Cine Soul is the Sacramento Black Film Festival. The event is set for August 2024 and again in February of 25 in beautiful Sacramento, California.

Featuring local talent like Deon Taylor plus award-winning films like Give Us This Day (pictured left), and Mr. Dial has Something To Say, the Sacramento Black Film Festival (Cine Soul) has created a name as a stand-out in the world of African American cinema.

The program serves the African diaspora of film by exhibiting local and international works, building the local filmmaking community through events like our annual URBAN FILM SUMMIT and educating Sacramento audiences about African American film history.

With events that happen year-round including during the Sacramento Film Festival each April and as well as a stand-alone festival in November Cine Soul is sure to entertain and delight. Please stay tuned for more detail on upcoming Cine Soul events.

Acknowledgments for Best International Film, Best Short, Best Local Short, and Visionary Spirit, plus Best Overall Film will be awarded at the festival. Winners receive awards recognition at California's capital of Urban film, Cine Soul.

General guidelines for all films

#1) Categories of Entry:
There are three main categories of entry for this festival, short-form (under 20 minutes total running time), long-form ( 20 minutes to an hour total running time), and features, (over one hour total running time), plus special Showcases.

Please make certain that you have specified which genre(s) your film falls under, in your Online Project Form. A genre helps our judges to identify the film's content. All styles of film will be accepted for review.

#2) Eligibility Requirements:
All Projects must have not played previously in the Sacramento area. This includes internet screenings AND cast/crew screenings. Film's having premiered in other cities are always welcome. Employees and board members are prohibited from entering.

#3) Format Requirements:
Please submit a preview copy of your online secure screener in the 16 by 9 format or pillar-boxed. If accepted, you will be contacted to provide a final screening copy on one of the accepted formats. Audio must be two-channel mono or stereo, 48hz 16bit.

All final screening prints must be submitted on one of the following formats: 35mm, DVD, Blue Ray or digital file AS SPECIFIED BY FESTIVAL. All non-35mm media must be presented in a 16 by 9 format or pillar-boxed to fit a 16 by 9 aspect ratio.

#4) Exhibition Files:
The exhibition copy must be the same film as was submitted for consideration. The festival does not accept unfinished works for consideration.

#5) Awards:
Awards and acknowledgments for Best International film, Best Short, Best Local Short, and;Visionary Spirit; Best Overall Film will be awarded at the festival. Winners may receive award statue plus valuable gifts.

By submitting your film you understand and agree that the festival may use any portions of your of film, to be determined at the festival's discretion, not to exceed 5 minutes in length, for any marketing activities to promote the festival and your screening. Use of film content may include but is not limited to playback over Access non-profit community TV channels, printed marketing pieces, commercial advertisements and Internet distribution.

By submission of your film, you understand and agree that the Festival holds no responsibility for lost media or promotional materials.

You understand that should your film be accepted, you will be notified by and asked to provide the final screening copy.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Eddrick Jerome

    We had a beautiful experience screening our film Blue Eye Shadow at Cine Soul, The Sacramento Black Film Festival. Shout out to Marty and Vince for showing us love and allowing us to share their platform. We got to meet and network with a host of talented filmmakers and it was an honor to have our film screened. I also appreciate the ongoing workshops and seminars which will help us continue to develop our craft.

    May 2024
  • Mostafa Keshvari

    Best People, Best films ! Proud to be selected.

    March 2023
  • Threat Festival really honoured to be part of it for my short film "The Betrayal".

    March 2023