Blackmagic Collective presents BMC FilmFest, a festival solely catering to short narrative films and the filmmakers that make them. We give 100% of ticket sales to the non-cash winning filmmakers who screen. We give away cash and camera prizes to further support filmmakers' careers. Blackmagic Collective (BMC) is a non-profit dedicated to the education of filmmakers by promoting training in production and post, gatherings with industry experts, networking opportunities, initiatives to advance filmmakers' careers, events throughout the year, and more. All of our events and initiatives are free for members. Membership is free also.

Blackmagic Collective members email us at info@blackmagiccollective.com to get your discount waiver making submission only $5. We do not give waivers to non-members. Your membership will be confirmed prior to sending your waiver.

Accepting film submissions through October 4th with the final film festival live event planned for December 2024 (actual date TBD). Please read the rules carefully before submitting.

NOTE: WE WILL NOT WATCH MORE THAN TWO OF YOUR SUBMISSIONS. DO NOT SUBMIT MORE THAN TWO FILMS. DO NOT SUBMIT IF YOU SUBMITTED IN PAST YEARS UNLESS IT'S A NEW WORK.

WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING NARRATIVE FILMS. NO DOCS, NO MUSIC VIDEOS UNLESS NARRATIVE.

Category - 20 Minutes or Less Narrative Short Film

Best Film: Blackmagic Design cinema camera & $1000 cash

Audience Winner: Blackmagic Design cinema camera & $500 cash

Best Directing: Blackmagic Design cinema camera

Best Cinematography: Blackmagic Design cinema camera

Best Screenplay

Best Actor Male

Best Actor Female

The film festival is sponsored by Blackmagic Design; however, your film can be shot on any camera.

Films may be submitted to BMC FilmFest at any time until the final deadline on Oct 4.

Once a film is submitted, it may not be withdrawn for any reason and there are NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON; however, a filmmaker can decide not to have their film participate in the festival and events leading to it.

Blackmagic Collective members email us to get your discount waiver making submission only $5. We do not give waivers to non-members. Your membership will be confirmed prior to sending your waiver.

By submitting a film, you agree to FREE membership with Blackmagic Collective, a California-based non-profit dedicated to education for filmmakers. You will get our monthly newsletter to know about all the events, initiatives, and other happenings each month.

Films accepted may be chosen as 'Pick of the Month' for a special inclusion in the newsletter and shoutout to our membership. Films chosen as the pick of the month are not guaranteed to be finalists.

Films selected as finalists to screen at the live festival event will be eligible for the grand prize (see above).

TECHNICAL

All films selected to be screened at the festival must be submitted in 1080P, ProRes 422HQ, at 23.976 fps. Audio should be Linear PCM, stereo.

BY SUBMITTING A FILM, FILMMAKERS AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS

I/we am/are the sole creators of the film which I/we have submitted to the BMC Film Fest.

I/we am/are the sole and exclusive owner(s) of all rights thereto and there are no disputes regarding ownership of the submission. I/we have full authority to submit the film to the BMC Film Fest.

I/we will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the BMC Film Fest, its employees, sponsors, judges, individually and collectively, including their heirs, personal representatives, officers, directors, successors and assigns, from and against all claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including attorney fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether or not groundless, based on any film or other materials submitted by me to the BMC Film Fest.

I/we shall be solely responsible for taking all necessary steps to establish and protect my/our copyright in the submitted material, and the BMC Film Fest shall have no obligation with respect thereto. The BMC Film Fest shall have the right to reproduce all or part of said material for use in its publicity, website screening and any and all related distributions directly associated to the BMC Film Fest.

I/we hereby grant the BMC Film Fest the nonexclusive right to use my name, photograph, and likeness in connection with any and all publicity and promotional activities regarding the BMC Film Fest.

I/we understand that the BMC Film Fest will not return and is not obligated to return my film or any other materials I/we have submitted to the BMC Film Fest.

I/we understand that no guarantees are offered or implied that suggest that my film will be screened at the festival and/or through website or tape distribution. Selections for said screenings/distribution are at the sole discretion of the BMC Film Fest.

I/we hereby agree to abide by the decisions of the BMC Film Fest staff with regard to all matters and decisions, including those decisions involving their sole discretion, relating to the BMC Film Fest.

I/we have read all of the festival rules, regulations and releases, understand them, and have complied with them. I/we understand that failure to adhere to the BMC Film Fest rules, regulations, and releases will result in disqualification from screening, web distribution or any other related festival activities.

BMC Film Fest holds the right to retain a copy of any video file submitted by you for BMC Film Fest’s archives. If accepted by the festival, you fully grant BMC Film Fest the non-exclusive right, royalty-free and license to showcase this film or video at BMC Film Fest.

Entrant(s) agree that films and clips from the entry and all publicity material submitted can be used for promotional purposes on radio, television, in print, online and at live events.

You will indemnify and exempt BMC Film Fest from and against all kinds of claims, liabilities, damages, losses and expenses arising out of your submission that might be incurred for any reason, including claims relating to trademark, copyright, credits, screening, publicity and loss of or damage to the material submitted.

Films must be in English, or if another language is used, English subtitles must be included on screen.

Filmmakers must have all required rights and releases relating to all persons performing and participating in their submissions, and have permission to make use of all images, music, and content that is included in their submissions.

Filmmakers must have all required rights and releases relating to all persons performing and participating in their submissions, and have permission to make use of all images, music, and content that is included in their submissions.

This includes rights and obligations existing under both United States law and, where applicable, the law of other nations or territories.

Eligibility for any award or prize that may be awarded by the festival is subject to any restrictions or conditions imposed by applicable laws and regulations (international, federal, state or otherwise), and the award recipient is responsible for all applicable taxes, customs, tariffs, insurance and similar charges or costs (if any).

NO REFUNDS ARE GIVEN FOR ANY REASON.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • It was nice to be a finalist in the BMC FilmFest because I got to connect with friends old and new at the networking portion before the screenings, the Q & A was filmed, so I was able to repost it, and not only do they give out cameras to the winners, they also share the door money with all the finalists, so I actually got paid for screening here. It was fun!

    January 2024
  • Jason Sheedy

    This a tight-knit festival run by folks who really care about the films and the filmmakers - definitely worth submitting to!

    November 2022
  • Submit. This fest is run by people who care and split the profits of the tickets sales with filmmakers. I was fortunate enough to win the Grand Jury Award and walked away with a primo camera.

    November 2022
  • David Burgis

    Really well-run festival with thoughtful Q&A's. Really happy about the whole experience.

    November 2020
  • It felt like the evil black magic that I was hoping it'd be.

    November 2020