We accept films up to 5 years old (as far as November 2021)!

Join us at our mix of film screenings, filmmaker networking, festival connections, and industry resources.

The Fylm TV Film Festival is an independent film festival in Detroit, Michigan built for filmmakers who want more than a screening and praise. We’re creating a space for independent filmmakers, film festival organizers, creative professionals, and filmmaker resource partners to connect around original, story-driven films.

This festival is for filmmakers who want their work to be seen, discussed, supported, and connected to what comes next.

You’ll be surrounded by other indie filmmakers, festival leaders, film communities, and resource partners who understand the challenge of getting a film beyond one screening. Whether you made a short film, feature film, documentary, web series, or pilot episode, our goal is to help your work reach new audiences and new opportunities.

We’re hosting a curated lineup of story-driven independent films across features, shorts, and pilot episodes. If your film has something to say and is ready to be seen, it belongs here.

But when the festival ends, that does not have to be the end of your film.

Through Fylm TV and our growing network of film festival and filmmaker resource partners, we aim to continue supporting selected filmmakers with audience growth, monetization opportunities, festival visibility, future screening pathways, licensing potential, and connections to people who can help move their films forward.

If you’re tired of your film getting one moment and then disappearing, this festival was built for you.

Got a suggestion? Let us know in one of our communities.

Apply to join our referral program and earn commission for every film you refer:
https://tally.so/r/NpBLz0

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What To Expect:

Expect a multi-day independent film festival featuring curated film screenings, filmmaker networking, festival-to-filmmaker connections, and access to resources that support the next stage of a film’s journey.

Each day will focus on a specific screening category, with opportunities between screenings to meet other filmmakers, film festival organizers, community partners, and filmmaker resource providers.

Networking opportunities may include conversations around:

Film festival strategy
Audience growth
Film monetization
Film licensing
Distribution pathways
Crowdfunding and funding resources
Filmmaker partnerships
Community building
Post-festival opportunities

In the common area, attendees will also be able to connect with festivals, organizations, and partners offering tools, services, or opportunities for independent filmmakers.

More details coming soon.

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Judges:

Judging panel to be announced.

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Have A Question? Join our community to ask:

Join our local Michigan filmmaking community:
https://www.meetup.com/filmmakers-helping-filmmakers/

Join our online filmmaker community:
https://www.FylmTV.com/Discord

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Location:
Detroit, Michigan
Venue subject to change.

Festival Dates:
November 2026
Dates subject to change.

Detroit Independent Film Festival for Filmmakers, Festivals, and Film Resources

Awards & Prizes

Awards:

* Best Feature Film - $300 (May increase)
Awarded to the top film with a runtime of 25 minutes or longer, recognizing excellence in storytelling, direction, and overall production. Pilot of series are welcome!

* Best Short Film $300 (May increase)
Awarded to the top film with a runtime of 24 minutes or less, celebrating impactful storytelling in a shorter format. Pilot of series are welcome!

* Best Documentary $300 (May increase)
Awarded to the most compelling documentary, recognizing excellence in storytelling, subject matter, and execution. Eligible films must be non-fiction works that present real events, people, or issues, and demonstrate a clear narrative or perspective.

* Audience Choice Award $100 (May increase)
Awarded to the film that receives the most votes from the audience by the conclusion of the event.

Prizes:

Winners:
Select winners will receive cash prizes (amounts finalized closer to the festival)
Official laurels and formal recognition

Selected films:
- Featured placement during the festival
- Automatic consideration for distribution on Fylm TV
- Two (2) complimentary festival passes
- Access to curated networking events
- Entry into our online filmmaker community

Beyond awards, our goal is to extend each film’s life beyond the festival.
Selected films, regardless of winning or not, may be considered for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing opportunities to generate revenue through the platform.

Rules & Terms

By submitting to the festival, all entrants agree to the following rules and terms.

1. Festival Format

The festival is conducted as an in-person event. Selected films may be invited for optional virtual showcasing after the festival, subject to filmmaker approval.

2. Eligibility

Films must meet the requirements of their selected category. Filmmakers may submit multiple films; however, each film may only be entered into one category and must be submitted separately. There is no premiere requirement. Films must have been completed within the past five (5) years. All submissions must be in English or include English subtitles. Online releases, including YouTube and Vimeo, are permitted.

Entrants must own the rights to the film or have full legal authorization to submit it.

3. Submission Fees

All submissions require a non-refundable entry fee, payable at the time of submission. Entry fees are non-transferable and will not be refunded under any circumstances, including but not limited to withdrawal, disqualification, non-selection, failure to meet eligibility requirements, or if the event is rescheduled.

Refunds will only be issued in the event that the festival is officially canceled. In such cases, refunds will be processed at the discretion of the festival organizers and may exclude any third-party processing fees.

4. Submission Requirements

All entries must be submitted through the official platform and include complete and accurate information. Films must be in their final form at the time of submission.

The festival reserves the right to disqualify incomplete, corrupted, or incorrectly submitted entries.

Submitted films may not be withdrawn without prior written approval. Once a film has been officially accepted following the notification date, it is committed to the festival and may not be withdrawn.

5. Originality & Rights

Entrants confirm that they hold all necessary rights for their film, including but not limited to music, footage, performances, and any third-party materials.

The festival is not responsible for any copyright violations. Any legal claims arising from submitted content are the sole responsibility of the filmmaker.

6. Screening Rights

By submitting, entrants grant the festival permission to screen their film during the event if selected.

Entrants also grant permission for the festival to use trailers, stills, titles, and excerpts for promotional and marketing purposes. The festival reserves the right to use trailers, clips, and promotional materials from submitted films for marketing purposes prior to the official notification date, regardless of acceptance status.

Optional virtual screenings after the festival will only occur with filmmaker's consent.

7. Content Guidelines

The festival supports creative freedom and does not restrict films based on genre or theme. However, submissions must not:

- Promote hate speech or discrimination
- Encourage violence or illegal activity without context
- Contain exploitative or non-consensual material
- Violate any applicable laws or rights

The festival reserves the right to determine what constitutes inappropriate content.

8. Selection Process

All submissions are reviewed by festival programmers and/or judges based on:
- Quality,
- Originality,
- Storytelling, and
- Entertainment.
Selection decisions are final and made at the sole discretion of the festival and/or its judges.

Due to programming limitations, not all submissions will be selected for in-person screening. There is no maximum runtime limit for feature films. However, programming decisions will take into account overall scheduling capacity to ensure a balanced and high-quality lineup.

Regardless of whether a submission is accepted or not selected for the festival, filmmakers may still be considered for additional opportunities, including potential virtual screening through Fylm TV. Selection for Fylm TV is independent of festival programming and is not guaranteed.

9. Awards & Recognition

Awards will be presented in select categories. Winners may receive cash prizes, official laurels, and recognition.

Cash prize amounts and full award details will be announced closer to the festival. All prizes are determined at the discretion of the festival, may vary, and change at any moment.

Select films, including winners and runner-ups, may receive featured placement during the festival and additional post-event opportunities, including extended visibility and continued audience access.

10. Disqualification

The festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission that:

- Contains false or misleading information
- Violates copyright or legal rights
- Does not meet submission criteria
- Breaches these rules and terms
- Liability

The festival is not responsible for technical issues, submission errors, or third-party platform failures.

By submitting, entrants agree to hold the festival, its team, and partners harmless from any claims, damages, or legal disputes arising from their submission.

11. Changes & Updates

The festival reserves the right to modify, update, or revise these rules, terms, and prizes at any time without prior notice. Any changes will take effect immediately upon being posted through official festival channels, including the website and submission platforms.

It is the responsibility of all entrants to review the rules periodically to stay informed of any updates. Continued participation, including submission or maintaining an active entry, constitutes acceptance of any revised terms.

12. Agreement

By submitting a film, the entrant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to all rules and terms outlined above.