Nashville Film Festival Open for Submissions

Nashville, Tennessee
United States

ABOUT THE NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL

The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the longest-running film festivals in the United States and the first in the South. NashFilm discovers, elevates, and honors filmmakers, screenwriters and musicians from around the world while engaging, connecting and strengthening the community.

NashFilm presents the best in independent film including world cinema, U.S. indies, narratives, documentaries, and numerous short form programs by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers.

Nashville Film Festival films have won the highest honors in the film world including multiple Academy Award nominees and Oscar awards.

With Academy Award qualifying status and numerous shorts programs, NashFilm has screened many prize-winning narrative, documentary and animated shorts.

Nashville is Music City. NashFilm emphasizes the music in films. Some of the most memorable songs in films have been written and performed by Nashville’s songwriters and artists. In addition to the many films about music and the Music Films in Music City awards, NashFilm presents showcases, workshops, and other events where these songwriters and artists come together with film professionals from Hollywood and around the world to promote collaboration.

With a strong commitment to independent and innovative filmmaking, NashFilm offers some truly unique awards. Filmmakers compete for cash and prizes valued at more than $100,000. Winners of the Short Documentary, Short Narrative and Short Animation competitions qualify for Academy Award consideration.

Filmmakers from across the country and around the world attend the festival every year. Celebrity honorees and participants have included Willem Dafoe, Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Modine, John Turturro, William H. Macy, Al Gore, Nicole Kidman, Danny Glover, Vincent D’Onofrio, Tim Blake Nelson, Joey Lauren Adams, Rob Thomas, Craig Brewer, Harmony Korine, Ashley Judd, Kiefer Sutherland, Joshua Jackson, Brad Paisley, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Patrick Swayze, Christine Vachon, John Waters, Matthew McConaughey, Robert Redford, James Cromwell, Harry Belafonte among many others.

ENTRY GUIDELINES

• Entries must not have premiered to the public in-person or virtually before January 1, 2023.
• Films that have screened virtually at a Festival prior to the Nashville Film Festival are eligible for submission and competition.
• Competition is open to U.S. and International entries. Please check individual categories for additional requirements.
• Films submitted in previous years are not eligible for resubmission to the current and open season.
• NashFilm will program 1-2 Spotlight sections this year. The films will be out of competition, but contain a highly curated selection of films that share a common theme.
• Feature films are 40 minutes in length or longer. Short films are under 40 minutes in length.
• Films not in the English language must be subtitled in English.
• Entries must be submitted for pre-screening via filmfreeway. If you use a secured link, you are REQUIRED to keep us updated with passwords or your film may be rejected. NO HARD COPIES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ENTRIES.
• Works-in-progress are accepted but are not encouraged. We can’t promise that we will be able to watch re-edited submissions. Please only submit work-in-progress if you are submitting close to the final deadline.
• You may submit multiple entries but must fill out a separate entry form and pay an entry fee for each.
• NashFilm employees, including seasonal staff, board members, sponsors, and their immediate families, are not eligible to submit in any category to this competition.
• By submitting your work you are giving permission for the Nashville Film Festival to showcase your work at the festival and for promotional purposes.
• Any potential prize awards are subject to all relevant federal and/or state laws and are therefore not guaranteed. Prize winners are responsible for providing required documentation in a timely manner and are responsible for any tax liabilities they may incur. Nashville Film Festival is not responsible for providing tax advice.

DEADLINES & FEES

Opening Submission Date
January 1, 2025

Notification Date
August 6, 2025

Event Date
September 18 - 24, 2025

Visit the Nashville Film Festival website for more information.