Festival dossier

Black Hills Film Festival

Hill City, United States · Est. 2009 · High structural score (80–100) for legitimacy and industry clout — not limited to Oscar-qualifying festivals

Tier ATrusted
Hill City, United States
94
Legitimacy Score

Should I submit?

Strong legitimacy signals

Tier A score for legitimacy and industry clout. Still confirm deadlines, fees, and categories on the festival site before paying.

  • 17 years of verifiable history
  • Physical screenings at 280 Main St. #15, Hill City SD 57745
  • 2 verified pro signals

Overview

Annual film festival in Hill City and Rapid City, South Dakota, showcasing high-quality independent films from around the world, including South Dakota-produced films, with workshops and parties.

Last updated Aug 27, 2026

Legitimacy Analysis

Positive Indicators (+44 pts)

  • 17 years of verifiable history
  • Physical screenings at 280 Main St. #15, Hill City SD 57745
  • 2 verified pro signals
  • Verified trusted status
  • Legitimacy signals outweigh concerns (4 vs 0)

Red Flags (-0 pts)

No red flags found

Trust Signals

Positive Signals

  • FilmFreeway Gold festival
  • Documented history with archived programs

Festival Details

Founded

2009

Venue

280 Main St. #15, Hill City SD 57745

Screenings

Physical screenings confirmed

Award Categories

1

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At a glance

Legitimacy Score94/100
TierTier A
Reviews0
Community Reports0

How scoring works

Scores are calculated from structural indicators: accreditations, physical screenings, award category count, submission frequency, and acceptance rate. Higher scores reflect more verifiable legitimacy signals.

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