This is our 8th year and we are ready!
Defy is focused on great work made outside the system. We are looking for voices that tread new ground. Does your film surprise us? Does it make us think about something in a different way? Is there a unique artistic intention? These qualities are at the core of this festival. And every film Defy programs, lines up with these ideals.
“Lots of festivals include at least a few screenings of what they might refer to as ‘weird shorts’ or ‘twisted animation’ in their offerings, but Defy takes those bizarre and hard-to-classify categories and blows them up into one big celebration of strange cinema.” - Joe Nolan, Nashville Scene
“We call it Defy for a reason. The festival showcases unique filmmakers and introduces audiences to work that they won’t see anywhere else. We’re always looking for submissions that are a little bit different and one-of-a-kind. We’re about something new and fresh. When you see that spark of innovation and bold intention, that’s what really turns me on about film.” - Dycee Wildman, Festival Director
Defy Film Festival wants to highlight artists that not only have talent, but have a distinct voice. Artists who have something to say.
All great art is disruption
THE FESTIVAL
There are only two categories, features and shorts.
Without specific genre categories, DEFY has the flexibility to steer into whatever ideas and talent are submitted each year. We won't feel obligated to program something mediocre just because we have to fulfill a category. Your work will inform our festival.
No matter what kind of film you have, we want to see it - drama, comedy, experimental, animation, documentaries, horror/sci-fi, music videos, etc. We are independent filmmakers ourselves and we know the financial hardships you went through and the uncompromising passion it took to create the great film resting in your hands right now. Your film will be treated and viewed with the respect that we would want for our own films.
Best of Festival SHORT
Best of Festival FEATURE
Award of Excellence SHORT
Award of Excellence FEATURE