AWARDS, PRIZES & HONORS
Each year, the Silicon Valley Independent Film Festival honors the most outstanding new and independent filmmaking of the past year with a variety of awards, honors, and prizes that acknowledge artistry, creativity and achievement.
Award categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Documentary, Best Animation and additional awards are presented to ensure all aspects of filmmaking are recognized and celebrated.
Festival Judges also honor films that highlight groundbreaking uses of new technology and media with our FOUNDERS award, while also honoring trailblazing filmmakers and industry icons with our VISIONARY Award.
These categories are designed to spotlight creators who tell powerful stories, push boundaries, and create unforgettable cinematic experiences:
FESTIVAL AWARDS
Feature Length & Short Film Award Categories
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Independent Film
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Screenplay
Best International Film
Founders Award for Technological Innovation
Best Drama Film
Best Comedy Film
Best Animation Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Suspense Film
Best Thriller Film
Best Science Fiction Film
Best Horror Film
Best Fantasy Film
Best Experimental Film
Best Episodic Series
Best Online Project
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Visionary Award for Contribution to Independent Cinema
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Unpublished Screenplay Contest
Best Unpublished Screenplay - Grand Prize $2000.00 Winner
Best Unpublished Screenplay - 1st Runner Up
Best Unpublished Screenplay - 2nd Runner Up
Best Unpublished Screenplay - 3nd Runner Up
Best Unpublished Screenplay - Short Form
Best Unpublished Screenplay - Teleplay
HONORS & PRIZES
All award winners receive a unique and specific Award Laurel inscribed with the film projects title and the award winners name.
These laurels are in the form of an image file that will be emailed to all awards winners. For those who attend the festival in person: a framed certificate will be presented to winners attending the festival.
Engraved Award Statues will be given out at the festival to the winners of these awards: Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Unpublished Screenplay - Grand Prize Award Winner.
Award Statues with personal engraving are also available for purchase for all award winners. Shipping of purchased award statues will also be available for award winners who reside in the United States.
Best Unpublished Screenplay - Grand Prize award winner to receive a $2,000.00 cash prize.
Founders Visionary Awards may be eligible for additional unique prizes as determined and furnished by our presenters, festival sponsors and partners.
