Film Festivals
Talking Pictures Festival
The Talking Pictures Festival is produced by Percolator Films, a new non-profit media arts organization founded by independent filmmakers Ines Sommer and Kathy Berger. Percolator Films grew out of our work presenting the free Reeltime film and discussion series at the Evanston Public Library and Northwestern University’s Block Cinema for the past decade. Percolator Films engages audiences with high caliber independent films that are challenging, intriguing, entertaining and prompt the viewer to think outside the box. We collaborate with community organizations and bring independent filmmakers and audience members together to create a space for public dialogue about the films we screen. $15-35 to enter.
http://www.talkingpicturesfestival.org
Sonoma International Film Festival
The Sonoma International Film Society presents events and programs celebrating gourmet food, fine wine, the best in new independent filmmaking, and the remarkable richness of life in Sonoma Valley.
http://sonomafilmfest.org/
Off Centered Film Festival
Once again, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery’s Off Centered Film Festival teamed up with the fantastic folks at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Lake Creek in Austin, Texas to put together our annual film competition. It will again culminate in a two-night fun, funky festivity of film and beer in Austin. Your film can be no longer than 5 Minutes in length. All submissions must contain a theme of “off-centeredness”. This can be interpreted however the director sees fit. All submissions must include a reference to Dogfish Head in the script or have Dogfish Head product placement in the film. Directors submitting films must be at least 21 years old by the submission deadline. CASH PRIZES!
http://offcenteredfilmfest.com/
International CringeFest
For over five years, NY Artists Unlimited has been presenting the International CringeFest®, including Bad Plays Festival® and Bad Musicals Festival®. The ’09 festival at the Producers’ Club was the biggest one yet, attracting local theatre-goers, tourists, Broadway producers, agents, and major media, including The New York Times, New York magazine, TimeOut, 7:00 TV News with Chuck Scarborough, WNBC and WCBS Radio. Liz Smith wrote up the festival three times. Wanted are works that are REALLY GOOD, HIGHLY ENTERTAINING, NICE ‘n NAUGHTY, e.g., politically incorrect, political satire, bad language/ puns, or material otherwise frowned upon by “polite society.” Productions vie for the Golden Pineapple, Silver Tomato, and Bronze Banana. Five to 45 mins., produced/ unproduced plays, musicals, or films. Scripts read aloud two to three times by professional actors before decisions made. If selected, your work receives three to four fully-produced performances, a director, cast, crew, and close supervision. No participation/ production fees.
http://www.nyartists.org/festivals.html
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/
Jewish Film Competition
Seeking the best in Jewish themed short films! Have you already made that masterpiece? Do you have a great idea a film that you want to make? Want your name to join the ranks of Spielberg, Allen & Coen? Enter a short film on a Jewish subject and you could win $CASH$. This nationwide film competition is for young, “amateur status”* filmmakers . All films will be eligible for the the Grand Prize, 2nd place and 3rd place. Winners will be chosen by a panel of veteran filmmakers from Hollywood and New York. Selected films will be shown at Jewlicious Festival and Jewish Film Festivals around the world.
http://jewishfilmcomp.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/2010-jewish-film-competition-now-open-for-submissions/
Aesthetica Short Film Competition
Aesthetica is looking for filmmakers who are driving the genre of short film forward through inspirational and innovative works. Whether you are fresh out of film school or have been making films for years, we want to hear from you. Accepting films in all genres: drama, documentary, music video, satire, comedy and artists’ film. This award offers the winner and runners-up a fantastic prize package, which will bring your films to a wider audience. £15 entry fee.
http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/film_submissions.htm
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/
Reynolda Film Festival
The mission of the Reynolda Film Festival has always been to entertain, inspire, and challenge people of ages. The festival places an equal emphasis on both its worldwide student film competition and its unique opportunities presented through speakers, panels, and special sessions. Past speakers have included directors, producers, artists, documentary filmmakers, animators, production department managers, studio supervisors, and Academy Award nominees.
http://www.reynoldafilmfestival.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
Dallas International Film Festival
The Dallas International Film Festival, hosted by the Dallas Film Society celebrates films and their impact on society and will run for a ten days in April. A non-profit organization, the DALLAS Film Society celebrates and honors filmmakers for their achievements in enhancing the creative community, provides educational programs to students to develop a better understanding of the role of film in today’s world, and promotes the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking. $40-65 to enter.
http://dallasfilm.org/
Canadian Short Screenplay Competition
The competition is open to people all over the world and of any nationality, as long as the screenplay is written in the English language. It’s a wonderful opportunity for aspiring screenplay writers to get their work noticed and produced, as the top prize is a professionally produced live-action short film of the winning screenplay by Year of the Skunk productions, which is then submitted to festivals worldwide! $25 CAD to enter.
http://www.screenplay-competition.com
Duluth’s Short Shorts Film Festival
Independent film makers nationwide are invited to submit their short, short films to Duluth Play Ground’s annual film festival! Cash prizes for the top three winners! • Film must be no longer that 5 minutes in length • Film must not contain any nudity or any content that would give the film an R-rating. • Film MUST have original or royalty free music that you have obtained permission to use. • Film content must be original (no adaptations) $15 to enter.
http://www.duluthplayground.org/
Method Fest Film festival
The Method Fest independent film festival in Calabasas, Calif. The Method Fest is dedicated to showcasing breakout acting performances in story and character-driven independent feature and short films. The Method Fest provides a great opportunity to receive Los Angeles reviews, to have your student films seen by Los Angeles based distribution companies and to honor the actors in their films.
www.methodfest.com
Going Green Film Festival
Going Green Film Festival was created to reward people’s efforts in going green. Cash prizes! $25 – 65 to enter.
http://www.goinggreenfilmfestival.com/
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
New Port Beach Film Festivals
Blending the best of classic and contemporary filmmaking, an exclusive selection of award-winning independent and studio films representing a truly unique mix of culture and genre.
http://www.newportbeachfilmfest.com/
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
Tribeca Film Festival
The Festival’s mission focuses on assisting filmmakers to reach the broadest possible audience, enabling the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promoting New York City as a major filmmaking center. $40-65 to enter.
www.tribecafilm.com/festival
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/
San Diego Latino Film Festival
San Diego Latino Film Festival is seeking innovative works that are ‘by’, ‘about’ or ‘for’ the Latino community. $25 to enter.
http://www.sdlatinofilm.com/
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
Women’s Film Festival in Brattleboro, Vermont
The festival’s aims are to promote choices by showcasing films that depict women’s multi-faceted lives and to give a more human and humane context to world events….to show how those events impact on women’s lives, and how women’s lives impact on the world. $15 to enter.
http://www.womensfilmfestival.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
True/False Film Fest
True/False Film Fest accepts submissions that cross the boundary between fact and fiction. The festival highlights innovative work with a cinematic scope, creative takes on contemporary currents, and most of all work that provokes dialogue about its subject and the documentary form itself. $15-20 to enter.
http://truefalse.org/
A.K.A Shriekfest, The Los Angeles Horror/Science Fiction Film Festival
AKA Shriek Fest is dedicated to discovering new and overlooked artists in the horror and science fiction genre. $25-55 to enter.
www.shriekfest.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
Imperial Beach International Film Festival
Imperial Beach International Film Festival’s mission of advocating for a greater artistic and cultural presence at Imperial Beach will help to establish our city as a great place to visit and invest. $15 to enter.
http://www.ibfilmfestival.com
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.
Hill Country Film Festival
The Hill Country Film Festival takes place in Fredericksburg in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. A town unlike any other in Texas, Fredericksburg is filled with unique shopping and an artistic warmth. HCFF is dedicated to bringing Independent Filmmakers and their films to this charming city, as a celebration of the city’s artistic spirit and it’s people. The wonderful people of Fredericksburg, TX have built a city dependent on attracting and welcoming tourists. Their commitment to showcasing themselves and the city is evident everywhere. $15-55 to enter depending on length and submission deadline.
Mountainfilm in Telluride Film Festival
Mountainfilm is America’s premier festival celebrating achievement in mountain, adventure, culture and environment. We accept and screen films – doc and narrative, feature and short – on a broad range of subjects. We like quirky causes and indomitable spirit. $25-60 to enter depending on length and deadline.
http://www.mountainfilm.org/festival/
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
Duluth’s Film Festival’s Short Short Film Festival
The Play Ground would like to invite independent filmmakers nationwide to participate in our 5th Annual Short Shorts Film Festival. These short shorts, which must be no longer than 5 minutes, will be viewed by a panel of judges, and cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 films.
They must be in DVD format. For complete contest rules and to download an application visit www.duluthplayground.org
Ashland Independent Film Festival
The ashland independent film festival is five days of the highest quality independent film in this historic town the Washington Post called “a dream you’ll never want to leave.” Every Spring, Southern Oregon is buzzing with the excitement of the AIFF. Over 6000 film lovers gather at the historic art-deco Varsity Theatre in downtown to watch over 80 films in five days. Filmmakers of the documentaries, features and shorts come from around the world come to engage with the audience after each screening and at the festival’s Opening Night Bash and Award Celebration parties with local wine, beer and gourmet food. Special guests have included Helen Hunt, Albert Maysles, Bruce Campbell and more. The film festival is one of the reasons Ashland is included in the popular travel guide A Thousand Places to See Before You Die. $30-75 to enter.
http://www.ashlandfilm.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/
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
The Center for Asian America Media presents the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF) every March. The SFIAAFF is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films, annually presenting approximately 120 works in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose. Since 1982, the SFIAAFF has been an important launching point for Asian American independent filmmakers as well as a vital source for new Asian cinema.$20-35 to enter.
www.asianamericanmedia.org
A.K.A Shriekfest, The Los Angeles Horror/Science Fiction Screenplay Competition
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Thrillers narrative shorts and features scripts! $25-55 to submit.
www.shriekfest.com
Manhattan Short Screenplay Competition
The competition is for screenplays for short films. Screenplays much be 20 pages and under. $35 to submit.
www.manhattanshort.com
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
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival is a film festival to support and celebrate women filmmakers and women subject matters. $25 to enter.
http://www.rmwfilmfest.org/
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
West Branch Children’s Film Festival
The West Branch Children’s Film Festival is a festival celebrating the creativity of children. Submissions must be original child friendly movies of any type, made for children under age fourteen. Film makers of all ages are encouraged to submit film entries.
http://www.wbcff.com
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
Big Break Screenwriting Contest
With cash, rewards, mentorship, and industry exposure, Big Break lives up to its name. $50 to enter.
http://www.finaldraft.com/events-and-services/big-break/
Gene Screen: A Night of Film on Health and Genetics
Gene Screen: A Night of Film on Health and Genetics is looking for shorts and features (up to an hour) that focus on some aspect of health and/or genetics. $10 to enter.
http://geneticalliance.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
Flatland Film Festival
Flatland Film Festival cultivates an appreciation for independent film, video and digital moving-image expression. Based in Lubbock, Texas. $20 to enter.
www.flatlandfilmfestival.com
AntiMatter Festival of Underground Short Film and Video
AntiMatter Festival of Underground Short Film and Video is dedicated to the exhibition and nurturing of film and video as art. $10-20 to enter.
Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival
The Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival (aGLIFF) is the oldest and largest gay and lesbian film festival in the Southwest.
www.agliff.org
SPCA of Texas Pet Flix Film Festival
Calling all dogs, cats and dog and cat lovers, the SPCA of Texas is issuing an open call for pet films produced by new or established filmmakers or pet enthusiasts with an eye for cinema. Cash Prizes! $10 to enter.
http://www.petflix.org
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/
American Black Film Festival
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is a four-day retreat and international film market created to spearhead distribution opportunities for independent Black filmmakers.
http://www.abff.com/
Texas Black Film Festival
The mission of the Texas Black Film Festival is to provide film makers from around the world with:
(1) an opportunity to view the vast film industry resources waiting to be utilized here in the state of Texas; (2) an opportunity to display works that express the African-American experience; (3) networking with industry professionals; and (4) opportunities to sharpen those film production and marketing skills through workshops. $30 to enter
http://www.texasblackfilmfestival.com
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/
African Diaspora Film Festival
The ADFF is paving the road in the new millennium by breaking through boundaries that keep our communities from knowing their own stories as well as each others. Moreover, filmmakers, writers, actors, producers, and other Festival artists share valuable moments of insight describing their craft, style, and vision in a series of post-screenings conversations the ADFF features. By marking the methods that underscore the art of cinema, the Festival demystifies the traditionally “elite and exclusive” aura of the filming process. These forums give rise to spontaneous and meaningful interaction between the featured artists and the audience.
http://nyadff.org/
48 Hour Film Project
The 48 Hour Film Project is a wild and sleepless weekend in which you and a team make a movie—write, shoot, edit and score it—in just 48 hours. On Friday night, you get a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre, all to include in your movie. 48 hours later, the movie must be complete. Then it will show at a local theater, usually in the next week. (Austin, TX is one of the chosen cities to host the 48 Hour Film Project) Free to enter!
http://www.48hourfilm.com/
15/15 Film Festival
The 15/15 Film Festival is a multi-location event that is focused at providing emerging and independent filmmakers from across to simultaneously produce film across the world. It is held annually in July across 32 international destinations. The 15/15 Film Festival provides an excellent creative opportunity for filmmakers to make a short film that is up to 15 minutes in length in 15 hours!
The closing date for registration is usually seven days before Filming Day. We have an open policy for participants that would like to participate regardless of age, background or level of filmmaking experience. The only requirement set by the festival’s guidelines are:
* You must make your film between 08:00 – 23:00 on Filming Day
* Films must be no longer than 15 mins (including title and credits)
* Films must contain the secret object in 85% or more of your shots
* You must use the secret quote in an interesting way at least once
Black Soil International Hip Hop Film Festival
Black Soil’s scope was across the board and puts Hip Hop into a broader perspective. Next to the presentation of movies inspired by DJs, graffiti, MCs and break dancers, movies derived from Hip Hop were shown, as well as movies which have served as a source of inspiration to Hip Hop artists and to movie directors. In addition to films, Black Soil offered an extensive program, including i.e. panel discussions, exhibitions and battles, concerts and after parties with prominent DJs, MC’s and B-boyz and girlzzz.
http://www.blacksoil.com/new/
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/
Moondance International Film
Moondance’s objective for this competition and film festival is to promote and encourage screenwriters and independent filmmakers, and the best work in stage plays, radio plays, TV scripts, musical scores, lyrics, librettos, musical videos, & short stories.
http://moondancefilmfestival.com/index.html
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/
Expresión en Corto
Expresión en Corto is Latin America’s largest, most competitive and prestigious film festival. Acting as a platform for launching new careers, our national and international competition pits newcomers alongside the industry’s most seasoned veterans. $25 per enter.
http://www.expresionencorto.com/eindex.html
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/
Fair Use & Free Speech Video Contest
UFVA is hosting a contest for the best short documentaries employing fair use, made by higher education students and faculty.
www.centerforsocialmedia.org/events/ufva_fair_use_contest/888
San Diego Asian Film Festival
SDAFF continues looking for the best in Asian American and international cinema to showcase. The festival is also offering a minimum $1,000 cash prize to the top film of the festival in 2009. $25-40 to enter!
http://www.sdaff.org/festival/
Wyoming Short Film Contest
The only content requirements for submissions is that the story takes place in Wyoming, presents Wyoming as a major character in the storyline, or features Wyoming in some way. free to enter!
http://www.filmwyoming.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
Action! Student Film Festival
The City of Slidell, Louisiana invites you to showcase your creativity in the Action! Student Film Festival, a competition open to college students from throughout the United States. Cash prizes! $10 to enter.
http://www.slidell.la.us/files/ActionStudentFilmFestivalprospectusrev.pdf.
African Film Festival
African Film Festival seeks to introduce African film to non-African audiences to help create a dialogue. Free to enter!
www.africanfilmny.org
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
Lunafest Film Festival
Lunafest looks for filmmakers and producers from around the globe with unique films by…for…about women! $20 to enter!
http://www.lunafest.org/
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
Nantucket Film Festival
Films are selected with an eye for great screenwriting and storytelling. Costs vary on length.
www.nantucketfilmfestival.org
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
Bicycle Film Festival
The Bicycle Film Festival celebrates and embraces bicycles through film. BFF travels to over 20 cities around the world, including Paris, London, Tokyo, New York, Austin, LA — and Sydney. Free to enter!
http://www.bicyclefilmfestival.com
Houston Film Commission’s Texas Filmmakers Showcase
Houston Film Commission’s Texas Filmmakers Showcase is a special screening event consisting of the best of Texas short films and videos under 45 minutes in length, presented to studio executives, agents and producers in the Hollywood film community. free to enter.
http://www.houstonfilmcommission.com/
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
Environment Texas Solar Power Video Contest
Environment Texas Solar Power Video Contest hopes to help get the word out about Texas’ solar power potential… Cash Prizes!
http://www.environmenttexas.org/solar-video-contest
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
Lights. Camera. Help. The Non-Profit Film Festival
Lights. Camera. Help. is the premiere film festival for non-profit and cause-driven organizations. Through this annual event, films and videos with a cause directly related to a non-profit or cause-given organization will be subject to a rigorous criteria by a panel of judges. The films and videos will gain recognition by being considered the best in one of several distinct categories.
This festival is the first of its kind in the nation and reflects the spirit of Austin, a prominent city in the non-profit, cause-driven and activism communities. These organizations, along with filmmakers, will use the festival to spread the word about their cause, develop a community of followers, and expand the film-for-a-cause genre.
http://lightscamerahelp.org/
Focus on Children in a Healthy Environment Shorts Competition
Focus on Children in a Healthy Environment Shorts Competition is a theme-based on the environment film Competition. The festival is supported by INCHES which promote healthy and supportive environments that protects the fetus and child from environmental and safety hazards. Cash Prizes!
http://www.inchesnetwork.net/filmcompetition.html
San Diego Women’s Film Festival
Southern California’s most notable and longest running women’s film festival was a big success! They showcased over a hundred films from around the world, offering a diverse selection of features, shorts and documentaries that competed for both Judge and Audience awards.
http://sdwff.org
Los Angeles Latino International Film festival
Los Angeles Latino International Film festival aims to support and promote the development and exhibition of diverse visions by Latino filmmakers.
http://www.latinofilm.org
Marfa Film Festival
Cowboy culture meets high-art! For the intrepid, Far West Texas is an unforgettable place, far from the world, urging visitors back time and again to its awe-inspiring wildness and serenity. Screening over 50 features, shorts and experimental works. Because Marfa’s wide-open plain, distant mountains and incomparably starry sky are part of the draw, Marfa Film Festival will have outdoor screenings during the festival. Indoor screenings will be anchored at the state-of-the-art Goode-Crowley theater. Features $45, Shorts $35
www.marfafilmfestival.org
SLANT: Bold Asian American Images Short Film Festival
SLANT, an annual film festival of short films, seeks works by Asian American filmmakers. $10 per short, limit of 3 entries
www.aurorapictureshow.org/content.asp?secnum=139&pid=396
Rooftop Films Summer Series Film Festival
Summer Series will run from May through September and will feature more than 200 daring new films, all screened outdoors, in front of big, loyal audiences in parks.
www.rooftopfilms.com/submit.html
Phantasmagoria Film Festival
Do you have a short film or movie that explores the world of the supernatural, the super-powered or the super-eerie? There are two areas: Trailers and Shorts: Trailers must be 30 to 180 seconds. Can either be an actual trailer for a longer piece or a mock trailer. Shorts must be 3-25 minutes. Short films or trailers that explores the world of the supernatural, the super-powered or the super-eerie. Cost $5-15
http://phantasmagoria.moonfruit.com/
www.myspace.com/phantasmagoriafilmfest`
http://phantomfilmfest.com/
Arizona International Film Festival
A celebration of extraordinary films not seen on ordinary screens.
www.azmac.org
Asian American International Film Festival
The first and longest running festival to recognize the works of Asian/American media makers, categories: Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Short Films, Screenplays, Works-In-Progress, Youth Films (under 20)
www.asiancinevision.org/festival.html
Los Angeles Film Festival
LAFF held annually for ten days in June, showcases the best of American and international independent cinema. $70 Features, $50 Shorts
www.lafilmfest.com
M.A.L.I. Women’s Film and Performance Arts Festival
The festival is an outlet to view, interact, network and purchase the works of female artists of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
www.blowinupaspot.com/Forms_Tickets.html
Democracy Video Challenge
Create a video short that completes the phrase “Democracy is…” and win a trip to Washington, NY and LA to attend screenings of the winning videos, gain exposure to the U.S. film and television industry. FREE to enter
www.videochallenge.america.gov
Politics on Film Film festival
Politics on Film Film festival’s mission is to highlight political film broadly, providing a platform for filmmakers who focus on government, the electoral process, or pressing public policy issues, and establishing an entertaining and educational opportunity for the community. $40 to enter
www.politicsonfilm.com
Baltimore Women’s Film Festival
http://www.bwfilmfestival.com/
This non-profit festival is held during breast cancer awareness month. 50% of all ticket sale proceeds are donated to breast cancer research and the outreach/survivorship program for Johns Hopkins breast cancer patients. $20-50 entry fee
Backseat Film Festival
A self-proclaimed “rock ‘n roll film fest”, the BFF showcases movies of all genres, lengths, formats and budgets, but specializes in upbeat, unpretentious work that may not find a home at other, more traditional film festivals.
Cost: varies for deadline and length: $5-20
www.backseatfilmfestival.com
YOBI Film Making Contest: Film Student Opportunity
online video filmmaking competition that anyone can enter and that YOU can judge.
browse by genre:
- African American
- Animation
- Asian
- Awareness/Topical
- Commercials/1 Minute Shorts
- Documentary/Non-Fiction
- Experimental
- Faith-based/Religious
- Features
- Free to enter!!!
- Indie
- International
- Latino
- LGBTIQ/Sexuality/Gender
- Music Video/Musicals
- Public Service Announcement
- Sci-fi/Fantasy/Horror
- Screenwriting/Teleplay Writing/Playwriting
- Shorts
- Student
- Television
- Texas
- Timed Film Competition
- Trailers
- Uncategorized
- Web Series/Websites
- Women
- Youth/Child-friendly
