Giving Thanks in 2022

We're giving back to the mobile filmmaking community this year and we don't want you to miss out!

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It’s hard to believe it’s already close to the end of November and soon, the year will end marking a new beginning for 2023.

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, the date is significant all around the world to celebrate the act of giving thanks. If where you are, this is not what you do this month, that’s okay. We still want to take this time to thank you from the bottom of our heart.

Persisting and continuing a tradition of celebrating making movies with smartphone cameras is no easy feat. On April 28-30 we are celebrating filmmakers and storytellers from all over the world during #MFF2023SanDiego. Our festival theme is REVEL.

There are 12 hours to a day and 12 hours to the night. 12 months to a year and…hmm 12 Monkeys! Well, maybe that’s not your favorite film but it came to mind. 12 deserves a pause as an achievement and completion but completion signifies a new beginning.

That’s why we created a two new contests this year. But more specifically, we remember when we read articles in 2009, the same year we launched our film festival. Many in the media and “authority” figures in the tech world, questioned wether cell phones and smartphones were going to last.

Funny, right? We banked on it! Founder Susy Botello knew that not only were mobile phones going to last, but that the trend would grow with cameras good enough to make films for the cinema! The most accessible and popular mobile device (and camera) in the world is the mobile phone.

So here we are. Celebrating your films for our 12th edition! Yay!

The regular submission deadlines for short and feature films has already passed. And we now are in the Extended Deadline period. However, it’s more expensive because we have a lot to do to make official selections and showcase them during the festival in April.

It truly is a lot of work. We know you can miss these deadlines. There is always an opportunity next year. The regular deadline begins in October 19 for Features and November 19 for short films every year.

You’re invited to come to the festival as part of our community, if you can, even if your film wasn’t selected. We showcase the films, we celebrate the filmmakers who made them, and we all embrace each other and those who have an interest in mobile filmmaking.

We also hold workshops and special presentations which you can benefit from. It’s a networking and entertaining festival. You can ask anyone who’s attended!

As we reach 12 editions this year, it’s unfortunate that we are all feeling the effects of a harsh economy world wide. It’s hard on us, and it’s hard on you.

For a limited time we are giving back to you this month. From now until midnight PST on November 30, we’ve set aside a limited number of gift codes.

Short Film Extended Deadline Submissions will receive a $10 gift discount.

Feature Film Extended Deadline Submissions will receive a $20 gift discount.

Be sure to read the details and get the discount codes on our website. Submit on FilmFreeway.

If you know of someone who can use this gift, then pass it on.

On behalf of our team at SBP, we wish everyone a very Happy and relaxing Thanksgiving Holiday this week.