Santa Barbara Indie Film Fest
A Festival to Celebrate the Art of Independent & Youth Filmmakers
Santa Barbara, CA
15 categories to choose from
-
Narrative Feature Film
-
Documentary Feature Film
-
Short Dramatic Film
-
Short Horror / Thriller Film
-
Short Comedy Film
-
Short Action / Adventure Film
-
Short Sci-fi / Fantasy Film
-
​Short Animated Film
​
-
Short Documentary Film
-
Short Narrative Film - Local Filmmaker
-
Short Documentary Film - Local Filmmaker
-
Short Narrative Film - Youth Filmmaker
-
Short Documentary Film - Youth Filmmaker
-
Short Animated Film - Youth Filmmaker
-
Local Youth Filmmaker
Submissions start at only $20!
Three Days of Independent Filmmaking
Hosted at the Alhecama Theater
Sept 19-21, 2025
Check out our social media channels to stay up on the latest news!
Come celebrate the art of Cinema with us at the historic Alhecama Theater in downtown Santa Barbara! We are nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean about 1.5 hours away from Los Angeles. Santa Barbara offers breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains. The city is known for its Mediterranean climate, Spanish-style architecture, and its many beaches, parks, and trails.
​
The festival is a great reason to visit the city and experience its vibrant culture and arts scene. With its diverse selection of films and networking opportunities, the Santa Barbara Indie Film Fest is a great event that celebrates the art of filmmaking.
​
​
VIP and Single Day pass holders get beer specials at Fig Mtn Brew Co and at the festival concession stand!
*click on pass type for details.
Join us for the Saturday night after party at Figueroa Mtn Brew Co!
The Santa Barbara Indie Film Fest couldn’t take place without the help of our incredible volunteers! We are always looking for enthusiastic folks to help support us in our mission of bringing independent film to the Santa Barbara area. We are thankful for your interest!
Awards & Prizes
The top films or scripts from each category will get a trophy with custom engravings. Awards of Excellence and Award of Achievement winners will get a certificate in a frame.
​
Winners of the "Local Filmmakers" categories will win a free 1 year membership to 805 Film Co. ​​
