ONLY for films produced in the U.S.

Our festival takes place in Palm Bay, Florida, a small community on the Atlantic Coast, two hours east of Orlando. This is our 10th year, and our 16th program.

Our festival is for short films that are 15 minutes or less, produced anywhere in the United States. We welcome narratives, documentaries, PSAs, web series, trailers, and animation. (Sorry, no music videos or foreign films). Equal and fair consideration is given to ALL filmmakers, regardless of where you live, or the size of your budget.

Winners are selected by a panel of five judges, who carefully grade each film on its technical merits, acting, script, and entertainment value. The films with good audio and strong stories have the greatest chance of being selected. These “Official Selections” will all receive “festival laurels”, and will compete for awards such as "Best Cinematography", "Best Editing", and several other categories. Winners are announced immediately after the screenings, during our Q&A sessions.

Traveling to film festivals can be VERY expensive, so if you can't make it here to Palm Bay, don't worry. This will NOT affect the judging of your film in any fashion. "Official Selections" are chosen based on the merits of the FILMS, and NOT on "where you live". We love to show films from all over the U.S.

Our screening room at COMFORT SUITES seats 100, and tickets to all shows are FREE for anyone who wishes to attend. (Parking is free also!) So bring your whole cast, crew, and friends too!

Awards & Prizes

Award certificates will be presented in numerous categories, such as "Best Web Series"; "Best PSA"; "Best Documentary"; "Best Animation"; "Best Movie Trailer"; "Best Director"; "Best Short", and in many other categories. Winners who are unable to pick up their award in person will receive an "E-Certificate" via email.

Rules & Terms

(1.)Your film must be no harsher than an "R" rating.
(2.) Films may have been produced any year.
(3.) We accept films from anywhere in the U.S.
(4.) No premiere requirements.
(5.) Project may have distribution.
(6.) We no longer accept DVDs. Your preview and exhibition copies must be made available to us as a downloadable MP4.
(7) If you are notified that your film is an "Official Selection", your downloadable MP4 exhibition copy must be made available to us no later than July 5, 2018 to be included in our show reels. If we cannot contact you, or have no way to download your MP4, we reserve the right to replace your film with another entry.
(8.) Press Kits are not required. We will use the information and stills from your online press kit.
(9) No film may be withdrawn from the festival after the Official Selections have been announced.
(10) We do not pay "screening fees".
(11) Filmmakers attending our film festival must provide their own transportation, housing, meals, and expenses.
(12) Maximum running time of any entry shall not exceed 15-minutes, including credits.
(13) We do not screen "Music Videos" or films produced outside of the US.
(14) Sorry, no fee waivers Please do not ask.
(15) No refunds of entry fees. Judges decisions are final.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • false
    Harrison School for the Arts

    Good communication. Very kind. Thank you!

    November 2017
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you. The audience LOVED your film.

  • false
    Marcus Armstrong

    Great festival. Very intimate and the hosts make sure the filmmakers are taken care of.

    November 2017
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    It was a pleasure meeting you, and we look forward to seeing your next project.

  • false
    Jessica Gomez

    It was a great experience. Great people, great hospitality. Amazing experience.

    May 2017
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    We were delighted to meet you, and that you enjoyed the festival.

  • false
    Stefanie Davis

    Thanks for screening our film, "Speed Dating," as part of your festival! We appreciated all the communication for the event so we could relay it to our cast, crew, and friends.

    May 2017
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much. We try our best to keep everyone notified in a timely fashion, and to answer all emails. Thank you for your nice review of our festival.

  • false
    Roy Lewis Garton

    It has been my pleasure to know Ray and his wife for many years. Our film, The Wrong Lane was a winner and not because we knew Ray as he is a fair and kind guy as is his wife but because he knows how to put together a festival that is for the actual indie filmmaker and not to kiss someone's hind end to get some attraction in to get seats filled. He and his wife actually cares about the filmmaker getting his product shown. I would recommend this festival to any filmmaker.

    May 2017
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you SO much for your kind words. We are a small festival in a small community, so it is VERY difficult to fill those empty seats in the audience. But we try our best, putting in long hours, with very limited resources. Our filmmakers put their heart and soul into making their movie, and there is nothing more gratifying than to have an audience to watch it.
    We are glad to help.