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 accepting feature films now. We'll hold a separate event for shorts in the winter.

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.
22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • 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
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  • Fabio Serpa

    Excellent communication service, all produced to the height and for how small the festival is really fun!

    June 2018
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  • BRYCE WILLIAMS

    Its great to have a festival that supports DIY film makers. The more encouragement garage band film makers get may change the industry as technology improves.

    June 2018
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  • Robin Stam

    I think bad movies are actually "courageous and innovative". So I'm glad that my music video "From Pong to Doom" was played here. Even though I couldn't come (New York is not really around the corner for me) it's great to see the festival online and to see the reactions of the audience to my film. Thanx!

    June 2018
    Helpful
  • Jim McDonough

    Psyched to have been part of this festival 2 times. Love the spirit of the fest and the organizers are first class!

    June 2018
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