<< Est. 1997 in Montpelier, Vermont >>

The Green Mountain Film Festival returns March 12-15, 2026 in downtown Montpelier, Vermont. The non-competitive festival showcases narrative, documentary, and experimental features and shorts from all over the world. Nestled in the hills of Vermont, the GMFF is both a warm community to celebrate the best of world cinema and a home for young filmmakers and new ideas.

We especially encourage queer and BIPOC filmmakers and boundary-pushing storytellers to submit.

Donate to GMFF! We’re still an independent operation after 25 years running! Donations and sponsorships comprise about half of the festival budget >> https://givebutter.com/459cAs

Questions? Email info@gmffestival.org

Awards & Prizes

GMFF does not give out awards. We aim to create a non-hierarchical space for filmmakers to celebrate cinema, discover new work, and build long-term connections with fellow filmmakers and the Vermont community.

Rules & Terms

GMFF accepts films from all genres by filmmakers of all backgrounds.

Films with premieres before March 2024 are not eligible. All films must be Montpelier, VT premieres and not currently available to stream online. If you have questions about eligibility, please contact programmer@gmffestival.org.

We do not accept films created using AI.

If your film is not in English, please submit it with English subtitles.

We offer a limited number of fee waivers each year for filmmakers who cannot afford to pay the submission fee. Priority is given to BIPOC filmmakers. If you'd like to apply for a fee waiver, please complete this form by December 5th: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNleg4UMXRPwd7E2ZijY6p9yRXpIrug48T8EuWp2yCpHgASw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

The filmmaker guarantees that they have legal right to submit their film to the 2026 Green Mountain Film Festival and have obtained all necessary rights and clearances to have it publicly screened during the festival dates. Submission of the film confirms that the Green Mountain Film Festival has permission to exhibit the work at the 2026 festival, should it be accepted.

Filmmakers give permission to the festival to use press kits for marketing purposes and a clip from film in festival trailer.
14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Aidan Cronin

    Awesome Festival!! Highly recommend, great vibes all around.

    April 2026
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  • Matthew Koebele

    Basically the best time ever. Nothing like a few days out in a small town (with two independent cinemas!!!) full of great people and down to earth films and filmmakers. Sam Kann put together a special special fest!

    March 2026
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  • Allie Rood

    Such a great group of deeply engaged humans, was such a joy showing my film at the GMFF. My film is about a local community, so this was truly an incredible opportunity to reach that community and neyond!

    March 2026
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  • Philip Thompson

    An absolute joy of a fest. Sam Kann puts together an incredible program. Wonderful hospitality. Great people. Well attended. Well worth the submission fee.

    April 2025
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  • Samuel LaPointe

    So happy and excited to have my short debut at this awesome festival. Fun programming, great community, can’t wait to come back!

    March 2025
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