The Santa Cruz Film Festival supports and promotes the love of the moving-image arts within the local Santa Cruz and Greater Monterey Bay Area. SCFF is an artist-driven, filmmaker-forward festival for original films world-wide. 



Through the production of an annual film festival, year-round events and educational programming, the Santa Cruz Film Festival engages the community in their appreciation of the moving-image medium—from short and experimental films, to narrative and documentary features. Since 2000, SCFF has screened over 2000 independent films, including scores of locally-produced works in front of tens of thousands of dedicated cinephiles.​​ Now in its 25th year, SCFF invites bold, innovative vision. More than ever, the world needs novel voices. Visceral storytelling. Poetic experimentation. All genres welcomed.

The festival is proud to not only showcase new creative movers and shakers, but also to provide an interactive experience where filmmakers, musicians, performers, and the community come together to celebrate the inexhaustibility of creativity in an unforgettable week.