FILM @ Downtown Urban Arts Festival (DUAF) showcases the best in new short film from new and emerging independent filmmakers from United States and around the world.

Our mission is to promote and stimulate creation and innovation in the film industry and provide support, opportunities for new voices that otherwise might not have been heard. FILM believes that independent films broaden the palette of cinema, seeding the global culture with new ideas, kindling awareness and fostering activism.

Best Short, Best U.S. Short., Best International Short, Best Documentary Short and Vanguard Award

Best Short receives $1,000 USD cash prize.

Filmmaker/film representative shall provide press materials, photographs, trailer (if available) and promotional materials to FILM for use at its discretion in promoting the film festival and its activities. The selected film and scripts may be excerpted for publicity purposes. FILM reserves the right to promote excerpts of any film or script to print, broadcast or internet media as required to market the festival.

Schedule of screening of the film is at the sole discretion of FILM.

A film representative shall make best efforts to attend screening and participate in question and answer session with audience following screening. FILM is unable to provide financial compensation for travel expenses or additional expenses to screening.

All ticket sales are property of FILM. There are no fees to the filmmaker/film representative for screening the film at the festival or for any other matters arising from the submission of the film to the festival and accept that FILM are therefore under no obligation to pay filmmaker/film representative any sums.

Film must be in English or with English subtitles. The film contains no material, which is obscene, libelous or defamatory.

Filmmaker/film representative has:
a) All necessary signed release forms in relation to copyright and all other rights now known from all the cast, crew and any freelance contributors who were involved in the making of the film, and
b) The appropriate copyright clearances for all music used in the film (if required).

Filmmaker/film representative will indemnify FILM against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the festival or from claims by any third parties.

Filmmaker/film representative confirms and warrants that:
a) He/she is the author of the film and the sole and exclusive owner of all rights now known in the film and has full and exclusive rights to submit the film to the festival,
b) The film is not under option, nor has it been purchased by any third party,
c) There is no current dispute as to the ownership of the film and that no rights or permissions are required from any third parties before the film can be screened at the festival.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • I was happy to have my film The Strong Box take part in the 2021 festival. Its a tough year for festivals so I can't criticize any too harshly but it kinda came and went without much fanfare. I hope it went well.

    October 2021
  • Ken Sagoes

    We are honored and deeply grateful that our film “The McHenry Trial – Don’t Judge a Kid by Their Hoodie,” was selected as an Award Winner in your festival. The festival is well-organized with great communication. May the festival continue to provide filmmakers a platform that fosters creativity and self expression.

    October 2021
  • Janet Marrett

    DUAF showcases a wide range of creative disciplines across live performance and film. It was an honour to have ASUNDER selected to be part of this prestigious festival!

    October 2021
  • Ishizaki Masataka

    they didn't open for the film festival, and there was no explanation. just got entry fees.

    May 2021