Submission Categories

Every year, we curate a diverse lineup of feature films, short films and documentaries in both US and International for our Festival programs. Before submitting your work, please carefully review the eligibility requirements for each category below and choose the one that best fits your project:

U.S. Narrative Feature Films

This category is for any narrative or non-scripted work of fiction originating from within the United States with a running time of 50 minutes or more. To qualify, the project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction, or a fictionalization of actual events, with at least half of its financing coming from within the United States. Only films with world premiere status are eligible for open submission. Completed films that have been or will be exhibited theatrically or otherwise made available to the public (free or for purchase) before January 30, 2023, are not eligible. This includes public theatrical exhibitions (festival or otherwise), television broadcasts, home video, or any digital platform. However, films previously invited to but not participating in other festivals or events (live or digital) are still eligible to submit to this category.

This category is for any nonfiction film originating from outside the United States with a running time of 50 minutes or more. Documentaries that contain re-enactments or other fictionalized depictions of actual events may be submitted to this category; however, the final decision on which Festival program is best suited for the project will be made by our selection committee.

To qualify as an International Documentary Feature Film, at least half of the project’s financing must come from outside the United States. Only films retaining international premiere status are eligible for open submission to this category. Completed films that have been or will be exhibited theatrically (festival or otherwise) outside of their country or countries of origin before February 1, 2021, are not eligible. Films made available to the general public in a non-theatrical form, either for free or for purchase, before January 30, 2023, are also ineligible. This includes television broadcasts, home video, or any digital platform in any country or countries.

However, films that were previously invited to but did not participate in other festivals or events (live or digital) outside of their country or countries of origin are still eligible for submission to this category.

International Documentary Feature Films

U.S. Documentary Feature Films

This category is for nonfiction films originating from within the United States with a running time of 50 minutes or more. If your documentary includes re-enactments or fictionalized depictions of actual events, you may still submit it here. However, we will ultimately decide the best Festival program for your project, if accepted.

To qualify as a U.S. Documentary Feature Film, at least half of the project's financing must come from within the United States. Only films with world premiere status are eligible for open submission in this category. Films that have been or will be publicly exhibited theatrically, broadcast on television, released on home video, or made available on any digital platform before January 30, 2023, are not eligible. This includes public theatrical exhibitions (festival or otherwise), TV broadcasts, home video, or any digital platform.

Films previously invited to but not participated in other festivals or events (live or digital) are still eligible for submission to this category.

U.S. Short Films

This category is for any film or video project originating from within the United States with a running time of less than 50 minutes, including credits. Eligible formats include scripted or improvisational fiction, nonfiction or documentary, experimental film or video, animation, music video, or any other short-form film or video project.

To qualify as a U.S. Short Film, at least half of the project’s financing must come from within the United States. There are no premiere requirements or prior screening restrictions that impact Festival eligibility for short films. Films that have been screened at any number of festivals or other public theatrical exhibitions, broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, and/or released via any home video or other public distribution platform anywhere in the world are eligible for this category.

This category is for any narrative or non-scripted work of fiction originating from outside the United States with a running time of 50 minutes or more. To qualify as an International Narrative Feature Film, the project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction, or a fictionalization of actual events. Additionally, at least half of the project’s financing must come from outside the United States.

Only films retaining international premiere status are eligible for open submission to this category. Completed films that have been or will be exhibited theatrically (festival or otherwise) outside of their country or countries of origin before January 30, 2023, are not eligible. Films made available to the general public in a non-theatrical form, either for free or for purchase, before February 1, 2021, are also ineligible. This includes television broadcast, home video, or any digital platform in any country or countries.

However, films that were previously invited to but did not participate in other festivals or events (live or digital) outside of their country or countries of origin are still eligible for submission to this category.

International Narrative Feature Films

International Short Films

This category is for any film or video project originating from outside of the United States with a running time of less than 50 minutes, including credits. Eligible formats include scripted or improvisational fiction, nonfiction or documentary, experimental film or video, animation, music video, or any other short-form film or video project.

To qualify as an International Short Film, at least half of the project’s financing must come from outside of the United States. There are no premiere requirements or prior screening restrictions that impact Festival eligibility for short films. Films that have been screened at any number of festivals or other public theatrical exhibitions, broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, and/or released via any home video or other public distribution platform anywhere in the world are eligible for this category.