The Black Cat Picture Show is an adjudicated film festival, currently the only one in Augusta, that provides a platform for independent film artists to exhibit their work, exchange ideas, and make connections. We endeavor to produce an event that includes all of the elements we love about film festivals, our event will be swanky but accessible. There will be a catered Film Artists' Reception in the bar of Le Chat Noir August 21st; screenings of official selections will take place throughout the festival dates, August 20-23, in the theatre of Le Chat Noir, and the festival will conclude with an Award Ceremony on August 23rd. Film Artists of official selections will receive two invitations to the Friday night Film Artists' Reception, two tickets to the screening block their film will be presented in, and two invitations to the Award Ceremony. Also, they can purchase additional festival tickets in advance and at a discount, and are eligible for discounts at participating hotels.

Our flagship venue, Le Chat Noir, is a 100-seat black box theatre located in downtown Augusta, GA. Like it's namesake, Le Chat Noir is known for bringing professional quality entertainment to the CSRA that previously was not being represented.

We are not a black cat themed film festival. Our theatre name is French for The Black Cat. Yes. We feel the need to clarify that.

Awards & Prizes

Student Category: 1st Place
Cash Award Value: 100 U.S. Dollar

Short Narrative Category: 1st Place
Cash Award Value: 150 U.S. Dollar

Feature Narrative Category: 1st Place
Cash Award Value: 350 U.S. Dollar

Documentary Category: 1st Place
Cash Award Value: 300 U.S. Dollar

Animation Category: 1st Place
Cash Award Value: 150 U.S. Dollar

Viewer's Choice Award
Cash Award Value: 50 U.S. Dollar

Staff Pick
Cash Award Value: 50 U.S. Dollar

Rules & Terms

- At this time we can only accept digital submissions. Please do not submit files larger than 2GB and in an .mp4 format. Please make sure your film is set to downloadable and all subtitles are hardcoded into the file.

- No films over 150 minutes in length will be accepted.

- Please do not submit your entry unless all requirements can be met. This includes your screener and submission fee. If these requirements are not met your submission will be rejected.

- Films must have been completed after January 1, 2023. Films must be available for screening during the Black Cat Picture Show, August 20-August 23.

- Once an entry payment has been processed we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed, the account holder may be subject to any fees.

- You MUST include your physical address either in your FilmFreeway entry or in your cover letter. Please do not submit a film without giving us your address, which we need for our records.

- Once we have your film it cannot be pulled from the schedule.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

NARRATIVE FEATURE REQUIREMENTS:
- Films must be feature-length narratives, 41 minutes or longer.

NARRATIVE SHORT REQUIREMENTS:
- Films must be short narratives of 40 minutes or less.

NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT REQUIREMENTS:
- Films must be short narratives of 40 minutes or less.
- Open only to students (must include proof of enrollment from
accredited university or college).
- Can NOT enter same film into student and non-student.
- The film must be the work of a current student or completed
during the time the filmmaker was a student.

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS:
- Films must be Documentaries.

ANIMATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Films must be Animation.

MICRO-SHORT REQUIREMENTS:
- Films must be less than 5 minutes in length.

A juried film festival open to any filmmaker. Submissions approved through the first round of adjudication will be screened during the festival and recognized as an “Official Selection of the Black Cat Picture Show.” The second round of adjudication will be of the official selections and will be awarded in their respective categories. In addition to the awards given we will also be recognizing:

- Viewer's Choice (Popular vote amongst the viewers by ballot)
- Staff Pick

Films that have been officially selected for screening will receive: two comp tickets for the Filmmakers Reception, two tickets to the screening block their film will be presented in, & two tickets to the award ceremony. Film Artists of official selections will also be allowed to purchase additional tickets to any screening block in advance and at a discount.
34 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Carmela Marie Murphy

    We are so thankful to Black Cat Picture Show for screening our stop motion film, "A Bird Hit My Window and Now I'm a Lesbian." Duane and the team were super communicative, supportive, and kind!

    xoxo,
    Carmela and AJ

    November 2025
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  • Tim Johnson

    I had a film that screened at the festival. The staff were very friendly and every detail was well thought out. The execution of the fest was high-quality. It's a small venue of 80-100 seats but the crowds were very passionate and appreciative. I was surprised at how well my movie looked and sounded (better than I had ever seen it). The fest provided several meals that were quite tasty and you'll also get a merch bag if your film is accepted. High marks for this one.

    August 2025
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  • J. Budro Partida

    For the size of festival, this one was outstanding! Quality films and great people that treat filmmakers like VIPs. Definitely going to submit my next film to this fest when we are done with post.

    August 2025
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  • Ray and Andrew Smith

    We were privileged to be able to show our film (Breakfast in Beaufort) at Black Cat Picture Show, it was a wonderful and different type of experience.
    It starts with its title, this is not yet another film fest, this is a picture show!
    It's in a very uniques venue. This venue is also a theater that hosts Burlesque and other theater and it shows. It has a very gothic French look and vibe, with an amazing bar and social area, with a huge bar length mirror and other large gothic French features. To get into the theater where the films are shown, you walk through a splendid gothic doorway. Well, I think it was Gothic!
    Now the screening experience. The people that work there are all on your side, in part, because they are also filmmakers and they also happen to be very fine people.
    The other films that we saw, were excellent quality, so we really did feel to be honored to have been invited.
    I don't think that I mentioned the Teeshirts, the best that I have seen at a film fest and the film making team get one free.
    Communications from prior to end of picture show was friendly and clear.
    Go on....submit!
    Ray Smith

    August 2025
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  • Will Sterling

    Had such a GREAT time at the BCPS! It was a pleasure to meet and get to hang with the people who organize the festival as well as fellow filmmakers. Le Chat Noir, where it takes place, is a rad space. We even won “Best Feature Flim!” That’s right, best flim. A delightful misprint on our award that’s being corrected, but a fun, quirky accent to a fun, quirky festival. I will cherish this flim award for life!

    August 2025
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