FESTIVAL ATTENDANCE F.A.Q.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Is The Silicon Valley Independent Film Festival?
Silicon Valley Independent Film Festival was launched in 2022 and exists to showcase the best new independent films through screenings at the best cinema houses in Silicon Valley.
The current season of the Silicon Valley Independent Film Festival is presented by AUDIENCE INTERNATIONAL, a company devoted to the merger of creativity and technological innovation.
The Silicon Valley Independent Film Festival was initially created and staffed by members of the SV Film association – a group of film fanatics composed of locally based film and tech professionals.
When Is the Silicon Valley Independent Film Festival?
The Silicon Valley Independent Film Festival takes place each fall.
Where Is the Silicon Valley Independent Film Festival?
The festival takes place in various theaters and venues throughout the Silicon Valley area. See our current season’s festival guide (once published) for more details.
Can I Attend the Festival?
Over 90% of all festival screenings at the are open to the paying general public.
Parties and Gala events are exclusively for guests 21 years and older, this in accordance with local laws and guidelines of hosted bars and party venues.
Where to Find Film Screening Times?
All selected screenings are listed on our festival’s film program guide, which is published in-print and on-line about 4-5 weeks prior to the festival dates.
Do I Need a Ticket or Pass to Attend Screenings or Events?
Yes. Ticket or Pass is required to attend any festival screening or event.
What Kind of Films Will Be Screened?
80%-90% of festival programming consists of new independent films currently without major US distribution deals.
The remaining 10%-20% of films screening at the festival are Hollywood Premieres, Revival and Repertory Screening Events, Promotional Screenings for Boutique BluRay Releases, and film restoration projects for lost and underseen movies.
How Can I Purchase a Pass or Ticket to the Festival?
All festival tickets & passes will be available online through our ticketing website prior to the festival.
Can I Bring a Guest?
Each attendee will need a separate ticket (or pass) for entry to each festival event.
Will Tickets be Available at the Venue Door?
It is highly recommended to purchase tickets online before the festival starts, as screenings often sell out.
Tickets might go on-sale at festival venues (depending on specific venue policy), but this will vary from year-to-year. Venue policies determine what the festival can offer our guests.
See the festival film program guide or festival social media as festival dates get closer, in order to find out about the on-site ticketing policies for our upcoming season.
Can I See Just One Screening?
Yes. Individual tickets are available. For Short Film Blocks we request that you remain for the entirety of the program to avoid disrupting the screening.
When Should I Arrive?
It is suggested to arrive 1 hour before the listed screening (or event) start time.
Can I Arrive Late?
In order to avoid disruptions to galas, awards, and events late entrees may not be permitted.
Late arrival to film screenings is usually permitted, but not recommended. Festival screenings often don’t have Trailers prior to the main film which may start promptly at the listed screening time. Early arrival is Highly Recommended.
When Do Screenings & Events Start?
Screenings and events may start promptly at listed times. Screenings often do not include trailers before the main film screening.
When Should I Purchase Tickets?
It is advised to purchase tickets or passes online before the festival starts, to avoid sell outs.
Where Should I Purchase Tickets?
It is highly recommended to purchase tickets online before the festival starts, as screenings often sell out.
Screening Sold Out: Are There Tickets at the Door?
Often there may be a limited amount of tickets available at the door, but cannot be guaranteed, and will vary by venue.
Who Can Attend the Festival?
The festival is open to the general public, including filmmakers, fans and more. Party events are generally 21 and up.
Is There a Dress Code?
There is no dress code to attend film screenings. However, business casual is generally recommended.Certain events, such as Award Ceremonies and Red Carpet events, may have more formal dress code recommendations.
Are Cameras Allowed at Screenings or Events?
Camera and cell phone use is not allowed inside of any cinema or theater. Personal photos are generally allowed outside of screenings (venue guidelines permitting.
Any professional photography and/or press photography needs pre-event approval from festival programmers.
Are Cell Phones Allowed at Screenings or Events?
Camera and cell phone use is not allowed inside of any cinema or theater. Personal photos are generally allowed outside of screenings (venue guidelines permitting.
Any professional photography and/or press photography needs pre-event approval from festival programmers.
Can I Bring My Own Food or Beverages?
Unfortunately the answer is usually no. Venue rules normally apply and most venues generally have rules against this.
Can I Receive a Refund?
Unfortunately all festival ticket sales are final. We are unable to provide refunds.
Are films rated by the MPA?
Independent films normally have not been rated by the MPA yet. As much as possible the festival will try to provide guidance as to what programming is appropriate to which audiences.
Are There Q and A’s After Every Film?
The festival strives to have a Q & A for each film, but due to guest and host availability and/or scheduling conflicts Q&A’s may not always be available. Almost all feature length films with sufficient attendance and available guests are scheduled with Q&A’s in mind.
How To Meet Celebrities? What Celebrities Are Scheduled to Attend?
Celebrities may often make appearances, but this is not guaranteed. Due to the unpredictable nature of scheduling appearances, celebrity guests are often announced on social media directly before an appearance, only after attendance is 100% confirmed.
Will Filmmakers Be in Attendance?
Many filmmakers will be in attendance. But filmmaker availability and attendance is not guaranteed.
Are Pets Allowed?
Generally pets are not allowed at most venues. Venue rules apply to such questions and most venues generally have rules against this. Unfortunately the answer is usually no.
Do You Allow Service Animals?
Venue rules apply to such questions. Generally, venues do allow Service Animals of some sort. If you have any questions about service animals or any other type of assistance animals, please contact the venue directly once festival screening venues are announced.
Can I Volunteer at the Festival?
Yes, please refer to our volunteer page.
How do I submit my film project?
Silicon Valley Independent Film Festival accepts submissions through FilmFreeway.
