East Lansing Film Festival (ELFF), the longest-running non-experimental film festival in Michigan, showcases films from around the world. We screen features, documentaries, many shorts and student films. The East Lansing Film Festival films contest for Audience Awards. For both ELFF and the Lake Michigan Film Festival cash Prizes will be awarded for the Best Feature, Documentary and Short Film.

In November, ELFF presents 3 extensive short film programs, plus features and documentaries. The festival hosts parties and a we invite directors to attend the film festival and hold Q & As with the audiences. Past visiting directors have included Michael Moore, Oliver Stone and Bruce Campbell.

Films made in or by filmmakers from the states surrounding Lake Michigan will be considered for the Lake Michigan Film Festival (LMFF) which will take place in February/March following ELFF. In the past, the Lake Michigan Film Competition (LMFC) ran concurrently as a part of ELFF but is now a 4-day film festival of its own, LMFF. IF YOU ARE FROM MICHIGAN, INDIANA, ILLINOIS OR WISCONSIN your film will be in consideration for LMFF and you will be notified by early December.

We encourage you to contact us and submit your film for consideration.

Awards & Prizes

EAST LANSING FILM FESTIVAL
$300 for Best Feature Film without major distribution.
$300 for Best Documentary without major distribution.
$200 for Best Short Film without major distribution.

Definition of major distribution: a recognized Distribution Company.
Self-distribution qualifies for the award.

LAKE MICHIGAN FILM FESTIVAL
$300 for Best Feature Film
$300 for Best Documentary
$300 for Best Short Film
$300 for Best Student Film

Rules & Terms

Please read and follow the Entry Regulations carefully.

Entry Regulations:

1.Works in progress will NOT be accepted.

2. Submission will not be considered unless accompanied by appropriate fee, completed FilmFreeway online entry form, and a 25-35 word summary. Press and publicity materials are appreciated but only required after being accepted into festival.

3. All entries must be in English or contain English subtitles.

4. If your film is selected for festival screening, you must supply electronially 300dpi+ resolution color stills (not of the production but from the film itself). We also require as much publicity material that is available.

5. if your selected film is a narrative or documentary film is selected for festival screening, you must supply a DCP on hard drive or a Blu-Ray copy of your film. DCPs are preferred for the Christie projection at Studio C. A DCP copy on a hard drive can be created for a nominal fee paid though PayPal.
If your selected film is a short film , it will be electronically copied onto a DCP hard drive for projection. Do not send the a DCP copy.

9.The festival director must authorize exceptions to the festival regulations.

SHIPPING:

The entrant must pay the cost of shipping an entry print to the festival.

FESTIVAL CONDITIONS / ELIGIBILITY:

-Entries must not have been previously submitted to the East Lansing Film Festival.
-Entries must be in English or subtitled in English.

Films or videos of any length (feature, short), style or genre (narrative, documentary, animation, etc.) are accepted (see appropriate category). If selected for screening, the filmmaker will be contacted by email by September 13, 2024.

Digital files must be received at least 14 days prior to the festival start date or a screening copy will be used.
22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jeff Lorch

    East Lansing Film Festival was fantastic. Wonderful new theatre for the screenings, easeful communication, great film blocks! Susan Woods is a GREAT organizer.

    March 2024
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  • Peter Sparling

    Lovely, friendly people in charge. Welcoming. My animation was odd man out among narrative shorts made by filmmakers from the Great Lakes area.

    March 2024
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  • Justin Park-Swanson

    Had a great time at the festival for my film "Untitled and Unfinished"!

    March 2024
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  • Paul Rothman

    We had an amazing time screening our short film SALAMANDER at the Lake Michigan Film Fest.

    March 2024
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  • Alex Adam

    Was incredible seeing my film in one of my favorite movie theaters! The hosts were very friendly!

    March 2023
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