ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
1. The filmmaker/director must currently reside in Texas. Priority will be given to filmmakers in Central Texas.
2. You do not have to have an Austin Public Library Card to submit a film.
3. Film should be intended for general audiences.
4. Film submissions are limited to 1 per person.
5. Use of sound or video clips from other films, television shows, music videos, etc. within your submitted work is not permitted unless those clips are in the public domain or you have received written permission from the copyright holder. The APL Film Festival requires all filmmakers to obtain permission to use copyrighted music in their films. Filmmakers can also use their own original music. Additionally, copyright-free and public domain music can be used.
Review APL’s Lib Guide on Intellectual Property (https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/c.php?g=1304236&p=10140638) including Public Domain (https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/c.php?g=1304236&p=9584505), Creative Commons (https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/c.php?g=1304236&p=9589728), and Copyright (https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/c.php?g=1304236&p=9584502) for additional information and resources.
6. Films do not need to incorporate the Austin Public Library. However, if you are interested in incorporating APL into your film please review APL’s filming and photography policy within APL buildings. Permission is required. Details can be found here: https://library.austintexas.gov/policies#film_photography
FESTIVAL FEES
There is no fee to submit your film.
NOTIFICATION ANNOUNCEMENT
APL will inform all entrants no later than January 5, 2027 whether their film has been selected for the festival.
If your film is selected, we will need a digital copy of your film no later than February 5, 2027 for it to be included in the screening. You can make your film available to download within FilmFreeway or send us a download link to Vimeo or YouTube.
FILM LENGTHS
Films should be no longer than 7 minutes including credits.
If you have a longer film, you can submit; however, priority will be given to shorter films in the selection process. The maximum running time for a film submission is 20 minutes.
FILE FORMATS
The preferred submission file type is .mp4.
Alternative formats that we can accept include:
.avi
.mov
.mpg
.wmv
