The Experimental Film Fest 2025

The Experimental Film Fest features Avant-Garde and Experimental films in any sub-genre. We want the unusual, the macabre, the offbeat, the beautiful, the ugly, and the truly experimental film. Explore the medium in ways that are not only unconventional but entertaining. Remember that you want an audience for your films, so be sensitive to the eyes, ears, and emotions of those who will experience your work.

Student films are judged with all other films for awards but are also judged separately for Best Student Film. This award is meant to encourage young filmmakers to participate in film festivals and to bring new talent to the screen for audiences. The submission fee for Student Films is always $10 ($9 Gold) USD.

***WE DO NOT OFFER FEE WAIVERS***

Be sure to listen to The Experimental Film Podcast and arrange to be a guest.

The awards carry the following prizes:

Festival Winner - $150
Critic's Choice - $100
Audience Favorite - $100
Best Student Film - $100
Best Animation - $100

2025 FESTIVAL DATE IS TBA

TBA

Bank of the Arts 317 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560

Awards & Prizes

2024 Awards:

Festival Winner - they're taking my house - Dan Lopez - US

Critic's Choice - Return to Nature - Cassidy Civiero - Canada

Best Animation - Samuel - Mischa Andriessen/Arjan Brentjes - Netherlands

Best AI Film - The perpetually lost youth - Jo Jørgen Stordal - Norway

Best Student Film - 01 - Daniil Denisov - Germany

*** Audience Favorite - 01 Daniil Densov - Germany

Rules & Terms

Films must be downloadable via FilmFreeway. If your film is password protected, please provide the password with your submission.

*** If your film is selected for screening at the festival, you must provide a short (1-2 minute) video that introduces you and your film to the audience. This introductory film is required for screening at the festival. ***

You may submit your film regardless of the creation date as long as it is your work.

This year, there is a 15-minute time limit for films.
19 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Hiroya Sakurai

    Important festival of experimental cinema.

    October 2024
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  • Cyane Tornatzky

    Warm and welcoming, I was extremely happy to get the chance to paricipate.

    October 2024
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  • Thor Sivertsen

    So happy to be selected with my film Coda!

    October 2024
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  • Allison Roberts

    So pleased to see my film screened in the company of other filmmakers and an engaged audience. The program of thought-provoking and visually dynamic short films exhibited the breadth and diversity of the medium. Many thanks to Ken for creating a film festival (and podcast) that embraces and supports experimental films and their makers.

    September 2024
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  • Daniel Lopez

    Was great working with Ken and the festival team. Exactly what I hope for out of an experimental film festival - artists coming together to share challenging and thought-provoking work. Excellent program for filmmakers whose art doesn't quite fit the mainstream mold.

    September 2024
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