The Boston Film Festival is one of America's longest-running and industry recognized events for films. The 40th program takes place in September and will showcase cutting edge indie films, top documentaries, shorts, animated, fall release studio films and a newly created sports category along with special attention for environmental and wild life/nature submissions. The Oscar winner for Best Film Best Picture "Green Book" was premiered on the BFF's 2018 Opening Night and Award circuit winner "Jo Jo Rabbit" premiered on the festival's 2019 Opening Night. The highly touted film "Don't Worry Darling" opened the 2022 BFF while a substantial number of filmmakers and actors attended the 38th BFF in its return to a predominantly live festival program. Question & Answer panels with the filmmakers and talent follow all premieres in addition to nightly parties hosted by some of the region's top restaurants. Red Carpet national press coverage of this exciting four-day event includes the Hollywood trades, entertainment shows, and a wide range of print and electronic media outlets which makes the BFF a powerful platform for far-reaching visibility. The Boston Film Festival has a rich history of premiering many of Hollywood's most celebrated and break out films. Some of the filmmakers and actors participating have included; Sam Rockwell, Aaron Eckhart, George Clooney, Melissa Leo, Ken Burns, Tony Goldwyn, Marc Abrahams, Giancarlo Esposito, Mike O'Malley, Ed Burns, Sam Mendes, Jerry Weintraub, Barkhart Abdi, Anne Heche, Bob Yari, John Fusco, and Sir Ridley Scott among many others.

Transportation and luxury accommodations are provided for featured filmmakers and actors. Exhibiting filmmakers enjoy all access passes to screenings and the opportunity to network at events. Massachusetts is the origin of many of America's best storytellers, actors, and is a hotbed of production. Boston provides an ideal setting to showcase a festival of films and television series during the spectacular fall foliage season. The BFF is impassioned about films and dedicated to supporting filmmakers by providing a forum to showcase their artistic vision. The festival commits to mentoring students from the extensive university system annually.

Awards & Prizes

The Boston Film Festival presents awards for the following categories:
Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Short, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Ensemble, Audience Favorite, and the Mass Impact for a film that illuminates social issues and the EcoFilm for a film that advances environmental health. Honors were added in 2022 for Best Short Performances and Best Director (short).

Rules & Terms

Films already in Any VOD platform or For Sale on Amazon or any other company, location, etc. will not be accepted.

*Films must have been completed in the current or previous year (2022/2023).

* The applicant holds the sole responsibility of copyright clearance of any copyrighted material in the film.

*Accepted films must be in Blu-Ray or DCP.

*Films not in English must be subtitled in English unleash dialogue is minimal and not necessary for the comprehension of the film.

*Acceptance of a film does not guarantee airline or hotel accommodations for talent or producing crew. The BFF does travel directors/actors for long form but reserves the right to designate attendees.

*The BFF requires the director and at least one actor of feature films to attend the festival to participate in the Q & A and red carpet. Documentary directors must also attend.

*The festival is not responsible for the shipment of the print, within the USA when leaving Boston.

*Some films accepted are press screened. You will be asked to send additional DVDs for press viewing or an active link. The filmmaker and festival will jointly select possible critics.

*All films are subject to possible reviews though we request it is run through the festival.

*The number of screenings, days and venues is at the sole discretion of the Festival.

*Due to high administrative and shipping costs, submission DVDs, videos and marketing materials will not be returned.

*We will not transfer PAL for viewing -- only forward NTSC format.

*It is cost prohibitive for the festival to insure individual prints. Make sure you have your own insurance.

*All submitted feature films MUST make their New England premiere at the Boston Film Festival to be included in competition. Films ARE allowed to have screened in other regions within the United States and internationally (but not in New England prior to the Boston Film Festival). In addition, films cannot have been previously released in theaters or broadcast on television and streaming platforms before the preceding the Boston Film Festival.
16 Reviews
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Networking
  • Morgan Brothers

    It was such a buzz to be selected for, and attend, the Boston Film Festival 2023. The opening night was in a gorgeous auditorium. The other films selected were of huge quality, and there was a great sense of excitement around the networking events the festival organised. The team were so friendly too. 10/10 hope to return in future!

    December 2023
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  • Matt Paul

    Loose Cannon Pictures is proud to have been hosted by Boston Film Festival 2023 to screen our feature film BREAKWATER. Our experience at the festival was excellent and we aim to return. We are so proud to have been awarded Audience Favorite Feature Film as well as Best Actor and the Film Excellence Award for Dermot Mulroney.

    Thank you to festival director, Robin Dawson, who ensured our opening night placement at the gloriously unique Shalin Liu Performance Center. Thank you to the Boston Film Festival crew for your diligent producing. For all the filmmakers out there, Boston Film Festival is where you want to screen your film!

    October 2023
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  • Richard De Witt

    The Boston Film Festival truly is a one-of-a-kind! Their selection choices are awe inspiring, uniquely selective and very aware of understanding the true nature and passion behind independent filmmaking- it is one of the most unique US festivals that connect their audience with films that communicate above and beyond typical entertainment bling and hype… Bravo to BFF!

    October 2023
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  • Randy Borruso

    The Boston Film Festival is all about taking risks and seeing them through. They nurture every kind of film, from slice of life to the wonderfully weird. Their judges are discerning, they "get" the films they're reviewing. The two actors in our film played characters directed to be intrinsically linked, and the festival rewarded that by bending the rules and giving Outstanding Performance in a Short to both of them. This is highly unusual and a much appreciated gesture of acknowledgment. It's also very telling. Boston Film Festival isn't afraid to celebrate a wild card, and they were always gracious and kind to our team.

    October 2023
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  • Sylvie Zaidman

    Very honored to have our short movie "tRuth" shown in this festival even if only online. Great communication and event and I truly hope I will be able to attend in person in the future!

    October 2023
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