FF48 is a brand-new short film festival accepting 4-10 minute films. Built for emerging filmmakers, storytellers, and creatives who are ready for real momentum. Our inaugural year is about more than screenings and awards we're offering access, visibility, and tangible next steps for filmmakers who are serious about building a career.

This is our first year, and we’re intentionally keeping FF48 intimate, high-energy, and opportunity-driven.

Why FF48 Exists

We created Film Faster 48 because too many festivals celebrate films…
…but do nothing for the filmmakers after the applause fades.

We're here to spotlight new voices and bold storytelling and connect filmmakers with industry professionals, collaborators, and decision-makers.

We aim to build a creative environment where relationships actually form, so if you’re an emerging filmmaker, this festival was built for you.

FF48 includes:

Industry panels and hands-on workshops

Direct access to creatives, producers, and professionals actively working in film

Opportunities for standout filmmakers to be recognized beyond awards

We care deeply about helping filmmakers turn momentum into movement.

Curated Screenings & High-Energy Events

Selected films will be showcased in a curated screening experience, followed by:

A live Awards Ceremony

An official After Party where filmmakers, creatives, and industry professionals actually connect

A Closing Brunch designed for meaningful conversations and relationship-building

FF48 isn’t just a weekend — it’s a creative ecosystem.

We’re invested in highlighting filmmakers beyond the festival and creating space for films and creators to gain visibility, credibility, and access.

Our long-term vision is to help filmmakers move closer to distribution, collaboration, and career growth

Who Should Submit?

You should submit to FF48 if:

You’re an emerging or independent filmmaker

You want more than just a festival credit

You’re hungry for community, opportunity, and growth

You believe film festivals should actually do something for filmmakers

You want to be part of the first chapter of something special

This is the ground floor.

Be Part of the First Year

There’s something special about an inaugural festival — the filmmakers who submit now help shape the culture, the legacy, and the future of FF48.

Years from now, we believe people will say:

“I was there at the beginning.”

Don’t miss your chance to be part of that story.

Submit your film.
Build your network.
Accelerate your career.

Welcome to Film Faster 48.

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS
- Best of Film Faster 48
- Best of Action, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Horror/Thriller, Animation
- Best Director
- Best Performance
- Best Local Short
- Best Emerging Filmmaker AKA Take Wing Award
- Best Cinematography
- Best Writing
- Best Editing
- Best Score

PRIZES
- Co-Producer Credit on a New Republic Pictures feature film
- Opportunity to receive a pitch meeting with executives for film of choice
- Opportunity for distribution deal with VYRE Network
- Work together with winners of following festivals on a fully funded feature by Providence Films
Winners will:
- Work alongside industry professionals & name talent
- Receive industry-standard pay
- Be awarded appropriate screen credit
- Hold equity in the final film
- Be part of a film developed for theatrical or streaming release

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY
- Open to filmmakers worldwide
- Participants must be 18 years or older
- All experience levels welcome

REGISTRATION
- Must register through the Film Freeway or official Film Faster 48 website
- Entry fees are non-refundable

TIMEFRAME
- All films must be submitted by 11:59pm May 8th , 2026
- Late submissions will not be accepted or judged

FILM LENGTH
- Final film must be between 4 and 10 minutes, including credits

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
- File format: MP4, MOV, or AVI
- Minimum resolution: 1920x1080 (HD)
- Frame rate: 24 or 30 fps
- Clear, well-mixed audio required
- Submissions via official upload portal or designated link

CONTENT GUIDELINES
- Films must be original and created within the past 4 years
- No unlicensed or copyrighted material
- Must be appropriate for a PG-13 audience or lower
- No hate speech, pornography, or excessive gore

JUDGING CRITERIA
Films will be judged based on:
- Creative use of assigned theme
- Storytelling & emotional impact
- Cinematic quality & production value
- Use of required elements
- Originality & innovation

SCREENING & EXPOSURE
SELECTED submissions receive:
- Live screening at the official festival event
- Industry professional review with feedback/notes
- Placement on the Film Faster 48 Festival YouTube channel
- Access to the live awards show (additional guest tickets sold separately)

THE FEATURE FILM OPPORTUNITY
THE GRAND PRIZE
All 1st Place winners from each Film Faster 48 Festival will be invited to co-create a feature film, produced by Providence Film Group in association with New Republic Pictures, following the end of the festival circuit.

COPYRIGHT & RIGHTS
- Teams retain full ownership of their films
- By submitting, teams grant Film Faster 48 Festival a non-exclusive license to screen, showcase, and promote the film across official festival channels

DISQUALIFICATION
Grounds for disqualification include:
- Late submission
- Failure to include all required elements
- Use of plagiarized content
- Violation of any production or content rules

FINAL TERMS
- All decisions by judges and organizers are final
- Festival organizers reserve the right to update rules or disqualify entries at their discretion
- Participation constitutes acceptance of all rules and conditions

AFTER THE FESTIVAL

1
If your film included SAG-AFTRA members, you must obtain permission from SAG-AFTRA to screen at local events, to include on reels/DVDs, to screen theatrically, to show on television. After the first year, showing on cable access also requires permission. Contact SAG-AFTRA directly for permission. This may involve paying your actors.

2
You may post to your own or third-party websites if your film does not have SAG-AFTRA actors and if you open your movie with our animated slate or a title card that says, This film made for Film Faster 48.

3
If your film includes SAG-AFTRA members you may show the film on your website only if your SAG-AFTRA performers all signed the SAG-AFTRA Internet Use Rider. Otherwise, you must obtain permission from SAG-AFTRA. (Contact SAG-AFTRA directly for permission.) Also, you must open your movie with our animated slate or a title card that says, This film made for Film Faster 48.

4
If your film includes SAG-AFTRA members, you must obtain permission from SAG-AFTRA to post to third-party websites. You must also open your movie with our slate or a title card that says, This film made for Film Faster 48.

5
For the first year after your city's FF48, you may include your film on a DVD compilation or a professional reel only if you are offering it for free. Films including SAG-AFTRA members have additional restrictions.

6
For the first year after your city's FF48, you must get permission from the FF48 to screen your film theatrically or to put it on television. Films including SAG-AFTRA members have additional restrictions

Can I sell my FF48 film? Absolutely!
The policy for the sale of your 48HFP film depends on when it is being sold and whether the purchaser is seeking exclusive rights.
• If the purchaser does not require exclusive rights to the film and if the film is sold after June 30 of the year following the creation of the film, when FF48 and filmmaker share rights, you do not need the FF48's permission to sell your film.
• If the purchaser seeks exclusive rights to the film, the FF48 shall grant release of its rights to the film for 20%of the purchase price (80% to the team leader/20% to FF48).
• If the purchaser does not require exclusive rights to the film and if the film is sold before June 30 of the year following the creation of the film (when FF48 controls the bulk of the rights) FF48 shall grant release of its rights to the film for 20% of the purchase price (80% to the team leader/20% to FF48).
NOTE: FF48 does not have any ownership interest in your film/story concept. In addition, if you substantively change your film from your submitted version, the FF48 does not have an interest in the new version.