Fault Line Film Festival

All currently-enrolled university, college or high school students are eligible to participate in the Fault Line Film Festival. Recent graduates are also eligible if their submission was produced while they were a student.

Films must have been produced in 2024 or later to be eligible for the 2026 Fault Line Film Festival. No previous submissions will be accepted.

Student films up to 15 minutes in length should be submitted in one of the following categories: Drama, Comedy, Mystery/Suspense, Animation, High School, Documentary and Alternative. The Alternative Category encompasses narrative films that are difficult to categorize, such as musicals or experimental narratives.

Films between 15 and 30 minutes in length in any genre should be submitted in the Long Form Category. Judges reserve the right to move a film to another category if it is to the benefit of the filmmaker. High School films over 15 minutes should still be entered in the High School category.

A $20.00 entry fee is required with all entries.

Films must be submitted online. Films must be high-resolution and uploaded to an HD website (such as Vimeo). URL information should be included with your submission. Make sure the URL is accessible to the judging committee (include passwords if necessary).

The entry deadline for this year's festival is January 31, 2026.

Finalists will be notified via email and presented with an invitation to attend the awards ceremony and gala screening on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

The Fault Line Film Festival has the authority to use stills, clips, posters, titles, or any information from the submission materials for promotional purposes.

The Fault Line Film Festival is held harmless of any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, and expenses which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, or screening of any film.