Black Creators International Film Festival

Completion Date.
To be eligible for consideration, films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2025. The festival reserves the right to consider earlier works at its discretion.

Premiere Status.
There is no strict premiere requirement. However, Texas and Dallas premieres are preferred and may be prioritized during programming and marketing.

Mission Alignment.
Black Creators International Film Festival • Dallas, Texas is a Black-led global film festival based in Dallas, TX. It centers black creators and celebrates bold, original work from around the world. We welcome filmmakers of all backgrounds to showcase shorts, features, and documentaries that push culture forward and expand how we see ourselves and each other. By submitting, you confirm that your project is appropriate for this context.

Rights & Clearances.
The submitter confirms that they hold all necessary rights to the film, including but not limited to image, music, archival material, and underlying works, and that the exhibition of the film at the festival will not infringe on any third-party rights.

Screening Fees.
The festival does not pay screening fees for films submitted through FilmFreeway. Submission constitutes acceptance of this policy.

Exhibition Authorization.
If selected, the festival is authorized to exhibit the film at least once in-person and/or online as part of the official festival program during the festival dates. Any additional or extended screenings will be discussed with the filmmaker/rights holder.

Promotional Use.
If selected, the festival is granted the right to use stills, posters, loglines, and credits of the film for promotional purposes across all platforms (including social media, website, press, and festival trailers).

Delivery of Materials.
Selected films must provide final screening files, promotional stills, and any requested press materials by the deadline specified in the official selection notice. Failure to deliver materials on time may result in removal from the program.

Student Category
Films submitted to the Student category must include proof of student status (e.g., student ID or letter from institution) upon request. Student proof must be current and up to date. Failure to provide proof may result in reclassification or disqualification.

Age & Consent.
Submitters must be 18 years of age or older, or have a parent/guardian submit on their behalf. Any minors appearing in the film must have appropriate consent.

Youth Film Block – Additional Eligibility
The Youth Film Block is open to youth filmmakers ages 10–13 at the time the film was completed.

A parent or legal guardian must be listed as the primary contact on the submission and must agree to all festival Rules & Terms on the youth filmmaker’s behalf.

The festival may request proof of age for the director (such as a school ID or official document) before final acceptance.

Youth Film Block submissions must still meet the festival’s general eligibility requirements (including the 2025 completion cutoff and Texas premiere preference, where applicable).
Youth projects may be considered for additional categories at the festival’s discretion; however, separate submissions and fees may be required if submitting to multiple categories.

For student film submissions, the director must have been enrolled in high school, college, university, or an accredited film/media/trade program at the time of production. Proof of enrollment may be requested before final acceptance. Discounted entry fees are offered to support student creators.

All Student Film submissions are automatically considered for applicable craft and genre awards (such as Best Actor, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sci-Fi, Best Comedy, etc.) in addition to Best Student Film. Students who also wish to compete directly in a main category are welcome to submit their film to those categories separately at standard rates.

(Note: Youth filmmakers ages 10–13 should submit to the Youth Film Block, not the Student Film category.)

Code of Conduct.
The festival reserves the right to reject or remove any film or participant whose behavior is abusive, discriminatory, or harmful to the safety and integrity of the festival community.

Acceptance of Terms.
By submitting a film to Black Creators International Film Festival • Dallas, Texas via FilmFreeway, the submitter acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agree to all Submission Guidelines, Eligibility Rules, and Terms & Conditions listed in this call for entries.

All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway.
We do not accept physical media or links submitted outside of the FilmFreeway platform for consideration.

Online screener required.
Please provide a secure online screener (FilmFreeway screener, Vimeo, or similar).
No Passwords to view screeners.

One film = one category.
Submit each film to the single category that best fits. You may submit to multiple sub-categories. If programmers feel it is better suited to a different category, we may internally reassign it.

Multiple entries are allowed.
Filmmakers may submit more than one project, but each film requires a separate submission and fee.

Rough cuts/works in progress.
Works in progress are accepted, but please indicate this clearly in your submission and make sure the film is final and exhibition-ready by the final materials deadline if selected.

Screening format.
If selected, you must be able to provide a high-quality digital screening file (e.g., ProRes, high-bitrate MP4, or DCP if requested). Detailed specs will be provided upon selection.

Subtitles.
All non-English language films must include English subtitles. Films in English with heavy accents or mixed languages are encouraged to include English subtitles as well.

Submission fees.
Submission fees are non-refundable, regardless of selection status. Fee waivers are limited and granted at the festival’s sole discretion.

Communication.
All notifications and communications will be sent to the email address associated with your FilmFreeway account. It is the submitter’s responsibility to keep this contact information up to date.

Festival decisions.
Programming decisions are final. Due to the volume of submissions, individual feedback on projects is not guaranteed.