Die Laughing Film Festival

Make us laugh. Make us scream. Or both.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: As of Summer 2022, the Complex (our venue since the beginning) is under negotiations with landlord to keep the space open past 12/31/2022. Therefore, the format, venue and dates are subject to change. Which means, if the Complex closes, we will have to secure a new venue. If that is not possible, we will have to be on-line (which we did when the pandemic prohibited in-person events in 2020 and 2021). Fortunately, we were on-line in 2021 and our format was innovative and collaborative, and kept with the spirit of our festival (including interviews with filmmakers and round table discussions with screenwriters). We don't know what 2023 will bring, but will keep you posted. Please be aware of the situation, as we may have limited options. Our choice is ALWAYS to have in-person events when possible (and safe).

The Die Laughing Film Festival recognizes the fine line that separates fear and comedy and celebrates both with a festival dedicated to comedy films and horror films created by independent film makers.

We also host a Screenwriters Workshop and guest panelists included staff writers from Marvel's Jessica Jones and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. In addition to having a live scripted reading of scenes from selected screenplays, we also had a lively Q and A with our guests.

Come join us in 2023 for the 6th Annual Die Laughing Film Festival.

If you dare.

Thank you for submitting your film or screenplay (SUBMISSION) to the Die Laughing Film Festival (DLFF). We are excited to review your work. Please read the important notice under EVENT DESCRIPTION in regards to the status of our venue.

By submitting your SUBMISSION to DLFF you agree to the following:

(1) Submitting a SUBMISSION does not guarantee inclusion in the DLFF, and the selection committee has sole discretion to determine which SUBMISSIONS are selected for participation in the DLFF;

(2) If your SUBMISSION is selected for the DLFF, you will allow DLFF to use any part of the SUBMISSION for promotional purposes before, during and after the DLFF, and the right to present your SUBMISSION as part of the DLFF.

(3) DLFF does not compensate for any costs associated with the production of the SUBMISSION, or travel costs associated with attending the DLFF;

(4) DLFF reserves the right to schedule accepted SUBMISSIONS and to make any changes at any time, and may withdraw any SUBMISSION from the DLFF at any time for any reason. IN ADDITION, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE READ THE "IMPORTANT NOTICE" AND UNDERSTAND WE CANNOT GUARANTEE AN IN-PERSON EVENT AND RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CONDUCT THE 2023 DLFF AS IN-PERSON, ON-LINE OR HYBRID.

(5) All film SUBMISSIONS must be online screeners only. All screenplay SUBMISSIONS must be a format indicated in the submission section;

(6) All film SUBMISSIONS that are selected to screen at the DLFF must be digital. To ensure best quality at the screening, digital versions are best.

(7) Filmmakers and screenwriters are solely responsible to ensure all deadlines are adhered to, and shall hold DLFF harmless for any delays or technical difficulties whatsoever;

(8) Filmmakers and screenwriters warrant that all work is original and that all rights have been secured;

(9) Filmmakers and screenwriters shall indemnify and hold harmless the Die Laughing Film Festival and all its agents from any claims, liabilities, losses, damages incurred in any way due to any and all claims.

(10) Awards will be presented in categories identified by DLFF and judging will be done by the judging committee; with the exception of awards for Best of Festival, which will be based on audience votes. DLFF reserves the right to rescind any award for any reason.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Alan Natale

Ray and team were amazing and it was a lot of fun to participate. Well organized and very family-like, inclusive.

May 2022

Helpful
Veronica R. Tabares

I was thrilled to learn my screenplay, Paranormal Rescue, was selected for the festival. Thanks!

May 2022

Helpful
David Gray

This is a really fun event, put together by passionate film-lovers who create a warm and inviting atmosphere. I was thrilled that they included staged readings from screenplays as this seems to be a rare happening in film festivals. Highly recommend!

May 2022

Helpful
Petteri Stavén

Awesome festival. Happy to be part of it

May 2022

Helpful
Christy Lee Hughes

Wow! We are so blown away and grateful to win BEST COMEDY and BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ACTING at the 2022 DLFF! This was a fun festival to attend in person and we enjoyed meeting the other filmmakers there, watching the films on the big screen together in the theater here in Los Angeles was awesome. Thank you so much from team Guardian and we look so forward to attending again next year! HIGHLY RECOMMEND submitting to this quality festival that truly champions independent filmmaking and goes above and beyond to celebrate talent.

May 2022

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

August 8, 2022
Opening Date
August 19, 2022
First to submit discount
September 9, 2022
Regular earlybird deadline
September 30, 2022
Final earlybird discount
October 21, 2022
Regular deadline discount
November 18, 2022
Regular deadine
December 16, 2022
Final regular deadline
January 13, 2023
Last call discount
February 17, 2023
Last call deadline
March 17, 2023
Final call deadline
April 7, 2023
Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
April 16, 2023
Notification Date
May 5 – 6, 2023
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Short Film - Comedy
Make us laugh! Short films should be between 4 minutes and 30 minutes in length. If under 4 minutes, please submit as a MICRO SHORT; or if more than 30 minutes, please submit as a Feature Film. If your short film is comedy AND horror, you can submit to either category Short Film - Comedy or Short Film - Horror. Look forward to your COMEDY SHORT FILM submission.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $22.50
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $27.50
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call discount
- Standard: $32.50
- Student: $25
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $37.50
- Student: $25
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
Submit Now
Short Film - Horror
Make us scream! Short films should be between 4 minutes and 30 minutes in length. If under 4 minutes, please submit as a MICRO SHORT; or if more than 30 minutes, please submit as a Feature Film. If your short film is comedy AND horror, you can submit to either category Short Film - Comedy or Short Film - Horror. Look forward to your HORROR SHORT FILM submission.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $22.50
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $27.50
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call discount
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
Submit Now
Feature Film - Comedy
LOL LOL Feature films should be at least 30 minutes in length to be considered in the HORROR Feature Film Category. If your feature film is comedy AND horror, you can submit to either category Feature Film - Comedy or Feature Film - Horror.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $22.50
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $27.50
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call discount
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
Submit Now
Feature Film - Horror
Make us scream a lot. Feature films should be at least 30 minutes in length to be considered in the HORROR Feature Film Category. If your film is comedy AND horror, you can submit to either category Feature Film - Comedy or Feature Film - Horror. Thank you.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $22.50
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $27.50
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call discount
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
Submit Now
Webseries
We love webseries! Please submit your comedy or horror webseries. You should submit up to 12 minutes of episodes. If selected for the festival, you will be asked to submit 10 minutes of episodes of your choice. Thank you.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $22.50
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $27.50
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call discount
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
Submit Now
Pilots - Comedy or Horror
Pilots should be under 50 minutes in length and may be comedy or horror.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $22.50
- Student: $20
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call discount
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
Submit Now
Micro Shorts - Comedy or Horror
MICRO SHORTS are under 4 minutes in length and may be comedy or horror. Thank you.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $20
- Last call discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $20
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $20
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $20
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $15
- Student: $20
Submit Now
Music Videos - Comedy or Horror
Music videos should be either comedy or horror in overall tone.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $22.50
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $27.50
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call discount
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
Submit Now
Animation - Comedy or Horror
Animated films can be either comedy or horror.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $22.50
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $27.50
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call discount
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
Submit Now
International Cinema
We welcome film and screenplays from international talent. You are free to submit in the "International Cinema" category, or any appropriate genre. Thank you.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $15
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $22.50
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $27.50
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call discount
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
Submit Now
Screenplay - (feature) Comedy
Screenplays of any length are accepted (for short screenplays (less than 30 pages) and pilots, see separate category). Please submit early so we can give your screenplay full consideration (not rushed). Scenes from screenplays selected as finalists will be performed at the Festival as part of a Screenwriters Workshop and/or Screenwriters Round Table.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last call discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
Submit Now
Screenplay - (feature) Horror
Screenplays of any length are accepted (for short screenplays (less than 30 pages) and pilots, see separate category). Please submit early so we can give your screenplay full consideration (not rushed). Scenes from screenplays selected as finalists will be performed at the Festival as part of a Screenwriters Workshop and/or Screenwriters Round Table.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last call discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
Submit Now
Screenplay (short - less than 30 pages) Horror & Comedy
Screenplays (short) should be less than 30 pages (for feature screenplays (less than 30 pages) and pilots, see separate category). Please submit early so we can give your screenplay full consideration (not rushed). Scenes from screenplays selected as finalists will be performed at the Festival as part of a Screenwriters Workshop and/or Screenwriters Round Table.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last call discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
Submit Now
Screenplay (pilot) Horror & Comedy
Screenplays of any length are accepted (for feature screenplays and short screenplays (less than 30 pages) see separate category). Please submit early so we can give your screenplay full consideration (not rushed). Scenes from screenplays selected as finalists will be performed at the Festival as part of a Screenwriters Workshop and/or Screenwriters Round Table.
- First to submit discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular earlybird deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Final earlybird discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular deadline discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Regular deadine
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Final regular deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last call discount
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last call deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Final call deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Last chance 2 enter (no fooling)
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
Submit Now

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Alan Natale

Veronica R. Tabares

David Gray

Petteri Stavén

Christy Lee Hughes