The Cinematic Arts Redemptive Entertainment (CARE) Awards provide an opportunity for artists globally to be recognized for their outstanding achievements in film, TV, webseries, screenwriting, and Music.

We as a festival focus not only on screening quality independent film, but also on helping to develop the next generation of filmmakers. You will enjoy our fun and informative workshops, speakers, and networking events.

We are excited to see a live, full schedule for 2026. As we move closer to November, visit careawards.org for more information on the festival.

CONTESTANTS MUST ENTER ONE OF THE "GENERAL PRIZE CATEGORIES" IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR CONSIDERATION FOR ANY OF THE "SPECIAL ADDITIONAL AWARDS" CATEGORIES.

"GENERAL CATEGORIES" **MUST CHOSE A GENERAL CATEGORY BEFORE ADDITIONAL CATEGORY** Include both Shorts & Features:
Drama
Comedy
Documentary
No Budget
Redemptive
Animation
Experimental
Music video
Trailer
Horror/Thriller
Sci-Fi
Action
Mockumentary
Web Series

"SPECIAL ADDITIONAL AWARDS" CATEGORIES: **MUST SELECT A GENERAL CATEGORY FIRST**
Best Local Film
Rising Star (21 & under)
Best Pandemic Film
Best Student Film
Best use of a Drone
Best Foreign language Film
Women in Film Award
TV Production Award
Diversity in Media Award
First Time Director Award
Indigenous Film Award
Best Proof of Concept Film
Best Science Film
Best Children’s Film
Veterans Film / made by veterans
Best Smart Phone project
Best New Media
Poetic Cinema Award
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Child Actor or Actress
Best Original Score
Best Cinematography

Additional awards might be issued for Best:
Editing
Sound Design
Audience Award
Grand Jury Award
Best of Show
Founders Award

Feature script competition, over 60 pages. $150 prize.

The names of All Official Selections will be presented by CARE through our web and social media presence to potentially millions of viewers. Selected Winners will have the option of having their films or trailers screened online for one week. A live screening event will also be held.

CONTESTANTS MUST ENTER ONE OF THE "GENERAL CATEGORIES" IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR ANY OF THE "SPECIAL ADDITIONAL AWARDS" CATEGORIES. If a film enters a Special Additional Award category and does not enter in a General category, it will be disqualified from consideration without refund. The only exception, of course, is submissions to the Script competition.

CARE staff and jurors will choose the award winners from Official Selections.

1. Films must have been completed on or after Jan 1, 2021.

2. We accept films from all regions. Non-English films must have English subtitles.

3. Works-in-progress will not be considered.

4. We accept films shot in any format, however, submissions must be provided via online screener of HD quality 720p or higher.

5. Only online submissions are accepted.

6. Entry Fees are nonrefundable. Entries that are considered by the judges or CARE Officials to be pornographic or contain gratuitous nudity will be disqualified without refund.

7. Entries will not be considered without a paid Entry Fee. We do not grant waivers.

8. If your film is selected we may ask you to email us still images and press kit, if available.

9. All films chosen as Award Winners will have the option to grant CARE the non-exclusive right to screen the film or a trailer online for one week without any form compensation beyond the publicity and recognition that that Selection provides.

10. All films chosen as Official Selections will grant CARE the rights to use clips/trailer for promotional purposes.

11. CARE reserves the right not to award any or all of these awards if we do not receive sufficient submissions or submissions with sufficient storytelling or production merit. CARE also reserves the right to change categories of entries if it is felt that the submission was placed in the wrong category or the submission is worthy of additional recognition.

12. International winners will receive an electronic copy of their certificate unless the winner chooses to cover the cost of international mailing fees.

13. Selected winners may be screened at a live event, with preference given to films which will have representation present at the event.  The leadership of the CARE Awards reserves the right to alter, amend, or abolish the schedule due to forces beyond their control such as pandemic, natural disaster or extreme weather, economic or social crisis, or other outside forces which could impact the CARE Awards event. 

Terms & Conditions:

-I understand and accept the Submission Requirements as mentioned above, and warrant that I am authorized to commit the film for screening.

-I have signed releases from any people appearing in my film, and have the authority to use any copyrighted materials that appear in my film, including but not limited to music, images or footage. I will indemnify and hold harmless the CARE Awards, and its associated festivals, creators, production companies, funders and assigns, 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, defamation or publicity related to the presentation, distribution or promotion of my film.

-I understand that the creators, production companies and associates, are constantly creating and producing films, and may have films in existence or in development for future production that may include ideas, images, themes, stories, treatments, interviewees or characters that appear in my film, or otherwise bear a strong resemblance to my film in some other way. I hereby agree that I am not entitled to any compensation in any form based on any similarities of such film content to my film, whether real or perceived.

-I am at least 18 years of age, have read and understood the foregoing Terms and Conditions, and am competent to execute this agreement.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Excellent Festival , will definitely return. Thank you!

    November 2025
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for the feed back! Wishing you all the best on your festival run and future in film! Congrats!

  • Gregory Mallard

    Excellent communication provided throughout the judging process. Polite and well organised festival staff. I am honoured that Masters and Vices (2025) has been awarded Best Foreign Film. Thank you to CARE Awards for supporting independent filmmakers around the world. Would highly recommend.

    November 2025
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for the feedback and huge Congrats!

  • Mustafa Yazicioglu

    Thank you for "Best Original Score" award for my New Cycle video game! As a composer, I have taken part in many festivals throughout my career, yet very few demonstrate the same level of engagement and dedication to supporting their participants as The Care Awards. Your consistent communication and genuine effort to make the entire process smooth and enjoyable are truly commendable. I’m sincerely grateful for the experience and look forward to participating again with my next project. Thank you, Care Awards team!

    November 2025
  • The CARE Awards are the absolute greatest!!! They were very responsive to my inquiries about travel options to the event.
    I woke up to great news that made me angry (all over again) Let me explain...
    I had a flight arranged to travel to CRW Airport to attend this year's CARE Awards as soon as I got off from work this past Saturday. At the airport I learned there was a 4 hour delay. That delay coupled with the 1 and a half hour drive I had to travel to the event completely wiped out my ability to be present at the evenings festivities.
    The news that made me angry?
    I learned this morning that my project Dear Beyoncé won for Best Music Video. It pains me that I wasn't able to be there to personally witness this milestone and fellowship with the rest of the participants.
    MAJOR THANKS, however, to the entire staff of The CARE Awards.
    You took a letter I wrote to Beyoncé and put it in front of an audience that catapulted it to winner status, which made me smile despite the circumstances!
    I'll share this achievement with all who were involved and redirect my frustration towards the one responsible for this debacle in a new letter entitled:
    'Dear Donald Trump.'

    Chäs Bronxson
    (Producer & Co-director of Dear Beyoncé)

    November 2025
    Response from festival:

    Chas,
    First and foremost, congratulations and we wish you all the success in the world! Looking forward to your next project. We are so sorry about all the travel delays. The shutdown affected so many attendees and filmmakers traveling to the festival. Sorry you could not make it, hopefully we will see you in the near future with another project!

  • Thanks for screening "Enter the Room" and awarding the film for Best Actor to Rich Holton. This is the second time I have been selected into this festival, and I have been impressed by the communication and professionalism provided throughout the festival process.

    I had a very good experience overall and will definitely consider submitting future projects to the CARE Awards.

    November 2025