Back Live & In-Person October 21 - 24, 2021

Tickets & Passes

On Sale September 17th, 2021

Day passes and VIP passes available.

Festival guest of honor

In 2015 the SJSFF was thrilled to launch our Festival Guest of Honor event to celebrate individuals for their work in independent film. The tradition continues with this year’s Guest of Honor to be announced in September.

See Past Guests

Our Venues

Cinemark's CineArts Theatre in Santana Row

A state-of-the-art cinema featuring surround sound, stadium-style luxury recliner seating plus an incredible projection system.

Santana Row

With well over 12 million visitors each year, Santana Row is Silicon Valley's premier shopping, dining, living and working destination. As a location for a film festival it is everything our audiences are looking for in one place, from incredible dining options to unique shopping options and more.

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Schedule At A Glance

See Schedule

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2020 Awards

Best of Show

White Eye

Directed by: Tomer Shushan

Best Drama

1,2,3 All Eyes On Me

Directed by: Emil Gallardo

Best Family Film

Tree #3

Directed by: Omer Ben-Shachar

Best Comedy

Gum

Directed by: Jacob Reed

Best Sci-Fi

Carmentis

Directed by: Antony Webb

Best World Cinema

Sticker

Directed by: Georgi M. Unkovski

Best Documentary

Ashes to Ashes

Directed by: Taylor Rees & Renan Ozturk

Best Animation

Umbrella

Directed by: Helena Hilario & Mario Pece

2019 Awards

Best Short Film

Homesick

Directed by: Koya Kamura

Best Animation

Mind My Mind

Directed by: Floor Adams

Best Drama

The Orphan

Directed by: Carolina Markowicz

Best Documentary

Girl in the Hallway

Directed by: Valerie barnhart

Best Sci-Fi

Progeny

Directed by: Justin Daering

Best Family

All in Good Time

Directed by: Bonnie Dempsey

Best World Cinema (Int'l Short Film)

Best World Cinema (Int’l Short Film)

Nefta football Club

Directed by: Yves Piat

Best Comedy

Fantastic Cars

Directed by: Barney Elliott

2018 Awards

Best of the Fest

Skin

Directed by: Guy Nattiv

Best Animation

One Small Step

Directed by: Bobby Pontillas & Andrew Chesworth

Best Drama

What Happened to Evie

Directed by: Kate Cheeseman

Best Documentary

My Grandfather’s Memory Book

Directed by: Colin Levy

Best Sci-Fi

The Replacement

Directed by: Sean Miller

Best Student Film

White River Tales

Directed by: Stephen Ohl

Best World Cinema (Int'l Short Film)

Best World Cinema (Int’l Short Film)

Two Strangers Who Meet Five Times

Directed by: Marcus Markou

Best Kid & Family

Earthy Encounters

Directed by: Sam Johnson

2017 Awards

Best of the Fest

Riceballs

Directed by: Shingo Usami

Best Comedy

Shy Guys

Directed by: Fredric Lehne

Best Drama

Winner: How Far She Went

Directed by: Ugla Hauksdottir

Best Animation

Winner: Weekends

Directed by: Trevor Jimenez

James Gunn Independent Filmmaker Award

Winner: Sweet Maddie Stone

Directed by: Brady Hood

Best Documentary

Winner: Land of the Wind

Directed by: Laura Belinky

Special Event

"Home Edition" Wine & Short Film Paring Saturday October 24th.

VIP Level Pass Required *Must be 21 or over to participate.

DATE AND TIME

Saturday October, 24th 2020

LOCATION

Your Home

Filmmaker & VIP Lounge will return in 2021!

Hours TBA

Filmmakers, Press, Members and VIP Pass holders, please join us during the festival at our VIP Lounge, conveniently located within walking distance of the CineArts Theater. Enjoy soft drinks, coffee and tea – plus check out festival films from the past few years playing in our private screening room.

Past Festivals

Short Films Dive Deep 2016

Short Films Take Flight 2015

Short Films Big Ideas 2014

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