JOIN US in Detroit for our THIRD SEASON happening September 17-20th 2020!

EARLYBIRD DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 27th 2020, and look for the submission discount code under "DEALS" here in FilmFreeway!

Established in 2018, the Detroit Shetown Film Festival screens short films in the following genres: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, LGBTIQA+, Music Video, Short Episodic, and Thriller/Horror.

Our emphasis is female-driven independent short form cinema in performances, stories and key filmmaking production positions.

We showcase important creative works of female directors and filmmakers from Michigan and around the world, using state-of-the-art digital projection provided by our host venue, Cinema Detroit in midtown Detroit, Michigan, with sold-out audience screenings all weekend long!

Awards & Prizes

2020 DSFF AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED TO SELECTED FILMS OF THE FESTIVAL:

Best in Fest
Best Michigan Film
Best Breakout Filmmaker
Best LGBTQIA+ Film
Best Animation
Best Documentary
Best Director
Best Writing
Best Actor
Best Cinematography
Best CGI / SFX
Best MUA/Hair

Rules & Terms

ALL ENTRIES Must meet AT LEAST ONE of the following criterias for consideration:

Genres Accepted: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, LGBTIQA+, Music Video, Short Episodic, and Thriller/Horror.

- A Female Lead Actress / Role
- A Female-centric Story / Documentary issue
- Female Director, Cinematographer
- Female Screenwriter, Editor
- Female Producer or Co-Producer

Running Lengths must be a Minimum of 2 Minutes ~ Maximum 25 Minutes, and have been completed after January 1st, 2018.

All non-English language films must have legible English subtitles.

PLEASE NOTE Entry fees are non-refundable on FilmFreeway!

Filmmakers must be authorized to submit their films to the Detroit Shetown Film Festival (DSFF) and are responsible for the accuracy of all information provided on the application.
65 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Erika Davis-Marsh

    This is a lovely festival run by lovely people, who really want to celebrate their filmmakers. If you get a chance to attend they have many events to help facilitate networking. It was fun to experience Detroit as it continues to rise up. I would be happy to have future films shown here again. Full Disclosure: They did give me the Breakout Filmmaker Award 2019, but I would have said the same thing anyway. I only attend festivals that I think will help create community and this one does.

    February 2020
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  • Allisyn Snyder

    The team at Detroit Shetown Women's Film Festival is amazing at engaging with filmmakers on social media and helping promote films. Highly recommend!

    November 2019
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  • Melissa De Leon

    I unfortunately wasn't able to go to the festival, but their communication was excellent. I got emails leading up to the festival keeping updated about what was going on, what was needed, and networking opportunities. I even got emails after the festival letting me know nominations and winners which was nice because some festival never get back to you on that or you have to wait a month to find out.

    Like I mentioned, I wasn't there, but based on pictures and emails it seems like it was a quality festival and that it gave plenty of opportunities for filmmakers to meet each other and network.

    October 2019
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  • Mara Kassin

    Thank you to everyone at Detroit Shetown Women's Film Festival. They are a really passionate, well orgazined festival. Communication was great and personal. They were incredibly accomodating and thoughtful.

    October 2019
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  • Sara Koppel

    Thank you so much for this wonderful festival <3 Even if i could not attend the festival in person i had an amazing experience with this festival & the people making it happened :) Thank you so much for selecting my film :)

    October 2019
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