The San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition (SDUFEX) is calling for entries to the festival, which will be held on 6 and 7 October 2023 at the San Diego Qualcomm Auditorium. Full details of rules and procedures are available from the contest’s website, and the submission deadline is 15 June.

Press release

SDUFEX Underwater Film Festival Open for Submissions March 1 - June 15, 2023

The San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition (SDUFEX) is proud to announce plans for their 24th Annual Underwater Film Festival on October 6 & 7, 2023. The in-person event will be held at San Diego’s state of the art Qualcomm Auditorium. Each evening, upwards of 500 attendees will enjoy a completely different lineup of films.

SDUFEX is reaching out to underwater filmmakers to submit their films for consideration starting March 1, 2023 and submissions will be open through June 15, 2023. All films must have at least 50% of the footage shot underwater and each entry must be uploaded through FilmFreeway.

Films may be submitted in either the 5 Minute Maximum or 10 Minute Maximum categories but each filmmaker is only allowed to submit 2 films in total.

The audiences’ choice each night and judges’ top pick will be awarded prizes of $250 each! The festival will also be a hybrid event with films available on-line, so there are plenty of opportunities to see your film screened.

The first San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition was organized in 2000 by a small group who had been meeting at Chuck Nicklin’s dive shop to share information on shooting and editing underwater video. In the past twenty four years, it has grown into one of the most prestigious underwater film festivals worldwide. Help us make the 24th festival the best ever by submitting your underwater film.

For the full set of Rules and Submission Criteria please check here.