Dream Catchers Film Festival

To ensure alignment with the mission of the Dream Catchers Festival, submitted films must demonstrate meaningful creative leadership and/or narrative focus connected to Black or other creators of color. A film will be considered eligible if it meets at least one of the following criteria:

The film centers on a Black or person of color narrative, theme, or cultural perspective.
The film is written by a Black writer or a writer of color.
The film is directed by a Black director or a director of color.
The film is produced with principal creative leadership (writer, director, or producer) who identifies as Black or a person of color.

The festival prioritizes authentic storytelling, cultural representation, and creative ownership that amplify the voices of historically underrepresented people in film and media. Proof of eligibility may be requested at the festival's discretion.

1. Eligibility

ALL FILMS MUST BE IN ENGLISH. ALL FILMS THAT ARE NOMINATED WILL STREAM ON BTV ON AMAZON FIRE & ONLINE STREAMING PLATFORMS.

All films must have been completed within the last 3 years at the time of submission.

Feature - 50 mins OR LONGER
Animation, Documentary, and Reality no min. time frame.

MUST meet these requirements will be automatically disqualified.

Works-in-progress will not be accepted. Films must be in final cut form.

2. Submission Guidelines

All submissions must be made through the official submission portal designated by Dream Catchers Film Festival.

Filmmakers must be downloadable or provide a secure online screener (Vimeo, YouTube, FilmFreeway, etc.) with a working password (if required).

All films must be in English.

Multiple entries are allowed; a separate submission fee (if applicable) and form must accompany each entry.

3. Selection & Programming

Selection is at the sole discretion of the Dream Catchers Film Festival programming team.
Decisions of the selection committee and jury are final and not subject to appeal.
Once a film is accepted, the filmmaker cannot withdraw it from the festival lineup.

4. Screening & Distribution Rights

By submitting, the filmmaker grants Dream Catchers Film Festival and BTV the non-exclusive right to exhibit the film and in related promotional programming on the BTV streaming Amazon Fire and online Platforms. All films will be on BTV, and the app can be downloaded on the Amazon Fire TV/Stick or viewed on BTVstreaming.com. All accounts are free for viewers.

Select winning films may be offered ongoing non-exclusive streaming distribution on BTV. Any distribution agreement will be subject to a separate signed contract between the filmmaker and BTV.

Filmmakers retain all copyright and intellectual property ownership of their work.

5. Promotional Use

By submitting, entrants grant Dream Catchers Film Festival and BTV the right to use film stills, posters, clips (up to 2 minutes), and other submitted materials for festival promotion, press, and marketing purposes.

No compensation will be provided for such promotional use or screening.

6. Warranties & Representation

By submitting, the entrant represents and warrants that:

They are the sole and rightful owner of the film or have full authority to submit on behalf of the ownership team.

The film does not infringe upon the copyright, trademark, or intellectual property rights of any person or entity.

All necessary rights, licenses, and clearances (music, footage, images, etc.) have been secured.

The film does not contain any unlawful, defamatory, or obscene material.

The entrant will indemnify and hold harmless Dream Catchers Film Festival, BTV, and their affiliates, directors, employees, and partners from any claims, losses, or damages resulting from submission, exhibition, or distribution of the film.

7. Liability

Dream Catchers Film Festival and BTV are not responsible for any lost, damaged, or delayed submissions.

Dream Catchers Film Festival and BTV are not liable for any third-party claims related to copyright infringement, licensing issues, or unauthorized content use in submitted works.

8. Awards & Prizes

Awards and prizes are granted at the sole discretion of the festival jury.

Prizes such as distribution on BTV are offers subject to contract; participation does not guarantee commercial distribution.

No cash prizes will be awarded unless otherwise stated.

9. General Conditions

Submission fees are non-refundable.

Participation in the festival implies full acceptance of these rules.

Dream Catchers Film Festival reserves the right to amend these rules at any time without notice, for legal, operational, or festival-related reasons.