“Fernando Mico has a passion for giving and for raising the tide for his community. He is devoted to his craft, and is extremely generous with his time and energy. He is a constant learner, but is quick to share his experience with anyone who expresses an interest to expand his or her horizon.

Fernando is a valued member of the film community. As a successful leader, he is first to celebrate the success of his peers, while nurturing those who need a helping hand. A proven competitor in the highest levels of martial arts, Fernando has been successful in applying his drive, commitment, and focus to multiple endeavors.

A person who will generously offer his resources to others is hard to find. Fernando is one who finds joy in connecting people so they may find success. He is demanding of himself, and only asks others to be true to themselves.“
-Ted Adams, Chairman of The Stan Lee Foundation (November 2022)
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“Mr. Mico is a "can do" machine. If his vast experience in this industry isn't statement enough, he is a truly genuine, thoughtful human being, who is totally committed to excellence.”

-Russell Williams II, Legendary, First, 2-Time, Back-to-Back, African American Oscar Winner for Sound in the films Glory and Dances with Wolves (November 2022)

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Nestled in the heart of the national capital, Washington D.C., the GO Independent International Film Festival - Washington, D.C. is a part of the GO Independent series of film festivals in the FAME family. Our goal is to give more opportunities for independent filmmakers and screenwriters to showcase and promote their art.

We produce live screenings, and offer a separate, special bundle of benefits called the FAME FACTOR TICKET. “Get into One and you’re Done!” If eligible, submissions receive Guaranteed Acceptance into our 4 GO Indie Film Festivals alongside Notification w/in 2 weeks! It's your Film Fest Fast Pass!

(Update November 2022)
Please observe our submission deadline, notification, acceptance, and venue updates.
In light of economic conditions that are continuing to affect travel, venue rates, and basic costs all-around (post pandemic), we are forced to course correct for all The GO Indie Film Fests.

We wish we could say we had all the answers and a crystal ball. We can say, however, we guarantee the show must GO on, and will show up. The GO Fests are facing every uncertainty head on, and continue to fulfill our oath of producing the best possible events with the hand we are all dealt.

Finally, please be aware that with the current conditions facing our host theaters. The later you submit your film content, the increased challenge of squeezing it into our live screenings. But, not impossible. Add to this the final hurdle of our DCP, encoding policy. Please review the DCP policy, before submitting. We will gladly cater to any requests to restrict screenings on live or virtual platforms. Please let us know.

***COVID STATEMENT***
We are producing a full on, live film festival. HOWEVER, we are susceptible to country, state and local laws, which enforce specific, gathering guidelines. To that end, circumstances beyond our control include venue policy and protocol, and insurance limitations.

For the year 2023 and for the foreseeable future, we will be producing a live event. Please understand, before submitting, that with little to no notification, we may have to change presentation formats, venues, and/or dates.

Awards & Prizes

High Quality Trophies

Rules & Terms

We are accepting submissions for Feature & Short Narrative Films, Feature length & Short Documentaries, Web/TV Series, Screenplays, Teleplays, Music Videos, Trailers and Art & Design. All genres are welcome. The festival programming staff will place your film in the appropriate category.

All entries will be judged on content, creativity, imagery, story and skill of the filmmaker or screenwriter. Productions produced from 2013 to September 2023 may be submitted. Works in progress will be accepted. All films must be submitted on DVD (Region 1), Blu-ray, external hard drive or online screener for consideration by our Jury.

All entries must be sent to FAME, LLC. Videos, discs and hard drives submitted will not be returned unless accompanied by SASE. Film and Video maybe also be submitted or shared via links online via YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google, WeTransfer, or similar. Submissions selected for The GO DC Fest will be announced no later than October 11, 2023.

All presentation materials for The GO DC Fest must arrive no later than September 27, 2023 (post marked by September 27, 2023). Please notify us by mail or email of any address changes.

**** Please read our DCP Policy before submitting. ****

GO-NOVA Film Festivals – Live Screening Policy

As we resurface back into Live events, new screening policies have been instituted in terms of content delivery and platform presentation. Going forward, The NOVA and GO Independent Film Festivals will screen both Live and Virtually. Live screenings will take place in the best venues. We have selected the Angelika Film Centers and the Silverspot Cinemas. Both theaters require film content to be in DCP format.

In concert with both format upgrade and returning to accepted cultural norms (travel, attendance, etc.), the following are our policies for screening Live, Accepted film content going forward.

1. We require a DCP File of your content.
2. DCP File produced by us from your submitted h.264 file for a fee. Fees cover encoding, quality check, and film transfer to our venues.
a. Fee (under 25 minutes): $150
b. Fee (over 25-55 minutes): $300
c. Fee (over 55 minutes): $450
3. We handle all Quality Checks, Transfer and Communication with the venues.
4. The DCP file is yours to keep, after the festival.
5. If you have submitted, and are accepted to more than one of our festivals, only the One (1) DCP file, which we produced, is required.
6. A minimum of 3, separate, DCP submissions are required per festival screening block. If the minimum requirement is not met, your DCP fee will be refunded. In other words, the film submitters are only responsible for any DCP fees, if their content screens Live, in our venue.
7. DCP files are OPTIONAL for those wishing to screen in theaters.
8. DCP orders are NOT required to be selected, nominated, or eligible to win awards at our festivals. Judgements are solely based on the quality of your submission(s).

For further details, please visit the bottom or our website, submission page:
https://www.gofilmfestivals.com/submit

LIVE Screenings are dependent on 4 Criteria beyond our control.
1. State/City/Regional Restrictions
2. Venue Policy and Availability
3. Filmmaker Content Submission (by required Deadline)
4. A minimum of 2-3 hours of content submitted by participating filmmakers in DCP format, encoded by the festival. There is a fee for encoding services.

The GO Independent International Film Festival - Washington, D.C. is hereby granted the right to utilize footage and promotional materials supplied by the submitting agent from any film submitted, film accepted, video, or project for exhibition at the GO Independent Film Festivals for promotional purposes. All accepted filmmakers agree that The GO Independent International Film Festival - Washington, D.C. may use footage from their projects in order to promote the festival, their film or The GO Independent International Film Festival - Washington, D.C. Event and F.A.M.E. related promotion via print, web, theater and broadcast television. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The submitters shall indemnify and hold harmless The GO Independent International Film Festival - Washington, D.C. and F.A.M.E. LLC related entities, it's vendors, sponsors and supporters from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. The submitter acknowledges that all content submitted is approved, licensed, owned, or otherwise authorized to exploit, under the jurisdiction of standing copyright and trademark law, as determined by regional, county, state, United States, and international law.

If 'Nominated', presence at the Awards Ceremony is NOT required to Win.
12 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Richard Brown

    Great communication and an awesome festival.

    November 2022
    Helpful
  • Suneeta Misra

    It was an unethical and badly organized film festival. We were called to the Jinya bar in Virginia by Fernando Mico, the festival director, where everyone who had rsvped was handed an award. None of the films selected were shown and we were told that the films will maybe be shown in May of next year. Do not submit to this festival unless you want to buy yourself an award.

    November 2022
    Helpful
  • Stephen Foster

    GO Independent is the BEST! Fernando is the ultimate devotee of INDIE FILM. Highly recommend his festivals.

    June 2022
    Helpful
  • Andrew Michael Volpe

    Fernando Mico n his talented staff once again went above n beyond in hosting this important festival despite a pandemic n variant threat. They are all to be commended for a job well done!

    December 2021
    Helpful
  • Jason Henderson

    During the time of COVID-19 this was the best opportunity that anyone could have for a film project where the festival is virtual. Fernando Mico did an amazing job and featuring the works of the go international film Festival in DC.

    December 2021
    Helpful