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
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
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/
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
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
Founded in 1980, the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is the first and largest of its kind in the world. Today, we are more than a festival: we are the leading advocate for independent Jewish cinema. Our hallmark program is a renowned three-week summer Festival, screening in four Bay Area venues, featuring the highest quality Jewish films from around the world. As the first of more than 100 Jewish film festivals worldwide—and still the largest, with some 30,000 attendees—SFJFF is an influential showcase bringing together filmmakers and audiences to celebrate Jewish cinema and explore its new frontiers.
http://www.sfjff.org/
Imago Film Festival
The Imago Film Festival showcases faith-based indy film that emphasizes image and story. The festival films capture the full spectrum of human emotion, experience, and spirituality. Cash Prizes! $30-40 to enter.
http://www.imagofilmfestival.com/
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/
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 First National Career Video Contest
The student challenge is to interview a person from a wide variety of careers and draw out the essence of the role on video.
www.CareerVideoContest.com
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/
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
The Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation, in association with Ernst & Young LLP, is offering three (3) scholarships in honor of Fred Rogers, the creator and long-time host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
The scholarships are intended to support and encourage aspiring undergraduate and graduate students to pursue careers in children’s media and further the values and principles of Fred Rogers’ work.
Three (3) scholarships, in the amount of $10,000 each, will be awarded to qualified applicants. In addition to the monetary award, successful applicants are mentored by children’s programming professionals during the academic year.
Deadline in Janurary!
http://www.emmys.tv/foundation/rogersscholar.php?zbrandid=3033&zidType=CH&zid=2405074&zsubscriberId=755186159
CINESTORY Screenwriting Competition
CINESTORY Screenwriting Competition is a screenwriting competition that supports and celebrates the most important part of movie-making — the story! $70 to submit.
www.cinestory.org
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
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/
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
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
Netflix Screenwriting Contest
Netflix and Film Independent are looking for talented new filmmakers to submit their scripts for a chance at having it produced and distributed.
www.netflix.com/findyourvoice
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
Indie Fest
The Indie is about helping independent filmmakers gain publicity and secure distribution, the Holy Grail of filmmaking. $50 to enter
www.TheIndieFest.com
Cine Las Americas International Film Festival
Works made by or about Latinos and native groups of the Americas are eligible to participate. $20 to enter
www.cinelasamericas.org
Toronto Documentary Forum
$45 (CDN) to enter
www.hotdocs.ca/index.php/industry/tdf/submissions/
Frameline Film Festival
Frameline Film Festival strengthens the diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and further its visibility by supporting and promoting a broad array of cultural representations and artistic expression in film, video and other media arts. FREE to enter!
www.frameline.org
Outfest
Outfest is the leading organization showcasing, nurturing and preserving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film images and artistry.
www.outfest.org
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
London International Documentary Film Festival
The LIDF arises from a commitment to what it calls ‘Conversations in Film’. These conversations bring together diverse audiences and go beyond the films themselves in order to engage with social, cultural and political issues in the company of relevant experts as well as the filmmakers themselves.
SILVERDOCS
Honors excellence in filmmaking, supports the diverse voices and free expression of independent storytellers and celebrates the power of documentary to improve our understanding of the world.
Cost: $25 Shorts, $35 Features
http://www.silverdocs.com
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
