🚨 Only 20 Early Bird Mixer Spots Per Day — Secure Yours Before They’re Gone!
(Mixers capped at 75 total, with the majority reserved for filmmakers and general ticket sales.)

Be Part of the Story — Support Emerging Filmmakers and Get Your Early Bird Passes!

All early bird ticket buyers and donors are Producers Club members.
You will be credited on our festival website and in a scrolling credit reel throughout the event.

The Hidden City Film Festival is a short film festival transforming Escondido into a gateway for storytellers, students, and industry professionals. Our festival is intentionally designed to connect amateurs, students, and up-and-coming artists with professional filmmakers through dynamic Q&As, mixers, and collaborative networking opportunities.

Each day begins with blocks of short films, showcasing the work of emerging filmmakers, and each evening is anchored by a feature film with a live Q&A with the filmmaker, giving audiences the rare opportunity to engage directly with creators.

This festival positions North County artists to be a continued and visible part of the regional and national film conversation — shining a spotlight on voices that have too often remained hidden. It creates a stage where Escondido’s creative community can connect with audiences, build industry relationships, and claim their place in the larger cultural dialogue.

From September 26th to 28th, 2025, we will showcase powerful films from our partners — Media Arts Center San Diego (San Diego Latino Film Festival), Pacific Arts Movement (San Diego Asian Film Festival), and John Paul the Great Catholic University — bringing together a vibrant mix of amateur creators, students, up and coming artists, and seasoned professionals.

Your donation secures your early bird festival pass (at discounted pricing) and directly funds:

🎓 Free school screenings to introduce students to the art of film
🤝 Networking opportunities between emerging creators and industry veterans
🧠 B.R.I.D.G.E Lab’s mental health storyboard workshop, using film as a tool for self-expression

Early-Bird Ticket Options (August 5–20 only!)

🎞 Shorts-Only Passes

Friday Shorts Pass – $20 (Save $5)
Saturday Shorts Pass – $20 (Save $5)
Sunday Shorts Pass – $15 (Save $5)

🎥 Feature Spotlight Passes (Film + Q&A)

Friday Spotlight: Media Arts Center – $20 (Save $5)
Saturday Spotlight: Pacific Arts Movement – $20 (Save $5)
Sunday Spotlight: JPCU – $20 (Save $5)

📅 1-Day Full Passes (All Shorts + Feature + Q&A)

Friday 1-Day Pass – $75
Friday 1-Day Pass + Mixer – $90 (Limited Mixer Access)
Saturday 1-Day Pass – $75
Saturday 1-Day Pass + Mixer – $90 (Limited Mixer Access)

🎟 3-Day Full Passes (All Shorts + Features + Q&A)

3-Day Festival Pass – $100
3-Day Festival Pass + Mixers – $130 (Includes Fri & Sat Mixers)

Producers Club Levels

🥈 $250 – Producers Club Supporter (Silver Level Donor)

Name on festival credits & website
CCAEF Silver Donor Perks: Early presale access to all Center-presented shows + invitations to select donor events

🥇 $500 – Producers Club Advocate (Gold Level Donor)

All Silver perks +
Exclusive recognition at festival mixers
CCAEF Gold Donor Perks: All Silver-level benefits + additional recognition in select CCAEF programs and materials

💎 $1,000 – Executive Producer Circle (Diamond Level Donor)

All Gold perks +
2 Full Festival Passes with Mixers
Premium festival recognition
CCAEF Diamond Donor Perks: All Gold-level benefits + year-round premium recognition at CCAEF

Reminder: All ticket buyers and donors — at any level — are Producers Club members and will be recognized as such!

LIMITED MIXER SPOTS — ACT FAST!

Our festival mixers are an exclusive networking experience for filmmakers, donors, and industry guests — but space is capped at just 75 attendees per mixer.

Only 20 mixer add-ons per day (Friday & Saturday) are available during this early-bird campaign. Once these are gone, no additional mixer passes will be released until general ticketing opens — and they’re expected to sell out quickly.

Secure your mixer add-on now — these spots will not last!

All Producers Club Members Receive

Name on the festival website
Recognition in scrolling festival credits
California Center for the Arts donor perks (presale access & invitations to special events)

Will I Get a Tax Receipt?

Yes — but here’s how it works:

Your donation secures your early-bird pass and supports the festival.
If your donation exceeds the fair market value of the ticket, the difference is tax-deductible.
If your donation equals the ticket value, no portion will be tax-deductible.

We’ll provide a receipt and clearly state if any portion is deductible.

Secure your early-bird pass. Join the Producers Club. Support local artists. Inspire the next generation.

Donate now — early-bird passes and mixer spots are only available through August 20!

Hidden City Film Festival: Early Bird Access + Producers Club

By California Center for the Arts Escondido Foundation

Hidden City Film Festival: Early Bird Access + Producers Club

Uncovering Hidden Stories