Black Hills Film Festival logo
Opens Oct 26

Black Hills Film Festival

222 NEW YORK ST, RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA 57701, UNITED STATES
OCT 2-4, 2026
17 YEARS RUNNING

Deadlines

OCT 26, 2026Opens
JAN 1, 2027Early Bird
MAR 1, 2027Regular
MAY 7, 2027Late
MAY 31, 2027Extra Late

About festival

Completion date requirement: 2023

Black Hills Film Festival

Black Hills Film Festival is a true celebration of Independent Cinema and the mavericks who do what it takes to get their vision to the screen. The festival spot lights the Black Hills Community of Rapid City, SD to promote world-class films and powerful workshops.

The mission of the BHFF is to build awareness of independent films and film as an art form; provide educational opportunities for students and South Dakota filmmakers; and create opportunities for South Dakota communities to experience high-quality films. The goals of the BHFF are to provide opportunities for people of all backgrounds to interact with film artists from all over the world who present unique viewpoints and cultural traditions in a myriad of artistic styles. It provides lifelong learning opportunities and enriches the quality of life in the community. While BHFF is an event that is organized around “watching movies” we seize a multi-layered opportunity to grow the area’s art brand, provide arts access, education & entertainment for South Dakotans. Films by South Dakotan and Native American filmmakers are highlighted. Historical documentaries are also regularly included. During the annual festival, local film industry professionals and Hollywood notables answer audience questions and participate in panel discussions created around selected films.  Audience surveys taken after each Festival give the BHFF very high marks on the quality of films, support for area filmmakers and presentation of thought provoking, relevant material. Filmmakers are introduced to the Black Hills area, share their films and participate in professional development. Film industry presenters get a quality experience that generates positive feelings about our community, sharing it with industry peers. Many return to film here, attend the Festival and visit the area with family & friends.

Festival Amenities

Filmmaker LoungeSwag BagsCateringFilmmaker EventsIndustry PanelsPress EventsQ&A SessionsAll Access BadgesComplimentary TicketsSocial Media SpotlightFestival Catalog

Accepted Content

Genres:
ActionAdventureAnimationBiographyComedyCrime
DocumentaryDramaFamilyFantasyHistoryHorrorMysteryRomanceScience FictionThrillerWarWesternMusical
Sub-Genres:
Children'sComing of AgeEnvironmentalFantasy-ComedyFantasy-DramaFeminist
Horror ComedyHuman RightsLGBTQ+Martial ArtsMockumentaryPeriod PiecePsychological ThrillerRomantic ComedySilentSocial ImpactSocial IssuesSportsSuspenseAlternative ComedyBio PicBlack Comedy
Film Types:
NarrativeDocumentaryNon-FictionAnimationExperimental
Categories:
DocumentaryFeature FilmMicroMicrobudgetMicroshortShort Film
Festival Focus:
DocumentaryRegionalAdventureConservationInternationalIndigenous Stories
Stories of ResilienceRegional StoriesStudentYouthEmerging FilmmakersFamilyDisabilityReligiousArthouseBIPOCFirst-Time FilmmakerActivismSocial Change

Submission Categories

Feature Narrative

Any narrative work of fiction with a running time of 40 minutes or more but prefer less than 100 minutes total. We prefer films that are thought provoking and uplifting, showcasing new authentic voices & fresh perspectives in independent cinema, however films on all subjects in any genre are welcome.

Fee: $35Deadline: January 1, 2027
Type: Film

Short Narrative

Any narrative work of fiction with a running time of less than 40 minutes. We prefer films that are thought provoking and uplifting, showcasing new authentic voices & fresh perspectives in independent cinema, however films on all subjects in any genre are welcome. Short Films should be a complete story in itself and not a trailer for a film yet to be made.

Fee: $20Deadline: January 1, 2027
Type: Film

Feature Documentary

Any non-fiction film with a running time of 40 minutes or more but prefer less than 100 minutes total. Shorter docs have a better chance of getting programmed into the Festival. We prefer films that are thought provoking and uplifting, showcasing new authentic voices & fresh perspectives in independent cinema, however films on all subjects in any genre are welcome.

Fee: $35Deadline: January 1, 2027
Type: Film

Short Documentary

Any non-fiction film with a running time of less than 40 minutes, not including entirely scripted or improvised fictionalizations of actual events. We prefer films that are thought provoking and uplifting, showcasing new authentic voices & fresh perspectives in independent cinema, however films on all subjects in any genre are welcome.

Fee: $20Deadline: January 1, 2027
Type: Film

Student Film

Films on all subjects in any genre are welcome. STUDENTS SHOULD SUBMIT ALL FILM TYPES AND LENGTHS TO THIS CATEGORY for Award consideration (feature film, short film, feature documentary & short documentary) Films should be a complete story in itself and not a trailer for a film yet to be made.

Fee: $15Deadline: January 1, 2027
Type: Film

Festival Team

EH

Egija Hartmane-Salem

BHFF Programming Director

Contact

blackhillsfilmfestival.orgblackhillsfilmfest@gmail.comBlackHillsFilmFestProgramming@gmail.com

Festival Rules

Completion date requirement: 2023

Screening Eligibility:

1. Films that have been screened in South Dakota within a 100 mile radius of the Black Hills Film Festival to a paying public audience are not eligible for competition for prizes at the Black Hills Film Festival. Films can not have played on YouTube for free, unrestricted to the public.

Film Final Version & Technical Format:

2. Only one title per entry. All films must be the completed final version for consideration. NO ROUGH CUTS. All films submitted must be available for exhibition in digital format for download with these specs: H.264 mp4 file with stereo audio, no larger than 1920 x 1080. International or Non-English speaking films must be subtitled or dubbed in English. Any physical copies of entries will become the property of the Black Hills Film Festival and WILL NOT BE RETURNED.

Film Notification & Accepted Film Requirements:

3. Notification: Films will be selected for screening and entrants will be notified on or about June 30. The schedule of screening days & times will be posted on the website by late July. Clearances: If selected for screening, all commercial/private property including trademark and/or copyrighted materials shown and recorded in the project must come with authorized permission for screening. The filmmaker remains entirely liable for any claims that may occur in result of screening the film. Promotional Usage: Participants agree that all materials related to their film may be published in the Festival Program, on the Web Page, in all other promotional materials in all media. Posters, images from the film, and film clips or trailers may be used independently to promote the Black Hills Film Festival. UPON ACCEPTED NOTIFICATION, BHFF requires press kits for each film, sent to the Festival electronically complete with: a. One (1) to three (3) color photos (not production stills) representing the film to be used for advertising and in the Festival program , provided as digital images in the .jpeg, .tif, or .gif format. A horizontal image is best for the program. b. Exhibition copies of the selected film as defined in your notification for screening with the correct technical specifications. c. Film trailer or clip in a digital file or with a downloadable link. Film trailers or at least video clips for shorts are required for promoting your film to the audience. Each film will have a short video clip or trailer on the BHFF website. d. Your preferred social media links and public email. The Festival uses social media to publicize the event and the film screenings. The Festival will send links for the BHFF social media, so filmmakers may cross-promote. ALL ITEMS MUST BE RECEIVED by the due dates listed in your notification. Final presentation copies must be received by the BHFF by the date requested in acceptance email or it will not be screened and no refunds given.

Awards and Withdrawls:

4. BHFF reserves the right to decline awarding a prize in any category or add additional awards as it sees fit. Films may not be withdrawn after acceptance into the Festival without legitimate justification to BHFF or violation of rules. No refunds are given.

Filmmaker Agreement:

5. The entrant acknowledges and agrees that all matters not covered by these regulations, and questions arising from them, will be decided by Festival organizers or programmers at their discretion.