The Bellingham Music Film Festival is a showcase of music through the medium of film. The Bellingham Music Film Festival is an inclusive space inviting both student and professional filmmakers from both the Pacific Northwest and international landscape.

Nestled between Vancouver and Seattle, Bellingham, Washington has always been a hub for music and film. BMFF would like to celebrate the union of the two by screening exclusively music-related films and connecting this community on a global scale.

Learn more about the non-profit spaces behind the festival at:

http://makeshiftproject.com
http://www.pickfordfilmcenter.org

$100 - Best in Show
$100 - Best Regional

Please read carefully the following terms and conditions regarding any submissions you make to the Bellingham Music Film Festival. You must accept these terms and conditions before your entry can be considered.

All films must be focused on or inspired by music. We accept music video, narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated genres.

Short films and music videos must be under 20 minutes.

Student submissions must upload their student ID, use their school email address, and provide what school they attend to be considered a valid entry. Applicant must have been a student during production. (To upload a student ID, Go to 'My Projects' > 'View', then use the 'Files & Attachments' tool toward the lower right side of your Project Page to upload a copy of your student ID.)

Regional applicants must reside in Washington or Oregon during production. Regional submissions must provide current regional address.

All films must have been completed no earlier than January 1, 2016.

We invite films from all countries. However, entries must be in English or subtitled in English.

We only accept online submissions for review through FilmFreeway. After notification of possible acceptance, we may request a higher-resolution copy of the film than was submitted for review. If one is not provided, the festival may screen the lower-resolution copy that was submitted, or cut the film from the program at its discretion. Once accepted, the applicant will be informed of the desired specific file formats.

Multiple entries are allowed by each filmmaker, but will be treated as separate submissions. Entry fees are in U.S. dollars, per film entry and are non-refundable.

BMFF has a very limited budget to offer travel assistance to category winners, but we encourage applicants to attend and visit our beautiful community.

The number/value of awards given may vary depending on the number of submissions received/accepted.

Not all submissions are guaranteed acceptance. All decisions are made solely by BMFF, which retains the right to accept or decline any submission.

By submitting to the festival, the applicant agrees to allow their film to be screened by the festival during the festival run, for which they are submitting, at no charge to the festival.

BMFF is hereby granted the right to use the applicant’s name, the artist’s name, and utilize an excerpt or image from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the festival for promotional purposes.

The applicant is responsible for all copyrights and has secured all necessary rights for picture, sound, participants, and locations featured in the film, and exhibition will not violate or infringe upon any rights, including but not limited to music, images, and content. The applicant is legally authorized to enter the film in the festival and, if selected for the festival, authorized to give screening permission.

The applicant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Bellingham Music Film Festival, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

The submitted film remains the sole property of the author.

The committee of BMFF reserves the right modify these terms due to any unforeseen circumstances.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Aidan Johnston

    Great experience having our music video be a part of this. Wasn't able to attend unfortunately, but still thrilled to see our work included. Excellent communication across the board.

    April 2019
  • The band and I showed up to represent. We were offered free beverages and snacks and everyone was super kind to us. The turnout was very small but I feel that this is not their fault. People need to support these kinds of things more. There just needs a bigger community around this. Because a music video festival is one of the coolest ideas around especially since its one of my favorite videos to make. So, support your local artists and that will be a problem in the past. Thanks for taking care of us!

    April 2019
  • Alex Mastoon

    I think with better organization & promotion this festival has the potential to be something special, but we were disappointed with the overall experience and wish them the best of luck moving forward.

    April 2019
  • Jahmal Holland

    Music, Art, and Film. Seriously, what else is there? A secluded, idyllic atmosphere? Yes. Loved this festival, the programmers and organizers are all amazing and we met a wonderful group of filmmakers and fine artists during the festival. One of my favorite festival experiences.

    September 2018
  • Thank you for helping young filmmakers to succeed and see their work.
    I am very happy to have played my film and share it, at this great festival.

    July 2018