Bold. Diverse. Empowering. Captivating. These are just a few words that encompass the type of films we will curate for our audiences in our fourth year!

The Bridgeport Film Fest is making “philanthropy through film” a priority in Bridgeport, CT. This nonprofit initiative is dedicated to the discovery, championing, and development of independent filmmakers and audiences.

Through various programming, the festival seeks to showcase, guide, and inspire independent filmmakers from the Bridgeport community and beyond, worldwide. Local audiences will be enriched by the films, workshops, panel discussions, and other forms of artistic expression curated by the festival team.

Submissions for the fourth annual Bridgeport Film Fest will open on Friday, December 15, 2023, here on FilmFreeway.

We are accepting short films and original content with a running time of 25 minutes or under including:

Narrative Short Films
Documentary Short Films
Web series Episodes
Experimental Short Films
Student Short Films
Music Videos
Environmental Films
Animated Shorts
Super Shorts (films 2 minutes and under)
Connecticut Short Film (films shot in Connecticut)

We are also accepting short film screenplays and web series pilots for the first time! The winning screenplays will receive a table read at the festival with professional actors, among other prizes. Any genre will be accepted, but the MAX page length is 20 pages, not including the title page.

The fourth annual Bridgeport Film Fest will take place tentatively September 13-15, 2024 in the historic city of Bridgeport, CT.

Over the course of the weekend, we will have multiple short film screenings, filmmaker Q+A's, workshops, panel discussions, live music events, a VIP gala, and an awards ceremony!

Our 2024 Jury will be announced soon!

OUR PREVIOUS JURY MEMBERS INCLUDED:

Allison Miller: Award Winning Actor and Director
Aizzah Fatima: Award Winning Actor and Producer
Bobby Yan: Six-Time Emmy Award-Winning Director
Eugen Bräunig: Director, Writer, Editor and Co-Founder Macrofilm
Jeremiah Kipp: Award-Winning Director, Writer, and Producer and Founder of Kipp Films
Liz Ortiz: Award-Winning Director, Producer and Casting Agent
Marvin Pittman: Emmy Award Winning Producer, Performer
Nettie Marquez: Documentarian and Producer
Patrick Wimp: Director, Writer, and Co-Founder Digital Hydra
Sarah Ann Masse: Award-Winning Writer, Director, and Actress
Stephanie Leke: Story Producer and Writer

LOCATION
The Klein Memorial Auditorium: a 1,447-seat performing arts center that serves as a hub for Bridgeport and surrounding communities. Built in 1940, it is one of only 7 Broadway-sized stages remaining in Connecticut.

ABOUT BRIDGEPORT, CT
Bridgeport is not only the fifth-largest city in New England but a historic coastal city with a growing art community. We are a smooth and scenic 85-minute train ride from New York City on the Metro-North train line. Plus we are a three-hour drive from Boston, MA, and less than two hours from Providence Rhode Island.

There are many attractions and cultural institutions to check out while you are here! You can tour the Housatonic Museum of Art, visit the Barnum Museum, and learn with hands-on exhibits at the Discovery Museum and Planetarium. Feel free to walk along Captain's Cove Seaport where you will find a selection of shops, eateries, and beautiful views of the Long Island Sound. Plus you can visit the famous Beardsley Zoo, the only zoo in the state. Last but not least you can stroll through the many art galleries downtown or take a visit to the Knowlton Walls and see incredible murals by global artists!

We look forward to you submitting and joining us!

AWARDS
Grand Jury Award for Best Film
Best Drama Film
Best Comedy Film
Best Horror/Thriller Film
Best Documentary Film
Achievement in Writing Award
Best Actress: Drama/Horror
Best Actress: Comedy
Best Actor: Drama/Horror
Best Actor: Comedy

OPPORTUNITIES
Meetings with industry professionals.
Potential distribution opportunities!

CASH PRIZES
Grand Jury Award for Best Film
*amount TBA and could be a cash equivalent prize.

MORE TBA!

The Bridgeport Film Fest is open to anyone who wishes to enter! We strongly encourage POC and Women Filmmakers to submit. We have a goal to screen AT LEAST 50% of projects by Black and Brown Filmmakers. We also plan to screen AT LEAST 50% Female Filmmakers.

All projects must have been completed after January 1, 2017.

There is no premiere status required, we want to share your work with our community!

The Bridgeport Film Fest is an eco-friendly festival, so to reduce waste and environmental impact films must be submitted digitally thru FilmFreeway, Vimeo or
YouTube with the best HD Playback.

There will be NO refunds issued once your project is submitted.

All films must be in English or with English subtitles.

The Bridgeport Film Fest is able to offer a very limited number of fee waivers. Entry fees support the various event costs (venues, supplies, events, promotional material, etc.) Thank you for your understanding!

The Bridgeport Film Fest does not consider films that require SCREENING/RENTAL FEES and DOES NOT PAY SCREENING or LICENSING FEES for submitted films. By submitting your film, you acknowledge that the festival will not pay you to present your work.

Filmmakers accepted and attending the Festival are responsible for travel and all other expenses. If accepted, filmmakers are expected to assist the Festival in film promotion.
All films submitted must be free from any legal disputes and it is the sole responsibility of the filmmaker to have cleared all rights and releases for exhibition (including music, audio, images, graphics, trademarked images, etc.)

Only the submitted version of the film may be considered, and swapping it out for alternate cuts is not possible, so please keep this in mind when deciding when to submit.

If your film is selected, then you will be asked to provide digital stills from the film, press materials, headshots, filmographies, and video trailers (if available).

If your film is accepted, you will be solely responsible for delivering your promotional materials to and from the festival venue.

Once accepted, all student films must provide a copy of the entrant's current student ID or student ID from the year the film was made.

By submitting your film, you grant The Bridgeport Film Fest the nonexclusive right to use footage, stills and/or titles and information from the film, as well as your name, photograph, and likeness in connection with any and all publicity and promotional activities regarding The Bridgeport Film Fest prior to, during, and/or after the festival.

The Bridgeport Film Fest may use images, sounds, and excerpts from the films for promotional purposes in all media including the website and may present accepted films at any The Bridgeport Film Fest event with notice.

For the screenplay competition, we are accepting any genre but THERE IS A MAX OF TWENTY PAGES, not including the title page! PLEASE submit your screenplay in proper screenplay formatting or you may be disqualified.

Please note that materials, drives, discs, etc. will not be accepted and cannot be returned under any circumstances. Please DO NOT send film prints, master tapes, primary hard drives, DVD Masters, or other irreplaceable original media.

The Bridgeport Film Fest is not responsible for any materials that are lost or damaged.

The entrant shall release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless The Bridgeport Film Fest, and its agents, respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, contractors, partners, sponsors, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including, without limitations, attorneys' fees).

The entrant warrants that he/she is the sole and exclusive owner(s) of all legal right and title thereto to have absolute authority to submit the enclosed material to The Bridgeport Film Fest.

The Bridgeport Film Fest has the right to change the deadlines for submissions and//or festival dates at any time.

By entering, the applicant agrees that all information is true and correct and agrees to all festival rules and guidelines.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • What a wonderful, warm festival! Jason's story is so inspiring and he and everyone involved in this fest is approachable, with a contagious energy for indie filmmaking. The Klein Auditorium is a glorious venue, and BFF provides the fun perks: filmmaker interviews, step-and-repeat photos, and great Q&A's with excellent moderators.

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for not only sharing your beautiful work, Cynthia but for your kindness and supportive words! Can't wait to see what comes next for you and your team!! :)

  • Andrew Kirschenbaum

    A pleasure to be a part of and great to see such a well run and engaging festival here in CT. You don't want to miss this festival and the fantastic program and line-up of films the team will put together for next year!

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Andrew! Congratulations on a beautiful film! Excited to see what comes next for you down the pipeline! Don't be a stranger!

  • Edwin Escobar

    So much amazing worn and great people! Not only such a necessity for local talent but so welcoming of everyone who expresses themselves through film! Happy to have been part of it from inception and looking forward to year #4!!

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Edwin!! You are a three year veteran, thank you again for the support and sharing your inspiring work with us all. We appreciate you and can't wait for your next project!

  • Wanjiru Njendu

    The second year having a film play at Bridgeport. They are professional and communicative with the filmmakers and thus providing a great experience.

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    This is so wonderful to hear Wanjiru! We appreciate you sharing your work with us and being part of the festival virtually! You are amazing! :)

  • Robin Johnson

    Incredible, well-organized, fun, and professional festival with fantastic networking and workshop opportunities for artists. This team cares greatly about the films they select, and are committed to uplifting marginalized voices. Submit submit!!

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Robin! Thank you for the very kind review and your support. It was such an honor to have you join us this past year and share your work with our community! Continue creating!!! :)