January
​14-19, 2026

Known for being one of the most engaging film festivals in the Tampa Bay Area, each year we strive to show our growth and create even bigger opportunities for filmmakers and film lovers from all over the Tampa Bay Area and beyond. We are truly grateful for this recognition and honored to serve our community in this capacity.  We sincerely take pride in knowing that the work and the effort we put to Shining a light on this art form in our community and the amazingly talented people doing it, is making an impact and helping to change lives.  Thank you visiting our page! Hover the HOME tab to see more. 

       BIGGER.BETTER.BOLDER. BRIGHTER! !!
​The Sunshine City Film Festival... Where independent Filmmakers Come to Shine! 
****We are currently updating the site as we prep for next years festival.
Soon to be available... More info on SCFF2026.
But don't let that stop you from checking things out as we update
for what's to come in 2026.
​Hover over the Home tab
to see our  Drop Down Menu items 
​
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celebrating 10 YEARS of
Worldwide Diversity and Inclusion
​thru the Lens of Independence

The Sunshine City Film Festival
January 14 - 19, 2026
ST. PETERSBURG, FL

SCFF 2026 is... 
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS with
6 days of Impactful Events, New Movies, New Filmmakers, Bigger Workshops, Celebrity Guests, Networking Parties, Live Music, New Artist, More Industry Professional Mixers, Cash Prize Giveaways and so much more... This coming year SCFF 2026 is definitely going to be one festival in paradise you Do Not Want To Miss!!

6 Magical Days to explore film in Sun
BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER. BRIGHTER- SCFF2026!

SCFF is one of the premier film festivals that highlights some of the best independent filmmakers in the local Tampa Bay area and other parts of the country. Each January this festival looks to celebrate diversity and present the amazing works of up and coming filmmakers from all over the Bay Area and Beyond.

The city of St. Petersburg is an oasis of it's own with beautiful year round warm weather, pristine waterfronts that canvas it's downtown scenery, real beaches that look just like the pictures, Restaurants and shops that makes it the perfect backdrop to enhance the festival experience.

Attendees will be enthralled with what this festival has to offer, from it's Pre- Launch Kick Off Party, To our Nightly Social Industry Networking Mixers at some of the premier downtown hot spots, To our D.I.Y.
(Do it Yourself) Workshops and Panel Discussions that are designed to help enhance the creative works of local filmmakers both near and far- conducted by top industry professionals in the Bay Area- just to name of few things happening over the course of this magical experience.

Films submitted are screened by our panel of expert judges and carefully selected to be presented on the big screen.

​Click the respective tabs for more specific event information on this exciting festival that celebrates the dreamers, visionaries, and creative storytellers from around the bay and beyond.
​
SCFF Categories for Prizes:
Best Documentary
​Best Student
Best Indie Short
​Best International
Best Feature
Best Web Series
Best Female Actor
Best Male Actor
Best Director
BEST MUSIC VIDEO 
Audience Choice

The SCFF Committee embraces whole heartily the art of filmmaking and looks forward to congratulating this years winners in all categories.
THE SUNSHINE CITY FILM FESTIVAL...
Where independent filmmakers come to Shine!
TIME TO SHINE!!
Sunshine City Film Festival proudly accepts entries on FilmFreeway, the world's #1 way to enter film festivals and creative contests.

SCFF...
It's not about competition.
It's about building community.
It's about creating a diverse culture of opportunity in the city of opportunity.
It's about exposing dreams for the reality that they are and helping those who dare to believe see them come true.
The Sunshine City Film Festival...
Where independent filmmakers come
to Shine!
#Daring2LivetheArt
#CityofOpportunity
#GODSPLAYGROUND
#StPetersburgFL
​#SCFF
​#DreamsonDisplay

Meet some of the most influential people in the city of opportunity at SCFF.