Rules & Terms
Please no requests for submission fee waivers. Alumni filmmakers will receive a waiver code for one film by calling or emailing the DIFF office.
Works in progress must be received prior the early bird deadline and final completed work must be received by our annual deadline, which is October 31, 2023.
For exhibition formats, .mov and .mp4 and DCP for films playing at the Gaslight Twin Cinemas. Files are required for back-up and may also serve as exhibition formats.
Please notify the festival if your film will be broadcast on cable or network television or released for online streaming prior to the beginning of the festival.
As stated above, DCP is the required exhibition format for all feature length documentaries and narrative features and shorts that will be playing at the Gaslight Twin Cinemas. The festival will notify all filmmakers by January 15 if a DCP is the required format. However, filmmakers may be able to upload DCP, MP4 and .MOV files, which will be detailed in filmmaker agreements for the accepted films.
Durango Film will only return ship to domestic destinations, including domestic film festival destinations.
Selected films will not be paid a screening fee. Films that require a screening fee are not eligible for either a juried or audience award.