Rules & Categories

IMFF 2024 is our 13th Annual Edition

Currently celebrating IMFF 2024, APRIL 26-28

We’re on IMDb

IMFF 2025 Submissions Open June 2024

We are now selecting IMFF 2024 films. We’ll be notifying you through email and bring your attention to completing the process for being officially selected.

There are a few steps to take to validate your submission for distribution through our film festival once you have been notified of our intention to select your film. Once all requests have been met, you’ll receive a status update on FilmFreeway that your film or project has been officially selected.

If you want to announce your selection on social media, let us celebrate it with you by following and tagging us!

Be part of an evolutionary filmmaking revolution — the 13th annual edition of the International Mobile Film Festival will take place April 26, 27 & 28, 2024 in San Diego, California. All submissions now closed. Stay tuned to snag tickets when they go on sale to celebrate, learn, and enjoy the funnest international film festival for smartphone movies!

CURRENT 2024 UPDATED SUBMISSION CRITERIA! The Criteria Page has all the details including FAQ. Check submission deadlines. *IMFF 2025 details and any official modifications to the criteria and/or rules will be available after IMFF 2024.

Since 2009, IMFF has recognized and celebrated international filmmakers who used only their smartphones to create feature films, short films, documentaries, narrative films, music videos, and many more.

See how far the art of mobile filmmaking has come since our launch in 2009, and be a part of the ever-growing mobile filmmaking movement.

Make your mark in the world of film! Showcase your smartphone-only creations to an audience of industry professionals and join hundreds of other filmmakers in being celebrated for amazing works of art.

Don’t wait — start creating now to submit your films, screenplays and smartphone story photos to be part of next year’s 14th Edition of the International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego, April 25-27, 2025!

But first…

You need to know the rules before you submit your film.

International Mobile Film Festival proudly accepts entries on FilmFreeway, the world’s #1 way to enter film festivals and creative contests.”

How do you submit? Click the button below to submit your films, screenplays and smartphone photos. But first, read all the details. There are no refunds.

IMFF 2025 Submissions Open June 19, 2024

Beware of some alterations to our rules from this year into the next (IMFF 2025). Check our Criteria page for updates and changes to IMFF 2024.

Narrative – Documentary – Ultimate Mobile – Cosplay – Screendance – Geography, Wildlife and Travel – Experimental – Music Video

Changes we made for the 13th 2024 Edition:

Time Limit for the Short Film Competition (no change) minimum 3 minutes and maximum 10 minutes.

*Read about our festival’s new transformation which began in 2022.

Rookie Award Films (no change) minimum 1 minute and maximum 5 minutes.

Feature length films NEW CHANGE minimum 60 minutes (1 hour) and maximum 120 minutes (2 hours).

About The Rookie Award: This is a separate contest for less experienced, and new mobile filmmakers to showcase their films in a separate session during our film festival. The length of the short films in this category/competition is 1-5 minutes. All genres accepted. One of a handful of selected films will receive special recognition during the awards ceremony with The Rookie Award. 

Community Stories

Community Stories was founded in 2009 by festival founder, Susy Botello.

Community Stories is not an official category. However, if you submit a short film to The Rookie Awards or Short Film Competition, your film may qualify to be featured as a Community Story during our live in-person film festival. Let us know if you’d like us to review it after you’ve submitted your short film. Read more.

TWO COMPLETELY NEW COMPETITIONS FROM 2023 CONTINUE IN 2024

Mobile Screenplay Competition: Even though screenwriters don’t write for a camera brand, we are introducing a screenwriting competition for short narrative films. One screenplay per submission. 

Frame A Story (One story in one frame)
Storytelling with a photo: Your photo should inspire the imagination of the viewer and it tells a story. Photos will be incorporated into a video montage sharing your photo and name on the large screen during the festival. Up to the limit allowed by FilmFreeway with a maximum of six photos. Get the details!

Listen to one of the judges for the Smartphone Photo Contest share many great photography tips! Ant Pruitt has a show on TWIT TV (This Week In Tech podcast): Hands On Photography.

FilmConvert | Zacuto | Swords & Circuitry Studios | Engraving Pros | Hall H Show Podcast | Science Fiction Coalition | A Pawsability 4 Veterans | SBP Podcast

SUBMISSION DEADLINES:

October 19, 2023 Mobile Features Deadline

November 19, 2023 Mobile Shorts Deadline

November 19, 2023 Rookie Award Deadline

November 20, 2023 Short Screenplay Deadline

November 21, 2024 Photo Deadline

December 22, 2023 Extended Photo Deadline

December 23, 2023 Extended Short Screenplay Deadline

December 24, 2023 Extended Features Deadline

January 13, 2024 Extended Shorts Deadline

January 13, 2024 Extended Rookie Award Deadline

IMFF 2025’s 14th Edition opens for submissions June 19, 2024

April 26 – 28, 2024 Festival Event Dates in San Diego, California

YOU ARE THE STAR IN THE INTERNATIONAL MOBILE FILM FESTIVAL IN SAN DIEGO. GET READY TO SHINE!
SBP (S. Botello Productions)

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