Brainwash, since 1995, has delighted audiences with a selection of the bizarre, the unique, and just plain old well-made movies from independent producers all over the world. With an eye toward the abstract, the innovative and the weird, Brainwash saluted it's 25th Silver Anniversary in the 2019 season, and, we're looking forward to our 30th "Pearl" year in 2024!. We have consistently attracted entries we curate to be able to display some of the most cutting edge cinema from up and and coming directors, actors, producers and crews consistently year after year. So please send us yours this year!

Awards & Prizes

Prizes! We would like to welcome our returning sponsor Jungle Software to The Brainwash Movie Festival. We will be presenting Jungle software to our TOP 3 AWARD WINNERS this year, to help with future movie productions!

Chimpanzee and Story-O are production software especially designed for independent filmmakers. Chimpanzee allows you to create breakdown sheets, characters, budgets, manage cast & crew, generate call sheets, prop lists, shot lists, storyboards and more. Story-O allows you to outline your story in broad strokes, jot down raw notes and ideas, flesh out details and then put it all in story order when you’re ready. Find out more at the Jungle Software website.

PLUS – A new award from InkTip!
3 winners will receive a prize package from InkTip: Where everyone goes for writers and scripts. Producers have made more than 200 films from scripts and writers they found through InkTip.

And Now… an even newer award from VideoMaker Magazine…
A one year FREE online subscription to ALL entrants to the Brainwash Movie Festival starting after the festival ends.

Rules & Terms

Brainwash may also present the shows of selected movies online and pay producers based on the viewership of that event.
All entries must be .MP4 files online and downloadable.
Please include a 10-20 sec. clips and/or trailer of your movie(s) to be used in promoting the festival.
All accepted entries will be notified by email.
PLEASE NEVER SEND YOUR PARENTS’ HOME MOVIES!

10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Patrick Müller

    Thank you very much that my film INTO THE REALM OF THE NIGHT ran at this great festival. I wish I could have been there. A wonderful concept with the drive-in. Thank you to the organizers who made this possible. Keep it up!

    September 2022
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  • Eddy Falconer

    Great, offbeat idea for a festival. Glad to participate with work. Hope everyone enjoyed themselves!

    September 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Eddy! We all really enjoyed This Could Be. Please make more, and send 'em to us. We like your style.

  • Adam E. Stone

    Great communication, and a great selection of interesting, off-beat films! If your work is not mainstream indie, let alone mainstream Hollywood, check this fest out!

    October 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you much, Adam! We really liked an entombing(dis)entombing. In true poetry-film genre.

  • Caren Messing

    The Brainwash Movie Festival is a fantastic festival. Exceptional communication (even amid cataclysmic variables such as wild fires & the pandemic) and STILL persevered in having a wonderful 3 day line-up for their outdoor drive-in screening along with a virtual festival.
    I am proud my short musical film “Swimming Upstream” was selected for screening! I only wish I could have attended and watched it under the night-sky in person. Many Thanks and I wholeheartedly recommend this long-standing festival.

    November 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Caren. It was wonderful screening in Doyle, CA, and we're going to do it again, there, next year. Swimming Upstream looked and sounded fantastic on the big screen outside! Dave Krzysik, Brainwash Movies

  • Xstine Cook

    The Bum Family loves this festival!!! Bikes rule.

    August 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Xstine and the Bum family.
    Brainwash loves Lily!
    AND Bikes!