Baltimore Film Festival & Screenplay Competition

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT KINDS OF FILMS/SCREENPLAYS DO YOU WANT?
The best out there. We want to advance cinema. We don't discriminate against the genre, duration, origin, language, year, etc of the film. We welcome artists of all backgrounds as well.

DO YOU CONSIDER WORKS-IN-PROGRESS?
Yes. It should be indicated what remains to be done and by when it would be completed however it is recommended to have a finished film.

DOES SUBMITTING IN THE LATER DEADLINES WORK AGAINST ME?
No. In fact, 63% of all official selections in 2026 submitted in the final deadline. All submissions are evaluated on an even playing field. The final decisions aren't made until every submission has been completely through the review process.

DOES MY FILM NEED TO HAVE A WORLD PREMIERE STATUS?
No. We want to celebrate visionary voices and do not limit the reach of such voices. 

By submitting to the Baltimore Film Festival & Screenplay Competition you agree to the following terms:

Eligibility & General: Works must be original or submitted with authorization. English-subtitled versions required for films not in English. Submission does not guarantee selection.

Publicity & Promotional Use: The Festival may use stills, excerpts, synopses, and bios for promotion and will credit filmmakers where practicable.

Content Warranty & Responsibility: Submitter warrants they own or have obtained all necessary rights and clearances and that the work does not infringe third-party rights or violate laws.

Indemnification: Submitter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Festival, its officers, volunteers, and partners against claims arising from the submitted work.

Grant of Rights & Exhibition License: Submitter grants the Festival a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to screen the work at Festival events and Festival-promoted presentations. All other rights remain with the submitter.

Fees for Additional Services: Optional services (feedback) are provided as subjective opinion; the Festival is not responsible for downstream results.

Technical Delivery & Screening Formats: Filmmakers must provide exhibition-ready files by deadlines. Failure to do so may result in withdrawal.

Liability Limitations: Festival liability is limited to the amount of submission fees paid. The Festival is not liable for incidental or consequential damages.

Cancellation & Force Majeure: Festival may modify or cancel events due to circumstances beyond its control and is not responsible for third-party costs incurred by filmmakers. The festival reserves the right to change dates, venue, or format if necessary.

Decisions by the festival and jury are final.

Privacy: Submission contact and project information will be used to administer entries; data will not be sold. By submitting you consent to Festival communications.

Submission Fees & Refunds: Fees are non-refundable. If the Festival is cancelled, alternative exhibition options may be offered at the Festival’s discretion.

Dispute Resolution & Governing Law: These Terms are governed by Maryland law. Disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of Maryland courts.

Acceptance: Submission confirms acceptance of these Terms on behalf of all rights holders.