Frequently Asked Questions

DIFF Postpones 6th Edition to Q1 2024 Due to WGA and SAG Strike

The DIFF Board of Directors has announced that the 6th Edition of the DaVinci International Film Festival will be postponed due to the ongoing industry strike.

“We are disappointed to have to postpone the 6th Edition, but we stand in solidarity with WGA and SAG, and these negotiations are utmost important.” said DIFF CEO Chadwick Pelletier. “This was a difficult decision, but it is the only way to ensure that we can deliver the high-quality event that our fans and sponsors have come to expect. We look forward to returning in Q1 2024 with a star-studded lineup and an even more exciting festival than ever before.” Please follow for updates and thank you for your patience during this transition. Questions?  info@davincifilm.org

DaVinci International Film Festival

STORYLINE℠ is DaVinci International Film Festival’s screenwriting competition series.  Here at DIFF, we believe every great film starts with a great screenplay, and due to the high volume of professional-level material we have received each quarter, we launched a division brand to solely represent our screenwriting competition.  Learn more here.

DaVinci International Film Festival offers a competitive platform for filmmakers in narrative, documentary, animation, ultra-short, music, and screenwriting. A rigorous selection process culminates in an annual live event in Los Angeles, where a select few compete for the coveted Leo Award.

• Storyline Finalists: Lauded for their exceptional scripts, Storyline finalists earn a laurel distinction, an invitation to the live event, and the chance to compete for the coveted Leo Award for Best Screenplay. Unveiling in 2024: The Writers’ Corner! Storyline finalists showcase a scene from their scripts through professional readings on the big screen, followed by a lively Q&A.
• Official Selections: Shining bright amidst the competition, filmmakers whose work receives the Official Selection laurel are invited to showcase their film (live or online) and vie for the Leo Award in narrative, documentary, or animation categories.

FEBRUARY 23-25, 2024

* DIFF Postpones 6th Edition to Q1 2024 Due to WGA and SAG Strike

The DIFF Board of Directors has announced that the 6th Edition of the DaVinci International Film Festival will be postponed due to the ongoing industry strike.

“We are disappointed to have to postpone the 6th Edition, but we stand in solidarity with WGA and SAG, and these negotiations are utmost important.” said DIFF CEO Chadwick Pelletier. “This was a difficult decision, but it is the only way to ensure that we can deliver the high-quality event that our fans and sponsors have come to expect. We look forward to returning in Q1 2024 with a star-studded lineup and an even more exciting festival than ever before.” Please follow for updates and thank you for your patience during this transition.

AMC Theatres, The Grove in Los Angeles

If you are looking for TICKETING, please visit: davincifilmfestival.com/ticketing.

Film submission entry fees vary per category with deadline. You can learn more at filmfreeway.com/DaVinciFilmFestival.  We do not offer waivers or refunds.

Yes we do.  Please visit FilmFreeway for exact pricing.

Unfortunately, refunds aren’t possible for ineligible projects. To avoid this, double-check the guidelines for your chosen section before submitting, thank you.

Only for donations at this time.  If you are interested in submitting to DIFF directly (not on FilmFreeway), please contact us at info@davincifilm.org to learn more.

Unfortunately, we do not accept checks or other forms of payment at this time.  We work with our secured payment gateway partners at both FilmFreeway and Paypal.

There is a reduced submission fee to enter DIFF Jr. Leo Program for our valid student filmmakers.  Please check the platform for student rates.  Valid student ID must be presented for discount.

Yes.

We’re not looking to stake a claim on your premiere status.  DIFF does not have any formal premiere policies for any of our submissions OTHER THAN UNSCRIPTED / REALITY TV CONCEPTS.  That said, your film project can not be older than ONE YEAR (1) since lock picture.

If your unscripted concept has been socialized (shared) with any network executives, associates, or even third uncles removed from these folks at the networks — not to mention directly presented to any network, studio, or production company, then PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT your project.  We are savvy to network mandates and what’s been out there (pitched).  DIFF and its unscripted strategic partners also have reputations to uphold in the industry, and it’s never a good idea to go into a meeting and present a project we endorse that has already been seen.  There are NO REFUNDS if you accidentally forgot that you showed this to a friend of yours who serves coffee at The Shark Tank.  Please contact us if you have any questions.

The Leo is our most prized award at the DaVinci International Film Festival.  It is reserved for our BEST OF FEST in each qualifying category.  It is a prestigious museum-grade bust state of the luminary, Leonardo da Vinci himself.  DIFF 2024 introduces an all-new Leo Award bust statue for our winners! 

Leo winners in each category are selected by an appointed DIFF Selection Committee, Jury, and Board of Directors.

Access fee structure and submission deadlines at FilmFreeway.

Check ’em out!

We accept submission through our festival partner, FilmFreeway, as well as direct submission via our website using our secured payment gateway.  For more information, please visit our submission page.

Your film project must be no more than one (1) year old from ‘picture lock’ at the time of submission to DIFF.  We do not have any restrictions for screenwriting submissions at STORYLINE.

Payment is accepted only in US dollars (U$D) through our secured payment gateway or via our festival partner platforms.  Unfortunately, we do not accept checks or other payment methods at this time.  A photocopy of your valid student ID must be enclosed with payment (if submitting under the STUDENT category).  Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any refunds.

There are no refunds on any submission.

Please visit FilmFreeway for deadlines and notification information.

ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE.  We are just as proud as you are!  Also, please make sure to #davincifilmfestival on your socials.  Thank you and congratulations!

Projects MUST BE nominated by a third party for Spotlight consideration.  Please read review our Spotlight terms & conditions here.

Welcome to STORYLINE.  Learn more about our submission guidelines, rules, and submit!

Screenplay submissions require 1) Screenplay with name on title page ONLY.  Please do NOT have your name on script pages. 2) Payment via our payment gateway partners.  For more information, please visit STORYLINE.

Unfortunately, no. Leo Awards are presented in person at our live event only.

If a winning filmmaker cannot attend the event for whatever reason, we ask that you send someone in your place to accept the award on your behalf.  If a filmmaker is unable to attend because they are overseas and can not travel due to sanction(s), then we are happy to work with a local Consulate representative to have them receive the Leo Award on your behalf.  

Finally, if you can not attend to accept your Leo Award, but would be able to attend the following year, we are happy to hold onto your statue for one year† and present you with it at the following festival. If this is what you would like to do, it is important to contact us to make arrangements.

† One (1) year only.

Hmm.  OK.  Check him out.