The Haydenfilms 6.0 Online Film Festival continues a legacy that began in 2004 as one of the first fully online film festivals in the world. Built to empower independent filmmakers through global exposure and meaningful competition, the festival returns to its original format.

This edition features a two-year call for entries, followed by a 60-day online film festival from August 30, 2028 to October 30, 2028.

From all submissions, a Top 50 selection will be curated and published on the Haydenfilms Institute platform powered by Cemboo. These films will be showcased globally as part of the official online festival.

Each filmmaker who submits will receive complimentary six-month access to the Cemboo platform, providing a distribution and content management solution aligned with the Haydenfilms ecosystem.

During the online festival, audience voting will determine the Top 4 films. These four films will be ranked based on performance and announced as finalists.

The Top 4 finalists will advance to a one-night, in-person red carpet celebration in March 2029, where:

All four films will be screened
Filmmakers will participate in a live Q&A
Final rankings will be revealed

One filmmaker will be awarded the $25,000 Grand Prize.

Awards & Prizes

Grand Prize:

$25,000 USD Cash Award

The Grand Prize Winner will be selected from the Top 4 finalists and announced live at the in-person celebration event in March 2029.

Finalists (Top 4):

Official Finalist recognition
Screening at the in-person red carpet event
Participation in live Q&A
Industry exposure through Haydenfilms Institute

Official Selections (Top 50):

Inclusion in the Haydenfilms 6.0 Online Film Festival
Global distribution via Haydenfilms Institute platform powered by Cemboo
Eligibility for audience voting

All Submissions:

Complimentary six-month Cemboo filmmaker license
(Activated upon submission)

Rules & Terms

Eligibility

Open to filmmakers worldwide
All genres accepted
Short films only (5–50 minutes)
Films must be completed on or after January 1, 2024
Non-English films must include English subtitles

Submission Guidelines

All entries must be submitted via FilmFreeway
Entry fees are non-refundable
Each film must be submitted separately
No revisions accepted after submission

Platform Access (Cemboo)

Each submission includes complimentary six-month access to the Cemboo platform
Access details will be provided following submission
Platform usage is optional but recommended for distribution and content management

Selection Process

All submissions are reviewed by the Haydenfilms selection panel
A Top 50 group will be selected for the online festival
These films will be published and made available for global viewing
Audience voting determines the Top 4 finalists
Finalists advance to the in-person event

Screening & Distribution

By submitting, filmmakers agree to:

Have their film screened during the online festival
(August 30 – October 30, 2028)
Have their film screened at the in-person event (if selected as a finalist)
Deliver final film files via the Haydenfilms Institute platform powered by Cemboo (if selected)

Rights & Permissions

Filmmakers retain full ownership of their work
All entrants must secure rights for music, footage, and talent
Haydenfilms reserves the right to use clips, stills, and titles for promotional purposes

Additional Terms

The festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission that does not meet requirements
The festival may update dates or structure if necessary
All decisions made by the festival are final

Contact

info@haydenfilmsinstitute.org

18 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Andi Watson

    An excellent competition. I was fortunate enough to be a finalist this year and it involved three rounds of live pitching to a team of industry experts. Haydenfilms really stands out from other screenwriting competitions for the amount of time the team invest in reading your work and the pitching process - I'd definitely encourage anyone to apply.

    December 2025
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  • Kathryn Den Houter

    I experienced first class treatment. They had a respect for my voice. It was a transforming and an unforgettable experience. Bravo to the judges! Bravo to the mission of Haydenfilms 2.0 Screenwriting Competition!

    October 2025
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  • Aaron Huckleberry

    An outstanding competition for aspiring screenwriters. Placing and winning in contests is always great, but making the cut in the Haydenfilms contest is a different ballgame because it takes you out of your comfort zone and gives you invaluable insights into the pitching process. This was the first time that I have formally pitched my script. It was a massively worthwhile exercise. The panel of judges assembled was stellar. The guidance they gave, first rate. Most importantly, it has given me renewed drive to move forward which is so important, because winning competitions needs to be the beginning of the journey, not the end. Huge thanks to Hayden, Alexandra, Johnny Ray, PJ, Reda and the whole team!

    October 2025
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  • Naomi Lisner

    I really wish I could’ve been there in person to pitch, but I was so thrilled to be invited! The team behind this festival has been amazing — great communication, super supportive, and clearly passionate about writers. I’d recommend this festival to anyone in a heartbeat.

    October 2025
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  • Hyten Davidson

    Wow - what a great competition and opportunity! I completely recommend for screenwriters and filmmakers. Highly quality event with very cool judges!

    October 2025
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