#ScreenOpps
FILM FESTIVALS
Divine Feminine Film Fest
The Divine Feminine Film Fest is a yearly event that features creative work by women and non-binary artists. The focus of this festival is to highlight and celebrate women in all of their magic, mystery, and creativity.
o When/Where: October 16-17
o Deadline: September 30 (Regular Deadline)
o Application Fee: $22-30
o Eligibility: To submit, you must owns the rights to your submission.
All projects submitted to us may be screened/displayed at our official event.
Posters and/or trailers of your film may be used on our social media platforms to promote the festival and your film.
All films/music videos must be submitted in English or with English subtitles.
Posters are required for your film in order to promote this screening.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Documentary
Everybody is Somebody
The Albuquerque Film Festival, with the mantra 'Everybody is Somebody,' stands as a beacon of digital celebration for the world's storytellers. Nestled in the heart of New Mexico's vibrant capital, Albuquerque, our festival opens its doors wide, welcoming a kaleidoscope of cinematic talent from every corner of the globe. Dive into the fray with your masterpieces, as we call for submissions across all film genres; there's a spotlight here for every creator, regardless of nationality. It's your time to shine, to vie for prestigious awards across a multitude of categories. Let's unite. Let's craft. Let's rejoice. Boasting a spectrum as broad as the imagination itself, our festival invites you to join an esteemed circle, where selected films don't just screen—they compete for a host of distinctions, bestowed both by our expert panel and the audience's voice. Rest assured, every entry is given the attentive gaze it deserves. As seasoned filmmakers, we resonate with the dedication poured into your craft. That's why we elevate Officially Selected films with a spotlight dialogue—up to 10 minutes of in-depth conversation about your creative journey, shared on our official website, YouTube channel, and across social media landscapes. Our committee is as varied as the films we celebrate, featuring a global tapestry of professionals—Architects to Entrepreneurs, Artists to Filmmakers, and VFX Producers—each bringing a unique perspective to the screen. Every submission is watched thoroughly, ensuring your vision is seen and appreciated in its entirety. Our Goals:To broadcast fresh, trailblazing narratives and cinematic discourse from across the world.To offer an exclusive glimpse into the pioneering realm of New Cinema.To foster the exchange of ideas and experiences among our event's vibrant participants. Our Creed: We are the champions of the cinematic dreamer, the believers in the power of story. The 'Everybody is Somebody' Albuquerque Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing the most diverse array of narratives. Our mission? To empower every filmmaker with a burning passion, to connect creators with audiences, and to help solidify their mark in the ever-expanding universe of film.
o When/Where: March 27-29
o Deadline: July 6 (Deadline 4), August 3 (Deadline 6), August 31 (Deadline 7), October 5 (Deadline 8), November 2 (Deadline 9), November 30 (Deadline 10), February 8 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $15-25
o Eligibility: We accept all fiction and non-fiction film genres. All age groups are accepted. Projects submitted must be the original work of the participant. All submission will be received through Film Freeway only. No Exceptions.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Animated, Documentary, Music Video
Twisted Arts Film Festival
Founded in Tulsa, OK, Twisted Arts was created to highlight local, national, and international 2SLGBTQ+ artists through year-round programs which include an annual fall film festival, monthly film screenings & performances, a LGBTQ+ youth filmmaking Summer camp, members-only sneak peeks, access to year-round short films, special events, and private screenings with directors, actors, and other queer media icons. Tulsa's newest 2SLGBTQ+ film festival, Twisted Arts Film Festival, was created to screen first-run 2SLGBTQ-themed full-length films and 20 to 30 short films of all genres. It is our mission to highlight works made by Oklahoma filmmakers and the best queer cinema from around the world. We strongly encourage submissions from women, people of color, transgender people, intersex people, asexual people, non-binary people, disabled people, and other underrepresented people and communities
o When/Where: September 23-26
o Deadline: July 13 (Regular Deadline)
o Application Fee: $11.25-$20
o Eligibility: Twisted Arts Film Festival accepts short films of length less than 20 min from any genre about LGBTQ+ people and their communities.
o Categories: Shorts
GRRL HAUS CINEMA
GRRL HAUS CINEMA is a 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹, 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 dedicated to showcasing the short film works by 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗿 filmmakers in experimental, low-budget-, and underground cinema. By promoting creativity and diverse expression through film, we provide a platform for emerging filmmakers and those without easy access to funding, creating a space for underrepresented voices in cinema. GRRL HAUS is dedicated to inclusivity and celebrates 𝗗𝗜𝗬 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, because we think it’s important to share works by diverse filmmakers across various audiences, from international museums to underground clubs.
o When/Where: April 19 - May 8
o Deadline: July 31 (July), August 31 (August), September 30 (September), October 31 (October), November 30 (Regular Deadline), December 31 (Late Deadline), January 31 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $15-$50
o Categories: Short
Women, Life, Freedom Film Festival
Following the governmental murder of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini and inspired by its progressive ideals of Iranian people’s uprising, the Association of Film and Theater Artists Abroad has begun its activities to extend these ideals within the international film and theater community. The inaugural “Woman, Life, Freedom” Festival aims to showcase creative works that highlight women’s struggles and achievements, promote freedom of expression, support gender equality, and emphasize liberation. Inspired by the recent Iranian women’s movement against oppression, the Association of Iranian Filmmakers and Theater Artists Abroad (IFTAA) is hosting this festival to amplify the voice of this struggle beyond the border of Iran. Who We Are: We are a global community of film and theater artists who originally hailed from Iran. Due to restrictions on creative expression in our homeland, we now live and work around the world. Our experiences have strengthened our resolve to support artists and individuals whose freedoms and rights have been compromised. United by the powerful principles of "Woman, Life, Freedom," we are dedicated to advocating for those who face challenges in expressing their artistry and pursuing equality Our Goals 1. We aim to build greater support among global film artists for the movement of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ (Persian: Zan, Zendegi, Azadi; Kurdish: Jin, Jiyan, Azadi). 2. Our goal is to amplify the voices of the marginalized until our shared values of freedom and equality are realized.
o When/Where: September 16-21
o Deadline: July 8 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway and include a working screener accessible via FilmFreeway to be considered
We accept films in the following genres: narrative, documentary, animation, and docu-dramas, with a runtime of less than 60 minutes.
Films must have been completed after September 16, 2022.
Submissions should revolve around themes of women's struggles, empowerment, liberation, appreciation of life, and freedom around the globe.
Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles.
Filmmakers may submit multiple projects, but an individual entry must be submitted for each project
There are no festival premiere eligibility requirements.
Stills and trailers of selected films may be shown on the festival website and in publicity/promo material, including press releases, festival brochures, and other materials.
If you change your screener link or the password connected to it, make sure to update this in your FilmFreeway entry and notify us by sending an email.
Submitted films are considered the final finished versions of those films by the Festival (no “in progress” projects).
No entry fee is required. All selected films will be screened during the festival at SAE University College Brisbane in Australia from September 16 to 21, 2024.
o Categories: Animations, Documentaries, Narratives, Docu-Dramas
Miami Jewish Film Festival
The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) is recognized as the world's largest Jewish film festival dedicated to celebrating new film and media exploring universal themes of identity, history, and culture. Presenting its 30th edition from January 13-28, 2027, the Festival showcases the work of the world's best emerging and established filmmakers and offers awards in juried competition categories. Among the 139 films that premiered at the 2026 Festival which featured the largest Jewish film program in the world, more than 60 were selected from FilmFreeway submissions. Miami Jewish Film Festival has also made the prestigious "One of the 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" list by MovieMaker Magazine in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2025. In 2026, the Miami Jewish Film Festival drew more than 58,500 filmgoers and attracted more than 100 filmmakers, producers, talent, and industry professionals to its two-week event of inspiring films, events, panels, and parties that are hosted at 8 major venues throughout Miami. In all, the Festival presents more than 139 feature narratives, documentaries, and short films of all genres, from more than 25 different countries. MJFF presents dramatic and documentary features, experimental, and animated features and shorts about Jewish history, culture, and identity as well as films that reflect life through a Jewish lens. The programming staff takes a broad view of what makes a film Jewish and have been known to curate films that are Jew(ish) as well as films about issues that are relevant to Jewish communities and resonate with other cultural communities across the globe. Works in all forms and genres are considered. The Festival receives significant industry recognition; each year several films premiering at the Festival are acquired for US distribution. Recent distributors who have acquired films directly from the Festival include Kino Lorber, Greenwich Entertainment, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Netflix, Menemsha Films, Film Movement, Briarcliff Entertainment, Breaking Glass Pictures, and Go2Films, among many others.
o When/Where: January 13-27
o Deadline: August 3 (Regular Deadline), September 4 (Fall Deadline), October 2 (Extended Deadline), November 6 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $18-$40
o Eligibility: MJFF requires at least a Florida Premiere for any feature or short film. Works-in-progress are accepted.
o Categories: Feature, Documentary, Short
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
ONSCREEN
Polaroid
Casting a horror/thriller short film. A curious, soulful artist uses Polaroid film to document abandoned and potentially haunted spaces while caring for her ailing mother. During the setup for her first exhibition, she discovers one of her supposed apparitions may be closer to her than she thought. Short film (est. 10 min runtime), to be distributed on the YouTube channel 'In An Instant'.
o Roles: Hannah:
Artist with her eye trained on abandoned spaces and potentially haunted environments, using Polaroid film to capture her imagery. Her mother is confined to their family home since her father's death as she deals with declining health and worsening eyesight. Hannah looks after her, and always looks out for others, while maybe deserving some care of her own.
o Details: Shoots Aug. 1-2 in Westchester, New York.
o Rate: $200 (est. 16 hours of work)
OFFSCREEN
New York International Screenplay Awards
New York International Screenplay Awards is an international screenplay competition for screenwriters who aspire to connect with the US industry workers and explore the US markets. NYISA winners will be connected to the US film industry by the valued Sponsors; InkTip, Script Mailer, R2W2 talent & project accelerator/ consulting, Script Reader Pro, Screenwriting Software Final Draft!, And much more!
o When/Where: May 13
o Deadline: July 6 (Early Bird Deadline), November 23 (Regular Deadline), February 8 (Late Deadline), April 12 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $18-$60
o Eligibility: All scripts must be submitted in English, formatted in 12-point courier font.
Entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Entry in the competition is void where prohibited by law.
Screenplays written by up to four people may be entered in the contest. Only one entry fee is required for such entries. All writers' names should be listed on the online entry. All writers must authorize the submission of the entry. If a screenplay is written by multiple authors, prizes will be divided at the writers' discretion.
All entries must be uploaded in PDF format. (www.freepdfconcert.com)
Entrants to the NYISA retain all rights to their screenplays.
Entries must be received by the applicable Entry Deadline.
Once a script has been entered into the competition, we will not accept substitutions or revised drafts. If you wish to submit a revised draft of your script, you must enter it as a new submission.
NYISA will not share your screenplay with anyone except the official judges of the competition.
By entering the NYISA, 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.
Submissions must be the original work of the applicant. Entries may be adapted from the applicant's own work.
The decisions of the judges are final.
NYISA reserves the right to make any necessary changes, postponements, or cancellations to event scheduling at our discretion.
Notification of winners and official finalists will be sent by email and posted on our website. It is the responsibility of the winners to redeem any prizes allotted to them by the NYISA or our sponsors. Applicants will be responsible for providing current contact information and mailing addresses for prize redemption purposes.
Feature screenplays must be between 41 and 150 pages in length.
Short screenplays must be between 1 and 40 pages in length. Please email us if you have a longer screenplay that you would like to submit.There is no limit to the number of screenplays you may submit.
Under absolutely no circumstances will substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entry screenplay(s) be made. Screenplays will not be returned.
Screenplay titles cannot be changed upon resubmission under any circumstances.
o Categories: Feature, Short, TV Pilot
New York Script Awards
𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 is an 𝐈𝐌𝐃𝐛-𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 that presents the best screenwriters in the world. As one of the few screenwriting competitions, it organizes the LIVE TABLE READING category, where the best screenplay will be read by professional actors and director Ronika Merl, with the participation of the winning screenwriter.
o When/Where: August 10-12
o Deadline: July 7 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $54-99
o Eligibility: All scripts must be in English.
Multiple entries from the same submitter are accepted.
The decision of the festival selection committee will be final.
Scripts that are submitted must be the entrant’s original work and shall not infringe on any copyrights or any other rights of any third parties.
The organizers reserve the right not to award any or all of the prizes.
Organizers have the right to use film posters or your photos on public social networks to promote your project and our festival.
By submitting your project, you agree to receive marketing emails from our partner festivals.
o Categories: Feature, Short, TV Pilot, Screenplay, Treatment
Script Awards Los Angeles
Since 2016, we awarded 167 authors and selected an additional 563 authors. We reward ideas, talent, and narrative structure. The script is the core of any project. We want to enlighten the unique talent of writing and the original skill of storytelling, regardless of the genre and style. The Script Awards Los Angeles is an International script and authors competition. The contest was previously named the Script Showcase.
o When/Where: September 27
o Deadline: July 6 (Deadline 2), July 28 (Deadline 3), August 24 (Deadline 4) September 16 (Deadline 5)
o Application Fee: $5-80
o Eligibility: Every submission MUST come with: at least a logline or best: a 10 lines synopsis (in "overview"), an author biography, City / State. THESE ELEMENTS ARE MANDATORY Cherry on top: a writer's note or short letter of intent is greatly appreciated by the judges.
o Categories: Feature, Short
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: You 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
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
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
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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