Sedona, AZ — The Sedona International Film Festival (SIFF), now in its 32nd year, is thrilled to invite submissions for its highly regarded Screenplay Competition. Writers are encouraged to submit original work in one of three categories: Feature Screenplays, Short Screenplays, and One-Hour or ½-Hour TV Pilots.
The regular deadline for entries is September 30, 2025, with an extended deadline of November 30, 2025. The festival will take place in Sedona, Arizona, from February 21–March 1, 2026.
Winners will receive an impressive prize package that may include:
- VIP Passes to the Festival
- Hotel accommodations
- A live table read by professional actors
- A personalized engraved award
- A TV interview
- Full professional coverage and feedback on their work
Complete rules, eligibility details, prize information, and submission guidelines are available at sedonafilmfestival.com/screenplay-competition. Submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway.com. Entry fees are posted on Film Freeway and on the competition page.
“SIFF prioritizes the experience of the artists at the festival above all else,” said Bob Reynolds, Director of the SIFF Screenplay Competition. “There’s a real sense of professionalism and community at SIFF that fosters meaningful connections and creative development. The Screenplay Competition is in its sixth year, and I can feel the momentum and enthusiasm grow each year. We welcome both emergent and established screenwriters to submit.”
WHAT: Call for Submissions – SIFF Screenplay Competition
WHERE: Sedona, Arizona | sedonafilmfestival.com/screenplay-competition
WHEN: Submissions now open; extended deadline November 30, 2025. Festival: February 21–March 1, 2026.
About the Sedona International Film Festival
Now in its 32nd season, the Sedona International Film Festival has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s premier independent film events, showcasing more than 150 films from around the world each year. From features to documentaries, short subjects to animation, and an impressive lineup of foreign films, the festival offers a diverse and dynamic program for cinephiles and casual moviegoers alike. Screenings take place at the state-of-the-art Harkins Sedona Cinemas, the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, and the festival’s own art house venues—The Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre and the Sedona Performing Arts Center.
The festival has been recognized by Moviemaker Magazine as one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” and one of the “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.” Renowned for its warm hospitality and breathtaking red rock setting, SIFF provides an intimate, artist-focused atmosphere that fosters meaningful connections between filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences.
