The BG Film and Media Festival is a regional festival open to student filmmakers from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. It is a chance for emerging creatives to have their work seen and assessed by industry professionals and award-winning filmmakers with national reputations.

The festival provides opportunities for rising filmmakers to share their work with other artists and have audiences see their work in a high quality film theater.

The BG Film and Media Festival was established in 2000. It is hosted by student film organization BGReel and held on the campus of Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

The 2027 festival is Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3, 2027.

Screenings include micro shorts (1 to 5 minutes) and shorts (5 to 15 minutes). If the schedule permits, screenings also include medium length films (15 to 30 minutes).

Awards & Prizes

Audience Award
Best in Show
Best of BG

Best Action
Best Animation
Best Comedy
Best Drama
Best Experimental Film
Best Horror Film
Best Music Video
Best Nonfiction

Best Acting
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Direction
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best Narrative
Best Sound Design
Best Visual Effects

The judges’ combined technical scores determine the top film in each category (e.g., music video, cinematography) as well as the awards for Best in Show and Best of BG. The Audience Award is based on the votes of audience members at the festival's screenings.

Note: the festival organizers place submissions in their respective category (e.g., experimental film).

Rules & Terms

Submissions are open only to current BGSU students, BGSU alumni who graduated in 2026, and students enrolled in educational institutions in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. Proof of enrollment is required (school email is adequate).

Films must be at least 720p (films under 720p will be rejected)

Disclaimer statements are required for any use of AI (e.g., software involved; how AI was used); submissions that fail to self-identify the use of AI will be rejected

Content warnings are required for flashing lights, extreme sound design, and sensitive content (suicide, sexual situations, drug use, and so on)

Films that promote or gratuitously present bigotry, hate speech, self-harm, or violence will be rejected.

Films must have been completed after March 8, 2026.

The festival organizers have the right to reject any submission and to determine that a film is not viable to include in the festival screenings due to length or content.

3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Gwen Decker

    Awesome festival. So much talent on display.

    April 2025
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  • Kam Smith

    Super cool fest! Thank you for the inclusion.
    With love from us at Ohio University

    April 2025
    Helpful
  • Noah Archer

    Fun festival and unique films. Well done!

    April 2024
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