To be GREAT, you first have to be unafraid that you might be BAD.
We're looking for WEIRD, WILD, RIDICULOUS and OUTRAGEOUS films.
We love #LowBudget and #NoBudget.

We are only accepting short films now. Follow this page to find out when we hold a separate event for feature films.

Why "bad"? Q&A with festival co-founder, Starr Kendall:
http://badtheaterfest.com/about/

"Not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good."

INVERTED SUBMISSION FEES
From past festivals, we noticed it was easier to get accepted the earlier you submitted (when it was cheaper), yet as the submission period progressed the fees would increase though your chance of getting accepted decreased. This feels very unfair.

Since we preview films as they come in, we've decided to reverse our submission fee policy.
• Submit early/higher fee - Greater chance you get accepted
• Submit late/cheap - Lesser chance you get accepted

This is an experiment, but we hope this helps put filmmakers' needs above our own.

Awards & Prizes

- Audience Award
- Founders Award

Rules & Terms

You own the rights.

18 and over.
18 and under with parental/guardian permission.

Submitters warrant that they have the legal right to enter film work to the Bad Film Fest.

If accepted, entrants will be solely responsible for delivering their exhibition video materials to and from the festival.

Entrants acknowledge that no fiduciary or confidential relationship now exists between the Festival and entrants, and entrants further acknowledge that no such relationship is established by these guidelines.

No hate speech.
26 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Paul Hurst

    Bad film fest is on our list each time we have a film we want shown at a festival.
    Keep up the amazing work.

    February 2019
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  • Dan McNamara

    The organizers of this film festival are incredibly supportive and kind. You will always see something interesting that you'll want to share with people you know. They're great communicators. Bring your friends!

    October 2018
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  • Nathan Ragland

    I had been looking forward to the Bad Film Fest ever since I heard about it, and I was not disappointed. I sadly couldn't be there, but I was able to catch the live stream to see mine and others. It seemed like a fun event and the films that were screened were amazing. I wish the live stream was of better quality, but that's my only issue from afar.

    September 2018
    Helpful
  • Lion Cut

    Festival looked rad, thanks for sharing our music video!

    July 2018
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  • Seth Carr

    This my first screening and I was very impressed with the speed and ease of communication and the down-to-earth, DIY nature of the festival. I was unable to attend, but the Facebook livestream was great for seeing my own film and the films of others. There seems to be a genuine feeling of comraderie and love for film and appreciation of the artists who make films and those who make it possible for those films to be seen. An overall great experience, especially for a first-time filmmaker.

    July 2018
    Helpful