Welcome to the 7th annual FilmQuest Festival!

Gaining raves for its quality of selections, great events, bevy of attending filmmakers, the highly coveted and prestigious Cthulhu Trophy, and as one of MovieMaker Magazine's "30 Bloody Best Genre Fests in the World" (2019) and twice named one of their "Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" (2017 & 2015), FIlmQuest celebrates the majesty of genre filmmaking in the realms of fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and the beyond (including action, thriller, western, kung-fu, and more). In 2019, the festival skyrocketed to new heights as it continued to usher in the very best genre filmmaking in the world, showcasing incredible talent, creating new friendships and collaborations, and proving through numerous endorsements to be a must-stop destination for all filmmakers moving into our 2020 season.

FilmQuest has been designed specifically to cater to the empowerment of the filmmaker through various events, awards, swag, connections, and more. In creating the festival, we thought long and hard about what it is that makes a festival great. We asked ourselves the tough questions. What we’ve come up with is, we believe, a festival experience that is the kind most filmmakers dream about.

The Juries will award our filmmakers in over 45 individual categories. Our selection committee is also made up of a group of industry professionals from various fields, such as directors, actors, producers, professors, writers, animators, casting directors, and more.

Want more? We will also be hosting exclusive parties, panels, and more! So get involved today and consider becoming a part of one of the most exciting film festivals to emerge on the circuit in years! We look forward to seeing your submissions!

We encourage you to explore our website (www.FilmQuestFest.com) for new information and updates as it comes, including who is on the Grand Jury, the Selection Committee, the Official Selections, venues, and more. As the year progresses, we'll be updating our website and this page with more info on what to expect, the celebrities who will be involved with FilmQuest, our events, workshops, panels, and more!

Prepare for Fantastic at FilmQuest, one of the world's most exciting and beloved genre film festivals!

*** Due to the uncertain concerns surrounding Covid-19, there remains the possibility that FilmQuest will have to reschedule from its current Sept. 2020 date to a yet to be determined future date. The festival has already put contingency plans in place, but it remains FilmQuest's current plan to maintain its current listed dates. ***

Awards & Prizes

We’ve created a festival that gives away awe-inspiring awards, fills your bag with the swag a pirate would be envious of, connects you to other filmmakers and celebrities in ways that encourages future collaboration, and offers an event to explore that will be talked about for years to come in FilmQuest.

We have the FilmQuest Cthulhu trophy designed specifically for FilmQuest and manufactured by the same company who makes the Golden Globes, making what we are sure will soon become one of the most coveted awards on the festival circuit. And this is just the beginning. The trophy will be available for over 20 categories, with high quality plaques available to the rest.

More prizes and awards are added frequently, so stay tuned and don't miss out on FilmQuest!

Rules & Terms

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY SUBMISSION : All film submissions must be postmarked by July 6, 2020. All submissions must be complete, with all of the items on the checklist order completed to be considered for the submission. All submissions received after July 13, 2020 will be considered for next year's festival unless otherwise notified. Notification of acceptance into the 2020 film festival will occur no later than July 20, 2020. If accepted, a screening print or digital copy must arrive at FilmQuest's office not later than August 1st, 2020. All screeners must be clearly labeled. These screeners will become the property of FilmQuest unless a self-addressed, self-stamped package is provided with original submission.

All entries selected into FilmQuest grant FilmQuest the right to use any footage from the screener, and all submitted publicity photos and any other materials sent to us pertaining to this entry for FilmQuest's promotional purposes, without limitations. Complete press kit for films will be requested only after acceptance. All prints must be picked up after the screening and signed for by the filmmaker.

ELIGIBILITY : We will accept films completed after January 2018, unless otherwise noted. We will accept films that have previously screened in other festivals. Entry fees are non-refundable, and may be paid in the form of Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, check or money order paid in US dollars, only through a US affiliated bank. A $2.00 processing fee will be added to all credit card payments. SCRIPTS : Scripts must be bound and formatted correctly. Feature film script length should be at least 40 pages and not over 180. Shorts scripts at least 2 pages. Scripts will not be returned. All scripts must be accompanied with a synopsis in the submission info. We also accept digital script submissions either via FilmFreeway or email.

AWARDS ELIGIBILITY: Only films that have been completed and released after January 1st, 2019 will be eligible for awards. These rules are in compliance with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences standard for Oscar Qualifying. Films completed and released before this date will still be eligible for acceptance and screening at the festival, just not major awards consideration.

PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT : I, the undersigned, represent and warrant that I have full legal right and authority to submit the heretofore mentioned film/video project for consideration by FilmQuest, and that all necessary consents, licensing and approvals have been obtained with respect thereto. I agree to hold FilmQuest and its sponsors harmless in any and all matters pertaining to the consents, licenses, and approvals of heretofore film/video project. I understand that my submission is in no way a guarantee of acceptance or nomination into and at FilmQuest. No one from FilmQuest or its sponsors has guaranteed me admission into the festival. I, the undersigned, have read the terms and conditions appearing herein, and agree, without exception, to all the terms and conditions stated.

For FULL rules and conditions, please visit our website at www.FilmQuestFest.com
134 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Value
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Networking
  • Anders Teig

    I was lucky to have my film selected for the 2019 edition of FilmQuest, and I am happy that I travelled halfway across the globe to be part of it. Because this festival feels like something more than a film festival. During my stay here I came to realize that I was part of something truly special. There was such an uplifiting atmosphere - a camaraderie I´ve never experienced at any festival. Sure filmmaking is a fight to get films made, but at FilmQuest everyone is cheering each other on.
    If you have a film, a script or you are a filmmaker who wants to meet fellow filmmakers, you should strongly consider attending this festival. If you don´t, you are missing out on the chance to be part of something special. I am going back, for sure!

    November 2019
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  • BJ Verot

    I don't normally review festivals, but this one needed to be acknowledged. Prior to the festival, communication was the best I've ever encountered. The festival directors (Jonathan & Jonna) and staff really went out of their way to accommodate/promote attendees across various aspects (travel plans, interviews).

    Once there, the venue made for very easy networking and the filmmakers attending were great. The staff were very hospitable, and it made going to the venue very fun.
    Finally, the lineup of films was amazing, and I'm honoured to have been included, I hope to come back soon.

    Oh, and have you seen their Cthulhu trophy??

    BJ

    November 2019
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  • Tiago Teixeira

    Great festival. I was really proud to be part of the 2019 programme. Highly recommended.

    November 2019
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  • Mia'kate Russell

    What a great festival!! Thank you for showing ‘Maggie May’ it was an honour to play there x

    October 2019
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  • Alexandra Serio

    FilmQuest and all the incredible people I met there make me super proud to be a filmmaker. Jonathan and Jonna are incredible organizers! I can't wait to go back.

    October 2019
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