Whether you made a feature-length movie, a short subject, an animated or experimental film; whether it's a narrative, a documentary or a music video, somewhere out there is an outlet for your film. Whatever their size, shape or specialty, the most rewarding festivals go beyond premiere screenings in stylish venues, red carpet parades and glitzy parties. The better festivals enrich the marketplace experience for filmmakers with discussions, demonstrations and panels. There are many more than listed here.
Whether you made a feature-length movie, a short subject, an animated or experimental film; whether it's a narrative, a documentary or a music video, somewhere out there is an outlet for your film. Whatever their size, shape or specialty, the most rewarding festivals go beyond premiere screenings in stylish venues, red carpet parades and glitzy parties. The better festivals enrich the marketplace experience for filmmakers with discussions, demonstrations and panels. There are many more than listed here.
To find out more, go to the Videomaker community sharing page at www.videomaker.com/festival
WorldFest Houston Film Festival
open to public-yes; competition-yes; market-yes
Where: Houston, TX
When: April 11 - 20, 2008
Website Summary: "WorldFest is the oldest Independent Film & Video Festival in the World. It was founded by award-winning producer/director Hunter Todd to present a quality film festival for independent filmmakers." 55-60 feature premieres."
Categories: Feature film, MOW, documentary, corporate and business film, student, experimental, TV production and commercials, music video (also: new media, screenplay, print and radio)
Entry Fee: From $45 (student) to $150 (feature, MOW)
Entry Deadline: See website for details
www.worldfest.org
Boulder International Film Festival
open to public-yes; competition-yes; market-yes; Where: Boulder, CO
When: [closed, check website for next season's entry deadlines]
Summary: "Combine low entry fees with generous filmmaker hospitality, and open our festival to gifted film artists worldwide regardless of their financial condition. This principle has made the Boulder International Film Festival one of the most influential young film festivals in the U.S."
Categories: Feature film, short film, student, feature documentary, short documentary, animation, Colorado filmmaker showcase
Entry Fee: $40 Non-Students: $50 After June 30th Students: $60
Entry Deadline: See website for details
www.boulderinternationalfilmfestival.net
International Black Docufest
open to public-yes; competition-yes; market-yes;
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: September 18 - 20, 2008
Summary: "The IBDF is a dynamic forum devoted to showcasing the most innovative and compelling documentary films on the lives of people of African descent globally."
Categories: Documentary
Entry Fee: $20 (early) $30 (late)
Entry Deadline: Early - February 15, late - July 11, 2008
www.internationalblackdocufest.com
Big Mini-DV Festival
open to public-yes; competition-yes; market-yes;
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: [closed, check website for next season's entry deadlines]
Summary: "The Big Mini-DV Festival is a two-day event hosted by the Media Arts Department of Long Island University's Brooklyn campus. The festival will recognize the best documentary and narrative video productions created with the Mini-DV format."
Categories: Narrative short, narrative long, documentary short, documentary long, experimental, animation
Entry Fee: $20
Entry Deadline: See website
www.bigminidv.com
Big Damn Film Festival
open to public-yes; competition-yes;
Where: Chicago, Cincinnati, Des Moines, Fargo, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Madison, Minneapolis, Omaha, Sioux Falls, St. Louis, St. Paul
When: Monthly
Summary: "The Big Damn Film Festival is a one-of-a-kind, touring five-day film festival appearing once a month in twelve cities across the United States."
Categories: All genres and styles
Entry Fee: $30 (early) $60 (late)
Entry Deadline: Varies with location
www.bigdamnfilmfest.com
Akron Independent Film Festival
open to public-yes; competition-yes;
Where: Akron, OH
When: April 3 - 6, 2008
Summary: AIIFF's mission is "to nurture film and video artists through the presentation of exceptional and innovative work, and to provide opportunities for artistic growth through outreach and education."
Categories: Feature film, short subject, narrative, documentary, music video, experimental, animation
Entry Fee: From $0 (15 min. and under) to $20 (postmarked 08)
Entry Deadline: Closed. See website for next season
www.akronfilmfestival.com
Main Line Film Festival
open to public-yes; competition-yes; market-yes;
Where: Wayne, PA
When: April 26, 2008
Summary: "The mission of the Main Line Film Festival is to celebrate the art of the short film on the big screen."
Categories: Shorts
Entry Fee: From $15 to $25
Entry Deadline: March 15, 2008
www.mainlinefilmfestival.com
Future Filmmakers Festival
open to public-yes; competition-yes;
Where: Chicago, IL
When: Check website
Summary: "This film festival, specifically for youth under twenty, highlights the work of the next generation of filmmakers. Attend the festival and exciting workshops, meet in-the-know professionals and hang out with other young filmmakers from all over the country."
Categories: Personal film essay, long and short form documentary, experimental
Entry Fee and Deadline: see website
www.chicagofilmfestival.org
See our associated festival feature, It Could Happen.
