How It Works
San Antonio Cinema Showdown (SACS) presented by ArroTV Launchpad is a monthly short film competition and Annual Awards Fiesta dedicated to inspiring and promoting emerging filmmakers. We do this by being a place talent can be recognized beyond the normal channels.
Our Monthly Film Challenges are showcases in which ten (10) entrants are chosen to participate in a live screening and Cinema Showdown. Here, the live audience will select the top film of the month and be crowned that month’s showdown winner.
Then each month’s top films will be screened again at the Annual Cinema Showdown Awards Fiesta as a part of San Antonio Fiesta in April 2023. Awards include cash and other prizes.


Two Selection Methods
To maximizes opportunities SACS offers filmmakers two choices for being selected.
A Committee of Film Professionals will choose 6 of the 10 films to be screened each month.
Filmmakers may opt in to online audience selection where 4 of the 10 Films will be chosen by audience vote. These films will be presented in Cinema Showdown episode groups of five (5) on the Streaming Service ArroTV Launchpad both in scheduled slots and on demand programming. At the end of this airing, viewers will be given a link to rate the films in each episode. (One Vote per account. Votes cannot exceed number of total views.). Every eligible film that chooses this option will be put in a Cinema Showdown group for audience voting.
Submissions
What We're Looking For
We except submission of Shorts Films (under 11 minutes) of any genre: Narrative, Animated, Documentary, Student, Texas, U.S. and International.
Premier is not necessary.
All films submitted must have been completed after January 1, 2017
Screening and Networking
Award Winning Flix Brewhouse Cinema SATX
We are dedicated to making the most of your Cinema Experience. So Each Month's Showdown includes a Networking Mixer, Screening, and Panels Discussion at Award Winning Flix Brewhouse Cinema in San Antonio, TX.
RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR 2022 SUBMISSIONS
(Please Read Thoroughly)

IMPOPRTANT
The following is an explanation of the Rules and Guidelines governing film submissions to San Antonio Cinema Showdown presented by ArroTV Launchpad. Compliance with these Rules and Guidelines is necessary in order to participate in Monthly Film Challenges and the Annual Awards Fiesta.
Submission of a film implies unconditional acceptance of the Rules & Guidelines, therefore, please carefully read through the Rules prior to submitting your film.
If you have any questions, please contact us.

Submission Guidelines
SACS accepts submissions for short films in the following categories: Shorts Films (under 11 minutes): Narrative, Animated, Documentary, Student, Texas, U.S. and International.
The Entrant/s submitting the film must hold all legal rights for the submission, as well as all necessary clearances for public exhibition.
The Filmmaker/s retain/s all submission and intellectual property rights.
Premiere is not required. Please contact media@arro.io with any questions.
Films may be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway or email media@arro.io containing the completed application, DropBox Link, and Payment info (See Sec.7 for Payment details).
The Filmmaker/s is/are responsible for making sure all submission materials are submitted by the submission deadline indicated. If your film does not arrive or is not uploaded by the deadline for which you have registered, you may be required to enter the following month’s challenge (if applicable) or withdrawn.
The following concerns submission deadlines and submission fees. Note, the deadlines are not the postmark dates, but the dates by which the submission must be in the San Antonio Cinema Showdown office or registered with FilmFreeway. Each submission must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Submission fees are in are U.S. Dollars per submission and is non-refundable. These fees may be paid by check, cashier’s check, money order, or by credit card, Pay Pal or Cash App.
Subtitles must be in English.
Please test your media prior to submission to make sure they run properly and are not damaged. Please keep screener links and passwords up-to-date and notify the SACS office promptly with any changes.
Filmmakers are allowed to submit more than one film for the Festival provided that each film is submitted separately and meets guidelines. Some monthly guidelines may change (example: specific genre challenge/ Animation Shootout/ Student Shootout). Be sure to read category guidelines for each month carefully.
Filmmakers are allowed to re-submit a film that was previously submitted provided all eligibility requirements are met.
A student submitting a film must provide proof that they are currently or where a student at the time the film was Made. Proof may be a photocopy of a current and valid student ID or a letter from his/her school verifying enrollment at the time the film was made. Student status includes any person in Grade K-12 including Homeschool, College/University, or any vocational or private film training program (Example: Austin School of Film).
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES: Neither SACS or ArroTV will screen any film that can be reasonably considered Pornography or involving the exploitation of Children. Nor will we accept any film that clearly calls for the disenfranchisement or harm of any individual or people group. SACS will not return submission fees of materials that violate these guidelines.
San Antonio Cinema Showdown will not return submitted materials or store materials beyond the festival’s final screening.
Entrants may contact the SACS to find out if the Festival received the submission: media@arro.io. Filmmakers submitting through FilmFreeway can check their status through the website.
The Filmmaker is responsible for all inbound shipping costs, domestic or international.
All personal contact information is to remain confidential and not to be shared with any third parties.
SACS reserves the right to use images from films selected in the Festival for marketing purposes.
All decisions regarding award winners are considered final and incontestable.
All films submitted must have been completed after January 1, 2017
Applicants acknowledge that SACS reserves the right to change the nature of screenings and events due to circumstances related to public health and welfare or at the direction of local, state, or federal authorities. In such cases, no submission refunds shall be issued.
Whenever possible, we encourage producers of selected films to attend screenings or make themselves available via remote for panel discussions.

AWARDS AND PRIZES
MONTHLY SACS WINNERS
A spot in the Annual Cinema Showdown Awards Fiesta and one (1) free submission to any future contest.
ANNUAL CINEMA SHOWDOWN AWARDS FIESTA
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Best Short Film- $TBA value
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Best Documentary Short- $TBA value
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Best Animated Short- $TBA value
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Best Student Film-$TBA Scholarship
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Other prizes and Awards TBA
CONTACT US
OFFICE IN ALAMO CITY STUDIOS
1113 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205
956-455-1547
