CIMMfest is Chicago’s premiere film, music and conference convergence event. For each of the past 6 years CIMMfest has brought together an international community of rabid fans, artists, producers, musicians and directors to share their work on stage and screen. This year we bring together student filmmakers from the Midwest and beyond to present great works by emerging artists.

We accept short films in all genres and music videos.  The films that make the first cut will be judged by a jury of professionals from the film world including filmmakers Steven A. Jones and John McNaughton ("Mad Dog and Glory" and "Wild Things") as well as CIMMfest programmers Adam Montgomery and Andy Markowitz: Adam is also Senior Manager of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival and Andy is the cofounder of Musicfilmweb.com. 

Awards & Prizes

The Best Film will receive a $200 award; the Audience Favorite film will receive $100.  We will also award several honorable mentions.  Up to 10 jury selections will be screened during the CIMMfest (April 16 - 19, 2015). Authors of all the films included in the showcase will receive a free CIMMfest pass.

Rules & Terms

To be considered for competition, films must have been completed after January 1, 2013.
Submissions deadline is March 21, 2015.
Student films only-- all genres and music videos.
Suggested length not more than 30 minutes.
All submissions must be paid and posted on FilmFreeway by the deadline date for consideration. We cannot grant fee waivers or discounts unless previously arranged for through your participating school.

CIMMfest reserves the right to determine eligibility and category of any work submitted.

Works in progress are NOT eligible.

Please allow full resolution films to be downloaded.

Entrant will allow usage of clips from the entry for promotional use on television, on the radio, in print, on the internet, and at live Festival events. Exceptions to the Festival regulations must be authorized by the CIMMfest Entry Coordinator.

By submitting an entry, you are saying that you have read and agree with the guidelines of the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival (CIMMfest). All statements you have made in this document/form are true, and you certify that you have cleared all rights for this film and understand that no officers, employees, or agents of the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival (CIMMfest) can be held liable for the contents of or damage to the film. Your entry into this competition grants the festival the rights that have been stated in these guidelines. By submitting, you hereby agree to the rules and regulations set by the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival.