The Abilene Frontier Film Festival (AFFF) celebrates the pioneering spirit of independent filmmakers, showcasing bold and innovative films that reflect creativity and resilience.

Set in the heart of Texas at Frontier Texas in Abilene, AFFF offers an inspiring platform for filmmakers from all backgrounds to connect with passionate audiences. With a mix of screenings, panels, and special events, the festival highlights the diversity of independent cinema and fosters a vibrant community of storytellers.

Join us for a weekend of Texas-sized creativity and discovery from October 3-4, 2025!

Awards & Prizes

The Abilene Frontier Film Festival is proud to honor outstanding achievements in filmmaking with various awards, cash prizes, and trophies. Trophies and cash prizes will be presented to winners in our Grand Jury Award categories, which include Best Feature, Best Short, Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animated Short.

Additionally, we’ll be awarding trophies and cash prizes for three special stand-alone honors: The Texas Award, recognizing excellence in Texas-based filmmaking; the Frontier Award, celebrating films that embody the pioneering spirit; and the Big Country Award, presented to filmmakers who are residents of the Big Country region.

Beyond these, filmmakers will also receive additional prizes and certificates across specific genres and categories, ensuring that unique voices and talents are recognized.

Rules & Terms

Abilene Frontier Film Festival – Rules & Terms for Submissions

1. Eligibility:
- The festival is open to all independent filmmakers worldwide.
- Films must be completed after January 1, 2020.
- There are no restrictions on premiere status, but films previously screened at other festivals are welcome.
- Submissions must be the original work of the entrant and not infringe upon any third-party rights.

2. Categories:
- Narrative Feature
- Narrative Short Film
- Documentary Feature
- Documentary Short
- Animated Short
- Student Film (for qualifying students only)
- Texas Film (for films made in Texas by Texas filmmakers)
- Big Country Film (for filmmakers residing in the Big Country region of Texas)

3. Submission Guidelines:
- All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway.
- Films must be submitted in English or with English subtitles.
- Submissions must include a downloadable screener (MP4 or MOV file).
- Entrants can submit multiple films, but each film must be submitted separately with its own entry fee.

4. Length Requirements:
- Feature Films: 60 minutes or longer
- Short Films: under 40 minutes
- Documentary Features: 60 minutes or longer
- Documentary Shorts: under 40 minutes
- Animated Shorts: under 40 minutes

5. Deadlines & Fees:
- Early Deadline: December 7th, 2024
- Regular Deadline: February 1st, 2025
- Late Deadline: May 3rd, 2025
- Extended Deadline: August 2nd, 2025
- Submission fees vary by deadline, and all fees are non-refundable.

6. Selection Process:
- A panel of industry professionals and festival programmers will review films.
- All selected films will be notified via email by August 30th, 2025.
- If selected, entrants will be required to provide a high-quality screening copy in digital format.

7. Awards & Prizes:
- Trophies will be awarded for Grand Jury Award categories: Best Feature, Best Short, Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animated Short.
- Stand-alone trophies will also be awarded for the Texas Award, Frontier Award, and Big Country Award.
- Additional prizes and certificates will be awarded for specific genres and other film categories.

8. Terms & Conditions:
- By submitting your film, you agree to allow the Abilene Frontier Film Festival to screen your film during the festival dates if selected.
- Filmmakers must have all necessary rights and releases for public screening, including music, images, and performances.
- The festival reserves the right to disqualify any film for any reason, including failure to meet the submission guidelines or inappropriate content.
- Submission fees are non-refundable, and the festival holds no responsibility for loss or damage of submitted materials.
- By submitting, you also agree that the festival may use excerpts, trailers, or stills from your film for promotional purposes.

9. Filmmaker Attendance:
- While attendance is not required to receive awards, we encourage filmmakers to attend and participate in Q&A sessions, panels, and networking events.

10. Distribution Status:
- Films that have secured distribution may still be eligible for screening but may not qualify for certain award categories.