The Glendale International Film Festival is now accepting film and screenplay submissions for its 2025 season. Each year, GIFF brings together diverse voices from around the globe, championing independent storytellers who push the boundaries of cinema. Presented and produced by non-profit Glendale Arts, GIFF 2025 will be held in person from Sept. 25-30, 2025, in Glendale. 

GIFF accepts films and screenplays in 22 categories: feature film, international feature, documentary feature, animation feature, horror/thriller feature, Glendale film – feature & short, female filmmaker – feature & short, experimental film – feature & short, drama short, comedy short, dramedy short, international short, documentary short, animation short, horror/thriller short, short short, web series/new media, music video, feature screenplay, short screenplay, student film – feature & short, student screenplay – feature & short. Projects can be submitted via FilmFreeway at https://filmfreeway.com/GlendaleInternationalFilmFestival until the final deadline on July 11, 2025. 

This past September, GIFF marked a decade of spotlighting artistic achievement and cinematic excellence during the festival’s 10th edition. A golden hour opening night party was held at the Mya Rooftop at The Glenmark ushering in six days of programming and events. These included: a slate of 31 programs featuring screenings of 90 feature-length and short films and 21 post-screening Q&As; a festival lounge, staged at Glendale Arts-run ace/121 Gallery; and a pair of high-profile panel discussions: “Made in California,” which explored efforts being made for California to reclaim the state’s status as a premier filming destination amidst the unprecedented challenges facing the entertainment industry, and “Shaping Reality: The Future of Documentary, Democracy and the Human Story,” which examined the evolving role of documentaries as tools for social justice, their potential to influence democratic processes, and the ways in which they can bridge cultural divides. 

The competition ended with the filmmakers and screenwriters attending awards night at the Glen Arden Club. Winners were announced in 18 categories.