After debuting in 2018 as part of Circle Cinema’s 90th birthday celebration, the Circle Cinema Film Festival is back in 2023 for our 95th birthday with an exciting showcase of original storytelling through film, art, music and experiences. The festival brings a stellar lineup of diverse films and special guests to Tulsa. Film programming, with an emphasis on Oklahoma-centric independent films and filmmakers, will include a mix of documentaries and features; new and classic.

The Circle Cinema Film Festival will award two winners:
Best Oklahoma Documentary
Best Oklahoma Narrative Feature

These awards will be given to the highest scored film in each division by the submission judges.

*For Student Film Category: All entries must be original, student created films or Debutant Film (the first film made after finishing film school) made in Oklahoma.
*For OkieShorts Category: Films must be made in Oklahoma.
*For Oklahoma/Oklahomans Films: Feature length Narrative/Documentary Films must be made in Oklahoma or Filmmaker is from Oklahoma.
• All the works for the competition categories need to be finished after 1st of January 2023.
• By submitting your work you certify that you hold necessary rights for the presentation of this film at CCFF.
• There is no limit to the amount of films that a filmmaker, producer or film school may submit.
• Fiction, documentary and animated student films up to 45 min. in length are eligible for the competition category.
• In order to be admitted, the materials must be in English or presented with English subtitles (embedded).
• If selected we suggest you submit a .srt document with your dialogue list in English in order to be more assessable.
• Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway and please protect screeners with password.
• Once a film has been submitted for participation it cannot be withdrawn.
• The Festival does not pay screening fees as it is a non-profit festival.
• The deadline for registration and delivery of materials is June 17 2022.
** Our Festival follows the eligibility rules of Sundance Film Festival. See below. **
**Narrative and Documentary Feature Films that have been or will be released to the general public in their current form, whether via theatrical exhibition, television broadcast, digital download or streaming, or release via any home video or other public distribution platform prior to Film Festival are not eligible for open submission to the Festival.
**Narrative and Documentary Feature Films that have been or will be exhibited theatrically at one or more private screenings for which tickets were or will not be made available to the general public retain eligibility for submission to the Festival in all categories.
**Incomplete versions of Narrative and Documentary Feature Films that have been or will be screened as “works-in-progress” still retain Festival eligibility.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Raittia Rogers

    So all the noise is still strong around town, about being a prime suspect, I meant selected lol, for my very first film entitled “I Broke Out of Prison “ to show at the (Great ) “Circle Cinema Film Festival” was indeed a great success, to be able to inspire people who viewed, followed by an Q.&A. Session, Cake, news interviews, gift card giveaways, & a book signing, the staff was very kind & helpful, the book & film is based on my true life story which the message is very articulate, lots of people were impacted, so excited about the opportunity, thank you.

    July 2023
  • Circle Cinema was so kind throughout the entire process. They hosted the world premiere of "Barroom Heroes" and made it a smooth process. They allowed us to test our DCP early, brought in local moderators that were meaningful to our film and truly wanted to display Oklahoma stories and talent. I will definitely make this a destination for future festivals!

    Also, the theater is historic and beautiful. A lot of people loved the photo ops outside the large marquis. I recommend this festival to anyone that wants to have a great time with no hassle for their festival experience!

    July 2023
  • 10/10 experience at Circle Cinema Film Festival! I had the Oklahoma premiere of my short documentary Oklahoma Underground at the 2023 CCFF and had an incredible experience all around. The staff is so supportive, helpful, and communicative. We had our screening, plus a Q+A opportunity, and an after-party in the lobby! As a filmmaker, and an audience to the rest of the 4-day festival, it was a well-curated, stellar experience full of networking, programming, connection, and enjoyment! Thank you Circle Cinema!

    July 2023
  • Clayton Tramel

    Having the world premier for "Bug Man" at the Circle Cinema Film Festival was an amazing experience. Great staff. Great audiences. Great Q&A afterward. To have a festival completely dedicated to giving a voice to Oklahoma filmmakers, and to have it at the greatest movie theater in the state dedicated to showing movies both popular and prestigious, is a dream come true. We look forward to submitting to CCFF with our next production as well.

    July 2023
  • joseph erb

    ᎣᏍᏓ ᏂᎦᎵᏍᏔᏂᏙᎲ. ᎤᏬᏚ ᏓᎾᏛᏁᎵᏍᎬ ᎠᎴ ᎤᏬᏢᏗ ᎠᏂᏴᏫ.

    July 2023