers."
-Hudson Phillips, "Guacamole Yesterdays"
"Between the extremely helpful army of volunteers, the thoughtful programming, and, most importantly, the enthusiastically wonderful audience, Phoenix Film Festival is exactly what a filmmaker is seeking out when navigating the film festival world."
- Jeremiah Carter, "Sometimes I Hear the Light Leak in Through the Corners of My Room"
"Everything you want in a film festival. The team puts on a top notch festival with great audiences and wonderful hospitality for the filmmakers. The venue is great with good picture and sound quality and the people attending the festival really love and support indie filmmaking."
- Patrick Hogan, "Quiet! Mom's Working!"
“I met so many amazing filmmakers and audiences! Some of the best Q&A's I've had at any festival. Everyone was so engaged and cared about the films they chose to see. Can't wait to have another film to screen there again.”
- Ben Tedesco, “No Tomorrow”
"WOW. Is Phoenix Film Festival ever exciting and fun. The programming of films and social events was stellar. The coordination with filmmakers was very smooth and efficient, with very clear deadlines and requirements for deliverables. It was an honour to screen Meet The Sky as part of the Native American Directed Shorts curation!"
- K.J. Edwards, “Meet the Sky”
“This is a very well-thought-out festival run expertly by really nice people, and you will not see your movie in a better venue for picture and sound than at this festival.”
- Ivon Visalli, “Out and About”
“Phoenix Film Festival is an extremely well-organized film festival. From the process of selection, the clear communication from the festival and programming team leading up.”
- Carlos F Puertolas, “Frank and Emmet”
The Phoenix Film Festival is a program of the Phoenix Film Foundation. The Foundation is a 501c3 Non-profit Organization whose mission is to support and develop the artistic appreciation, educational opportunities and growth of independent film within and outside of Arizona.
Copper Wing Awards
Categories vary. May include (subject to change): Best Picture, Audience Award, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Acting, Best AZ Filmmaker, Best Short Film, Best Student Film, Best Documentary, etc.
The Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Search First Place winner will receive $250. First, Second, and Third place winners of the Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Search will win additional prizes including passes to the Festival