1. Eligibility
The CT TV Fest accepts submissions from producers, writers, directors, and creators of television, streaming, and digital series, including pilots, episodes, or short-form content.
The programs or companies producing these programs must be based in CT.
Production workers submitted for individual awards can reside in or outside of the state -- but must work for a company based in CT.
Submissions must have been completed on or after January 1, 2025 and before December 15, 2025.
The Connecticut TV Fest does not pay screening fees!
2. Entry Categories for “Best of 2025 Award” can be for:
Drama Series
Comedy Series
Documentary / Unscripted Series
Projects that have premiered online, streamed or been broadcast are eligible.
Please do not submit industrial or instructional works.
4. Submission Format
All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway. No physical media submissions will be accepted!
Secure online screeners (via FilmFreeway, Vimeo, or similar) are required.
Some individual awards will be judged exclusively by written narratives and/or video testimonials and stills submitted in support of that award.
Resolution: 1280 x720 (preferred) or 1920×1080.
16:9, mp4, optional: .mpg; .mpeg; .mpeg4, .mov
Frame rate: 24 fps
Video Codec: H.264
Audio Codec: AAC
5. Language
Submissions in languages other than English must include English subtitles.
6. Rights
By submitting, you grant the CT TV Fest permission to exhibit an excerpt of your work in-person as part of the festival program.
If you do not agree that your entry will be presented / shown during or after the festival event, you can note this in the registration form.
The festival may use stills, and promotional materials from the submitted work for publicity and marketing purposes.
7. Selection & Notification
Submissions are reviewed by a panel of former industry veterans and CT leaders. To avoid conflicts of interest, no program participants will serve on the jury.
Selection decisions are final and made at the discretion of the festival’s programming team.
Selected creators will be notified by January 12, 2026.
8. Exhibition
Selected excerpts will screen during the CT TV Fest, held January 24, 2026 in Norwalk, CT.
Creators are encouraged (but not required) to attend for panels, workshops, and networking events.
Providing significant stills / images / logos from your entries to be used by the festival for promotional purposes will be appreciated, is however optional.
9. Awards
Awards will be presented for the top episode “Best of 2025” and all individual categories.
The festival reserves the right to withhold awards in any category if submissions do not meet the standard of excellence determined by the jury.
10. Liability
The CT TV Fest is not responsible for any unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted materials or third-party rights violations.
Submission fees are non-refundable.
11. Agreement
By submitting, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to all festival rules and terms.
12. Fees
All fees are due immediately upon registration. Entry fees or any other fees are not refundable and are not subject to any legal appeal.
13. Waivers
While we would like to provide submission fee waivers to as many makers as possible we are generally unable to at this time. We are a small, volunteer-run organization that depends on income from sources like submission fees to survive. You are always free to request a waiver or discount for special circumstances, but please be aware that will most likely be unable to provide one. Thank you for your understanding.
