The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Retreat as "a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director".

Therefore, 100FilmsRetreat.com is NOT a time for celebration FESTIVALING with a noisy movie theater lobby of non-communication after films show on the big screen.

Rather, our Retreats are designed to offer shy International filmmakers a withdrawal from the maddening crowd. With us, their video / film’s small screen presentation serves as a guide to intense / intimate marketing discussions of said production. These live & in-person talks with the work’s representative are directed by prolific Hollywood talent Phillip E. Walker-MFA, who has produced more than 10 short films, has marketed 35+ such works into receiving more that 1000 awards from six continents, plus PhilE has himself performed in 82+ petite motion pictures.

Now IMDb qualified, we strive to Officially Select under 15 minutes in length videos and films from as many countries as possible!

Our Retreats especially aim to deliver to indie filmmakers and video content creators live & in-person WORLD PREMIERES. Therefore, Official Selection priority will be given to WORLD PREMIERES whose filmmakers or content creators agree to attend the live & in-person event in Rancho Cucamonga, Southern California 91730 USA, which is only 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, with convenient Metrolink commuter train transportation.

Due to limited screen space and no concurrent screenings, the films or videos which are shortest in length are more likely to be Officially Selected and screened.

As well, published Film Poster Quotes, Reviews, Production Team Interviews and Combination submission categories are non-competitive. This means that ALL submitters therein will receive Official Selection directly after paying the appropriate non-discounted submission fee.

Furthermore, Walker Entertainer Academy’s decade of supplying up close and personal, intense, indie filmmaker networking sessions both online thru http://FirstFridayFilms.com monthly Meetups plus annual live & in-person (even all throughout the raging years of the Pandemic) http://IndigenousFilmRetreats.com short film marketing gatherings, makes us eminently qualified to now supply Worldclass, major short film, intimate filmmaker retreat gatherings which offer ample individual access to Grand and Staff Judge Industry Professionals plus attending Special Guest Celebrities & Dignitaries.

Finally, we hope that you take advantage of this never before opportunity by submitting NOW, to ensure that your short becomes a qualified submission to screen in Rancho Cucamonga, Southern California USA - future home of the Americas’ first ever high-speed railway station / hub!

Awards & Prizes

Ongoing active involvement in the 100 Films Retreat’s private Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551236698619532 and/or attending one’s live & in-person screening, greatly increases the probability of one’s video or film being honored.

QUARTERLY AWARDS
1. Grand Prize {under 15 minutes in length video or film}
2. Best Film Commercial {under 29 seconds in length}
3. Top Movie Poster {printed and displayed during screening}

Winners = Trophy (mailed free to non-attending winners), Digital Certificate (plus printed & framed if rep attends Awards Program) and Individualized Digital Laurel

CARIBBEAN BEST TRAVEL FILM COMPETITION {under five minutes in length}
Ten Different Countries 1st to Submit-1st Selected Screening Slots Per Quarter

Caribbean Best Travel Film Winner = Engraved Plaque (mailed free to non-attending winner), Digital Certificate (plus printed & framed if rep attends Awards Program) and Individualized Digital Laurel

ANNUAL AWARDS
Grand Prize, Best Film Commercial and Top Movie Poster quarterly Winners will also have their winning entry screened or displayed during the 2026 BEST of the Year’s 400 Films Retreat live & in-person Showcase. The 2026 Year’s Grand Prize, Best Film Commercial, Top Movie Poster and Best Caribbean Travel Film Trophies/Plaques, Certificates & Laurels will be awarded as a result of attendee voting therein.

Rules & Terms

- Despite the published Notification date, Official Selection plus screening times will be officially announced on a rolling bases as early as 48 hours after the submission and subsequent supplying of the below Required Marketing Materials are received.

- Videos / Films from different countries have Official Selection priority over films / videos from the same country. The first qualified submission from a new to 100 Films Retreat country that completes the below requirements will be Officially Selected and screened in competition.

- FILMS / VIDEOS SUBMITTED IN THE WRONG CATEGORY ARE LIKELY TO BE DISQUALIFIED, IE:
> Submissions using a Fee Discount in a category where discounts are not allowed
> Videos / Films submitted in the World Premiere category that have already had a public, live & in-person screening or are scheduled to have such a screening prior its 100 Films Retreat screening
> Submissions in Student categories that do not display in the Files & Attachments section of the Production’s FilmFreeway Project page, English written proof that the leader of said Production was a Student when that Production was created.

- IN ORDER FOR A SUBMISSION TO COMPETE FOR AWARD CONSIDERATION:
1. FilmFreeway or Vimeo Downloading of the FILM must be enabled.

2. Followed by the official FilmFreeway Note email reply with the Film’s high-resolution POSTER attached.

3. Plus, in that same official FilmFreeway Note email reply, should be the Production’s FilmFreeway URL. This Link is found in the Privacy tab Project Page URL section. Please also click & save "Limited" in Project Visibility section.

4. Once the FILM, POSTER & URL is received, that quarter’s Retreat will email an image to the Submitter which must be at the start of an under 29 seconds in length COMMERCIAL video which, once created, is attached as a reply in that same official FilmFreeway Note email thread.

5. Productions which do not have a representative in attendance during their video / film's live & in-person appearance will not screen nor compete.

- With very limited seating, all film / video screenings are afforded free admission tickets secured online at https://AllEvents.by/PhilE.

- Not all Officially Selected films / videos will screen.

- Any particular Filmmaker or Video Content Creator may have only one film / video submitted per quarter. Multiple submissions during any particular quarter that have the same director are likely to each be Disqualified.

- The submitter must own all copyrights to the submitted film / video. Any dispute will result in a video / film not being screened.

- All videos / films which are not spoken in English must have English subtitles visible on screen in order to be Officially Selected.

- Only films / videos that are under 15 minutes in length will qualify for live & in-person screening.

- The decisions of the Judges and Curator will be final.

- 100 Films Retreat is not responsible for technical problems that arise in any film / video screening.

- Although 100 Films Retreat might offer attendee early prepaid shared AirBnB sleeping accommodations, 100#12 will not be responsible to pay any aspect of the travel costs for at least one Representative to attend the Submitter's live & in-person screening.

- Submitter warrants that it has read and will adhere to these Rules.

- All submission fees are non-refundable.
19 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dr. Gregory McWhorter

    The 100 Films Retreat put on by actor Phillip E. Walker is a great way to gain some exposure for a new film. We were excited to screen with them and we wish them well on their ongoing film festivals.

    July 2025
    Helpful
  • Oliver Theurich

    The world premiere of our improvised comedy short film IN THE BATHROOM at 100 Films Retreat. What a great experience. Thank you Phillip.

    December 2024
    Helpful
  • Dmitri Frolov

    The world premiere of my new film took place here! The festival was very kind to show interest in my work.

    June 2024
    Helpful
  • Tommy Anderson Sherry Severs

    Great Opportunity and communication during such an odd time for our industry. Glad to be chosen and to be a part. Thanks for the acknowledgements!!

    June 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We were very glad to host you, your production team members and your 100 Films Retreat #5 quarter Grand Prize winning Film. We hope you will return soon with another of your works.

  • Daniel Bernardi

    100 Films Retreat puts filmmakers and audiences first. This is no short of an exceptional festival. Very proud to be a part of it.

    February 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    100 Films Retreat so appreciates you acknowledging our will to service what we think is the most important aspects of the independent film industry!