CELEBRATING THE HEART AND SOUL OF MID-SOUTH FILMMAKING

The Desoto Film Festival (DFF) is a premier cinematic event dedicated to showcasing exceptional storytelling and fostering a vibrant creative community in the heart of the Mid-South.

OUR REGIONAL FOCUS

While we proudly welcome and screen high-quality independent films from all over the world, the primary mission of the Desoto Film Festival is to program, promote, and celebrate the work of filmmakers from the Mid-South region. We are committed to providing a professional platform for regional filmmakers. So if you are from Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, or Alabama we want to see your work.

OUR CONTENT COMMITMENT:

A core tenet of DFF is our commitment to programming films that are appropriate for audiences of all ages, fostering an environment where families can confidently enjoy cinema together. We carefully curate a program that aligns with an MPAA-equivalent rating no stronger than PG-13. This means we are specifically seeking films that:

• Avoid gratuitous violence: While conflict and dramatic tension are welcome, films should not contain excessive or graphic depictions of violence.

• Exclude explicit sexual content or nudity: We do not program films with explicit sexual acts or nudity.

• Limit strong language: Films should be mindful of language, avoiding excessive profanity.

Important Clarifications:

• Not a Children's or Religious Festival: DFF is not exclusively a children's film festival, nor is it religiously affiliated. We embrace a broad spectrum of themes and stories from filmmakers of all backgrounds.

• Tackling Difficult Issues: We encourage and welcome films that thoughtfully explore complex societal issues, human experiences, and challenging topics, provided they adhere to our all-ages content guidelines. Our aim is to spark conversation and understanding through art, without relying on shock value or explicit content.

THE MID-SOUTH PITCH SESSIONS

We aren't just looking for finished films; we want to help birth the next great Mid-South story. DFF is now offering exclusive pitch sessions for regional filmmakers. Whether you have a completed treatment, a detailed outline, or an early draft of a screenplay, you can sign up for a scheduled session during the festival weekend.

You will have the opportunity to pitch your project to a panel of industry jurors and receive professional feedback. At the discretion of the panel, select projects may be chosen for production development by the Desoto Arts Institute (DAI).

PRIORITY SELECTION FOR REGIONAL ALUMNI

If you are a Mid-South filmmaker with a film that has already screened at another festival within the region, we want to hear from you! We believe in the strength of our local film circuit. Reach out to the Desoto Film Festival staff to let us know about your previous screenings; films that meet our family-friendly criteria and have a proven regional track record will receive priority treatment in our programming considerations.

WHY SUBMIT TO DFF?

Whether you are a local student filmmaker, a regional professional, or an international storyteller, DFF offers a unique opportunity to reach a dedicated, intergenerational audience. We provide:

• A "Local First" Programming Priority: We set aside significant program space specifically for films produced in or by residents of our region.

• Production Opportunities: The chance to move your project from script to screen through our Pitch Sessions and DAI partnership.

• Professional Networking: Opportunities to connect with the Desoto Arts Institute, your audience, and the wider Mid-South film community through live Q&A’s, panel discussions, and workshops.

• Family-Centric Audience: Exposure to a demographic that is often underserved by the traditional "indie" festival circuit.

SUBMISSION DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR MID-SOUTH FILMMAKERS:

We believe in fostering a vibrant local film community and providing a platform for our homegrown storytellers to screen their work in front of an audience. So, if your film has a connection to the region, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A 50% DISCOUNT on your submission fee. If you qualify, please email us for the code (READ THE RULES & TERMS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION).

Awards & Prizes

The Desoto Film Festival will award several trophies in different categories including Best Feel Good Film. The trophies are handcrafted.

Rules & Terms

Overview:

The Desoto Film Festival is a film festival located in Southaven, MS and hosted by the Desoto Arts Institute. Submissions must be made online (via https://filmfreeway.com/desotofilmfestival). Official Selections will be screened at the festival event.

Official Selection and award notifications will be delivered electronically. Physical prizes (certificates, plaques, trophies, etc.) will be given to the award winners at the award ceremony during the Desoto Film Festival weekend. Award winners not in attendance can have their awards mailed to them at the expense of the award winner.

Entrants warrant that they have the legal right to enter film work to the Desoto Film Festival. As the Director/Producer of the Film, entrants have submitted to the Festival, entrants represent and warrant to the Festival that the Film and all parts thereof are original; that the Film does not contravene the rights of any person or entity and that entrants own or control the Film and all parts thereof and have the sole authority to submit the Film to the Festival; the Film entrants submitted to the Festival is not subject to nor threatened by any litigation.

Entrants acknowledge that no fiduciary or confidential relationship now exists between the Festival and entrants, and entrants further acknowledge that no such relationship is established by these guidelines, my submission of the Film, or by the Festival’s acceptance, review or retention of the Film.

If a film is accepted, entrants will be solely responsible for delivering their exhibition video materials to DFF. By submitting to the Desoto Film Festival, you give DFF permission to screen your film during the festival weekend at the festival’s discretion.

MidSouth Filmmaker Discount Code Terms & Conditions:

>50% Discount: A 50% discount code is available exclusively for filmmakers whose films were produced in the Mid-South region (Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, or Alabama)

>One-Time Use: This discount code is strictly for one-time use per eligible submitter. Attempting to use the code multiple times for different submissions will result in the disqualification of all submissions associated with the fraudulent use.

>Proof of Residency: To ensure fair use and support our local community genuinely, the festival reserves the right to request proof of residency from any submitter utilizing this discount code. Acceptable forms of proof may include a valid driver's license, state ID, or a recent utility bill displaying your name and address within the specified region.

>Fraudulent Use Policy: Any submission found to have used the local filmmaker discount code fraudulently (i.e., by individuals not residing in the specified geographical region or through multiple uses) will be automatically disqualified from the festival, and no refund of the submission fee will be issued.

>If you feel that your film qualifies for the Mid-South discount, please email us and briefly describe your connection to the MidSouth to receive the code.

Submission Rules and Regulations

> No submission fee refund
>All submitted films must be appropriate for audiences of all ages, aligning with a rating no stronger than PG-13
> Films must not contain explicit sexual acts or nudity.
> Films must be mindful of language, avoiding excessive profanity.
> Films must avoid gratuitous or excessive graphic depictions of violence.
> Films with uplifting and/or positive values are preferred
> All non-English Films must have English Subtitles

8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Richard Endacott

    I wasn't able to attend in person but the festival was wonderful about communicating and providing the opportunity to engage.

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Cate Carson

    The folx at Desoto seem like wonderful people. I can't attest to the environment or festival as I couldn't attend in person, but I was very happy our film "The Plumber" screened with their audience and resonated with everyone there. Big thanks to the team as well for our best historical film win!

    June 2021
    Helpful
  • Katherine Johnson

    Great small festival. Excels at organization and communication, which is so rare.

    May 2021
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Katherine! We enjoyed having your films in the festival. Please reach out soon!

  • LeAnn Morris

    The DFF is a fantastic film festival, and it was an honor to attend this year. Robb and his team did a fantastic job of making us feel welcome as filmmakers. The quality of the films that screened from all over the world were excellent!
    Thank you for selecting our short film "The Dark Places". The feedback we received from the audience was very encouraging.
    I highly recommend this film festival!

    May 2021
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much LeAnn! It was a pleasure meeting you!

  • Marti King Young

    I attended this fest and let me tell you, it was a JOY. Not only were the people truly wonderful, but the curated movies were so well made, it was an honor to know my film, The Adventures of Wonderboy had made the cut AND walked away with the Founder's Choice Award, which was amazing. It was fun, and as soon as I have another film to submit, I will. I'll be back as often as I can.

    February 2020
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Marti! We loved having you at the festival and we hope to see you again this year.