Welcome to Every Leaf International Short Film Festival, celebrating short films from around the world!
In our second year, we want you to feel supported and recognized online every step of the way. We will specially select films for independent posts and short interviews free of charge.
If you would like to secure an interview, you can submit to the SPOTLIGHT category.
All official selections will receive laurels through the FilmFreeway Laurel Center and all winners in each category that attend the event will receive physical trophies made in the Yucatán.

The film festival will be held September 30th, 2023 at Fort Gallery NFT in Caye Caulker, Belize.

We look forward to viewing & celebrating your hard work!

Awards & Prizes

There will be a brief awards ceremony each night following the screenings, with physical trophies being handed out for the following categories:

FESTIVAL GRAND JURY PRIZE FOR BEST SHORT FILM
BEST YUCATÁN SHORT FILM
BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
BEST BLACK FILMMAKER
BEST QUEER FILMMAKER
BEST ARTHOUSE FILM
BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM
BEST ACTRESS
BEST ACTOR
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Best SONG/MUSIC VIDEO
BEST SOUND DESIGN
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
THE AZIAH COLEMAN AWARD FOR BEST ACTING
VISIONARY AWARD FOR BEST FEMME FILMMAKER

Rules & Terms


SELECTION PROCESS:
ALL programming selections are at the discretion of the festival curation team and their decision is final.
We accept short films from all over the world. We do not require premieres.
ALL selection decisions will be communicated in April 2022. For reasons of confidentiality ALL decisions can ONLY be communicated to the submitter of the film. Please therefore ensure that the contact information included in your submission is correct and checked regularly.

SUBMISSION (IF OFFICIALLY SELECTED)
All submissions are for short films 20 minutes in length or shorter, except Best Song/Music Video which is 7 minutes in length or shorter. If a film is submitted that does not meet this criteria, a refund will not be issued.
This festival is for films of 14 minutes in length or shorter. Please NO copyrighted material, or you will be disqualified. All films must be available in either ProRes MOV, MP4, WMV, or MXF format.
All films not in English must include English subtitles.
Multiple entries are accepted but each film must be individually submitted via FilmFreeway.
Stills and clips of selected films will be used for our publications, festival trailer, press and media coverage.
Every Leaf Film Festival reserves the right to include your film in screenings to promote the festival.
The festival will not share your data with anyone without your permission.
By agreeing to proceed with your submission you are agreeing to these Terms and Conditions. Entry of a film is binding and implies acceptance of these regulations.
Failure to comply with these terms and conditions may result in the submission being disqualified, and an refund will not be issued.
In the event of disagreement concerning the interpretation of the regulations, the interpretation of the festival will take precedence.