2018 SXSW Film Festival Submission Tips [Video]

SXSW provides the game-changing buzz every filmmaker dreams about for the premiere of their film, in front of press, film industry leaders, and film lovers as well as tech and music professionals. This entirely unique audience gives the SXSW Film Festival a distinct identity that sets it apart from other film festivals.

There are less than two weeks until the early film submission deadline on Friday, August 25. If your film isn’t quite ready, don’t worry. We still have two additional deadlines before submissions officially close for SXSW 2018.

Remember that you must have a secure link to your film ready to go before you complete your application. While submitting by the Early Deadline will keep some extra money in your pocket, we never want filmmakers to rush their films, as we will only consider the first cut submitted. So take your time, decide which deadline is best for your film, and get your film in its best form before submitting. Additionally, take a look at the festival's many different screening sections and decide which category is best for you and your film. Find out more information about deadlines and fees here. Questions? Find answers in our Film FAQ.

The Official Deadline is Friday, September 22 and our Late Deadline is Friday, October 20.

Ready to submit? Take a few minutes to watch our How to Submit Your Film video posted above!

Join Us For SXSW 2018

Join us for SXSW 2018 – register to attend by Friday, September 8 for the biggest savings of the season. Make your hotel reservations through SXSW Housing & Travel for the best available rates. Grab your Film badge today for primary access to all SXSW Film events including world premieres, roundtables, workshops and parties. We hope to see you in March!

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