#ScreenOpps
FILM FESTIVALS
New York Film Week
We are an international film festival taking place in October each year. The 6th edition runs from October 28 - November 1 in NY, a city that breathes film in every possible way. Our goal is to raise awareness and promote the various aspects of international cinema in all its forms. Previous Premieres include movies from Laura Poitras, Armando Iannucci, Noah Baumbach, Wash Westmoreland, Martin Scorsese, Takashi Miike, Céline Sciamma, Yolande Zauberman, Lee Chang-dong, Kelly Reichardt, Andrea Arnold, Christophe Honoré and many more. First-time and established filmmakers are being selected and every film genre is considered. The festival only shows bold and iconic content, something to remember. We look forward to reviewing your entry.
o When/Where: October 28 - November 1
o Deadline: June 22 (Regular Deadline), September 7 (Late Deadline), September 28 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $35-$70
o Eligibility: New York Film Week is being held from October 28th to November 1st. The Festival takes place annually in the second half of October. The aim of the Festival is to raise awareness and promote the various aspects of international cinema in all its forms: as art, entertainment, and as an industry, in a spirit of freedom and dialogue. In addition to the sections mentioned in the following paragraphs, the Festival also organizes special events such as film workshops and industry days.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Animated, Documentary
NewFest: The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival
NewFest will celebrate its 38th annual edition of The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival with nearly two weeks of premieres, panels, and parties in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and will stream virtually throughout the Unites States. NewFest's collection of narratives, documentaries, shorts programs, and special events showcases the best in LGBTQ+ film and media. NewFest is distinctive among LGBTQ+ film festivals for its high-quality programming, outstanding press coverage, community engagement, savvy audiences, and sensational parties. The festival’s impact in terms of propelling the work and careers of emerging filmmakers is historic and global, and uniquely channels the collaborative creative energy of New York City to celebrate queer films. The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival is produced annually by NewFest, New York’s leading LGBTQ+ film and media organization. NewFest gives voice and visibility to the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences by championing films, supporting storytellers, and engaging audiences in order to inspire dialogue, shift cultural bias and empower our community.
o When/Where: October 15-27
o Deadline: June 11 (Late Deadline), June 30 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $40-$100
o Eligibility: BFilms should be of interest to, and inclusive of, the LGBTQ+ community. We are seeking narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated films (both features and shorts) in 35mm, 16mm, or DCP (upon acceptance, NewFest will provide projection options for the specific venue in which the film will screen—IF THE FILMMAKER CANNOT PROVIDE THE CORRECT PROJECTION FORMAT, THE FILM WILL NOT BE SCREENED). Rough cuts and works-in-progress are eligible for submission if the completed film will be ready for QC by September 1st, 2022. Please label the screener “Rough Cut” and specify what is missing (i.e. temp sound, needs color correction, etc). By submitting your work to NewFest, you grant to NewFest a non-exclusive license to use an excerpt of your submission of up to two minutes in length, for promotional purposes only. Still photos from your work are requested with your submission and are required for all films selected for the festival. Good stills make a difference in film placement and press coverage, particularly for short films. Even the shortest short can get press coverage or festival prominence with a captivating still. Stills must be in TIFF or JPEG format and 300dpi (dots per inch). You are also encouraged to enclose a synopsis, production credits, press information, and other collateral regarding your film.
o Categories: Feature Film, Documentary, Short Film, Documentary Shorts
Lady Filmmakers Festival
NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS to the 18th Annual Festival Celebration! A 5 star rated film festival and consistently ranked in the Top 100 on FilmFreeway. Lady Filmmakers Festival elevates the festival experience and is a trend-setting and forward-thinking film festival known by veteran Hollywood insiders and rising indie filmmakers alike for screening outstanding films from around the world. It's screenplay scene workshop, top notch speakers and upscale networking events makes it a must attend event each year. Lady Filmmakers is dedicated to creating a classy, fun and fulfilling festival experience dedicated to enhancing personal, professional and creative growth while promoting women, diversity, equity and inclusion. All festival screenings and parties take place IN PERSON in the world-famous Beverly Hills, California. We screen at the beautiful and historic 400 seat Fine Arts Theater with the highest quality sound and projection. We are a successful platform for seasoned industry pros and actors as well as a springboard for undiscovered talent like first-time directors with a truly wonderful artistic, cinematic vision and voice. The festival directors are filmmakers too & understand what it's like on both sides of a festival and try to provide as many wonderful experiences and opportunities to our Official Selection Attendees and Cinephiles alike. Lady Filmmakers celebrates diverse women in leadership roles and the men that hire, work with, and work for these talented female storytellers. We champion diverse and underrepresented voices from around the world. The week long festival includes first class film screenings, script readings, musical performances, art exhibitions, industry panels, networking events and of course hosted parties with live entertainment!
o When/Where: September 24-29
o Deadline: July 23 (Final Deadline), August 14 (Oops I forgot Deadline)
o Application Fee: $67.50-$140
o Eligibility: FILM SUBMISSIONS- At least one woman must be credited in one of the following positions in each selected film: Writer, Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Production Designer, and/or Editor.
o Categories: Feature Film, Documentary, Short Film, Documentary Shorts
San Francisco Transgender Film Festival
Founded in 1997, the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (SFTFF) builds a strong and diverse community through the power of transgender cinema. SFTFF is the world’s first and longest-running Transgender Film Festival, and co-presents year-round screenings in collaboration with other LGBT film festivals. Our programs strengthen awareness of transgender identity, history and culture, support emerging and established independent filmmakers working with transgender themes and provide a dynamic and inclusive forum for dialogue about local and global transgender issues.
o When/Where: November 12-22
o Deadline: June 4 (Regular Deadline), June 25 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $15-20
o Eligibility: The San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (SFTFF) seeks entries for our 2026 Festival (November 12-22, 2026). This year we are PRIORITIZING Films 20 Minutes or less. SFTFF accepts narrative, documentary, experimental, animated films and music videos. All work should be created by transgender/genderqueer people. We prioritize short films, but accept all screening lengths. The San Francisco Transgender Film Festival was founded in 1997 as North America’s first transgender film festival. We exhibit groundbreaking, provocative, outrageous, courageous, moving and innovative works that show the complexity of lives lived on the transgender spectrum.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Documentary
Big Apple Film Festival
Big Apple Film Festival is currently accepting film and screenplay submissions for our fall festival. Big Apple Film Festival (Fall Edition) takes place in the heart of NYC. In addition to film screenings, the festival includes a Screenplay Competition, Agents and Managers Conference, Agents and Managers Networking Lab, Film Distribution Summit, Industry Networking Panels, Awards Presentation and Reception.
o When/Where: November 4-7
o Deadline: June 9 (BAFF Discount Deadline), June 30 (Final Discount Deadline), July 21 (Film Freeway Early Deadline), August 11 (BAFF Early Deadline), August 31 (Official Entry Deadline), September 22 (Extended Entry Deadline), October 8 (Final Entry Deadline)
o Application Fee: $60-$90
o Eligibility: Big Apple Film Festival accepts submissions for feature films, short films, feature documentaries, short documentaries, animation, web series, music videos, student films, feature length screenplays, short screenplays, scripts for television/web series pilots and virtual reality.
o Categories: (Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Environmental Outdoor Feature, Indigenous Feature, Narrative Short, Documentary Short, Outdoor Short, Animated Short)
Mix NYC Queer Experimental Film Festival
MIX NYC (est. 1987) is a nonprofit organization that promotes, produces, and preserves experimental media that speaks to the lives, politics, and experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. Born from the need for a home for queer experimental films, we are committed to providing opportunities for filmmakers to showcase their work to a community that deeply values it. Our work challenges mainstream notions of gender and sexuality while redefining traditional categories of form and content.
o When/Where: November 19-21
o Deadline: June 1 (Regular Deadline), July 1 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $15-$45
o Eligibility: We’re always searching for bold, original, and powerful stories that reflect the diverse perspectives of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Our festival offers a platform for filmmakers, artists, and creators to showcase their work, connect with audiences, and participate in meaningful cultural dialogue. In light of our mandate, we only consider submissions that:
Are created by queer filmmakers and/or involve queer concepts, subjects, or themes.
Challenge conventional filmmaking practices.
o Categories: Experimental Film
Los Angeles Women in Film Festival
The LA Women in Film Festival champions female identifying filmmakers and female driven storytelling. We will be accepting submissions from FEMALE IDENTIFYING DIRECTORS, WRITERS, MAJORITY FEMALE CREW (at least 50%) and/or FEMALE DRIVEN STORIES of ANY GENRE. We are an affiliate festival of the LA FILM FESTIVALS organization that has the dual emphasis of discovering great talent with the purpose of promoting their work to both the LA public and the entertainment industry, as well as showcasing the work of seasoned professionals and well known stars. LA Film Festivals began with the biannual LA Comedy Festival in 2001, adding the biannual LA Indie Film Fest in 2007. The LA Film Festival family has since expanded to 12 independent film festivals, including LA Horror Film Fest, LA Action Film Fest, LA Sci-Fi Film Fest, LA Animation Film Fest, LA Black Film Fest, LA Asian Film Fest, LA Latinx Film Fest, LA Queer Film Fest, LA Women in Film Fest and LA Student Film Fest. Over the years, LA Film Festivals have attracted thousands of filmmakers from around the world. Each festival features live screenings in our own Let Live Theater in the heart of Los Angeles. Our 80-seat theater, in the heart of Hollywood, is outfitted with a Christie DLP projector and seven JBL speakers throughout the venue, delivering top notch quality in an intimate screening environment. Filmmakers whose work is accepted into our festival will receive free passes to screenings, invitations to networking events and are eligible for awards consideration.
o When/Where: September 24-27
o Deadline: June 5 (Fashionably Late Deadline), June 26 (Final Deadline), July 17 (11th Hour Deadline), August 7 (Last Chance Deadline)
o Application Fee: $25-$90
o Eligibility: All Films must feature work produced by female identifying filmmakers and female driven storytelling. We will be accepting submissions from FEMALE IDENTIFYING DIRECTORS, WRITERS, MAJORITY FEMALE CREW (at least 50%) and/or FEMALE DRIVEN STORIES of ANY GENRE.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Document, Web-series, TV Pilot, Animation, Music Video
o Contact: https://www.lafilmfestivals.com/la-women-in-film-fest
WRPN Women's International Film Festival
Welcome to the WRPN Women's International Film Festival, where distribution and feedback opportunities abound for films made by women or films that carry subjects relating to concerns about women's issues. WWIFF is a sister festival to the Depth of Field International Film Festival, a FilmFreeway “Top 100 Reviewed” festival alumni. Distribution: over the years, our sister festivals have sent hundreds of films and screenplays to 3 established Distribution companies who have already signed contracts with dozens of our filmmakers. WWIFF now operates with that same advantage! These distributors do not take unsolicited submissions; your top award-winning with WWIFF gets you into our private distributor review group. This is a Free Service provided exclusively to our top winners. Don’t forget Feedback: The one element most festivals ignore.
o When/Where: June 19, 2027
o Deadline: May 31 (Regular Deadline), June 30 (Late Deadline), September 30 (Extended Deadline), November 15 (Last Chance Deadline)
o Application Fee: $36-$80
o Eligibility: While WWIFF is a female-focused film festival, we will also accept films produced and/or directed by men if one or more self-identifying top production members are female (including but not limited to cinematographers, producers, writers, editors, or films featuring a strong female presence on screen). We will not exclude films directed by men if the topic is significant to women and women's issues. WWIFF is granted the right to use an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for competition at the festival for promotional purposes. A clip of winning entries may also be streamed on the WWIFF.COM website and WRPN.TV.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Documentary, Screenplay
B!tchFest Film Festival & Screenplay Contest
Welcome to B!tchFest—where Badass B!tches reign supreme! Following the incredible SUCCESS of B!TCHFEST SEASONS 1 & 2—which featured a combined 47 FILM and SCREENPLAY WINNERS, a multitude of talented Runners-up, Finalists, and Semifinalists, 2 WINNING FILMS PICKED UP BY STREAMING PLATFORMS, 5 SCREENWRITERS WITH PROJECTS NOW IN PRODUCTION, a sold-out venue, and an unforgettable, emotional festival experience—we’re back for B!TCHFEST Season 3! So, what makes B!tchFest different? B!tchFest is more than just a festival—it’s a COMMUNITY! One that extends beyond the festival event itself. We are invested in the success of your films and screenplays, offering a space for SUPPORT, CONNECTION, and COLLABORATION for all our past and present submitters. In a world where women and the LGBTQIA+ community often face challenges with equality and representation, we’re here to unite and empower minority creators! B!tchFest is an INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL & SCREENPLAY CONTEST featuring a groundbreaking in-person event for filmmakers and screenwriters in the heart of Los Angeles. At B!tchFest, we’re not just breaking glass ceilings—we’re shattering them into a million pieces by unleashing the POWER of FEMALE and LGBTQIA+ VOICES in film and TV! By providing a platform for RECOGNITION, AWARDS, PROMOTION, and making NEW CONNECTIONS, we aim to break barriers, amplify voices, and pave the way for a more inclusive entertainment industry. Join us for a festival that goes beyond screenings—promote your projects, immerse yourself in panels, flaunt your work to cheering audiences, walk the red carpet, and forge connections with industry trailblazers who share our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our esteemed panel of industry professionals, including DIRECTORS, PRODUCERS, AGENTS, MANAGERS, EXECUTIVES, and CASTING DIRECTORS, will meticulously ASSESS ALL SUBMISSIONS. Our jury consists of seasoned individuals from various sectors within the ENTERTAINMENT and PUBLISHING INDUSTRIES. Expert script readers, filmmakers, and story analysts are slated to carefully review all screenplay competition entries and film submissions. The top contenders are then passed on to our executive industry judges for final evaluation to determine the winners of each category.
o When/Where: February 27
o Deadline: June 2 (Early Deadline), July 2 (Regular Deadline), August 4 (Late Deadline), September 8 (Last Minute Deadline), October 13 (Extended Deadline), November 17 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $36-$70
o Eligibility: The 3rd Annual B!tchFest Film Festival & Screenplay Contest will be held at the Eastwood Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, February 27, 2027. WINNING SCREENWRITERS and FILMMAKERS will join our RED CARPET EVENT, SCREEN THEIR FILMS in front of a LIVE AUDIENCE, snag trophies at our AWARDS CEREMONY, PARTICIPATE in LIVE PANEL DISCUSSIONS (which will be recorded and STREAMED on our website for PROMOTION), and engage in an INDUSTRY MEET-&-GREET EVENT aimed at making NEW CONNECTIONS. Submit your films and screenplays today and join a revolution that refuses to stay silent. Welcome to the B!tchFest family—your story starts here!
o Categories: Feature, Short, Music Video, TV Pilot Screenplay
The Her Vision International Film Festival
We welcome filmmakers and screenwriters from around the world! We accept feature films and shorts as well as feature-length and short scripts. Our main goal is equality and empowerment in the cinematic arts. The Her Vision International Film Festival is here to highlight the achievements of women and female-identifying directors, writers, editors and producers. In addition to our mission of equality, we also underscore the importance of unity. For example, our first year's Feature Film Winner was a female producer/writer with a male director. We also welcome and encourage LGBTQ creatives. You may submit a screenplay or a film if you are a male or male-identifying director or writer if your story shows a female with some agency or shows the plight of being a female or a member of the LGBTQ community. We are here to encourage and empower creatives regardless of gender. If you have questions as to whether you or your project qualifies, feel free to reach out; Caterinacampagna26@gmail.com. What also makes our festival stand out is that we have a Rewrite and Re-edit section. Screenwriters know that writing is rewriting and filmmakers know that shooting the ending that you really want is sometimes only possible after a deadline. To that end, we offer you a chance to resubmit your work with a half-off your original submission fee discount. Thank you for bringing your passion to the table!
o When/Where: November 7
o Deadline: May 15 (Joy), June 4 (Halfway Home), August 17 (Lights), September 21 (Camera), October 20 (Action)
o Application Fee: $8-55
o Eligibility: your screenplay is written in Italian or Spanish they will be accepted.
All screenplays must be submitted as a pdf.
The writer of the project or an authorized party is the only person who can submit a project.
For the Her Vision International Film Festival, 50 pages and above is considered a feature-length screenplay. Of course, under 50 pages is a short screenplay.
Stage plays will be accepted at this festival.
SHORT and FEATURE LENGTH scripts get COVERAGE WITH 1 Page of NOTES
The runtime for a short film is 49 minutes or less.
Music Videos will be considered short films.
Commercials will also be considered short films.
If you have a half-hour TV pilot, that will fit into the shorts category. Half-hour Web Series are also eligible for short film consideration.
If your project is in a language other than English, Italian or Spanish, please make sure that it is subtitled in English.
If your project is chosen to be screened it must be sent in as a DVD.Projects over 50 minutes are considered feature-length films. Fiction and documentaries are welcome. *43-48 minute TV pilots will be eligible for this category.* If your project is in a language other than English, Italian or Spanish, please make sure that it is subtitled in English. If your project is chosen to be screened at the live event it must be sent in as a DVD.
o Categories: Short Film, Feature Film
Manhattan Short Film Festival
During one week of the year over 100,000 film-lovers gather in over 500 Cinemas across 6 Continents to view and vote on the Finalists Films in the 29th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival - MANHATTAN SHORT is more than just one of the largest short film festivals in the world....it is the World's First Global Film Festival. If making short films is about getting your work out there, nothing compares to MANHATTAN SHORT. Every Film Selected is eligible to enter the Oscars:MANHATTAN SHORT does a full week's advertised run in a cinema in Los Angeles, California. This theater booking means all ten finalists in the 2026 MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival will be eligible to enter the Oscar competition for 2027. Many past Finalists from MANHATTAN SHORT have been nominated and even win the Oscar in the Festivals 29 year history. MANHATTAN SHORT also conducts a screenplay competition for screenplay for short films only (20 pages and under)
o When/Where: September 24 - October 4
o Deadline: July 31 (Regular Deadline)
o Application Fee: $30-$50
o Eligibility: Films Must Be 20 Minutes and Under in Length.
o Categories: Short Film, Screenplay, Music Video
Peach Theatre and Film Festival
The PEACH Theatre and Film Intl. Festival is a unique and rare experience that merge two beautiful genres of arts and entertainment. Both theatre and film, showcasing a series of short films and selected plays, in one of the world's most famous cities, internationally known for being the home of entertainment. Los Angeles, California. Our mission is to select films and plays based on content, quality, and merit. It is also our volition to honor the creatives selected, with integrity and respect for their hard work, discipline and sacrifice to get their productions completed and ready for display. As playwrights, filmmakers and entertainment professionals ourselves, we understand what it takes, and for that reason, we salute you! Continue history with us!
o When/Where: November 14
o Deadline: April 5 (Early Bird Deadline), June 10 (Regular Deadline), September 18 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $35-$55
o Eligibility: Trailers must be included in your FilmFreeway submission, to be considered for official selection.
We do not accept student films or "Works in progress."
Films must have been released, no earlier than January '2020
Those who submit films, must own the rights to the film, own the rights or have proper clearance for the original or selected music featured in the film, and footage.
All Non English films submitted, must include English captions.
This festival reserves the right to make amendments/revisions to the event itinerary, or postpone due to possible/forthcoming COVID-19 restrictions.
By submitting: You consent for our festival to use still shots and/or footage from your play or film, for promotional purposes.
We do not pay screening fees to films selected to screen in our festival.
o Categories: Short Film
Image Out Rochester LGBTQ Film Festival
ImageOut is a premier LGBTQ+ film festival in Rochester, NY. We present and support LGBTQ+ arts and cultural experiences showcasing films, creative works and artists to promote awareness, foster dialogue and build community. ImageOut is recognized and respected as a major arts and cultural organization in New York State, celebrating and bringing visibility to LGBTQ+ artists and themed work.
This year, we are hosting our 6th annual First Cut LGBTQ+ Spring Film Festival on April 23-27, 2026 and our 34th annual LGBTQ+ Fall Film Festival on October 8-18, 2026. We are currently accepting submissions to the Fall Festival. ImageOut is an Iris Prize partner and is one of the few select LGBTQ+ film festivals from around the world who can outrightly nominate a film for the Iris Prize Shorts Film Competition in Cardiff, Wales. It is one of the richest shorts film competition in the world. The festival awards Jury Prizes for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, and Best Short. The audiences also vote for their favorites and Audience Prizes are given for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, and Best Short. FLOWER CITY FLICKS: Short films by local and area filmmakers can also compete in a juried competition with the winner receiving a cash prize and certificate. This is to encourage LGBTQ+ filmmaking in Western New York. The annual awarding of this prize is subject to festival discretion and contingent upon number of submissions. Short film submissions will also be considered for possible nomination to the Iris Prize competition in Cardiff, Wales.
o When/Where: October 8-18
o Deadline: July 2 (Early Bird Deadline), August 13 (Regular Deadline), September 3 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $7.50-$30
o Eligibility: All films submitted with LGBTQ+ content will be considered for the film lineup selection. Submission fees are non-refundable. Rochester is home to a large hard-of-hearing and deaf community. We encourage filmmakers to provide closed captioning for their films. If your film includes captions (as opposed to subtitles), please contact us for a fee waiver code. Films selected for the lineup are all eligible for the Jury and Audience awards. Submissions should ideally be film works from the last couple of years. Please contact us if your title is older than two years.
o Categories: Feature, Short
Reel Pride LGBTQ+ Film Festival
From grassroots beginnings in a Fresno State classroom, Fresno Reel Pride has evolved into the sixth oldest, and one of the largest, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) film festivals in the United States. Fresno Reel Pride is a celebration of LGBTQ+ cinema and is a premier cultural event in Central California attracting thousands of attendees, filmmakers and stars to its multi- day festival of international feature films, documentaries, and shorts. Fresno Reel Pride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizatio
o When/Where: September 17-20
o Deadline: May 30 (Early Bird Deadline), June 30 (Regular Deadline), July 20 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $7-$20
o Categories: Feature, Short Films
SF Queer Film Festival
Our festival is looking for ground-breaking indie films by under-represented Queer storytellers. Unlike the older LGBTQIA+ film festivals, we do not adhere to the status quo and offer an alternate platform for out-of-the-box thinkers and content creators. We do not disqualify films based on premiere status or date of completion. We select films on merit and not based on the names attached to the project. This festival is created by filmmakers for filmmakers.
o When/Where: August 21
o Deadline: June 7 (Regular Deadline), June 27 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $20-$55
o Eligibility: Film must be directed by LGBTQI+ individual(s).
Subject matter should be related to the LGBTQI+ community.
Films streaming on VOD platforms and Youtube/Vimeo are NOT eligible.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Documentary, Music Video
Planet Female Global StoryFest
Planet Female Media embraces the female weavers of story from page to performance, screenplay to cinematic vision. This third year of the Planet Female Global StoryFest, Planet Female Media invites you, our dear sisters, to join our movement in a celebration of our Yin creativity, the divine tales and truths within us, and of our kindreds, all of which we access through living life, time and experience. She has a story. She has our attention. We have created a space for visual storytelling crafted by Women for Women and by those who identify as such. We are ethically mining the inexhaustible vault of feminine fable and fact to be shared, inspired by, and learned from. We believe strongly in fostering a platform for creativity, free speech and unity. Year One was a kaleidoscopic reflection of our vision and we will continue to carefully review submissions and award the best in several categories. Having partnered with Westport MOCA - Museum of Contemporary Art, and Housatonic Community College, PFG StoryFest has expanded to two days, Friday, November 6, 2026 and Saturday November 07, 2026. Story Blocks will be showcased in spaces at each location culminating with an awards ceremony at Westport MoCA Saturday evening.
o When/Where: November 6-7
o Deadline: May 30 (Regular Deadline), July 1 (Extended Deadline), August 15 (Just Under the Wire Deadline)
o Application Fee: $20-$60
o Eligibility: To be considered by PFGSF for any of the Best of Festival Awards, at least one female or female identifying individual must be involved in creative leadership as screenwriter or director. If a female or female identifying individual is not in a creative leadership role, (screenwriter or director) the film's plot, subject, or main theme must be female centered. To be considered in a specific category other than best film or performance awards, there must be a female or female-identifying individual in the role. For Best Director, a female or female-identifying individual must be the film's Director.
o Categories: Short, Documentary Short, Animated Short
San Diego Asian Film Festival
Since 2000, the San Diego Asian Film Festival has been one of the premier platforms for Asian American cinema and has grown into the largest showcase of Asian and Pacific Islander cinema in the western United States. The festival is borne out of the love for independent film and the desire to showcase the diverse Pan Asian experience through film and other arts. SDAFF supports both Asian and non-Asian artists by giving them a venue to showcase their work, and it gives the community access to quality films that otherwise would never show in San Diego.
o When/Where: November 5
o Deadline: April 20 (Regular Deadline), June 1 (Late Deadline), June 22 (Extended Deadline: Shorts), August 10 (Extended Deadline: Features)
o Application Fee: $40-$60
o Eligibility: Films/videos entered into competition must be directed or principally acted by an artist of Asian or Pacific Islander descent, or contain subject matter relating to Asian or Pacific Islander cultures or communities. Clarify questions of eligibility prior to submission of entry.
Entries must have been completed after June 1, 2025. For short films, the date of first public premiere (if any) must be after August 1, 2025. For feature-length films, the date of first public premiere (if any) must be after October 1, 2025.
Feature length entries cannot have been previously exhibited in San Diego at another film festival or commercial venue or be available for broadcast, home video, or online for American audiences, before Nov. 20, 2026.
Each project entered into competition must pay an entry fee. There is no limit to the number of qualifying entries by any entrant so long as an entry form and fee accompanies each entry.
Non-English dialogue must be subtitled in English.
Films/videos cannot be re-entered into competition if previously rejected by the San Diego Asian Film Festival.
Entrants shall obtain all licenses, royalties, and permits necessary to present their work. Entry will assume all costs arising from the use of patented, trademarked, franchised, or copyrighted music, materials, devices, processes, or dramatic rights used in production of work.
Short films previously exhibited on the Internet are eligible for entry.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Documentary, Documentary Short
New York Lift-Off Film Festival
For over ten years Lift-Off has been screening in the city of New York. It stands tall as the central hub of creative ambition. Bursting from its emergence out of the 20th Century as one of the worlds most recognizable and iconic cities. It is an undeniable powerhouse of independent art - a city of massive cultural, and business relevance to the entire film industry. Lift-Off invites filmmakers to this exceptional showcase location, that aims to deliver more opportunities for ambitious creatives to build their professional lives. From talent agencies, sales agents, distributors, and the press - New York Lift-Off is the destination for filmmakers looking to build their career, and have the right eyes on their work. The audience feedback in NYC will give filmmakers a unique, quantifiable and intelligent breakdown as to how their work communicates.
o When/Where: July 1-31
o Deadline: March 3 (March Deadline), April 1 (Spring Deadline), May 5 (Late Deadline), June 3 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $18-$100
o Eligibility: If you pay a submission fee, we will screen your work. Our programme's are separated into categories based on your content's level of storytelling, production value, message and acting. During the festival we have two voting committees - our professional jury and the general public. IMPORTANT NOTE: Our online festivals are NOT a pay for vote platform. If you invite your friends and family to watch either the physical or online screenings it is encouraged that they engage with as much of the content as possible and vote accordingly. This is why two votes are always counted from each audience member with both votes resulting in 1 point for each film. We are doing our best to invite new and exciting audiences to genuine indie film content - if you can encourage your audiences to do the same we will build a wonderful network of opportunity for all, no matter where you are starting out. Proudly, we have no other restrictions for your work. This includes your work's premier status, it's age and/or whether your work has been made available online
o Categories: Feature, Short, Animated, Documentary
Los Angeles Asian Film Festival
Los Angeles Asian Film Awards, originally called Las Vegas Asian Film Awards (LVAFA), was an independent festival that resides beneath the umbrella of AOF MegaFest, which is in its 19th year, is the largest film event of its kind in the world. Held in Las Vegas at the Premiere Theaters and Locations, the show regularly exceeds 20,000 guests and attendees. After a first successful annual event in Las Vegas with the legendary AOF MegaFest in summer 2021, it moved to Los Angeles, the center of the world film industry. Opportunities at Los Angeles Asian Film Awards are literally like no other in the world; Los Angeles Asian Film Awards can put more resources together and offer a wide variety of industry guests, seminar speakers, and panelists. We invite you to join festival director, Award-Winning Filmmaker and Writer Lureen Wu and honorable judge, director Roger Christiansen ("Friends," "Hannah Montana," "Tango Down") as they bring you a selection of pure Asian Cinema for Screenings and Awards. The situation surrounding COVID-19 has caused much pain in the film and entertainment industries, and no group has been affected more than Asian Filmmakers, Writers, and Creators. The Los Angeles Asian Film Awards is a hub and platform for Asian filmmakers to have their works seen and voices heard. Festival Director Lureen Wu was born and raised in Shanghai, China. She worked as a TV director in Shanghai for years, including TV documentaries, TV commercials, celebrity talk shows, and music videos. Early in her career in Shanghai, Lureen worked with the Emmy Award-winning television interviewer, Nancy Merrill, in the English talk show "Nancy Merrill: Minds of Millionaires" on the international channel of Shanghai TV Station(SMG) and CCTV NEWS. After moving to the United States, Lureen continued pursuing her career in film. She worked with filmmakers who are part of some best-known movies and TV shows such as Friends, Les Misérables（2012), The Big Bang Theory, Saw, Sex and The City, Iron Man 2, Grey's Anatomy, The Princess Diaries, Stranger Things, Game of Thrones......Our Festival is open to ALL Asian filmmakers, talents, and writers of all genres and lengths.
o When/Where: December 12
o Deadline: March 31 (Early Deadline), May 31 (Regular Early Deadline), June 30 (Regular Deadline), July 31 (Regular Late Deadline), August 31 (Late Deadline), September 30 (Extended Deadline) November 15 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $40-$55
o Eligibility: We are Accepting submissions for feature Narrative and Documentary, short Narrative and Documentary, Music Videos, TV Commercials, short/feature scripts. All genres are welcome. The festival programming staff will place your film in the appropriate category. To Enter for Competition your film or Project must have a writer, producer, talent or director of Asian descent in order to be eligible for awards.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Documentary, Documentary Short, Animation
Chelsea Film Festival
The Chelsea Film Festival (CFF) has been selected in the "TOP 10 BEST FILM FESTIVAL IN NORTH AMERICA" (#6) by USA Today in 2019 among 19 other film festivals in the USA.CFF is an organization dedicated to supporting films and the artists who create them by providing a creative forum for exchange and discovery with the public. The Festival attracts filmmakers, artists and audience members from across North America and around the globe. It premieres independent feature-length, documentaries and short films with a Global Focus. Chelsea Film Festival aims to raise an awareness about foreign independent films and discover upcoming talents. The Chelsea Film Festival is an international film platform for world lovers.
o When/Where: October 14-18
o Deadline: March 31 (Regular Deadline), May 31 (Late Deadline), July 6 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $9-$100
o Eligibility: Entries must be New York City premieres and have been completed in 2021 or 2022. Films shown in other festivals or public screenings in New York are not eligible for consideration. Contact us directly at info@chelseafilm.org if your film is a WORLD PREMIERE.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Documentary, Documentary Short, Animation
Hollywood International Diversity Film Festival
The values of Southern California reflect the diversity of gender, gender identity, and the many different cultures that reside within our region. And independent film has been the driver of change in the Hollywood mainstream, at times influencing and re-shaping the norms of studio and network content. With screenings in Hollywood, our event celebrates independent films that embrace diversity of gender and cultural perspectives, and accepts our differences to promote understanding and empathy.
o When/Where: August 30
o Deadline: March 21 (Regular Deadline), April 11 (Sprint Deadline), May 2 (Late Deadline), June 13 (Extended Deadline), July 4 (Late Extended Deadline), July 25 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $45-95
o Eligibility:
The Festival does not claim any copyright or other rights related to the material submitted. However, by submitting your film or video material to the Festival, you are agreeing to allow the Festival to use partial clips and/or screenshots of your work in the Festival's promotional material.
If a submitted film (or other video-based material) is chosen by the Festival to be screened at an event, the submitter must be ready to provide the film in a high quality digital format (at least 1080p or higher) or other formats which may be requested by the Festival. Any alternative formats must be agreed upon by the Festival's directors and the submitter and the Festival reserves the right to withdraw the offer to screen the film if an appropriate format cannot be provided in time for the Festival's event date. Additionally, by submitting material to the Festival, you hereby consent to the Festival to share your name and contact information with any producers, distributors, agents, managers, and other industry professionals who may be interested in your submitted material. However, the Festival shall be under no obligation to disclose any personal or contact information related to the judges or jury members. Judging feedback information may be shared at the discretion of the Festival but should not be considered any part of standard procedure and should not be expected under normal circumstances due to time and resource limitations. If a film is selected for screening, the submitter may contact the Festival to opt out of the screening at any time prior to the date of the scheduled screening.
All status notifications and communications regarding the event will be sent by the Festival to the submitter by email. It is the submitter's responsibility to check SPAM or JUNK folders in case an important email has been misidentified as unsolicited advertising.
The Festival does not have any premiere requirements as of the current season. If your film has premiered at another film festival or was exhibited privately or online, it remains eligible. Films with distribution are also eligible but please notify us of this in your submission. (If your film is accepted to screen at our festival and our screening will be the world premiere, American premiere, California state premiere, or Los Angeles premiere of your film, feel free to let us know so your premiere status can be mentioned on our promotional material.)
All submissions of films, short films, web series, documentaries, music videos, or other video-based material must include an online screener. The Festival does not accept physical submissions of film, DVD, Blu-Ray or other physical media for the judging stages. If the online screener is hosted on a service that requires a shared password, it is the submitter's responsibility to ensure that the shared password provided is accurate and up to date.
Your film must be understandable to a primarily English-speaking audience. If the main dialogue in the film is not in English, please include English subtitles in all submission copies as well as the screening copy (if your film is selected.)
All submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee. Submission fees are paid for the time and work performed by judges and jury. The Festival shall not be obliged to provide any refunds after a work has been submitted. If a dispute arises for any reason, the submitter will be responsible for any transaction fees or costs incurred by the Festival in connection with the dispute. The submitter is solely responsible for any applicable local, state, and/or federal taxes in connection with submissions.
All submitted films must be an original work. If the film is based on an existing property or other underlying work, the submitter must have secured the rights to the material. The Festival shall not be expected to verify or investigate the rights secured by the submitter. By submitting your work, you hereby represent that all necessary rights related to the work (including but not limited to story, content, music, logos, performer likenesses and images) have been secured and you accept all responsibility and liability for any copyright violations related to your submission. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission on the basis of legal reasons including but not limited to copyright violations or any content that violates the laws of California.
Works in progress are accepted. However, please clearly indicate on your submission forms if your film is a work in progress. It is the submitter's responsibility to ensure that a suitable cut of the film will be ready and available by the date of the event if the film is selected for screening by the Festival. The Festival may accept revisions of submitted material on a case by case basis but is under no obligation to do so.
The Festival shall not be held liable nor responsible for any statements or opinions expressed by any individual administrator, jury member, board member, director, judge, staff member, affiliate, partner, or volunteer. Any statements or opinions expressed by such individuals do not necessarily reflect those of the Festival as an organization. If a dispute arises in connection with your submission to the Festival, you agree to contact the Festival and allow the administrators of the Festival at least one week to resolve the problem prior to involving any third party.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Documentary, TV
Imagine This Women's International Film Festival (ITWIFF)
Imagine This Women's International Film Festival (ITWIFF) is dedicated to empowering and showcasing the remarkable talent of independent and emerging women and non-binary filmmakers worldwide. Our core mission is to create a dynamic platform that amplifies their voices and celebrates their creative expressions. Prepare to be captivated by the 10th Edition of the Imagine This Women's Film Festival, where you'll be treated to an extraordinary lineup of fierce, daring, and original films crafted by exceptionally talented women and non-binary filmmakers and storytellers. This event promises not only a feast for your cinematic senses but also engaging Q&A sessions, enlightening educational panels, and thrilling special events, making it an exuberant celebration of creativity and empowerment. The primary goal of the Imagine This Women's Film Festival is to champion women by sharing their work with the public, advocating for equal opportunities for BIPOC women and the LGBTQIA+ community, offering avenues for educational and professional development, and serving as an invaluable resource and information network. ITWIFF enthusiastically invites submissions from women and non-binary filmmakers and storytellers who hold pivotal leadership positions. To be eligible for consideration, at least one woman must occupy key roles such as director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, or lead actor, among others. Furthermore, ITWIFF embraces and actively encourages submissions from BIPOC women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, student filmmakers, and storytellers from diverse backgrounds. Our festival is committed to celebrating a wide spectrum of voices and perspectives, with the aim of showcasing the richness of talent from all walks of life. Join us in this exciting cinematic journey of empowerment and diversity at ITWIFF.
o When/Where: September 24-27
o Deadline: May 26 (Late Deadline), June 16 (Extended Deadline), July 7 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $45-$90
o Eligibility: PLEASE ONLY SUBMIT TO ONE CATEGORY, THERE IS NO NEED TO SUBMIT TO MORE THAN ONE**
Please read this agreement carefully before you submit your film. By submitting your film, you expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall be bound by the terms of this agreement.
Screening Fees: Imagine This Women’s Film Festival is a non-profit organization and DOES NOT PAY SCREENING FEES FOR UNSOLICITED FILMS.*
Submission Details: Filmmakers need to provide accurate information about their film, including a brief synopsis, credits, production stills, promotional items, and any additional required materials. Please review to ensure all the information submitted is correct.
Promotional Materials: If available, please provide stills from the film, press materials, headshots, and filmography of the director, as well as black & white and/or color video trailer links from Vimeo and YouTube, and social media handles to help promote your selection. Please submit them with your application.
Copyright and Rights Clearance: Films must be free from any legal disputes, and the filmmaker should have obtained all necessary rights for music and exhibition.
Films that are publicly available online (free to screen) may be considered for exhibition during the Festival. Online private screenings through a festival’s online program do not count as publicly available online.
o Categories: Feature, Documentary, Short, TV Pilot
She/Her Fest
She/Her Fest was created to empower, recognize, and promote art created by women identifying filmmakers. She/Her Fest is an inclusive, safe, art community. It is important to know that the festival itself is for EVERYONE regardless of gender! Hosted in the picturesque Pacific Northwest, She/Her Fest is an annual community gathering that you won't want to miss!
o When/Where: September 19
o Deadline: March 7 (Very First Week Discount), April 3 (Early Bird Deadline), May 15 (Regular Deadline), June 12 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $10-30
o Eligibility:
All entries must include at least two individuals—either a Director, Writer, Cinematographer, or Producer—who use she/her or she/they pronouns. Entrants must be 18+.
Entries must be 100% Completed, including, color, picture, and sound.
FILM LENGTH: Short films must not exceed 30 minutes in length. Feature length films must not exceed 120 minutes in length.
BUDGET CAP: Film budget is not to exceed $25,000.
PREMIERE STATUS: No Premiere Status requirements.
FILM AGE: Films have no age requirement.
AGREEMENT OF USE: By submitting to She/Her Fest, filmmakers agree to have their work publicly screened on the listed event date.Filmmakers and guests agree to allow the festival to use their likeness in promotional materials relating to the festival.
COPYRIGHT: All rights to the film must be owned by the filmmakers, INCLUDING music and archive footage.
o Categories: Short, Documentary
LA Underground Film Forum
LA Underground Film Forum (LAUFF) is Los Angeles's premier showcase of experimentation in film, video and audio based mediums. It focuses on avant-garde, art-house, independent and no/low budget filmmaking. Our program provides a venue for filmmakers to reinvent and explore new approaches, to foster new forms of media art and to build an audience for such work. We aim to present a wide range of work exploring the many definitions and interpretations of the concept of “underground”. We’re looking for films made with passion, obsession and drive; films that go beyond expectations and genre; films, video and audio projects that strive to push the boundaries of accepted form and content. A strong sense of authorship is a must.
o When/Where: February 13
o Deadline: March 9 (Early Bird Deadline 1), March 29 (Early Bird Deadline 2), April 26 (Early Bird Deadline 3), May 24 (Early Bird Deadline 4), June 27 (Regular Deadline 1), July 26 (Regular Deadline 2), August 29 (Regular Deadline 3), September 27 (Late Deadline 1), October 25 (Late Deadline 2), November 29 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $27-38
o Eligibility: LAUFF accepts all forms and genres: from drama, documentary, experimental, cult, art-house, foreign language, comedy, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, animation, LGBT, indigenous, erotica to slow cinema and video art …
o Categories: Micro Films, Short Films, Feature Films, Animation, Screenplay
The Women’s Independent Film & Television Festival
The Women's Independent Film & Televison Festival is a chance to share and celebrate greatness in the world of female filmmaking. Our incredible community ranges from directors, to producers, to screenwriters, to actors, to content creators! Whatever the medium: We build this festival to shed light, deliver opportunity and celebrate the achievements of women in the world of filmmaking, storytelling and beyond! We're going into our 3rd year celebrating the Women's Independent Film Festival and we're so excited for this year's work, partnerships, competitions and more. Whether a finalist or not, all officially selected filmmakers will be invited to join us at the Women's Independent Film Festival for screenings, networking, resources, collaboration, learning, partnerships and for our official premieres and awards ceremony blocks. The Women's Independent Film Festival was created to encourage female content creators with unique backgrounds to share their stories/ The festival will promote the work of women filmmakers and recognize them globally for their achievements in film. Women have to be involved in the creation of ALL submitted films! That can be either as directors, producers, writers, performers, etc. Just as long as they were involved in the creation of the submitted work.
o When/Where: October 9-12 2026
o Deadline: January 31 (January Deadline), March 1 (February Deadline), March 31 (March Deadline), April 30 (April Deadline), May 31 (May Deadline), June 30 (June Deadline), July 31 (Regular Deadline), September 1 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $10-$60
o Eligibility: All entries should be sent via FilmFreeway with a secure online screener. Each accepted film must be submitted in the .mp4 or .mov format, preferably. By submitting to the festival you confirm that you own the rights of the film, including the rights to the music in the film. By submitting to the festival you give consent to the festival programming staff to screen your work in front of the private audience of the Women's Independent Film Festival community. There is no minimum running time. Films must have been completed on or after Jan 1st, 2019. All genres are welcome Filmmakers may submit multiple entries as long as each film is submitted with its own Entry Form, online screener and paid Entry Fee.
o Categories: Shorts, Feature Film, Documentary, Animated
Atlanta Women’s Film Festival
The Atlanta Women's Film Festival is a live screening of short films and table read events that takes place in Atlanta, GA. This event is an amazing opportunity to promote female filmmakers, directors, writers, producers, actors, and female-centered storylines to our incredibly supportive film community. There will be live screening blocks of films with Q&As with the filmmakers, table reads for the screenplays in our competition, live panels with influential women in the film industry, and networking events for anyone that would like to attend. Script writers, in addition to submitting your script to the festival we also provide optional script coverage. Script coverage with our festival includes the price of your submission fee. Your work will be analyzed by a Cinema Life filmmaker who’s produced award-winning films, has extensive writing experience, and also understands the indie way of filmmaking.
o When/Where: September 23-27
o Deadline: November 30 (Early Bird Deadline), December 31 (Holiday Deadline), January 31 (New Year Deadline), February 28 (Regular Deadline), March 31 (Spring Deadline), April 30 (Late Deadline), May 31 (Extended Late Deadline), July 31 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $15-60
o Eligibility: Please fully fill out your submission profile to avoid hold-ups in the judging process. Points may be taken off of overall scores for incomplete profiles.
o Categories: Short Film, Feature Film, Documentary, Animated, Music Video, Podcast
Female Eye Film Festival
The Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF) is a competitive international women directors’ film festival established in 2001, as a not-for-profit organization. FeFF is big on audience engagement and networking. An audience Q&A follows each screening. Festival delegates receive a VIP All Access Pass to the festival (screenings, script development, industry panels, tributes, workshops, and the closing awards ceremony). The Female Eye, noted for its intimate atmosphere and accessibility, attracts film enthusiasts, emerging and internationally recognized directors, screenwriters, seasoned industry professionals, celebrities, and decision-makers in the film and television industry. The Female Eye serves to bridge the gap between the written and media arts which includes the FeFF Photo Exhibit. We produce a robust Industry Initiatives Program consisting of panels, masterclasses, workshops, script development, live pitch competition and networking sessions. Annually, FeFF honors an Honorary Director and Honorary Maverick with a Best in the Biz Tribute, an “intimate conversation with” and award presentation. FILMS must be directed by a women or female-identifying. The Script Development Program is open to both men and women. Priority is given to scripts that feature a female protagonist. Our competitive Script Development Program is a three-tier program comprising the Good to Go, a closed-door session with decision-makers for screenwriters with scripts that are “good to go”; the Script-Reading Series, where main scenes are read by ACTRA members before a live audience and industry guests who provide feedback to the writers. Voted one of the “Top 50 film festivals in the world worth the entry fee” by Movie Maker magazine for 12 consecutive years (2013–2024). FeFF is an accredited festival by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and a Telefilm Talent to Watch partner. In 2024, FeFF, in partnership with the The Writers Lab (NYC) and the Firecracker Department launched the first Lab in Canada.
o When/Where: November 3-8
o Deadline: December 31 (Early Bird Deadline), February 28 (Regular Deadline), April 30 (Late Deadline), June 5 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $50-$100
o Eligibility: Films must be directed by women. The Script Development Program is open to both men and women. Screenplays written by men must feature a female protagonist. Films must be produced within two years of the festival, and they cannot be streaming, televised, or playing theatrically in Canada. We give priority to films that have not yet screened in Toronto. The fee for the competition is applicable to all deadlines. Filmmakers and screenwriters must elect to compete for an award. The flat fee to enter the competition is $100 regardless of the deadline, genre, or project duration. FeFF programmers can also choose to nominate a project into the competition if they feel a project is award-worthy.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Screenplay
ONSCREEN
The Storm
Casting "The Storm," a feature film. Synopsis: When a couple's strict 24-hour window to conceive aligns perfectly with a hurricane, their romantic staycation turns into a nightmare as their entire chaotic, extended family arrives to ride out the storm, forcing them to save their home, their sanity, and their one shot at making a baby.
o Roles: Various
o Details: Shoots June in Thomasville, GA Note: Fast turnaround, submit ASAP.
o Rate: $750-2500 (est. 5 days of work)
OFFSCREEN
Sofia Coppola Short Film Award
We’re thrilled to announce a new short film award in collaboration with Sofia Coppola to recognize an emerging filmmaker that projects a unique artistic perspective. Sofia Coppola is one of the most influential filmmakers of her generation. From The Virgin Suicides to Priscilla, her distinctive style has been celebrated for creating dreamlike atmospheres, intentional pacing, and precision with mood and setting that continues to influence cinema. This award draws from that legacy: like Sofia’s unique voice, we’re aiming to identify and celebrate a filmmaker with a distinct creative point of view, confident visual sensibility, and an instinct for storytelling that feels personal and unmistakably their own.
o Deadline: June 30
o Application Fee: $25
o Submission Requirements: Submission Fee: See Minimum Entry Fee on Awards detail page (Includes Moderation Fee + Peer review fee)
A compelling short video sample that reflects the filmmaker’s unique perspective and storytelling style—whether a previously produced scene, visual excerpt, or proof of concept. Anything that showcases your production abilities.
Project Description/Lookbook: One page document describing film the applicant wishes to produce with the award funding (synopsis, visual references)
2026 Black List x WIF Episodic Lab
The Black List and WIF will invite six promising non-professional television writers who are of an underrepresented gender (women, NB/GNC, and/or trans, and others) to the Lab. The Lab will consist of script development, pitching, peer workshopping sessions, and master classes with established writers and industry executives. Writers can also apply directly through WIF. The Lab will run for four weeks in-person in Los Angeles beginning in March 2027 and sessions will be held twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. There will be additional mandatory sessions on several weekend days (to be announced). All selected Lab participants will be invited to join the yearlong WIF Fellowship Program following the Lab.The Episodic Lab is a Los Angeles-based program. If you live outside of the Los Angeles area, we kindly request that you withhold your submission to this opportunity.
o Deadline: December 15
o Submission Requirements: SYou are the sole and exclusive author of the pilot screenplay submitted for consideration and you are of an underrepresented gender (women, NB/GNC, and/or trans, and others)
Feature screenplays will not be considered for submission.
You have not received more than $25K in aggregate to date as compensation for television writing work.
If selected as one of the writers invited to submit a professional resume and one page personal statement for additional consideration, you will deliver that personal statement within 5 days of receiving notification of your selection or by the deadline specified when you are notified.
If selected for participation in the Lab program, you are available to attend all sessions in person during the course of the four-week Lab.
LA Independent Women in Film Awards
LA Independent Women Film Awards focuses on international and U.S. film and script projects of all genres. Every season, the IMDb qualifying fest recognizes projects with a female producer, director, lead actress, writer, cinematographer, editor, composer, etc. All topics related to women's thoughts, women's fate, life conditions, women's views and so on are welcome to participate. All the winners will be promoted through various online magazines in California and can request to receive certificates and laurels. All the winners can request for screening through our festival. Our mission is designed to help create a platform for our filmmakers to be seen, but more importantly, get them the industry exposure to help sustain their craft for many years to come.The members of our jury will be award winning artists working in media from all over the world. All the award winners can request to be a jury member of a new edition of the festival in order to vote for one of the categories. LA Independent Women Film Awards is an outstanding event for promoting female artists working in media from all over the world.
o When/Where: August 14
o Deadline: June 17 (Regular Deadline), July 15 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $30-$60
The Cinema Street Women’s Short Screenplay
The Cinema Street Women’s Short Screenplay Competition invites women-identified screenwriters to submit short screenplays (20 minutes and under) to CinemaStreet Pictures for production consideration. The winning screenplay will be offered an option for the film for $1,000. THE LINE, by Sylvia Kinard, the most recent winning screenplay, is now in Pre-Production.
o When/Where: November 30
o Deadline: June 15 (Regular Deadline), July 15 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $21-45
o Eligbility: Applicants must be women or female-identified.
Applicants may be from any country, but screenplays must be written in English.
Submissions must be 20 pages or less, in customary screenplay format, and typed in no less than 12 point font. (No script fragments, treatments, synopses, TV scripts, stage plays, book excerpts, or documentaries.)
Screenplays by more than one writer will be considered, but all writers must be female-identified.
Applicants may submit as many screenplays as desired, with a separate application and submission fee for each screenplay submitted.
Screenplays across all genres of fiction (drama, comedy, horror, action, thriller, science fiction, animation, musical, etc.) are eligible. Scripts may be about any topic, but MUST HAVE A SIGNIFICANT FEMALE CHARACTER.
CinemaStreet seeks submissions from all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural groups.
o Categories: Short Script
The Ryan Hudak LGBTQ+ Dramatic Writing Award
The Ryan Hudak LGBTQ+ Dramatic Writing Award is open to New York State playwrights and screenwriters, including those who live within the five boroughs of New York City.
o Deadline: June 16
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Must be a working playwright or screenwriter. Acceptable forms of playwriting or screenwriting include stageplays, screenplays, teleplays, libretti, radio plays, and audio dramas. No audio is accepted.
Must self-identify as LGBTQ+.
Must be a current full-time resident of New York State for a minimum of 12 months at the time applications close.
Must be at least 25 years of age at the time the application closes.
Cannot be enrolled in a degree-seeking program of any kind.
Can be past recipients of any NYFA grant or fellowship programs, except past recipients of the The Ryan Hudak LGBTQ+ Dramatic Writing Award.
Cannot be a NYFA employee, members of the NYFA Board of Trustees or Artists’ Advisory Committee, and/or an immediate family member of any of the above.
o Contact: apply@nyfa.org
Hollywood Storytellers Script Competition
The Hollywood Storytellers Script Competition (formerly The LA International Script Competition) is an annual event where outstanding Feature, Short, and TV Pilot Scripts are evaluated and placed in our all-inclusive genre contest. One writer from each genre and medium will be awarded the genre winner of their respective category. One feature screenplay writer, one short screenplay writer, and one TV pilot script writer will advance and receive the overall "grand prize winner" title. Call for entries open in January and close in November with announcements and subsequent information to follow. If you have a produced script, we'd be delighted to invite you to submit to our sister competition: The Hollywood Storytellers Film Festival
o When/Where: October 12-17
o Application Fee: $28-80
o Deadline: May 10 (Regular Deadline), July 12 (Late Deadline), August 30 (Extended Deadline), October 4 (Final Deadline)
o Categories: Feature Script, Short Script
New York Screenwriting Awards
New York Screenwriting Awards, is an international screenplay competition based in New York. Screenwriters who would need recognition to be able to contact agents and producers can submit their screenplays. New York Screenwriting Awards has four editions per year. Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter editions. Winners will be announced on the NewY work Screenwriting Awards website, via emails, and FilmFreeway. Winners of each category will receive a prestigious digital certificate and the official laurel. New York Screenwriting Awards has been run by MAE Media House, one of the most prestigious creative writing consultancies in New York, since 2015.
o When/Where: June 20
o Application Fee: $28-80
o Deadline: May 5 (Regular Deadline), June 15 (Extended Deadline)
o Eligibility: All entries must be uploaded in PDF format. (www.freepdfconvert.com)
All entries must be submitted in English, formatted in 12-point courier font.
You may submit your entry via FilmFreeway. No preference will be given to either method of submission.
Entries must be received by the applicable Entry Deadline.
NEW YORK SCREENWRITING AWARDS will not share your screenplay with anyone except the official judges of the competition.
By entering the NEW YORK SCREENWRITING AWARDS you represent that your entry is your original work, and does not infringe on the copyright or other rights of other people.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
We do not accept hardcopy submissions by mail.
The decisions of the judges are final.
NEW YORK SCREENWRITING AWARDS reserves the right to make any necessary changes, postponements, or cancellations to event scheduling at our discretion.
To enter the NEW YORK SCREENWRITING AWARDS, you must agree to its Terms and Conditions.
o Categories: Feature Script, Short Script
Tubi X Black List Horror Initiative
Tubi and the Black List are looking for the next great horror film!
The Black List and Tubi have expanded their partnership with a new initiative to provide both emerging and established writers with the opportunity to submit feature scripts within the horror genre with the intention for Tubi to produce and distribute the selected script. Writers can submit their entries beginning March 1, 2026 and the submission period will run through June 30, 2026.
The selected script will first be purchased by Tubi taking into account the intended film budget but for no less than the WGA upset price; from there, Tubi will determine what additional writing steps may be necessary. The Black List will also be an executive producer on the film. 100 fee waivers are available for this program! In order to qualify for a fee waiver, you must have a completed horror feature script. Please be patient as it might take some time before we can respond to your request. Fee waivers will be distributed at the discretion of the Black List and Tubi. This opportunity is open to writers at every level, WGA and otherwise, and we encourage all voices to submit their feature script for consideration.
o Deadline: June 30
o Application Fee: $100
Hollywood Cineverse Screenplay Competition
What’s your story? THE HOLLYWOOD CINEVERSE SCREENPLAY COMPETITION would like to know! Our competition welcomes emerging writers, celebrates diversity, and upholds the collective experience of enjoying cinema. We're a small-scale, indie screenplay competition that meets for annual gatherings in the heart of Hollywood, Los Angeles. Part of an alliance of indie festivals around the world, this is a great opportunity to get your work seen both in the U.S. and globally. Official selections of our festival are screened each year at trendy venues in Los Angeles. Writers are encouraged to join us at these events for Q&As, an awards presentation, and an opportunity to mingle with an enthusiastic audience. Selected works have the opportunity to win a variety of awards, accolades, distribution opportunities, and prizes (see below). Our awards are IMDb certified! We welcome scripts from all over the world, and of all genres. We accept short, feature, and pilot scripts up to 120 pages long. Come, grab a drink with friends, and check out the latest scripts from L.A. and across the globe. We pride ourselves on a diverse and open community who loves indie cinema of all kinds. When you submit to our festival you enter into a local filmmaking and film loving community. Join CINEVERSE, submit your script, and get your work seen! It all starts here
o When/Where: September 26
o Deadline: January 31 (New Year Deadline), February 28 (Winter Deadline), March 31 (Spring Deadline), April 30 (Closing Deadline), May 31 (Extended Deadline), June 30 (Judges Deadline)
o Application Fee: $30-50
o Categories: Feature Script, Short Script
Torch Literary Arts
Torch Literary Arts welcomes submissions of original creative work by Black women writers. We are interested in work that challenges and disrupts preconceived notions of what contemporary writing by Black women should be. Your stories and poems are valuable and necessary. Write freely and submit what you are excited to share with the world. Submissions are accepted for Friday Features only. We accept submissions on a rolling basis. Simultaneous submissions to other journals are welcome as long as they are identified as such and we are notified immediately upon acceptance elsewhere.
o Deadline: Rolling Basis
o Application Fee: No Fee
o Eligibility: Include a one (1) page cover letter noting the title(s) of the work(s) submitted.
Upload your text submission as a Word (DOC, DOCX) or portable document format/PDF (PDF).
Typed, double-spaced (poetry may be single-spaced) pages.
Numbered pages.
Margins should be set at no less than 1” and no greater than 1.5”.
Poetry: submit up to five (5) poems totaling no more than eight (8) pages.
Fiction, Hybrid genre: 12-point font. No more than ten (10) pages or 2500 words (whichever is achieved first). Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained.
Drama/Screenwriting: submit one act or a collection of short scenes no longer than ten (10) pages. Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained. Indicate if a performance video or dramatic audio reading will be available with the text submission if selected.
Restrictions: We do not reprint previously published work for TORCH Friday Features.
o Categories: Scripts
A24
Based in NY and LA, A24 is the Academy Award-winning film and TV studio behind feature films such as Minari, Midsommar, Moonlight, Ex Machina, Uncut Gems, and this summer’s Zola and The Green Knight. A24 TV productions include the Emmy-winning series Euphoria for HBO starring Zendaya, Hulu series Ramy from Golden Globe-winner Ramy Youssef, the eponymous variety series from viral comedy sensation Ziwe for Showtime, the forthcoming Joseph Gordon-Levitt Apple series Mr. Corman, and the Netflix anthology series Beef starring Oscar nominee Steven Yeun and Ali Wong.
o Seeking: Various Roles
o Location: Los Angeles, CA & New York, NY
o Website: https://a24films.com/jobs
The Kate Spade New York Foundation
o To honor Kate Spade’s legacy of empowering and inspiring women and girls, the National Council for Behavioral Health is excited to provide complimentary Mental Health First Aid training to communities throughout the five boroughs of New York City and New Jersey and in partnership with organizations that specifically support these populations.
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.
The National Council for Behavioral Health shares Kate Spade New York Foundation’s belief in “the power of women to transform their communities” through empowerment. In support of this mission, we are offering through a competitive application process, select Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training, fully funded!
o Location: New York, NY
o Website
FUNDING
The Disruptors TV Writing Fellowship
The Disruptors Fellowship aims to disrupt the status quo in Hollywood and to uplift and normalize narratives that have historically been underrepresented on television. This work is part of Cultural Power’s broader effort to advance values-based narratives that influence how people understand identity, power, and possibility. For Disruptors 2026, we've restructured our program. From a writers' room experience, to free monthly public TV writing workshops, and the return of our Disrupting The Algorithm podcast, we hope that Disruptors 2026 continues to be a place for up-and-coming writers to continue to hone their creative skills.
o Deadline: June 5
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: Live in the Los Angeles area and be available to attend potential in-person gatherings (COVID-19 conditions permitting). If you do not live in the Los Angeles area, you can still apply, but we will not be able to provide transportation or lodging to in-person events.
Must submit 2 script samples in script form. Can be a movie, television, web series, or play scripts. No poems, long-form essays, or articles. At least one of your samples should be the TV series script you plan to workshop during the program (in-progress work is only acceptable for the TV sample you plan to workshop).
Never been staffed in a professional TV writer’s room.
Be able to fill out a W9 for payment (SSN and LLC's accepted).
Roy W. Dean Grants
Now entering its fourth decade, the Roy W. Dean Film Grants fund independent feature films, documentaries, web series, and short films with budgets of $500,000 or less that are unique and make a contribution to society that, without its help, might otherwise never get made.
o Deadline: June 30th (Roy W Grant - Summer), October 31 (Roy W Grant - Fall), November 30 (Carole Dorothy Joyce Grant)
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility:we want a one page synopsis (or outline) of the film and the first 10 pages of your script. Please be sure also include the following:
Style, format and approach to the material, including any distinct visual or technical elements.
What are your plans for distribution?
Are you the producer, director, what?
How is this project unique and how does this project benefit society?
What is your relationship to the material?
List name and position of proposed key production personnel (producer, director, cinematographer, editor, etc.) List their relevant experience or credits.
o Contact: artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org
Artslink International Fellowship
The ArtsLink International Fellowship program prioritizes applicants whose social practices seek to actively engage communities on issues related to the current climate emergency and human rights. We will actively encourage artists and arts leaders whose work is making a vital contribution to furthering people’s awareness, understanding, and active participation in environmental and/or social justice issues. Additionally, we will prioritize artists recently displaced from or still working in Afghanistan and Ukraine.
o Deadline: The Letter of Inquiry deadline will be announced in Fall 2026 Fellowships take place in 2027: online research in June-July and in person residencies in the US in October-November
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: CEC ArtsLink welcomes applications from contemporary artists, curators, and arts leaders whose work is shaped by community engagement and social practice strategies, and informed by our most urgent local and global issues. We welcome applications from artists of any generation and invite those with both traditional and non-traditional artistic backgrounds. Applicants must be citizens of one of our network countries. If you are living outside the region, please indicate where you are currently based. Please note that an ability to communicate both verbally and in written English will be essential to success in the program. Undergraduate students and research scholars are not eligible. Arts leaders/curators must be affiliated with an arts organization in the non-commercial sector or work as individual independent arts professionals. Artists seeking placement in commercial firms are ineligible. ArtsLink International Fellows from prior years are not eligible to reapply.
Sloan Distribution Grant
The Sloan Distribution Grant is a $50,000 grant awarded by Film Independent to a film that is entering its distribution phase. Eligible films must depict themes, stories and ase.
o Contact: artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org
Panavision New Filmmaker Program
Panavision believes in helping students and beginning filmmakers achieve their dreams. More than 25 years ago, Panavision launched the New Filmmaker Program, an ongoing grant program that loans camera packages to film schools, training programs, and independent filmmakers – at little or no charge. Panavision’s commitment to the industry's future provides student and beginning filmmakers the opportunity to work with professional grade equipment early in their careers.
o Deadline: Rolling
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Submit your proposals at least two months before you plan to shoot. Due to the high demand for Panavision cameras and equipment, it is essential that you plan ahead and contact us early.
Proposal materials will not be returned.
The New Filmmaker Program does not discriminate as to the nature of the project that can receive equipment grants. Any form, from experimental to documentary to musical to traditional narrative, is welcome.
Camera grants are available only for productions in the United States. Customs laws make transportation of cameras out of the US prohibitive. No exceptions.
The New Filmmaker Program will not allow cameras to be used on projects that perpetuate racial or sexual stereotypes and prejudices. Pornography is absolutely unacceptable.
Grant recipients must obtain insurance from an outside insurance agent. Students can generally have the school issue the necessary policies. Plan ahead! This can take several weeks to implement. The process varies from school to school, so check with your film department. Productcharacters grounded in real science, technology or economics.
o Contact: nfp@panavision.com
Catapult Film Fund
Catapult Film Fund provides development funding to documentary filmmakers who have a compelling story to tell, have secured access to their story, and are ready to shoot and edit a piece for production fundraising purposes. Our mission is to enable filmmakers to develop their films to the next level at a moment where funding is hard to find.
o Deadline: Rolling
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Catapult does not fund student films.
Documentaries must be 28 minutes or longer in length. We do not fund series.
Animation is okay. Documentary/narrative hybrids will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Development funds must specifically be used for the process of completing a fundraising piece, which may include writing, shooting and editing once story and characters are in place.
Applicants must own the copyright of their production, and have artistic, budgetary and editorial control over their project.
Applicants should preferably have previous film or television production experience in a principal role (director, co-director, producer, co-producer) as demonstrated by submitting a previously completed work sample.
Applicants who have not yet produced or directed their own feature length documentary should demonstrate that they will be working with an experienced filmmaker in a principal role.
Catapult only makes grants to 501(c)(3) organizations. In most cases, this will mean getting a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor for the project. A film production company or individual, including applicants from outside the US, may submit an application without a fiscal sponsor in place. Please see the FAQ section for more details.
o Contact: info@catapultfilmfund.org
RESIDENCIES
Sundance Episodic Program
The Sundance Episodic Program is an entry point for emerging to mid-career writers and creators across all scripted series platforms. Through a rigorous Lab experience and customized support, the program provides artists with the knowledge and industry access to move their projects and careers forward. The Episodic Lab offers writers an opportunity to workshop an original pilot and develop their writing and pitching skills. Working with accomplished showrunners, producers, and executives, the Fellows participate in one-on-one story meetings, pitching sessions, craft workshops, and writers rooms, which altogether provide creative and strategic tools to develop their pilots and navigate the industry.
o Deadline: TBC - September 1
o Application Fee: $50
o When: Ongoing
o Eligibility: Applicants have the opportunity to create and submit a television script (“Script”) and other pertinent information (together, the “Application”) to be part of the Institute’s upcoming Episodic Program. Up to ten (10) projects will receive the opportunity to further develop their Script through virtual workshops leading up to the in-person Episodic Lab (or through an online platform, if necessary) (“Lab”), as set forth more fully below. By agreeing to the Terms And Conditions found on the Lab submission form located at https://filmfreeway.com/SundanceEpisodicLab2026, the person or people submitting the Script (each an “Applicant”) acknowledges and agrees that they have obtained consent from any and all co-writers or other individuals with rights in and to the Script (hereafter called the “Script Owners”). By submitting the application, Applicant agrees that they have read, understood, and will comply with the Rules set forth below:
18th Street Arts Center
18th Street Arts Center values art making as an essential component of a vibrant, just, and healthy society. Its mission is “to provoke public dialogue through contemporary art making.” Founded in 1988, 18th Street Arts Center has fostered and supported the work of many of Los Angeles’ most engaging artists, and has built bridges to artist communities around the globe.
o Deadline: Ongoing
o Application Fee: Yes
o When: Ongoing
o Eligibility: The Visiting Artist Residency Program accepts applications from working, professional artists who demonstrate a deep commitment to their practices. The program is open to artists of all generations, nationalities, and disciplines. Applicants are required to cover studio rental costs themselves. Although we primarily support visual artists, 18th Street Arts Center will consider applications from performing artists, writers, and filmmakers as well.
o Address: 1639 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
o Contact: 310-453-3711
OTHER RESOURCES
NOTE: For more resources, visit our pages of Resources - Funding, Submissions, and more.
NYFA SOURCE - The New York Foundation for the Arts maintains the most comprehensive national directory of awards, services and publications for artists in the NYFA Source section of their website.
backHer- Women specific grants for all fields
https://www.backher.com/toolbox/women-specific-grants
FILMFREEWAY - Film/Video artists can check FilmFreeway at:
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