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Mountainfilm Festival Official Deadline
2025-12-16 | N/A
Telluride, Colorado
United States

Mountainfilm Festival Official Deadline
The Mountainfilm Festival Official Deadline starts now! Enter your film now, to be part of this community of filmmakers and change makers, inspiring audiences to create a better world.

ABOUT MOUNTAINFILM DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
Celebrating Indomitable Spirit Since 1979
Using the power of film, art and ideas, Mountainfilm inspires audiences to create a better world. Held every Memorial Day weekend, the Mountainfilm festival brings together a community of filmmakers and change makers, showcasing documentary films that celebrate adventure, activism, social justice, environment and indomitable spirit.
Mountainfilm takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded homelands of the Nuchu (Ute) and Pueblo people.
Mountainfilm uses the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. Mountainfilm is a multi-dimensional festival that celebrates adventure, activism, social justice, culture, the environment and indomitable spirit. We accept and screen feature and short films on a broad range of subjects. We are always interested in work that focuses on mountains, mountain culture, and mountaineering, but we also showcase films about people who are dedicated to changing the world. See a complete list of films from the previous festival here.
Eligibility Requirements

Mountainfilm is a documentary film festival. If your film is not a documentary, please do not submit.
Feature documentaries are 40 minutes and longer. Shorts are under 40 minutes, including credits.
Film entries may be of any length, from any country, and on any subject in keeping with our mission. Subtitled films should either be in English or include English subtitles.
At this time, we do not accept VR projects.
With very few exceptions, Mountainfilm requires that films have not been screened or broadcast in Colorado prior to the festival. We take other previous screenings, broadcasts, and online availability into consideration when making official selections.
Mountainfilm prefers newer films for inclusion. For the 2024 festival, we are seeking films making their premieres after January of 2023.
We will consider shorts that have had an online presence, though our preference is to highlight work that has not already reached a large audience.

Submission Guidelines

Only complete applications will be considered. This includes full contact information, film synopsis and specs, hi-res production stills, a trailer (features only), a Vimeo screener link and director headshot and bio.
We strongly prefer Vimeo links over FilmFreeway's video uploads.
Your screener link must remain active until June 15, 2024.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
If you are from an LMIC, a BIPOC filmmaker, or a student, please contact us for a submission fee discount/waiver.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
September 22, 2025
Notification Date
April 15, 2026
Event Date
May 21 – 25, 2026

Early
Official
Late

Feature Films
Nov 11, 2025: $50
Dec 16, 2025: $60
Jan 5, 2026: $75

Short Films
Nov 11, 2025: $30
Dec 16, 2025: $40
Jan 5, 2026: $55

Features are defined as 40 minutes and above, shorts as less than 40 minutes.

Visit the Mountainfilm Documentary Film Festival website for more information.

VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR

Fantasia International Film Festival Regular Deadline
2026-01-01 | N/A
Montreal, Quebec
Canada

ABOUT THE FANTASIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
OUR MISSION
Since its beginnings, the Fantasia International Film Festival has explored the diverse realms of genre cinema, creating bridges between the cutting edge and the mainstream, and providing a festive but professional environment where emerging artists are given exposure alongside their more established counterparts, both locally and internationally. We showcase the best in Canadian and world cinema, discovering and nurturing exciting new talents and offering a platform through which artists and audiences can connect.
OUR VISION
Fantasia’s definition of genre cinema is broad and continually evolving; aligned with the European tradition of ‘genre’ as a challenging and elegant stream of cinema, the festival juxtaposes pop culture with alternative culture, and its distinct programming has enabled Montreal to radiate in the international film community. Renowned worldwide for the boundless energy of its creative team, the festival keeps audiences coming to the theatrical environment, enabling independent artists and distributors to have their work shown in a professional and enthusiastic milieu. While already widely considered to be one of the largest and most influential fantastic film festivals in the world, Fantasia looks forward to expanding on its achievements with more visiting filmmakers, industry attendees, global media impact, original critical writing through a monthly web magazine, and the introduction of a film market that will enable independent media artists to exchange ideas and to connect with patrons and audiences alike.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
September 1, 2025
Notification Date
May 30, 2026
Event Date
July 16 - August 2, 2026

Earlybird
Regular
Late
Extended Deadline
Last Chance Deadline

Feature Films (International)
Dec 1, 2025: $95
Jan 1, 2026: $100
Feb 1, 2026: $105
Mar 1, 2026: $120
Apr 15, 2026: $140

Medium Length (International)
Dec 1, 2025: $90
Jan 1, 2026: $95
Feb 1, 2026: $100
Mar 1, 2026: $115
Apr 15, 2026: $130

Short Films (International)
Dec 1, 2025: $80
Jan 1, 2026: $85
Feb 1, 2026: $90
Mar 1, 2026: $105
Apr 15, 2026: $120

Feature Films (National)
Dec 1, 2025: $75
Jan 1, 2026: $80
Feb 1, 2026: $90
Mar 1, 2026: $105
Apr 15, 2026: $120

Medium Length (National)
Dec 1, 2025: $70
Jan 1, 2026: $75
Feb 1, 2026: $80
Mar 1, 2026: $95
Apr 15, 2026: $110

Short Films (International)
Dec 1, 2025: $55
Jan 1, 2026: $60
Feb 1, 2026: $65
Mar 1, 2026: $80
Apr 15, 2026: $100

Visit the Fantasia International Film Festival website for more information.

VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR

Miami Film Festival Extended Deadline
2026-01-05 | N/A
Miami, Florida
United States

ABOUT THE MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL
Miami Film Festival is a world-class platform for International, American, and Ibero-American films. The Festival showcases the work of the world’s best emerging and established filmmakers to the diverse cosmopolitan community of Miami. Cash awards totaling more than $100,000 are given in competition categories.
In recent years, the Miami Film Festival has attracted approximately 45,000 people a year, as well as 300 filmmakers, producers, talent and industry professionals from around the world as it showcases more than 100 feature narratives, documentaries and short films of all genres, from 40 different countries. Highlights of recent festivals have included award presentations and exclusive in-depth conversations with film legends Pedro Almodovar, Penelope Cruz, Rita Moreno, Riz Ahmed, Ramin Bahrani, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Aldis Hodge, Javier Camara, Andra Day, Ari Wegner, Cristobal Tapia de Veer, and Joshua James Richards; and numerous World and International Premieres.
The Festival also hosts dozens of world-class events every year, including the Mercado de Cine Frances y Europeo, which brings together over 40 buyers and sellers from Europe and Latin America; annual events in partnership with VARIETY, including The International Feature Film Award Roundtable; as well as numerous workshops, masterclasses, legendary parties, and industry happy hours.
Historically, the Festival has had the privilege of hosting a noted group of filmmakers and talent, including Barry Jenkins, Isabelle Huppert, Carlos Saura, Richard Gere, Rashida Jones, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lena Olin, Pablo Larrain, Edward James Olmos, Monica Bellucci, Rossy de Palma, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Spike Lee, Andy Garcia, Patricia Clarkson, Stella Meghie, Joe Talbot, Jason Reitman, Lulu Wang and countless more. Simultaneously, it strives to be a beacon of support to local filmmaking talent and has elevated the work of numerous local filmmakers via exciting marquee screenings and generous cash awards like the Knight Made in MIA prize for locally-produced features and shorts.
Major trade publications such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Screen and Indiewire attend for coverage and reviews of the films. Miami Film Festival has also made the prestigious “One of the 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee” list by Moviemaker Magazine in recent years.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
July 1, 2025
Notification Date
February 18, 2026
Event Date
April 9 - 13, 2026

Earlybird
Regular
Late
Extended

All Genres/Lengths
Sept 1, 2025
Nov 1, 2025
Dec 15, 2025
Jan 5, 2026

Visit the Miami Film Festival website for more information.

Mountainfilm Festival Late Deadline
2026-01-05 | N/A
Telluride, Colorado
United States

Mountainfilm Festival Late Deadline
The Mountainfilm Festival Late Deadline starts now! Enter your film now, to be part of this community of filmmakers and change makers, inspiring audiences to create a better world.

ABOUT MOUNTAINFILM DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
Celebrating Indomitable Spirit Since 1979
Using the power of film, art and ideas, Mountainfilm inspires audiences to create a better world. Held every Memorial Day weekend, the Mountainfilm festival brings together a community of filmmakers and change makers, showcasing documentary films that celebrate adventure, activism, social justice, environment and indomitable spirit.
Mountainfilm takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded homelands of the Nuchu (Ute) and Pueblo people.
Mountainfilm uses the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. Mountainfilm is a multi-dimensional festival that celebrates adventure, activism, social justice, culture, the environment and indomitable spirit. We accept and screen feature and short films on a broad range of subjects. We are always interested in work that focuses on mountains, mountain culture, and mountaineering, but we also showcase films about people who are dedicated to changing the world. See a complete list of films from the previous festival here.
Eligibility Requirements

Mountainfilm is a documentary film festival. If your film is not a documentary, please do not submit.
Feature documentaries are 40 minutes and longer. Shorts are under 40 minutes, including credits.
Film entries may be of any length, from any country, and on any subject in keeping with our mission. Subtitled films should either be in English or include English subtitles.
At this time, we do not accept VR projects.
With very few exceptions, Mountainfilm requires that films have not been screened or broadcast in Colorado prior to the festival. We take other previous screenings, broadcasts, and online availability into consideration when making official selections.
Mountainfilm prefers newer films for inclusion. For the 2025 festival, we are seeking films making their premieres after January of 2024.
We will consider shorts that have had an online presence, though our preference is to highlight work that has not already reached a large audience.

Submission Guidelines

Only complete applications will be considered. This includes full contact information, film synopsis and specs, hi-res production stills, a trailer (features only), a Vimeo screener link and director headshot and bio.
We strongly prefer Vimeo links over FilmFreeway's video uploads.
Your screener link must remain active until June 15, 2025.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
If you are from an LMIC, a BIPOC filmmaker, or a student, please contact us for a submission fee discount/waiver.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
September 22, 2025
Notification Date
April 15, 2026
Event Date
May 21 – 25, 2026

Early
Official
Late

Feature Films
Nov 11, 2025: $50
Dec 16, 2025: $60
Jan 5, 2026: $75

Short Films
Nov 11, 2025: $30
Dec 16, 2025: $40
Jan 5, 2026: $55

Features are defined as 40 minutes and above, shorts as less than 40 minutes.

Visit the Mountainfilm Documentary Film Festival website for more information.

VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR

Hot Docs Final Deadline
2026-01-08 | Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St W, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1Y3, Canada
Toronto, Ontario
Canada

HOT DOCS FESTIVAL FINAL DEADLINE
Hot Docs is not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing and celebrating the art of documentary and creating production opportunities for documentary filmmakers. It was founded in 1993 by the Documentary Organization of Canada (formerly the Canadian Independent Film Caucus), a national association of independent documentary filmmakers. In 1996, it became a separately incorporated organization with a mandate to showcase and support the work of Canadian and international documentary filmmakers and to promote excellence in documentary production.
Each year, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival — North America's largest doc festival, conference and market — presents over 200 cutting edge films from around the world. Year round, it supports the Canadian and international industry with professional development programs and a multi-million-dollar production fund portfolio, and fosters education through documentaries with its popular free program Docs For Schools.
Hot Docs owns and programs the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, a century-old landmark located in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood and the world’s first and largest documentary cinema. During the pandemic, Hot Docs launched the Hot Docs at Home streaming platform to provide audiences across Canada access to first-run documentaries and curated programming and events.
Inspiring change through storytelling
Our mission is to celebrate and advance the art of documentary by bringing outstanding films to our audiences and providing essential programs and opportunities for filmmakers.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
TBA
Notification
Applicants will be notified of programming decisions via email by mid-March.
Event Date
April 23 - May 3, 2026

Early
Regular
Final

Mid-Length - Feature & Episodic
Oct 23, 2025: $70
Dec 4, 2025: $120
Jan 8, 2026: $165

Short (1-40 min)
Oct 23, 2025: $35
Dec 4, 2025: $50
Jan 8, 2026: $70

Visit the Hot Docs website for more information.

VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR

Dallas International Film Festival Regular Deadline
2026-01-16 | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Cedars, 1005 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75215, United States
Dallas, Texas
United States

ABOUT THE DALLAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (DIFF)
Home of the Filmmakers’ Film Festival
It’s a special time when Dallas and the world come together to celebrate film—and filmmakers. Since 2006, the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) has become the place for storytellers and audiences to connect and experience film as a community.
Over the years we’ve contributed more than $1 million in filmmaker awards, hosted more than 1,900 filmmakers, and screened over 2,200 films from more than 50 countries.
Where storytellers and audiences gather
Film is about connection. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to build a community where we can share and experience stories together. With our year-round screenings, education and training, and the largest film festival in North Texas, we bring film home.
State of the Arts
Founded in 2006, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization sustained by more than 20,000 supporters, volunteers, corporations, grants and individual donors. We lead multiple educational initiatives to mentor excellence in film, television and digital media. And proudly support filmmakers, theatres and film organizations locally and globally.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
June 1, 2025
Notification Date
March 3, 2026
Event Date
April 23 - 30, 2026

Fall
Regular
Late
Final

Feature Films
Nov 7, 2025: $75
Jan 16, 2026: $85
Feb 6, 2026: $100
Feb 17, 2026: $125

Short Films
Nov 7, 2025: $50
Jan 16, 2026: $50
Feb 6, 2026: $50
Feb 17, 2026: $59

Texas Features
Nov 7, 2025: $50
Jan 16, 2026: $50
Feb 6, 2026: $50
Feb 17, 2026: $50

Visit the Dallas International Film Festival website for more information.

VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR

Sundance Film Festival
2026-01-22 - 2026-02-01 | N/A
Park City, Utah
United States

ABOUT THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
Founded by Robert Redford in 1981 with the mission of fostering new voices in American storytelling, the nonprofit Sundance Institute is a champion and curator of stories for the stage and screen. Today, our staff of 180 employees works year-round to offer 25 residential labs, grants exceeding $3 million, and ongoing mentorships that support more than 900 artists each year. Each January, the Sundance Film Festival brings artists and audiences together for the premieres of groundbreaking work, and year-round, the Institute hosts a variety of public programs to amplify original voices, inspire new ideas, and rally our community in support of independent storytelling.
The Sundance Film Festival is the ultimate gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives. Our annual program includes dramatic and documentary features and short films; series and episodic content; and New Frontier, showcasing emerging media in the form of multimedia installations, performances, and films. We also host daily filmmaker conversations, panel discussions, and other events. Since 1985, hundreds of films launched at the Festival have gone on to gain critical acclaim and reach new audiences worldwide.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
May 1, 2025
Notification Date
December 5, 2025
Event Date
January 22 - February 1, 2026

Early
Official
Late

Feature Films
Jul 28, 2025: $70
Aug 29, 2025: $90
Sept 22, 2025: $115

Short Films
Jul 14, 2025: $45
Aug 4, 2025: $65
Sept 1, 2025: $85

Episodic Content
Jul 25, 2025 : $45
Aug 15, 2025: $65
Sept 12, 2025: $85

Visit the Sundance Film Festival website for more information.

VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR

Fantasia International Film Festival Late Deadline
2026-02-01 | N/A

Santa Barbara International Film Festival
2026-02-04 - 2026-02-14 | Riviera Theatre, 2044 Alameda Padre Serra, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
Santa Barbara, California
United States

ABOUT THE SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and educational organization. Over the past 35 years, SBIFF has become one of the leading film festivals in the United States – attracting 100,000 attendees and offering 11 days of 200+ films, tributes and panels, fulfilling their mission to engage, enrich, and inspire people through the power of film. We celebrate the art of cinema and provide impactful educational experiences for our local, national and global communities.
SBIFF continues its commitment to education and the community through our many free educational programs and events. In June 2016, SBIFF entered a new era with the acquisition of the historic and beloved Riviera Theatre. After a capital campaign and renovation, the theatre is now SBIFF’s new state-of-the-art, year-round home, showing new international and independent films every day. In May 2019, SBIFF opened its own Education Center in downtown Santa Barbara on State Street to serve as a home for its many educational programs and a place for creativity and learning.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
July 1, 2025
Notification Date
January 9, 2026
Event Date
February 4 - 14, 2026

Earlybird
Regular
Late
Final

Feature Films
Aug 8, 2025: $70
Sept 19, 2025: $90
Oct 31, 2025: $115
Dec 3, 2025: $125

Short Films
Aug 8, 2025: $50
Sept 19, 2025: $60
Oct 31, 2025: $70
Dec 3, 2025: $80

Visit the Santa Barbara International Film Festival website for more information.

VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR

Dallas International Film Festival Late Deadline
2026-02-06 | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Cedars, 1005 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75215, United States

Dallas International Film Festival Final Deadline
2026-02-17 | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Cedars, 1005 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75215, United States

Slamdance Film Festival
2026-02-19 - 2026-02-25 | N/A
Park City, Utah
United States

ABOUT THE SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
The Slamdance Film Festival is a showcase for raw and innovative filmmaking that lives and bleeds by its mantra: By Filmmakers, For Filmmakers. Slamdance has created a track record for showcasing breakthrough artists that is beyond dispute. Filmmakers who first presented their work at the festival are now amongst the biggest names in the entertainment industry. Alumni who have shown their early short films and debut features at Slamdance include Rian Johnson (Knives Out), Ari Aster (Midsommar), Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard), The Russo Brothers (Avengers: Endgame), Bong Joon Ho (Parasite), Lena Dunham (Girls), Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians), Lynn Shelton (Little Fires Everywhere) and Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk).
The Slamdance Film Festival accepts films in every genre, on any topic, from every country around the world. We spotlight low-budget Narrative and Documentary Features by first-time directors, Breakout Features from non-first time directors, short films across genres, and episodes. We do not disqualify any films based on premiere status or date of completion.
The festival program is selected entirely from our blind submissions pool and no films are given special treatment based on who made them or who they know. Over 200 Slamdance alumni filmmakers are responsible for the programming and organization of the festival. Comprised of a variety of backgrounds, interests, and talents, but with no individual filmmaker’s vote valued more than any other, Slamdance committees have been able to stay close to its original DIY spirit and continue to champion the bleeding-edge of contemporary filmmaking.
"Of all the Sundance myths that developed over the last 35 years, the biggest fallacy is that of being magically discovered and launching one’s career on a snow-covered January evening in Park City. If anything, when that does happen, it’s across the street at Slamdance” - IndieWire

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
May 14, 2025
Notification Date
December 17, 2025
Event Date
February 19 - 25, 2026

Early Bird
Regular
Late
Extended

Feature Films
July 7, 2025 : $70
Aug 11, 2025: $90
Sept 15, 2025: $110
Oct 13, 2025: $130

Short Films
July 7, 2025: $50
Aug 11, 2025: $60
Sept 15, 2025: $70
Oct 13, 2025: $90

Visit the Slamdance Film Festival website for more information.

VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR

Fantasia International Film Festival Extended Deadline
2026-03-01 | N/A

SXSW Film & TV Festival
2026-03-12 - 2026-03-18 | Austin Convention Center, 500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX, 78701, Canada
Austin, Texas
United States

ABOUT THE SXSW FILM & TV FESTIVAL
The SXSW Film & TV Festival celebrates raw innovation and emerging talent from behind and in front of the camera. Featuring provocative dramas, documentaries, comedies, genre standouts and more, the festival is known for its high caliber and diverse program and its smart, enthusiastic audiences.
For nine days in March, creatives of all stripes gather for the acclaimed SXSW Film & TV Festival program. Running concurrently with the SXSW Conference, Music, and Comedy Festivals, attendees can take advantage of the opportunity to connect with a wide array of industry experts, making the Film & TV Festival an unparalleled experience at the forefront of discovery, creativity, and innovation.
The SXSW Film & TV Festival is the only place in the world bringing together creative people from so many different industries, making the festival an unparalleled experience at the forefront of discovery, creativity, and innovation. SXSW provides the game-changing buzz every filmmaker dreams about for the premiere of their feature film, short, TV or XR project.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
June 24, 2025
Event Date
March 12 - 18, 2026

First Deadline
Second Deadline
Final Deadline

Feature Films
Aug 26, 2025: $60
Sept 16, 2025: $80
Oct 1, 2025: $110

Short Film
Aug 26, 2025: $40
Sept 16, 2025: $55
Oct 1, 2025: $75

TV Project
Aug 26, 2025: $60
Sept 16, 2025: $80
Oct 1, 2025: $75

XR Experience
Aug 26, 2025: $40
Sept 16, 2025: $55
Oct 1, 2025: $75

Music Video
Aug 26, 2025: $40
Sept 16, 2025: $55
Oct 1, 2025: $75

Visit the SXSW Film & TV Festival website for more information.

VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR

Canadian Film Fest
2026-03-23 - 2026-03-26 | Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, 259 Richmond St W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3M6, Canada
Toronto, Ontario
Canada

ABOUT THE CANADIAN FILM FEST (CFF)
The CFF is a non-profit organization devoted to the celebration, promotion and advancement of Canadian Filmmaking talent
The Canadian Film Fest is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to supporting Canadian independent films and cultivating emerging and established filmmaking talent. Film-loving audiences come to enjoy a diverse selection of 100% Canadian film screenings (features & shorts) and filmmakers flock to the CFF's various industry events to take advantage of essential networking opportunities. CFF's mission is to celebrate the art of cinematic storytelling by showcasing Canadian films and filmmakers. By exclusively featuring Canadian films, its goal is to provide filmmakers with valuable showcasing and networking opportunities and to offer the public homegrown productions to view and enjoy.
In addition to film screenings the CFF presents the CFF Industry Series with industry panelists, masterclasses, a screenplay competition with a cash prize and of course awesome parties.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
September 15, 2025
Notification Date
March 2, 2026
Event Date
March 23 - 28, 2026

Regular
Extended

Feature Films
Nov 28, 2025: $45
Dec 12, 2025: $55

Short Films
Nov 28, 2025: $25
Dec 12, 2025: $35

Visit the Canadian Film Fest website for more information.

VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR

Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival
2026-04-08 - 2026-04-19 | The Main Theatre, 115 SE Main Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, United States
Minneapolis, Minnesota
United States

ABOUT THE MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (MSPIFF)
Founded in 1962, The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP Film) is Minnesota’s foremost film exhibition organization, and a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We bring the best of international and independent cinema to Minnesota audiences through the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, numerous niche film festivals and series, and daily programming 365-days a year.
We promote the art of film as a medium that fosters cross-cultural understanding, education, entertainment, and exploration. We offer audiences unique opportunities to experience the wealth of international cinema, to engage with and learn from visiting international filmmakers, and to come together and share these experiences as a community.
Our programming serves a growing membership base and diversifying audiences of 85,000+ annually.
MSP Film is best known for the annual centerpiece, the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF). Presented every April, MSPIFF is the largest international arts event in the region, exhibiting more than 250+ films from some 70 countries each year and drawing growing audiences of nearly 50,000 in 2016.
All films are presented in their original language with English subtitles for non-English dialogue.
OUR MISSION
The Mission of MSP Film is to foster a knowledgeable and vibrant appreciation of the art of film and its power to unite, inform and transform individuals and communities.
Our mission is accomplished through a commitment to exhibiting the very best of new and classic local, domestic and international independent cinema. These notable award-winning films represent many perspectives and experiences and are, for the most part, simply not otherwise available to audiences in the region. And so, through the power of great cinema, we expose our audiences, in a unique way, to a rare mix of cultures, ideas, current affairs and notable filmmaking from around the world.
Our mission is carried out through the annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, regular special themed series, and daily screenings of new releases and classics from around the globe.
DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
July 15, 2025
Notification Date
March 10, 2026
Event Date
April 8 - 19, 2026

Earlybird
Regular
Late
Extended

Feature Films
Sept 1, 2025: $45 USD
Oct 1, 2025: $60 USD
Nov 1, 2025: $75 USD
Dec 1, 2025: $90 USD

Short Films
Sept 1, 2025: $30 USD
Oct 1, 2025: $45 USD
Nov 1, 2025: $60 USD
Dec 1, 2025: $75 USD

Next Wave
Sept 1, 2025: $0 USD
Oct 1, 2025: $0 USD
Nov 1, 2025: $0 USD
Dec 1, 2025: $0 USD

Visit the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival website for more information.

VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR

Miami Film Festival
2026-04-09 - 2026-04-19 | N/A

Crazy8s Short Filmmaking Challenge
2026-04-11 | Center for Performing Arts, 777 Homer Street, Vancouver, BC, V2B 2W1, Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

ABOUT CRAZY8S SHORT FILMMAKING CHALLENGE
Running since 1999, Crazy8s is an annual 8-day short filmmaking challenge that provides support and funding to 6 emerging filmmakers to produce a short film, and provides training opportunities to crew and cast. After a Gala Screening and Afterparty, the films go on to be seen by audiences worldwide at film festivals and on other distribution channels.
Register and submit your short film concept in a 3-minute video pitch, along with the first 3 pages of your script, and you could be one of the 6 winners to make your film through Crazy8s!
Crazy8s accepts all genres of live action, scripted short film pitches including drama, comedy, science fiction, horror, fantasy, musical, etc. We do not accept animation or documentary pitches.
Crazy8s Film Society believes in equality, diversity and community. The program welcomes contributions from all, and is not limited to, people of varied age, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender-identity, language, race, sexual orientation, and religious views.
How Does Crazy8s Work?

Submit a short film concept in a 3-minute video pitch, along with the first 3 pages of your script. A jury of industry professionals and independent film community peers evaluates these submissions.
40 quarterfinalists pitch live, in person, to a separate jury of industry professionals and independent film community peers.
12 semifinalists workshop their full script drafts with professional story editors, and submit a final draft for evaluation by the live pitch jury.
6 finalist winners receive $2,000 each, and an in-kind production package and post-production services worth up to $50,000 provided by sponsors from the local film industry and community.
These 6 teams must complete their short films within the same 8-day timeframe.
The finished films and teams are celebrated at a Gala Screening followed by an Afterparty, the largest single-evening film screening event in Vancouver, attended by members of the independent filmmaking community, industry professionals, and the general public.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
September 5, 2025
Info Session & Pitching Workshop
September 21, 2025
Notification Date
November 12, 2025
Event Date
April 11, 2026

Earlybird
Regular

Short Film Concept
Sept. 26, 2025: $50
Oct. 17, 2025: $60

Visit the Crazy8s Short Filmmaking Challenge website for more information on awards & prizes, eligibility and the pitch.

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Fantasia International Film Festival Last Chance Deadline
2026-04-15 | N/A

Dallas International Film Festival
2026-04-23 - 2026-04-30 | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Cedars, 1005 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75215, United States

Atlanta Film Festival
2026-04-23 - 2026-05-03 | Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce De Leon Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA, 30306, United States
Atlanta, Georgia
United States

ABOUT THE ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL
Now in its fourth decade, the Atlanta Film Festival — one of only two-dozen Academy Award® qualifying festivals in the US — is the area’s preeminent celebration of cinema. The Atlanta Film Festival is one of the largest and longest-running festival in the country, welcoming an audience of over 28,000 to discover hundreds of new independent, international, animated, documentary, and short films, selected from 8000+ submissions from all over the world. It is also the most distinguished event in its class, recognized as Best Film Festival by Creative Loafing, Sunday Paper, 10Best and Atlanta Magazine.
Atlanta Film Festival screenings often include in-person dialog with filmmakers, providing audiences, artists and industry professionals with meaningful opportunities to network, interact and engage. Recent festival guests have included Josh Brolin (NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Michael Ealy (BARBERSHOP), Jasmine Guy (DIFFERENT WORLD), Gary Anthony Williams (MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE), Pauley Chris Moore (GOOD WILL HUNTING,), Howard Zinn (The Peoples’ History of the United States), Ray McKinnon (THE BLIND SIDE), Walton Goggins (THE SHIELD), Margaret Cho (DROP DEAD DIVA), comedian Jeff Foxworthy, Pauley Perrette (NCIS), Tichina Arnold (EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS), John Sayles (PASSION FISH), Hal Hartley (SIMPLE MEN), Carlos Cauron (RUDO Y CURSI) and Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers).
The Atlanta Film Festival is a membership-based 501(c)(3) arts non-profit with a mission to lead the community, both locally and worldwide, in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. ATLFF presents a diverse slate of year-round offerings for film-lovers, filmmakers, and industry professionals. Year round programs —screenings, parties, panels, workshops, and other educational events –provide a forum for building the community of film lovers and film supporters. By bringing audiences and filmmakers together, the Festival has the opportunity to broaden the perspective of both artists and moviegoers.
Mission Statement
To connect, educate, and engage audiences with the creative industry by supporting artists and providing a platform for their work. We champion cultural discovery, foster artistic growth, and advocate for diverse voices in film and media arts.
History
Positioned at the intersection of art, culture and commerce, the Atlanta Film Festival brings meaning to the moving image by championing the shared community experience, fostering the free exchange of ideas, and nurturing the development of a thriving industry. The organization dates back to its founding as IMAGE Film & Video Center in 1977, an outgrowth of the need for equipment access, networking, information dissemination, and support among Georgia media artists and producers.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
May 4, 2025
Notification Date
February 13, 2026
Event Date
April 23 – May 3, 2026

Hella Early
Early
Regular
Late
Extended

Feature Films
May 30, 2025: $50
June 26, 2025: $60
Sept 12, 2025: $70
Oct 17, 2025: $85
Nov 7, 2025: $105

Short Films
May 30, 2025: $40
June 26, 2025: $50
Sept 12, 2025: $60
Oct 17, 2025: $70
Nov 7, 2025: $85

Experimental Short Films
May 30, 2025: $15
June 26, 2025: $20
Sept 12, 2025: $25
Oct 17, 2025: $35
Nov 7, 2025: $55

Episodic Content
May 30, 2025: $35
June 26, 2025: $40
Sept 12, 2025: $55
Oct 17, 2025: $60
Nov 7, 2025: $80

Music Video
May 30, 2025: $15
June 26, 2025: $20
Sept 12, 2025: $25
Oct 17, 2025: $35
Nov 7, 2025: $55

Virtual Reality Film
May 30, 2025: $10
June 26, 2025: $15
Sept 12, 2025: $20
Oct 17, 2025: $30
Nov 7, 2025: $40

Visit the Atlanta Film Festival website for more information.

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Hot Docs
2026-04-23 - 2026-05-03 | Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St W, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1Y3, Canada
Toronto, Ontario
Canada

ABOUT HOT DOCS FESTIVAL
Hot Docs is not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing and celebrating the art of documentary and creating production opportunities for documentary filmmakers. It was founded in 1993 by the Documentary Organization of Canada (formerly the Canadian Independent Film Caucus), a national association of independent documentary filmmakers. In 1996, it became a separately incorporated organization with a mandate to showcase and support the work of Canadian and international documentary filmmakers and to promote excellence in documentary production.
Each year, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival — North America's largest doc festival, conference and market — presents over 200 cutting edge films from around the world. Year round, it supports the Canadian and international industry with professional development programs and a multi-million-dollar production fund portfolio, and fosters education through documentaries with its popular free program Docs For Schools.
Hot Docs owns and programs the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, a century-old landmark located in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood and the world’s first and largest documentary cinema. During the pandemic, Hot Docs launched the Hot Docs at Home streaming platform to provide audiences across Canada access to first-run documentaries and curated programming and events.
Inspiring change through storytelling
Our mission is to celebrate and advance the art of documentary by bringing outstanding films to our audiences and providing essential programs and opportunities for filmmakers.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
TBA
Notification
Applicants will be notified of programming decisions via email by mid-March.
Event Date
April 23 - May 3, 2026

Early
Regular
Final

Mid-Length - Feature & Episodic
Oct 23, 2025: $70
Dec 4, 2025: $120
Jan 8, 2026: $165

Short (1-40 min)
Oct 23, 2025: $35
Dec 4, 2025: $50
Jan 8, 2026: $70

Visit the Hot Docs website for more information.

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Mountainfilm Festival
2026-05-21 - 2026-05-25 | N/A
Telluride, Colorado
United States

ABOUT MOUNTAINFILM DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
Celebrating Indomitable Spirit Since 1979
Using the power of film, art and ideas, Mountainfilm inspires audiences to create a better world. Held every Memorial Day weekend, the Mountainfilm festival brings together a community of filmmakers and change makers, showcasing documentary films that celebrate adventure, activism, social justice, environment and indomitable spirit.
Mountainfilm takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded homelands of the Nuchu (Ute) and Pueblo people.
Mountainfilm uses the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. Mountainfilm is a multi-dimensional festival that celebrates adventure, activism, social justice, culture, the environment and indomitable spirit. We accept and screen feature and short films on a broad range of subjects. We are always interested in work that focuses on mountains, mountain culture, and mountaineering, but we also showcase films about people who are dedicated to changing the world. See a complete list of films from the previous festival here.
Eligibility Requirements

Mountainfilm is a documentary film festival. If your film is not a documentary, please do not submit.
Feature documentaries are 40 minutes and longer. Shorts are under 40 minutes, including credits.
Film entries may be of any length, from any country, and on any subject in keeping with our mission. Subtitled films should either be in English or include English subtitles.
At this time, we do not accept VR projects.
With very few exceptions, Mountainfilm requires that films have not been screened or broadcast in Colorado prior to the festival. We take other previous screenings, broadcasts, and online availability into consideration when making official selections.
Mountainfilm prefers newer films for inclusion. For the 2024 festival, we are seeking films making their premieres after January of 2023.
We will consider shorts that have had an online presence, though our preference is to highlight work that has not already reached a large audience.

Submission Guidelines

Only complete applications will be considered. This includes full contact information, film synopsis and specs, hi-res production stills, a trailer (features only), a Vimeo screener link and director headshot and bio.
We strongly prefer Vimeo links over FilmFreeway's video uploads.
Your screener link must remain active until June 15, 2024.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
If you are from an LMIC, a BIPOC filmmaker, or a student, please contact us for a submission fee discount/waiver.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
September 22, 2025
Notification Date
April 15, 2026
Event Date
May 21 – 25, 2026

Early
Official
Late

Feature Films
Nov 11, 2025: $50
Dec 16, 2025: $60
Jan 5, 2026: $75

Short Films
Nov 11, 2025: $30
Dec 16, 2025: $40
Jan 5, 2026: $55

Features are defined as 40 minutes and above, shorts as less than 40 minutes.

Visit the Mountainfilm Documentary Film Festival website for more information.

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Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
2026-07-03 - 2026-07-11 | N/A
Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

ABOUT THE KARLOVY VARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
BASIC INFORMATION
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is the largest film festival in the Czech Republic and the most prestigious such festival in Central and Eastern Europe. It is one of the oldest A-list film festivals (i.e., non-specialized festivals with a competition for feature-length fiction films), a category it shares with the festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Locarno, San Sebastian, Montreal, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Among filmmakers, buyers, distributors, sales agents, and journalists, KVIFF is considered the most important event in all of Central and Eastern Europe.
Every year, the festival presents some 200 films from around the world, and regularly hosts famous and important filmmakers. The Karlovy Vary festival is intended for both film professionals and the general public, and offers visitors a carefully designed programme, excellent facilities and a broad range of other services.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The first edition of one of the oldest film festivals in the world took place in 1946 in Mariánské Lázně, and some screenings were also held in Karlovy Vary. The festival moved exclusively to Karlovy Vary in 1950. The Crystal Globe Award was first awarded in 1948. In 1956, the festival was classified by FIAPF as Category A.
The Karlovy Vary festival spent 40 years operating under political pressures in socialist Czechoslovakia. In 1994, a new team headed by well-known Czech actor Jiří Bartoška and leading film journalist Eva Zaoralová took over the festival’s organization and decided to reshape the stagnating festival into a film forum deserving of international attention. In just a few years, the new programming and organizational approach implemented by Bartoška and Zaoralová helped the festival regain its previous level of prestige and win back the interest of film professionals and the general public.
PROGRAMME
Each year, the Karlovy Vary IFF presents some 200 films from all over the world. Many of the films are exclusively shown at the festival, while others make it into Czech or foreign distribution, onto television, or into other festivals thanks in part to their screening in Karlovy Vary. Except for films shown as part of retrospectives, all the presented works were made during the preceding year and are shown for the first time ever in the Czech Republic – many of them as world, international, or European premieres.
The greatest focus is on the traditional programme sections – the Crystal Globe Competition, which is reserved for feature-length films shot during the previous season that have not been shown at any other festival in international competition, and the Proxima section, an international competition which aims to complement the Crystal Globe Competition by celebrating contemporary cinema with a collection of forward-thinking and exciting discoveries shown exclusively as world or international premieres. Audiences can also look forward to thematic sections, unique retrospectives and homages to exceptional filmmakers.

DEADLINES & FEES
Opening Submission Date
TBA
Notification Date
TBA
Event Date
July 3 - July 11, 2026

Early
Regular
Late

Feature Films
TBA
TBA
TBA

Short Films
TBA
TBA
TBA

Visit the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival website for more information.

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Fantasia International Film Festival
2026-07-16 - 2026-08-02 | N/A
