<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2015-11-12</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001001902</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INTEVAC INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>IVAC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001346543</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Northern Right Capital Management, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10 CORBIN DRIVE, 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DARIEN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06820</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Member of a 13D 10% group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001458693</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Drapkin Matthew A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O NORTHERN RIGHT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>L.P. 10 CORBIN DRIVE, 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DARIEN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06820</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Member of a 13D 10% group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001451722</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Northern Right Capital (QP), L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10 CORBIN DRIVE, 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DARIEN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06820</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Member of a 13D 10% group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001657252</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Becker Drapkin Partners SLV, Ltd.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10 CORBIN DRIVE, 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DARIEN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06820</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Member of a 13D 10% group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001349003</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BC Advisors LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10 CORBIN DRIVE, 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DARIEN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06820</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Member of a 13D 10% group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001349005</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Becker Steven R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O NORTHERN RIGHT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>L.P. 500 CRESCENT COURT, SUITE 230</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75201</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Member of a 13D 10% group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2015-11-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1128605</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.98</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2015-11-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>354566</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.98</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>779801</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.62</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2016-06-04</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2022-06-04</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents Common Stock of the Issuer directly held by Becker Drapkin Partners SLV, Ltd. (&quot;BD SLV&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents Common Stock of the Issuer directly held by a managed account on behalf of an investment advisory client (the &quot;Managed Account&quot;) of Northern Right Capital Management, L.P. (&quot;NRC Management&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents Common Stock of the Issuer directly held by Northern Right Capital (QP), L.P. (&quot;NRC QP&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Represents shares sold to the Issuer pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement by and among BD SLV, NRC Management and the Issuer, dated as of November 12, 2015.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Mr. Becker and Mr. Drapkin may be deemed to beneficially own such Common Stock as each is a member of BC Advisors, LLC, which is the general partner of NRC Management (of which each of Mr. Becker and Mr. Drapkin is a limited partner), and NRC Management is the general partner of, and investment manager for, NRC QP, and the investment manager of each of BD SLV and the Managed Account. Each of Mr. Becker and Mr. Drapkin disclaim beneficial ownership in such Common Stock except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">In connection with Mr. Drapkin's reelection to the Board of Directors of the Issuer, the Issuer granted these options to Mr. Drapkin. This option grant will vest in full on June 4, 2016.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>This filing constitutes an &quot;exit filing&quot; for the Reporting Owners other than Mr. Drapkin, as they are no longer members of a 13D 10% group.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>NORTHERN RIGHT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P., By: BC Advisors, LLC, its general partner, By: /s/ Matthew A. Drapkin., Name: Matthew A. Drapkin, Title: Authorized Signatory, By: /s/ Steven R. Becker, Name: Steve R. Becker, Title: Authorized Signatory</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-11-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>NORTHERN RIGHT CAPITAL (QP), L.P., By: Northern Right Capital Management, L.P., its general partner, By: BC Advisors, LLC, its general partner, By: /s/ Matthew A. Drapkin., Name: Matthew A. Drapkin, Title: Authorized Signatory</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-11-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>BECKER DRAPKIN PARTNERS SLV, LTD., By: Northern Right Capital Management, L.P., its investment manager, By: BC Advisors, LLC, its general partner, By: /s/ Matthew A. Drapkin., Name: Matthew A. Drapkin, Title: Authorized Signatory, By: /s/ Steven R. Becker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-11-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>BC ADVISORS, LLC, By: /s/ Matthew A. Drapkin., Name: Matthew A. Drapkin, Title: Authorized Signatory, By: /s/ Steven R. Becker, Name: Steve R. Becker, Title: Authorized Signatory</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-11-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>MATTHEW A. DRAPKIN, /s/ Matthew A. Drapkin.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-11-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>STEVEN R. BECKER, /s/ Steven R. Becker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-11-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
