Hispanic International Film Festival

Hispanic International Film Festival

HIFF's Late Deadline Closes September 30 — 20% Off with HIFF26

Submit your film, screenplay, novel or stage play to the 8th edition of HIFF.

20% Submission Discount

Use the code HIFF26 at checkout on FilmFreeway and receive 20% off.

The promotional code is valid through the Late Deadline on September 30, 2026.

HIFF Is a Writer's Festival as Much as a Filmmaker's — In Two Languages

Now in its 8th year, the Hispanic International Film Festival (HIFF) celebrates Hispanic culture, themes and creative talent. The festival is also one of the few festivals on FilmFreeway with a dedicated Spanish-language track.

Screenplays, novels, stage plays and films are welcome in English or Spanish. Paid professional judges score every entry against an internal standard.

Recent Filmmaker Feedback

"My gratitude to Festival Director Carlos Etzio Roman and the entire HIFF team for honoring my unproduced, full-length screenplay, 'The Fourth Psalm,' with your Silver Award. Very much appreciated."

John Martins III — July 2026

Writers — More Reasons to Submit Here

HIFF is one of a small number of festivals accepting written work in both Spanish and English.

• Feature-length and short screenplays in English
• Spanish-language track: Screenplays, novels and stage plays
• Teleplays and Webisode Pilots
• Novel manuscripts in any genre

Eligibility: Written work must be created by a Hispanic author or feature Hispanic themes or characters. Spanish-language entries should be submitted through the Spanish-only track.

Writer Prize Structure

Rhodium Prize

The Rhodium Screenplay or Novel Winner receives a personal introduction to Polaris Pictures, a film finance company that does not accept unsolicited material from anyone else.

The winner also receives complimentary Professional Coverage, a proprietary AI-plus-human coverage report scored across ten craft and market elements.

The coverage service has a stated value of $175.

Platinum Prize

The Platinum Screenplay or Novel Winner receives a complimentary Judge's Report featuring a six-category panel evaluation.

The report has a stated value of $50.

Rhodium, Platinum and Gold writers are featured on the WRPN.tv Screenwriters Wall of Fame.

Note: Spanish-language screenplays are not eligible for the Polaris Pictures introduction.

Films — Eligibility Is Simple

A film qualifies if at least one of the following applies:

• It is produced or directed by someone of Hispanic origin.
• It features a Hispanic lead or supporting actor.
• It explores Hispanic issues, culture or themes.

All genres are welcome, including documentary, docudrama, narrative, animation, comedy, drama, art-house, horror, science fiction and student films.

Distribution Opportunities

Best of Festival and Best of Show winners receive guaranteed distributor review by Adler & Associates, Cardinal XD Distribution, CCS Releasing and Worldwide Motion Pictures Corporation.

Winners in the top four tiers can also opt in to stream on the WRPN.tv Entertainment Network in more than 80 countries.

If Your Submission Is Not Accepted

HIFF states that unsuccessful submissions receive a written letter explaining what could be strengthened. Entrants can address the identified issues and resubmit for free, either during the current season or the next.

Important Deadline

September 30, 2026

Late Deadline

Notifications are scheduled to go out on February 20, 2027.

Use code HIFF26 for 20% off.

View HIFF Listing Submit Now

Hispanic International Film Festival — 8th Year