1. Eligibility
The festival is open to creators of all backgrounds, experience levels, and geographic regions.
Submitted content should align with the spirit of the festival, including themes such as:
Culture and heritage
Community empowerment
Entrepreneurship and innovation
Social awareness and impact
Creativity and artistic expression
Black diasporic and Indigenous experiences
Underrepresented voices and perspectives
Student creators, independent creators, established media professionals, and first-time storytellers are encouraged to apply.
2. Accepted Media Categories
The Greenbook Media Fest accepts submissions across multiple forms of media, including but not limited to:
Film & Video
Narrative Films
Documentary Films
Short Films
Web Series
Experimental Films
Animation
Music Videos
Social Impact Videos
Educational Content
Lifestyle & Travel Content
Audio & Podcasting
Podcasts
Audio Storytelling
Interview Programs
Educational Audio Content
Spoken Word & Cultural Audio Projects
Digital & Social Media
Short-Form Content
Social Media Campaigns
Influencer/Creator Content
Branded Storytelling
YouTube Series
Livestream Projects
Digital Journalism
Additional categories may be added at the discretion of festival organizers.
3. Submission Guidelines
Accepted Formats
Video submissions must be provided in one of the following digital formats:
MP4
MOV
Audio submissions may be submitted in:
MP3
WAV
Required Materials
Each submission must include:
Title of the project
Short synopsis or description
Creator/filmmaker bio
Contact information
Promotional still or cover image (if available)
Optional materials may include:
Trailer
Press kit
Social media links
Website links
Submission Limits
Each creator may submit up to:
Two (2) major projects per category
Additional submissions may be accepted at the discretion of the festival.
4. Length Requirements
Short-Form Content
Up to 20 minutes
Long-Form Content
21–90 minutes
Podcasts & Audio Programs
Single episodes or segments up to 90 minutes
Social Media & Digital Shorts
Under 10 minutes preferred
Works outside these ranges may still be considered for special showcases or featured programming.
5. Language Requirements
Projects presented in languages other than English must include English subtitles or translations where applicable.
6. Rights & Permissions
The submitting creator must own or control all rights related to:
Video footage
Music
Images
Audio
Graphics
Archival materials
Intellectual property included in the submission
By submitting to the festival, creators grant the Greenbook Media Fest permission to:
Screen or present the work during festival events
Use clips, stills, trailers, titles, and creator names for promotional and marketing purposes
Feature selected content in festival-related media and promotional materials
Creators retain ownership of their original work.
7. Premiere Status
Premiere status is not required.
Preference may be given to:
Regional premieres
Virginia premieres
Exclusive festival content
Original independent works
8. Content Standards
The Greenbook Media Fest is designed to promote education, empowerment, creativity, and community connection.
Submissions should avoid:
Gratuitous violence
Hate speech
Explicit discriminatory content
Material intended to degrade protected groups
Excessively graphic or exploitative content
Festival organizers reserve the right to decline submissions that conflict with the mission, values, or community standards of the festival.
9. Judging & Selection Process
Projects will be reviewed by a panel selected by the Hampton Roads Greenbook® and festival organizers.
Selections will be evaluated based on:
Creativity
Storytelling
Cultural impact
Technical quality
Originality
Audience engagement
Educational or community value
Not all submissions will be officially selected.
Judges’ decisions are final.
10. Awards & Recognition
Awards may include categories such as:
Best Feature
Best Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Podcast
Best Social Media Content
Best Musical Performance
Best Student Creator
Best Cultural Impact Project
Audience Choice Award
Emerging Creator Award
Award categories may expand or change based on submissions received.
Selected creators and winners may receive:
Festival recognition
Promotional exposure
Features across the Hampton Roads Greenbook® ecosystem
Inclusion in newsletters, social media, website, and app promotions
Networking and partnership opportunities
11. Community & Networking Expectations
The Greenbook Media Fest is intended to foster:
Collaboration
Professional networking
Cultural exchange
Positive community engagement
All attendees, creators, panelists, vendors, and participants are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully throughout festival activities.
12. Festival Rights & Policies
Festival organizers reserve the right to:
Reclassify submissions into alternative categories
Schedule selected works at their discretion
Update rules or categories as needed
Refuse submissions that do not meet technical or content requirements
Submission of a project constitutes acceptance of all festival rules and policies.
13. Mission Statement:
The Greenbook Media Fest exists to celebrate powerful storytelling, elevate underrepresented voices, connect creators with communities, and build a lasting cultural institution rooted in creativity, unity, entrepreneurship, and collective advancement.
