Aloha kākou,

Year 2026 brings the 22nd edition of the Free Spirit Film Festival. We're the smallest film festival in the world, but our passion and vision has never been small, because of which we have kept going, producing memorable events all these years.

Our budget is shoestring, but our productions are of high quality, due to the efforts of our small but dedicated team. We also appreciate the trust and support from filmmakers from around the world.

Submissions for this year's Festival are open till the end of August, and the Festival will be from 10 to 12 November at the Hawaiian Sanctuary in Pahoa, Hawai'i. It will be an in-person event.
Please read the rules and terms before submitting. We do not accept fee waiver or reduction requests.

We have 13 awards at the Festival, but these are subject to the number of film submissions. That is to say that if we do not receive enough films, we will withdraw the awards presentation. It is well known that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the film productions significantly globally, resulting in a drop in submissions to our Festival.

Looking forward to receiving some amazing films this year, and producing a great festival yet again.

Yours ever,

Lobsang Wangyal
Festival Director

Awards & Prizes

There are 13 awards given in the festival. A grand jury will decide the winners from the pool of films which are part of the festival. The Audience Award will be decided by festival-goers' ballots. Each winner will receive a certificate.

Awards are presented in the following categories:

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Documentary
Best Short Film
Best Editing
Best Music
Best Art Direction
Best Original Concept
Audience Award
Special Mention
Special Jury Prize

Rules & Terms

1. Films made after 30 June 2025 will be considered for screening at the Festival.
2. Only one film per director will be accepted for screening.
3. Once a film has been selected it cannot be withdrawn from the Festival.
4. Non-English language films must have subtitles in English.
5. Request for entry fee waiver or reduction will not be accepted.
6. Once any entry fee has been paid, refund request will not be accepted.
7. Films must be available for screening right after the selection has been announced.
8. Winners chosen by the judges will be final and binding.
9. FSFF has no obligation to disclose judges, selection process, and other information related to the Festival that are not already made public.
21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Baidar Bakhat

    Thank you Lobsang and free spirit film festival for selecting my film forbidden soul I am grateful to you

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Aaron Goffman

    Thank you for inviting DARCINE'S DAY to your wonderful festival. !@

    November 2025
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  • Paul Pritchard

    Thank you for screening Larapinta End To End at your very special film festival. Lobsang was a very clear communicator and the choice of film was very different to the other other festivals.

    November 2025
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  • Bertrand Lemeunier

    Thank you Lobsang and Free Spirit Film Festival for selecting our documentary Growing on Two Wheels. It has been a real pleasure to work with you and a nice surprise to receive the special mention award. All the best for your nice festival in India !

    November 2021
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  • Cheyla Clawson Chandler

    It was wonderful to be part of this festival! The communication was great and I enjoyed the diverse films that were selected. I hope to be a part of it again in the future.

    November 2021
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