Film Festivals
Cucalorus Film Festival
Cucalorus, named one of the “Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals” by Moviemaker Magazine, is celebrating its 15th anniversary as an international film festival located in the historic, port city of Wilmington, NC. The festival is non-competitive to create a laid-back atmosphere and to foster open dialogue where filmmakers and audience feel free to share stories and socialize. Cucalorus provides a forum where film becomes a player in the social and political arena and offers a new voice for the South. $30-50 to enter
http://www.cucalorus.org/
The Really Independent Film Channel
DFD-TV, the world’s first web-based entertainment company, launches The Really Independent Film Channel. the newest venue for current indie films and emerging filmmakers. RIFC seeks strong content in shorts, features, documentaries, animation, experimental, and more, as it builds its archives of diverse and current indie film work. DFD-TV there is no cost to filmmakers or audience; it is nonexclusive and seeks no rights. We build a unique page on the site for each filmmaker, where they can direct audience, prospective partners, distributors or financiers, and the filmmaker is able to have links to their own website, as well as get feedback from the audience in the site’s interactive web ability. The channel’s goal is to support emerging artists and build an audience interested in independent film. There will be a standard non exclusive agreement, which can be canceled when you need. visit our website at http://www.reallyifc.com/home.jsp
http://www.reallyifc.com/home.jsp
Santa Barbara Minute Film Festival
The Santa Barbara Minute Film Festival’s goal is to provide a showcase for a wide spectrum of filmmakers to exhibit very short form video and film works. Both experienced and novice directors, writers, animators, artists, designers and producers are encouraged to submit 60-second films and videos for inclusion in the festival. All genres of film will be considered–documentary, animation, experimental. student work, nature, sports, trailers and so on. The only guideline is the length: One minute. $20-30 to enter.
http://www.santabarbaraminute.storbang.com/
Fearless Film Festival
The MAIN ST. Arts Festival of Fort. Worth is proud to announce Fearless Film Festival as a part of the OFF MAIN! series of its Festival. Short films up to 20 minutes long in the following categories will be considered: Documentary, Narrative, Experimental, Animation, Foreign, Dance, Music Video, and Trailer.
$15-20 to enter.
http://www.mainstreetartsfest.org/Off-MAIN/Fearless-Film-Festival.aspx
Noise Pop Film Festival
The Noise Pop Film Festival began in 2000 to expand the week-long Noise Pop Music Festival which began in 1993 in San Francisco. The Film Festival accepts any kind of film or video narrative feature, documentary, short, animation, experimental or music video, that explores a connection to music, either in its subject matter, the talent behind or in front of the camera, or with an exceptionally prominent soundtrack. $15-25 to enter.
http://www.noisepop.com
Hiroshima International Animation Festival
Our festival has been held under the spirit of LOVE & PEACE, long since its establishment in 1985. It is our pleasure to serve as a place of true international cultural exchange through the development of animation art, and also, it is our sincere happiness to serve as a stepping stone for your successful future.
http://hiroanim.org/
Women’s Film Institute Shorts Tour
Women’s Film Institute Shorts Tour accepts short films/video 30 minutes or under in length and all genres: experimental, narrative, documentary, and animation. Films/videos must be directed or co–directed by women. Tour locations include: San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. $25-50 to enter.
http://www.sfwff.com/_pages/about_us.html
San Francisco Women’s Film Festival
San Francisco Women’s Film Festival accepts films/video of all lengths and genres: experimental, narrative, documentary, and animation. Films/videos must be directed or co–directed by women.
http://www.sfwff.com/
MadCat Women’s International Film Festival
MadCat Women’s International Film Festival exhibit provocative and visionary works that are original in their use of the medium. MadCat is committed to showcasing women directors who challenge the use of sound and image and explore notions of visual story telling. $15-40 to enter.
www.madcatfilmfestival.org
The Webby Film and Video Awards
Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by the NY Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile web sites.
http://www.webbyawards.com/
NewFilmmakers Spring Series
NewFilmmakers screens year-round in New York, 51 weeks a year. Programed quarterly a few months in advance in order to give filmmakers a chance to promote their work. $20 Student, $25 Short, $30 Feature to enter.
www.newfilmmakers.com/submit/submitNY.html
ASPEN Shorts Fest
Considered one of North America’s premier short film and video festivals, Aspen Shortsfest celebrates that most innovative and vibrant voice on the cinematic landscape – the short. $40-50 to enter.
http://www.aspenfilm.org/
Ann Arbor Film Festival
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is internationally recognized as a premiere showcase for creative, inspiring, and influential films of all types: avant-garde and experimental, story-based narratives, documentaries, and animation. As the original North American independent film festival, the AAFF is steeped in a rich tradition of ground-breaking cinema. Thousands of influential filmmakers have showcased early work at the AAFF, including luminaries such as Kenneth Anger, Agnes Varda, Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono, Gus Van Sant, Barbara Hammer, Lawrence Kasdan, and George Lucas. $18,00 in case prizes to over 30 films in a number of different categories. $35 to enter.
http://www.aafilmfest.org/
San Francisco International Film Festival
Founded in 1957, the San Francisco International Film Festival is the longest-running film festival in the Americas. Held each spring for two weeks, the International is an extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery and innovation in the country’s most beautiful city, featuring some 150 films and live events with more than 100 filmmakers in attendance and nearly two dozen awards presented for cinematic excellence. The Festival attracts an annual audience of more than 80,000. $40 – $180 varies for deadline and length to enter.
http://www.sffs.org
Cinema Touching Disability
The vision behind CTD’s short Film Competition is to empower emerging filmmakers by providing them an opportunity to create and express a multitude of images portraying people with disabilities in their most creative way. Competing filmmakers highlight the role of disability through documentaries, comedies, dramatic genres, music videos, claymation and animation. It is our hope that these films will illustrate how people with disabilities lead both ordinary and extraordinary lives, filled with equal hopes and dreams. The competition is for short films (5-20 minutes) about, starring or made by a person with a disability. Cash Prizes! Free to enter!
http://www.ctdfilmfest.org/competition.html
Slamdance Film Festival
The Slamdance Film Festival is dedicated to new filmmakers. SFF accept films in every genre, on any topic from every country around the world.
slamdance.com/festival/submissions.html
Atlanta Film Festival
AFF has been a showcase for some of the most interesting, challenging and engaging work in film. $45 Features, $40 Shorts to enter
atlantafilmfestival.com
CineMart: International Film Festival Rotterdam
International Film Festival Rotterdam celebrates independent, innovative and experimental cinema and visual arts. CineMart gets a select number of directors/producers to present their film projects to co-producers, bankers, funds, sales agents, distributors, TV stations and other potential financiers.
www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com
Anchorage International Film Festival
Anchorage International Film Festival establishes a diverse, provocative, compelling, and entertaining showcase of excellent international feature length, documentary, short, supershort, and animation films that will engage our imaginations and enhance our lives culturally and artistically through the art of independent film. $15-40 to enter.
www.anchoragefilmfestival.org
Lone Star International Film Festival
The Lone Star International Film Festival (LSIFF), Fort Worth in Sundance Square is a presentation of the Lone Star Film Society. In addition to showcasing the best in American independent cinema, LSIFF is committed to being truly international as well as establishing itself as an authority on emerging talent. Categories include narrative feature length, documentary feature length, short form, and animation.
National Film Festival for Talented Youth
NFFTY showcases work by filmmakers age 22 and under from across the U.S. and the world. It is the largest multi-day youth film festival in the United States, featuring 100+ films, filmmaking panels and workshops, and opportunities for young filmmakers to network with industry professionals and each other. NFFTY is increasingly being recognized by industry and film fans alike as an inspiring and energetic event. Accepting feature and short narrative, animation, documentary, music video, and experimental films. Submission Fee $20 – $35
www.nffty.org
Austin Asian American Film Festival
he AAAFF’s mission is to provide a channel for International Asian/Asian-American artists to promote their work, and to support and bring awareness to the community. AAAFF is an Asian/Asian-American film festival committed to celebrating the best in independent Asian cinema from across the globe. For years, our festival has highlighted the complexity and vitality of Asian/Asian-American communities through cutting-edge narrative, documentary and experimental films. We aim at bringing awareness to important global issues like saving the environment and supporting other causes through the strong impact of media.
http://www.aaaff.org/
Annapolis Film Festival
Annapolis Film Festival is an international festival catering to all genres, bringing independent films to the scenic backyard of DC. $20-50 to enter.
www.annapolisfilmfestival.com
Woodstock Film Festival
Each year film and music lovers from around the world gather at the Woodstock Film Festival for an innovative variety of films, first-class concerts, workshops, celebrity-led panels, an awards ceremony, and fantastic parties. At the Woodstock Film Festival, participants and visitors find themselves in a friendly, casual environment, one that is conducive to creativity, networking and a good time, surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. $10-50 depending on entry deadline.
www.woodstockfilmfestival.com
STARZ Denver Film Festival
The Starz Denver Film Festival, an invitational exposition of film, presents approximately 175 films over ten days and plays host to more than 125 film artists. New international feature releases, independently produced fiction films and documentaries, animation, experimental works, children’s programs and short subjects are included in the festival. $20-40 to enter.
www.denverfilm.org
Angeleus Student Film Festival
Angeleus Student Film Festival showcases student films of uncommon artistic caliber that explores that complexity of the human condition with creativity , compassion and respect. $25 to enter!
www.angelus.org
Josiah Youth Media Festival
Josiah Miles Neundorf passed away as a result of Osteosarcoma, a cancer of the bone. In honor of this artist, who only wanted to share his wonderment with the world around us, his parents, Marcus and Nancy Neundorf with the URBAN-15 Group have created the Josiah Youth Media Festival, an annual event designed to showcase outstanding works by young film, video and media artists.
www.urban15.org/film/index.html
San Antonio Film Festival
Once named the Golden Showers Film Festival with the spirit of “pissing” on Hollywood and formerly The San Antonio Underground Film Festival — is held annually in June at the Instituto Cultural de Mexico en San Antonio & is looking for 100% DIY narrative, animation, doc, or experimental shorts or features. Supporting independent filmmaking, SAFF is a three-day event held every summer in San Antonio, TX. Prizes! $40-60 to enter.
www.safilm.com
U-FRAME International Video Festival
The Telecommunications & Information Policy Institute and the University of Texas Film Institute are sponsoring undergraduate or graduate students in their participation in the U-Frame International Video Festival in Porto, Portugal. U.Frame, International Academic Video Festival, is an initiative of the undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences of the University of Porto (Portugal), aimed at taking advantage of its infrastructures and technical and human resources. At the same time, and in association with the University of Coruna (Spain) and the University of Texas (USA), the Festival intends to build a bridge between different audiovisual and multimedia degrees worldwide, in an effort to stimulate the creativity of university students.
http://www.uframe.org/en/
Telluride Film Festival
What are the prizes? There are none. The real prize is to be accepted from hundreds of entries as one of approximately 15 shorts and 20 features that will be showcased at the Telluride Film Festival. That’s right — once your film is invited to join the festival, by the time the event rolls around, you can stop biting your nails and enjoy the company of some of the best directors in the world.
“This is really the only filmmaker’s festival.”
– Kathleen Kennedy
http://telluridefilmfestival.org/
Austin Film Festival Film Competition
AFF keeps its focus on the craft of screenwriting, making it unique among festivals where the director is always king. The festival attracts the top screenwriters in the industry. AFF likes films with unique stories. $40 to enter.
http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/
Shorttakes Student Film Festival
Shorttakes Student Film Festival celebrates short films by students. Students are welcome to submit films (both live-action or animation) under 10 minutes long. Multiple submissions are allowed, but each requires its own submission fee of $5.
http://cecshorttakes.com/
Hamptons International Film Festival
The festival is committed to exhibiting films that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives, with the hope that these programs will enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment for all. $40-55 to enter.
www.hamptonsfilmfest.org
Toronto Film Festival
TFF vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. $75 to enter!
https://apps.tiffg.ca/Tiff_Submissions/
Fantastic Fest
Fantastic Fest is an eight-day festival in Austin, Texas spotlighting the best in new horror, sci-fi, fantasy and genre film as well as genre retrospectives. $15-30 to enter!
http://www.fantasticfest.com/
American Black Film Festival
American Black Film Festival is a festival that embraces and celebrates independent black films, either with black subject matter or by black filmmakers. $30 to enter!
www.abff.com
EngLits Short Film Festival
Create a short film, video, computer animation, etc. not to exceed 60sec that must promote EngLits. cash prizes!
www.englits.com
Texandance International Film Festival
If your production can hold our attention and has good production values, your creation may be selected to show at the festival. Send your best trailer, short, doc, music video, or feature! $25-65 depending on length.
http://www.Texandance.com
Student Academy Awards
The Student Academy Awards is an annual competition for college and university filmmakers. Winners – selected by the professional filmmaker members of the Academy – receive trophies and cash prizes. Free to enter!
http://www.oscars.org/awards/saa/index.html
Flicker Film Festival
Flicker Film Festival brings together artists with diverse backgrounds and styles. $20-30 to enter.
http://groups.northwestern.edu/flicker/
SXSW Film Conference & Festival
SXSW is the most prestigious film festival in the south. SXSW considers any and all categories of filmmaking, from Narrative to Documentary, Experimental to Music Video, Short to Feature. $35 for shorts, $45 for features
www.sxsw.com/film
Power Flickers Short Film Showcase
Power Flickers Short Film Showcase presents a collection of comedic, documentary, narrative, and animated short films from Texas filmmakers. Free to enter!
http://www.mobilefilmschool.org/powerflickers
deadCENTER Film Festival
Named one of the top regional festivals in “The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide,” the annual festival will take place at seven locations over five days with more than 8,000 film enthusiasts from around the country expected to attend. A $2,500 cash prize will be given to the winner of the Best Narrative Feature. Fees vary with deadline and length.
http://www.deadcenterfilm.org/
CineVegas Film Festival
The CineVegas Film Festival is a platform for artists and art lovers who are drawn to the edge. [WithoutABox discounts available for festival fee]
$40 Features, $25 Shorts
www.cinevegas.com/cv
Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival
Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival showcasing exceptional educational, inspirational and positive films and videos from around the world. $40 Features, $35 Shorts
www.bciff.com
Accolade Film Festival
The Accolade is an international, non-traditional, virtual venue. Awards go to those filmmakers who produce fresh, standout entertainment, animation and compelling documentaries. The Accolade is a showcase for cinematic gems and unique voices.
www.TheAccolade.net
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