Welcome to Geekapalooza Film Festival!

Nestled in the vibrant city of Everett, WA Geekapalooza is not just a film festival; it’s a celebration of all things geek. This unique event, a collaboration between the Seattle 48 Hour Film Project and GeekFest West, is a haven for creators and fans of Sci-Fi, Horror, Superhero, Fantasy, Anime, and B-Movies.

Festival Dates & Location:

July 19, 2024: Geekapalooza kicks off at the historic Everett Theater in Seattle, WA, with a day dedicated to genre films previously created for any of the 48 Hour Film Projects. The day is structured into three screenings:

Geek Genre Film Categories
Horror Films
48 Hour Champions Showcase

July 20, 2024: The festival continues with open submissions, inviting filmmakers to present their works across four thrilling screenings:
Animated Short Films
Sci-Fi Short Films
Fantasy Short Films
Sick and Twisted Short Films

Celebrating Geek Culture: Geekapalooza is a dynamic platform that embodies the spirit of geek culture, combining innovative storytelling with the eclectic charm of geek-themed films. It’s a place where fantasy, science fiction, and the macabre meet the creative forces of independent filmmaking.

Submission Details:
48HFP Films (July 19): Films must include the official 48HFP bumper or "This film was made for the 48 Hour Film Project" tag, with a minimum runtime of 4 minutes. Refined cuts post-competition are welcome.

Open Submissions (July 20): Open to all, with a maximum length of 20 minutes. We are looking for films that are not only visually captivating but also weave rich, imaginative tales.

Join Us: Dive into the world of geekdom with us at Geekapalooza! Whether you are a filmmaker looking to showcase your latest work, or a film enthusiast eager to see the next big thing in geek cinema, this festival promises a spectrum of unique and engaging experiences.

Submit your film today and connect with a community as passionate about genre filmmaking as you are!

At Geekapalooza, we celebrate the extraordinary talents and creative vision that define genre filmmaking. Our awards reflect a broad spectrum of categories designed to acknowledge the artistry and craftsmanship of filmmakers who challenge conventions and push boundaries.

From captivating performances and masterful direction to innovative visual effects and compelling storytelling, each category is tailored to recognize excellence across the diverse landscapes of animation, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and more. Prizes for various awards will be generously provided by GeekFest West and The Seattle 48 Hour Film Project, enhancing the excitement and prestige of the competition. Below is a comprehensive list of the awards that will be bestowed upon the outstanding talents at our festival:

Geekapalooza Film Awards
Best Lead Performance - Awarded to the standout lead performance in any film.
Best Supporting Performance - For exceptional acting in a supporting role.
Best Ensemble Cast - Recognizes the film with the best overall cast performance.
Best Direction - For outstanding directing in any genre film.
Best Cinematography - Awarded for exceptional camera work and visual styling.
Best Screenplay - Recognizes the best script including dialogue, plot, and character development.
Best Editing - For excellence in film editing, enhancing the narrative and pacing of the film.
Best Visual Effects - For outstanding visual effects that significantly enhance the storytelling.
Best Original Score - Awarded to the most compelling and original musical score.
Best Production Design - Recognizes creative excellence in set design and the overall visual look of the film.
Best Costume Design - For outstanding costume creation that significantly contributes to the film’s atmosphere.
Best Makeup and Hairstyling - Awarded for exceptional makeup and hairstyling that enhances character portrayal and visual impact.
Best Sound Design - For excellence in sound editing and mixing, contributing to the overall film experience.
Audience Choice Award - Voted by the attendees as their favorite film of the festival.
Best Animated Film - Recognizes the best film in the animation category.
Best Sci-Fi Film - Awarded to the best science fiction film.
Best Fantasy Film - For the best film in the fantasy genre.
Best Horror Film - Awarded to the standout horror film of the festival.
Best Superhero Film - For the best film in the superhero genre.
Best Sick and Twisted Film - Recognizes the most original and engaging film in this unique category.

Each award is a token of our admiration for the creativity and passion that filmmakers bring to the silver screen, making Geekapalooza a pivotal stage for celebrating genre cinema.

Geekapalooza Film Festival Submission Guidelines

Day 1: 48 Hour Film Day (Friday, July 19, 2024)

Eligibility: Only films that have been created for any 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP) are eligible.
Genre Requirements: Films must belong to the geek genres such as Animated, Sci-Fi, Superhero, Fantasy, or films that are just flat out weird.
Film Length: Films must be a minimum of 4 minutes.
Acceptable Versions: Refined cuts of films created after the initial 48HFP competition dates are acceptable.
Identification Requirements:
Films must include the official 48HFP bumper or animation, or the tag "This film was made for the 48 Hour Film Project" either at the opening or in the end credits.
Screening Details for 48 Hour Film Day:

Screening 1: Features all 48HFP films across the specified geek genres.
Screening 2: Dedicated exclusively to 48HFP horror films.
Screening 3: A showcase of the 48 Hour Champions, highlighting top films from past competitions.
Day 2: Open Submissions (Saturday, July 20, 2024)

Eligibility: Open to all filmmakers.
Genre Requirements: Films must belong to one of the following genres:
Animated Short Films
Sci-Fi Short Films
Fantasy Short Films
Sick and Twisted Short Films
Film Length: Films must be no longer than 20 minutes.
Submission Requirements: All films should strive for unique creativity and a strong narrative that captures the essence of their chosen genre.
Screening Details for Open Submissions:

Screening 1: Animated short films.
Screening 2: Sci-fi short films.
Screening 3: Fantasy short films.
Screening 4: Sick and twisted short films.

Make sure your film meets the eligibility and genre requirements as described.

Note: Participation in the festival is highly competitive and submitting does not guarantee acceptance. Selection is based on quality, creativity, and adherence to festival guidelines.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Casey Golden

    Awesome festival! We sadly weren't able to attend, but were delighted to be selected. Great communication throughout the whole process

    November 2024
  • What an amazing first year fest! I can't wait to go again next year!

    November 2024
  • Calvin Seetin

    I was not able to make the festival but I was delighted to be selected and I appreciated the communications with kirk leading up to the event. Thanks!

    August 2024
  • Kacie Newport

    I so wish I had been able to attend Geekapalooza! The communication was wonderful! And it looked like everyone had a blast! Thank you for including Holy Moly Meteorite! Will definitely submit again :)

    July 2024
  • Ty Huffer

    Geekapalooza 2024 was awesome. The festival has great communication. Everyone was very helpful. The theater is great and right next to the Geekapalooza event! The awards are also very nice.

    July 2024