Experimental Forum

Experimental Forum is an international film and video art festival showcasing experimental film and artists’ moving image from auteur filmmakers and innovative video artists from around the globe. Our aim is to provide a supportive platform for the exciting and challenging work that is outside the scope of mainstream film festivals and art galleries.

We welcome experimental cinema pieces (abstract, narrative or documentary), video art works, essay films, artists’ moving image and media art, as well as documentary and narrative films that seek to expand, redefine or reconfigure the means and ends of their respective fields. Experimental Forum exists to provide access to, and develop audiences for, artists’ moving image work and is committed to engaging local audiences with new and/or unheard voices in film.

We are particularly interested in works made by early stage filmmakers and artists whose work is underrepresented. We provide a collaborative platform for moving image works made for the gallery and for the cinema with the aim of building a community across disciplinary and institutional faultlines.

Best Experimental Feature
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Animation Feature
Best Experimental Short
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Animation Short
Best Foreign Language Short
Best Foreign Language Feature
Best First Feature
Best First Short
Best Student Film
Best Screenplay
Best Video Art Film
Best 1 minute film
Best Trailer
Best One Shot Movie
Best New Media/Web Series
Best Vertical Video
Best Dance Film
Best Music Video
Best LGBTQ Film
Best Erotica

Experimental Forum is now accepting entries for its 2027 edition festival. We are open to all kinds of experimental films including documentary, narrative, experimental, animation, video art and other genres in any language, from around the world.

We’re open to old or new work and we’re happy to accept work that has already screened at other festivals.

We recommend that non-English language films be subtitled in English.

By submitting, the filmmaker warrants that they are the rightful owner of the submission and do not violate or infringe on any trademark, trade name, copyright, literary, dramatic, musical, artistic or other intellectual property or personal rights.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Experimental Forum, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Experimental Forum is hereby granted the rights to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted for promotional purposes of the festival. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements, rules and regulations.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Karl J. Niemiec

It was great to have Law Of Average recognized and included in the fest. Getting Honorable Mention was icing on the donut. ❤️💪

March 2026

Helpful
Alexis Krasilovsky

One of the best festivals for experimental films ever! My films have been showing in festivals around the world, but it isn't easy to travel these days to attend in person. The Experimental Forum Festival, however, is held in Hollywood: To validate and empower experimental filmmakers and their films right in the heart of Hollywood was an intriguing opportunity I couldn't possibly pass up.
I'm so glad I went to this festival. The Experimental Forum staff was comprised of highly creative, energetic and supportive people, asking provocative and meaningful questions from each of the filmmakers who were present as part of their Q&A's. I had no idea I was going to win an award, but it was so validating, and so much fun - with a lovely black dog wagging his tail on stage along with the audience clapping. I was also excited by some of the other people's films at the festival, and appreciated the quality of Experimental Forum's curating overall. I made some great contacts here today and look forward to staying in touch. Thank you, Experimental Forum, for so warmly receiving my work!

March 2026

Helpful
barbara peikert

Awesome! It is a great surprise and a great honor to receive the Best 1 Minute Award from the Experimental Forum for “The Cormorant's Shadow”. Thank you so much for the generous invitations, networking and screenings. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the festival. Congrats to all the filmmakers and film crews who represented this outstanding festival during the event; I really enjoy the photos and comments.

April 2025

Helpful
Adam E. Stone

I was not able to attend in person, so I cannot comment on the actual live screening, but everything prior to that was handled very professionally and efficiently, and I think it is great that there is a festival like this in the L.A. area for experimental film makers! Thank you, Experimental Forum!

April 2025

Helpful
Will Kim

Thank you for including my film, "The Saddest Tears" in this year's edition of Experimental Forum. I am truly honored and thankful for all the clear and fast responses and communications. I felt respected as a film director, by the film festival and I appreciate the opportunity.

April 2025

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

February 18, 2026
Opening Date
March 30, 2026
Early Deadline 1
April 27, 2026
Early Deadline 2
May 29, 2026
Early Deadline 3
June 29, 2026
Regular Deadline 1
July 19, 2026
Regular Deadline 2
August 20, 2026
Regular Deadline 3
September 20, 2026
Late Deadline 1
October 18, 2026
Late Deadline 2
November 20, 2026
Late Deadline 3
December 20, 2026
Final Deadline
January 8, 2027
Notification Date
February 7, 2027
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Experimental Feature
run time over 45 minutes in length
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Gold Members: $35.10
Submit Now
Experimental Short
run time of 45 minutes or less
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
Narrative Feature
run time over 45 minutes in length
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Gold Members: $35.10
Submit Now
Narrative Short
run time of 45 minutes or less
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
Documentary Feature
run time over 45 minutes in length
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Gold Members: $35.10
Submit Now
Documentary Short
run time of 45 minutes or less
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
First Feature
run time over 45 minutes in length
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Gold Members: $35.10
Submit Now
First Short
run time of 45 minutes or less
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
Foreign Language Feature
run time over 45 minutes in length
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Gold Members: $35.10
Submit Now
Foreign Language Short
run time of 45 minutes or less
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
Student Film
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
Screenplay
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
Animation Short
run time of 45 minutes or less
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
1 minute film
All genres and types may be submitted, but must be 1 minute or less
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $28
- Gold Members: $25.20
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
Submit Now
Trailer (from 10 to 180 seconds)
All genres and types may be submitted, but must be 3 minutes or less
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $28
- Gold Members: $25.20
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
Submit Now
One Shot Movie
The rules are simple: make a one shot film or video work. All genres and types may be submitted. Remember: no cuts, no edits, just a single shot!
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $28
- Gold Members: $25.20
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
Submit Now
Video Art Film
Any length
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
Dance Film
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
Music Video
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
New Media/Web Series
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
Vertical Video
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
LGBTQ Film
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now
Erotica
- Early Deadline 1
- Standard: $29
- Gold Members: $26.10
- Early Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Early Deadline 3
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $36
- Gold Members: $32.40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33.30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Gold Members: $34.20
Submit Now

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