Austin Micro Film Festival

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The Austin Micro Film Festival is a seasonal event on the Film Festival Circuit that showcases short films under six minutes (6:00) in length. This event was founded by author and retired filmmaker Mikel Fair who worked on location in the Film and Television industry from 1999-2015. At this festival, international independent films of all genres screen in a fast paced "back to back" format projected in HD 1080p. International films from all over the world are eligible for submission, whether your film has screened at another festival or not. Featuring Action, Drama, Comedy, Documentary, Experimental, Music Videos, Horror Films and more, this diverse mix of Micro Films will surprise you in ways that are hard to explain, until you've experienced it for yourself. You'll be surprised at the creativity and production value that these brilliant filmmakers are able to pack into tiny little films that are six minutes or less. This event was previously listed at the Austin Micro Short Film Festival, but we have changed the name for 2021 and beyond.

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28 Award Categories For Films And Videos

Best Action Film
Best Acting Performance
Best Animated Film
Best Cinematography
Best Comedy Film
Best Dark Comedy Film
Best Drama Film
Best Dark Drama Film
Best Director
Best Documentary Film
Best Editing
Best Ensemble Cast
Best Experimental Film
Best Experimental Music Video
Best Fantasy Film
Best Horror Film
Best Horror Comedy Film
Best International Director
Best International Film
Best Mockumentary Film
Best Music Video
Best Picture
Best Science Fiction Film
Best Series Episode
Best Texas Film
Best Texas Director
Most Original Concept

All films are eligible, regardless if they have distribution or not. All films are eligible even if they have been accepted to other film festivals. All films and videos are eligible, regardless of when or where they were produced. Even if your film or series episode is publicly available on YouTube or Vimeo, it is still eligible for submission.

The submission fee does not include an event ticket fee if selected. Submission fees and event ticket fees are separate. The cost of attending this event is $38 for the entire day. Every attendee must have a ticket. There are no filmmaker passes.

The judges read and rate scripts for this specific competition only. Submitting to this film festival does not affect the ownership or copyright your screenplay or teleplay.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Mike Dietz

I was honored to have my film selected. A big thank you to Mikel for recognizing micro films and how fun and challenging they can be. Overall a great experience.

March 2024

Helpful
John Kalning

A fantastic Festival, honored to be a part of it. I wish I could have made it!!!! Micro films are special and this festival really is ahead of the game!

March 2024

Helpful
Bryan Ensign

I cant say enough great things about the event organizer and this event. We had a blast, got great feedback, and made some amazing new friends and connections.

January 2024

Helpful
Devin Christian

Thank You so much to Mikel and the Festival. It was my 1st ever film festival and it was a amazing experience. I had a great time and wish to continue supporting the program.

September 2023

Helpful
Priti Trivedi

Would definitely recommend this festival! Mikel is so dedicated and helpful, the communication is very thorough, and it was fantastic to have my short's world premiere in front of this audience. I was unable to attend this year (I'm not local) but if I'm lucky enough to get in with a future project I most definitely will. Thank you!

August 2023

Helpful

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Dates & Deadlines

September 26, 2023
Opening Date
December 31, 2023
Discount Deadline
January 31, 2024
Regular Deadline
March 31, 2024
March Deadline
May 31, 2024
May Deadline
June 30, 2024
Final Deadline
July 16, 2024
Notification Date
November 7, 2024
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Action Film
This category is reserved for films with intense action, fighting, chase scenes, driving sequences, acrobatics, gun fights, martial arts, or some element that fuels the audience with adrenaline. The judges are looking for tense moments, strong editing and good sound design.
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $19
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $19
- March Deadline
- Standard: $19
- May Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Animated Comedy Film
This category is reserved for funny cartoons, 2D animation, 3D animation, clay animation, sand animation, Anime, Computer Graphics, Puppetry Animation, Stop-Motion, Flip Book Animation, Experimental Animation and any form of animated films that may exist. Comedy Films that have a mixture of animated elements and live action characters are eligible for this category as well.
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $19
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- March Deadline
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- May Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Animated Film
This category is reserved for cartoons, 2D animation, 3D animation, clay animation, sand animation, Anime, Computer Graphics, Puppetry Animation, Stop-Motion, Flip Book Animation, Experimental Animation and any form of animated films that may exist. Films that have a mixture of animated elements and live action characters are eligible for this category as well.
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $19
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- March Deadline
- Standard: $19
- May Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Comedy Film
This category is reserved for films that make people laugh. The judges are looking for films that have funny moments, comedic situations, fun dialogue, humorous acting, and great characters. This event has screened great musicals, sketch comedy, stand-up comedy, family comedy, silent comedy, slapstick comedy, romantic comedy, action comedy, student comedy, mockumentary, web series episodes, comedy TV pilots, fake commercials and more at our past events.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $35
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Dark Comedy Film
This category is reserved for films that are on the darker side of the comedy genre. Sometimes referred to as “Black Comedy” these films have a sick sense of humor and may not be suitable for mainstream festivals. Often times these films end with the death of a character or have some strange gruesome scenes. Dark comedy films can make you laugh and cringe at the same time. If your audience laughs and then says “that’s messed up,” then you’ve probably produced something pretty dark. This event has screened dark comedy films that feature strange cruelty, or feature characters that are trying to get rid of a dead body, or they accidentally poison the wrong person, or even dream of murders, dark situations and revenge with strange dark comedic elements.
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- Standard: $19
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Submit Now
Dark Drama Film
This category is reserved for a drama film that is intended for a mature audience. Films that could deal with a variety of darker topics like murder, death, abuse, suicide, depression, hallucinations, shootings, police investigations, gang violence, kidnapping, riots, uncomfortable risky situations, verbal abuse, war, PTSD, flashbacks, psychological breakdowns, or some other topic that fits into a serious drama category and not necessarily in the Horror Film Category.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Dark Fantasy Film
This category is reserved for films about dark magic, mythology, the supernatural, wizards, sorcerors, hauntings, ghosts, witches, voodoo, curses, super powers, magical artifacts, potions, dragons, mythical creatures, or something similar? The judges are looking for darker fantasy films that appeal to a mature audience.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Dark Science Fiction Film
This category is reserved for films that are exploring the future, time travel, space, disease outbreaks, experiments, aliens, or any other concept that involves technology that may not exist yet? Great sound design, musical score, cinematography, visual effects or special effects are appreciated by the judges. When surveyed, our audience loves dark science fiction content with a vibe like Terminator, Alien, District 9, The Expanse, Minority Report, Twelve Monkeys, Fifth Element\, etc ...
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Submit Now
Documentary Film
This category is reserved for documentary films with thought provoking short stories about real life, interesting people, great stories, historical research, medical issues, sports stories, coming of age stories, political issues, war stories, racism, gender issues, LGBTQ stories, social justice issues, artists, musicians, actors, professionals, technologies, depression or any other non-fiction topic. All flavors of well documented films and stories are eligible from anywhere in the world, and in any language. (with English subtitles or voice-over)
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Submit Now
Drama Film
This category is reserved for films with real-life stories, people and situations of a more serious nature. Films that have strong acting and great writing. Films that bring out emotions in the audience are what the judges are looking for. Strong drama films deal with everything from romance and family relationships to post traumatic stress disorder, depression and loss of life. Medical dramas, stories about overcoming adversity, period dramas, sports stories, immigration issues, poverty, coming of age stories, have all screened at this event in the past. Beautiful cinematography, good production value and great music are viewed favorably by our judges, especially in the drama category.
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- Standard: $19
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- Final Deadline
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Submit Now
Experimental Film
This category is reserved for films that are outside of the Hollywood mainstream. Creative works that some would consider odd, strange, artistic, weird, innovative, fresh, enlightening, inspirational, confusing, mysterious, futuristic, retro, or difficult to classify. Experimental films must have some element that has something truly unique about it.
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Submit Now
Experimental Music Video
This category is reserved for music videos of all musical genres. The judges are impressed by good stories, great acting, excellent cinematography, and cool editing that syncs really well with the music. To be considered apart of this category, the video submitted should be odd, strange, artistic, weird, innovative, fresh, enlightening, inspirational, confusing, mysterious, futuristic, retro or difficult to classify. It is not a requirement that the musician is seen on screen. The focus should be on some aspect of your video that is very unique beyond the artist performing the music. If your music video is publicly available on Vimeo, Vevo or YouTube, your submission is qualified for entry. Official selections, nominations or awards on the Film Festival Circuit may help your video get exposure.
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- Standard: $19
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- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Fantasy Film
Is your film about magic, the supernatural, about wizards, curses, super powers, magical artifacts, etc? This is the place to submit your Fantasy film. The time limit for the Fantasy Film category is five minutes and fifty nine seconds (05:59) including all credits.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Found Footage Comedy Film
This category features a fictional recording of events that is made to look it was created from old video camera tape, phone recordings or film that was discovered. Mysteriously it isn’t always clear when or where the events happened to the characters involved. The point of view in the story sometimes comes from multiple characters that happened to be recording while action and events took place. The overall production is sometimes shaky, partially lit or out of focus to improve realism and build tension. Blockbuster films have screened in this format have come from all genres like The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield & Paranormal Activity. Archive 81 is a Netflix series that is about a character that is restoring found footage to solve a mystery. If you have created a found footage film of any genre, this is the right category for your film. In our 4 comedy film festivals (Portland, Houston, Georgia and Austin) we are looking for the funniest films that will generate laughter.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Found Footage Horror Film
This category features a fictional recording of events that is made to look like it was created from old video camera tape, phone recordings or film that was discovered. Mysteriously it isn’t always clear when or where the events happened to the characters involved. The point of view in the story sometimes comes from multiple characters that happened to be recording while action and events took place. The overall production is sometimes shaky, partially lit or out of focus to improve realism and build tension. Blockbuster films in this format have come from all genres like: The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield & Paranormal Activity. Archive 81 is a Netflix series that is about a character that is restoring found footage to solve a mystery. If you have created a found footage film of any genre, this is the right category for your film. The Atlanta After Dark Film Festival, Oregon Screams Horror Film Festival and Austin After Dark Film Festival have all added this category.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Horror Comedy Film
This category is reserved for comedy films in the horror film genre, that are full of jokes? Is it a Slasher parody, is it a reality show about vegetarian Vampires or Redneck Zombies? Is your film full of 80's era bad one-liners, full of nudity for no reason? You know if your film is a Horror Comedy Film, the question is, are you going to send it to us?
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $35
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Horror Film
This category is reserved for creative and scary Horror Films that have adrenaline pumping moments. Do you have a film that was intentionally created to scare people? Does your film depict any horrifying action sequences, blood, gore, monsters, psychotic people, slashing, stalking, zombies, vampires, disease outbreaks, demonic possession, haunted buildings, or any other elements that would classify your film as a true horror film? Great sound design, musical score, cinematography, visual effects or special effects are appreciated by the judges.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Mockumentary Film
This category is reserved for comedy films that are presented in a documentary or testimonial format. This is a fun category for our judges to review, which frequently has the most creative concepts. There are few film festivals in the world with a dedicated Mockumentary category, but this event has had one since the beginning. The time limit for the Mockumentary Micro Short Film category is five minutes and fifty nine seconds (05:59) including all credits.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Music Video
This category is reserved for music videos of all musical genres. The judges are impressed by good stories, great acting, excellent cinematography, and cool editing that syncs really well with the music.If your music video is publicly available on Vimeo, Vevo or YouTube, your submission is qualified for entry. Official selections, nominations or awards on the Film Festival Circuit may help your video get exposure. The time limit for the Music Video category is five minutes and fifty nine seconds (05:59) including all credits.
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $19
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- May Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Proof Of Concept
Is your film or video a proof-of-concept for a feature length film or ongoing series? We give additional award consideration and public recognition to submissions that are created in a form that is 30 minutes or less, but are intended to show investors, distributors and production companies a sample of a larger project. Please understand, we are giving recognition to submissions that are a proof-of-concept, but this film festival is not your personal sales agent. We do not sell your work and negotiate business deals on your behalf.. You represent your own creative content at all times. Submitting to multiple categories is optional and makes your submission eligible for more awards.
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- Standard: $19
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Submit Now
Relationship Drama Film
Relationship Drama Micro Film Category Description: This category is reserved for Relationship Drama films with storylines about relationships, love, dating or romantic situations. We’ve received submissions in the past with some of the following film topics: Lost love, break-ups, separation, divorce, re-marriage, rekindling old flames, therapy sessions, dating stories, love stories, trust issues, growing old, growing apart, surviving traumatic experiences with a loved one, unexpected romance, random hook-ups, sexual exploration and more. The judges are looking for strong acting, good stories and dramatic situations. The duration of video files submitted to the Relationship Drama Micro Film category must be less than (6:00) six minutes in length including all credits.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $35
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Romantic Comedy Film
This category is reserved for romantic comedy films with a storyline about relationships, love, dating or romantic situations. Romantic comedies have funny moments, but may have some dramatic elements to them as well. Strong acting, good stories and funny situations are what the judges are looking for. The time limit for the Romantic Comedy Micro Film category is five minutes and fifty nine seconds (05:59) including all credits.
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $35
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Science Fiction Film
This category is reserved for films that are exploring the future, time travel, space, disease outbreaks, experiments, aliens, or any other concept that involves technology that may not exist yet? Great sound design, musical score, cinematography, visual effects or special effects are appreciated by the judges. We have some science fiction enthusiasts on the judging team that can’t wait to see what you’ve created. The time limit for the Science Fiction Micro Short Film category is five minutes and fifty nine seconds (05:59) including all credits.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Sketch Comedy
This category is usually performed live with funny scenes and situations referred to as sketches or skits. In this format, not every action spoken follows a script in the same way that cinematic productions are structured. There are plenty of ad libbing and performance adjustments that are made on the fly. Made popular by shows like Saturday Night Live, Mad TV and House of Buggin’, the sketches are improvised by actors and comedians in the form of a dramatized series of jokes and situations that are oftentimes related to current news events and cultural activities. The Portland Comedy Film Festival, Austin Comedy Film Festival, Houston Comedy Film Festival and Georgia Comedy Film Festival have all added this category.
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- Standard: $19
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Submit Now
Award Consideration: Best Acting Performance
This category goes to the individual acting performance that is the most believable. Both while delivering lines and also in facial expressions/reactions.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Award Consideration: Best Cinematography
This award is chosen by the judges for the best photography, color, framing, and visual creativity for the director of photography and colorist.
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- Standard: $19
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Award Consideration: Best Director
This award is given to the directors of a film with the best story from beginning to end. This is a high value award for exceptional production and delivery of a great film that leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
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- Standard: $19
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Award Consideration: Best Editing
The best editing flow, pacing, use of transitions and in some cases the use of visual effects, text, titles and color.
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Award Consideration: Best Ensemble Cast
This is an award for films or videos that feature the best performance by a group of 3 or more actors.
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Award Consideration: Best Texas Film
This award is chosen by the judges for the highest overall rated film that was shot on location in the state of Texas.
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Award Consideration: Most Original Concept
This is an award for films or videos that the judges feel are "outside of the box" and offer something fresh and new.
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- Standard: $19
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- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Comedy Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is specifically for comedy screenplays that are genuinely funny and able to make the reader laugh. It should have well-crafted jokes, clever wordplay, physical comedy, or situational humor that resonates with readers. The judges are looking for memorable or relatable well-developed characters who can drive the humor and make the comedic situations more engaging. A successful comedy screenplay often stands out by having a unique concept or a fresh twist on a familiar idea.
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Dark Comedy Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is specifically for stories that fall into the darker side of the comedy genre. These films are sometimes referred to as "Black Comedy" and have a twisted sense of humor that may not be suitable for mainstream festivals. They often include scenes with character deaths or strange and gruesome situations. Dark comedy screenplays have a unique ability to make you laugh while also making you cringe. If your audience finds themselves laughing and saying, "that's messed up," then you've likely created something quite dark. This event has selected dark comedy screenplays in the past that showcase strange cruelty, characters trying to dispose of a dead body, accidental poisonings, or even dreams of murders and revenge with strange dark comedic elements.
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Dark Drama Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is specifically for content creators who want to showcase their Drama stories meant for grown-ups who are at least 18 years old. These stories can be about serious and heavy subjects like murder, death, abuse, torture, suicide, depression, hallucinations, shootings, police investigations, gang violence, kidnapping, riots, uncomfortable risky situations, verbal abuse, war, PTSD, flashbacks, psychological breakdowns, or other similar topics that belong more to a "darker" Drama category and not necessarily to the Horror category. If the story has sex scenes or descriptions of nudity, it should be submitted to the “Dark Drama” category instead of the “Drama” screenplay category. The judges are looking for well developed characters, good stories and dramatic situations that are easy for the reader to visualize.
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- Standard: $15
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Dark Fantasy Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is specifically for content creators who want to showcase their screenplays in the Fantasy genre intended for a mature audience. It's all about exploring magic, magical artifacts, the supernatural, wizards, witches, cursed artifacts, super powers, mythical creatures (dragons, unicorns, centaurs, mermaids, trolls, griffins, and more.) Some stories may feature an epic quest of a hero to fulfill a prophecy or retrieve an powerful magical artifact. Also stories that may feature environments like enchanted lands, ancient forests, hidden realms, magical kingdoms. Dark Fantasy films often include explicit content such as sex scenes, bloody killings, gore, or terrifying situations intended for mature audiences. Examples include Game of Thrones, The Witcher, and Carnival Row. If your fantasy film has been created for a general audience like Percy Jackson, Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Lord of the Rings, then you can submit it to the regular “fantasy” category.
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- Standard: $15
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Dark Science Fiction Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is specifically for content creators who want to showcase their stories in the Science Fiction genre meant for a mature audience. It's all about exploring the future, time travel, space exploration, disease outbreaks, experiments, artificial intelligence, aliens, futuristic weapons, scientific or technological breakthroughs, amazing new inventions, biological experiments, and any other concept that involves technology that doesn't exist yet. Let your imagination run wild with the possibilities of the future! Additionally, characters with well-developed backstories that are relatable to the reader can make a strong impression on the judges. Dark Science Fiction screenplays are typically Rated "R" or intended for a mature audience that may contain detailed descriptions of sex scenes, bloody killings, gore or terrifying situations with mature content. Examples are “The Terminator”, “Aliens”, “District 9” or “The Matrix.”
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Drama Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is specifically for content creators who want to showcase their dramatic stories about people and situations of a more serious nature. Screenplays that have strong acting and great writing. Stories that bring out emotions in the reader are what the judges are looking for. Strong drama screenplays deal with a variety of issues. Everything from post traumatic stress disorder, depression, economic depression, bullying, loss of life, medical dramas, stories about overcoming adversity, period dramas, sports stories, LGBTQ issues, immigration issues, racism, sexism, poverty, revenge, law enforcement issues, coming of age stories, and more, have all screened at this event in the past. The judges are looking for well developed characters, good stories and dramatic situations that are easy for the reader to visualize.
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- Standard: $15
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Submit Now
Fantasy Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is specifically for content creators who want to showcase their screenplays in the Fantasy genre. It's all about exploring magic, supernatural elements, wizards, witches, cursed artifacts, superpowers, and mythical creatures like dragons, unicorns, centaurs, mermaids, trolls, griffins, and more. Some stories may involve epic quests where a hero embarks on a journey to fulfill a prophecy or retrieve a powerful magical artifact. You can also create enchanting settings like ancient forests, hidden realms, and magical kingdoms. Let your imagination soar as you create fantasy stories in the tradition of popular works like Percy Jackson, Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and more.
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Horror Comedy Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is specifically for comedy screenplays in the horror genre that are packed with jokes. Whether it's a Slasher parody, a reality show featuring vegetarian Vampires, or a story about breakdancing Zombies, we want to see it! If your film is filled with 80's era cheesy one-liners, unnecessary nudity, or mummies that run a coffee shop, then it sounds like it falls into the Horror Comedy category. If your screenplay was created in the tradition of Shaun of the Dead, Cabin in the Woods or Scary Movie, then we definitely want you to send it to us.
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- Standard: $25
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Horror Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is specifically for content creators who want to showcase their stories in the Horror genre. It's all about haunting and adrenaline-pumping moments, where the main characters face terrifying situations and fight for their survival. The judges are looking for scenes filled with blood, gore, monsters, psychopathic individuals, slashing, stalking, zombies, vampires, disease outbreaks, demonic possession, haunted buildings, or any other elements that create a truly chilling horror film experience. Additionally, characters with well-developed backstories that are relatable to the reader can make a strong impression on the judges.
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $20
- March Deadline
- Standard: $25
- May Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $25
Submit Now
Relationship Drama Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is reserved for Relationship Drama screenplays with storylines about relationships, love, dating or romantic situations. We’ve received submissions in the past with some of the following film topics: Lost love, break-ups, separation, divorce, re-marriage, rekindling old flames, therapy sessions, dating stories, love stories, trust issues, growing old, growing apart, surviving traumatic experiences with a loved one, unexpected romance, random hook-ups, sexual exploration and more. The judges are looking for well developed characters, good stories and dramatic situations that are easy for the reader to visualize.
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $20
- March Deadline
- Standard: $25
- May Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $25
Submit Now
Romantic Comedy Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is reserved for romantic comedy screenplays with a storyline about relationships, love, dating or romantic situations. Romantic comedies have funny moments, but may have some dramatic elements to them as well. Well written characters, good stories and funny situations are what the judges are looking for.
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $20
- March Deadline
- Standard: $25
- May Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $25
Submit Now
Science Fiction Screenplay (10 pages or less)
This category is specifically for content creators who want to showcase their stories in the Science Fiction genre. It's all about exploring the future, time travel, space exploration, disease outbreaks, experiments, artificial intelligence, aliens, futuristic weapons, scientific or technological breakthroughs, amazing new inventions, biological experiments, and any other concept that involves technology that doesn't exist yet. Let your imagination run wild with the possibilities of the future! If you have a "dark" science fiction screenplay that includes explicit content such as sex scenes, bloody killings, gore, or terrifying situations intended for mature audiences, please submit your screenplay to the Dark Science Fiction category instead.
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $20
- March Deadline
- Standard: $25
- May Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $25
Submit Now

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Austin Micro Film Festival