Golden Gate International Film Festival (GGIFF) is supported by AMC Independent and NBC Bay area. GGIFF, powered by Net Effect Media Inc. is dedicated to all talented content creators world-wide, who have an excellent opportunity to showcase their talent.

In celebration of our 11th year, GGIFF 2026 is offering special discounted rates for "Assured Screening".

What is Assured Screening? Assured screening guarantees your submission a screening, irrespective of your film being selected or nominated. If you want to opt for "Assured Screening", please select the "Assured Screening" option in the category of your film, at the time of submission. For a regular submission, please select the regular submission option.

Nov 6-8, 2026 - Screenings of the nominated films will be held at the AMC theater. The in-theater screenings would include Q&A sessions, after each slot and a red carpet Award Ceremony / Dinner at 7:30 pm on Nov 8, 2026. These would also include entries that opt for "Assured Screening".

Nov 9 - Dec 28, 2026 - An optional feature where select films will be screened online and compete for the Audience Choice Awards (TOP 3). These Awards are driven by Audience votes.

Submitter's can opt out of the Audience Choice online screening, if they prefer in-theater screening only. You don't have to decide now & can change or decide your preference on or before the FINAL submission deadline of entries, closer to the festival dates in 2026.

GGIFF congratulates all the 2025 nominees and winners listed on: https://www.goldengateinternationalfilmfestival.com/

GGIFF is powered by Net Effect Media, Inc., a film distribution-consultancy company, which has distributed and marketed over 250 films in Theaters, Home Video, TV, PPV, VOD and streaming over the past 20 years. If you need consultation for your film please contact sales@neteffectmedia.com

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Film
Best Actor (Male)
Best Actor (Female)
Best Director
Best Horror / Sci-Fi
Best Thriller/Action
Best Animation
Best Foreign Film
Best LGBT
Best Student Film
Best Music Video
Best Documentary Film
Best Documentary (Short)
Best Short Film
Best Travel Documentary
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Visual Effects
Best Original Music Score
Best Screenplay
Best New Media / Web Series
Jury Awards
Audience Choice Awards (Top 3)

Rules & Terms

Entries must be no more than five years, since produced.

All submission entries must be sent online only.

While submitting please provide your contact details, including phone number, as that is the only way for us to contact you.

Social Media handles are always welcome.

Non-English submissions must be either subtitled or dubbed. Translated dialogues on a separate sheet or any other format will not be accepted.

The entry fee is per submission.

On selection of your film for the Festival, you will be required to submit a DCP of your film, as required by AMC Theaters. Please waive the signature requirement when shipping to us.

By submitting your film, you are hereby granting GGIFF the right to utilize any excerpt from the submission and acceptance for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.

Any individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to submit the film for screening, understands and accepts the regulations and requirements .

GGIFF and/or NEM reserve the right to refuse or reject entries at any stage during the festival, without giving any reason.

On submission, the undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless, GGIFF and/or NEM from and against any or all claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
82 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ty Kim

    From the moment I met the festival director (Kapil Sethi), I felt that his commitment to filmmakers was above and beyond what anyone might expect. I heard him talk about how some of the international filmmakers tried so hard to attend the festival despite obstacles placed in their way. I heard his voice fill with emotion. And, I knew that I had found a special home for my documentary feature film "Earl." which went on to win a coveted Audience Choice Award." The festival director later called me and shared the progress saying "sixteen people are watching your film right now" and "every one of them is telling their friends to watch it as well." It has been a long time since I met someone who cares that much for a relative stranger. It is the medium film that brought us together. Truly a magical connection. I am also grateful to this film festival because it brought my mentors at Stanford University to the wonderful screenings at the AMC Theaters near San Jose, California. Please consider this festival in your submissions. It deserves respect and conveys the joy of storytelling.

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words, Ty & congratulations to you and your team! All of us at GGIFF are equally thrilled to see that EARL. featured in the TOP 3, & bagged the Audience Choice Award. Totally deserved the accolades.

  • Koos Baaij

    The staff were so helpful and kind, and absolutely went out of their way to help a novice navigate the system. We are absolutely thrilled with our Audience Choice Award!
    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Koos! It was great to see that "As Time Goes By" featured in the TOP 3 & bagged the Audience Choice Award. Congratulations!

  • Anne Trenning

    We thoroughly enjoyed participating and being selected for this outstanding festival. Each communication was helpful and went above and beyond in encouraging our film and message. The organizers are top notch and interested in your success. Thank you for finding merit with our film and sharing it with your audiences. It was a true honor and the friendships created are the best part.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Anne! "Faith and the Christmas Star" certainly deserves the Award for "Best Animation". Good Luck for the streaming version of the festival, which is now underway. The Audience votes their favorite film and the TOP 3 will bag the Audience Choice Award Trophies.

  • Vivianne Rosenberg

    It was an inspiring night . Met a lot of creative artists and I was thrilled to have been nominated and won an award for best screenplay. some of My family's attended and cheered me on. We had a blast. Thank you for the hospitality Golden Gate !! Cheers

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Vivianne! "The Connecting Betrayal" is a fantastic screenplay and worthy of the Award. All the Best.

  • Marcia kimpton

    Such a great festival run by the lovely Kapil. I loved everyone who volunteered, the films that I competed against and I loved everything I experienced. The selection of films were outstanding and I was honored to win best actress for AN AMERICAN ABROAD and it played in the AMC which was amazing to see it so big!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Marcia! You deserved the Award, totally. Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot to all of us at GGIFF. Do keep us in mind for your next film.