The Hartford Film Festival (HFF) is a student-led film festival based in Connecticut's Capital City. Much like the culturally rich city around it, this festival aims to support and uplift the diverse stories from emerging filmmakers, especially those who are based in New England. Presented by University of Hartford's Cinema Program and its students, the Hartford Film Festival will take place on May 2nd at the historic Wadsworth Museum's Avery theatre!

HFF gears itself towards the filmmakers of the future. Accepting all styles and genres of film, our goal is to put the unseen creative works of the breakout film community into the spotlight. We see you! HFF prides itself in providing an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their work in a supportive and creative environment! We hope to harbor the new generation of films and filmmakers to the wide, enriched audience that deserves to experience them.

We accept films made in the last two years with a maximum length of 15 minutes, as well as films under 5 minutes in length.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY & DEADLINE

We seek films that are 15:00 minutes or less, and completed after May 1st, 2024. Submit your film by February 27th, 2026 (earlybird deadline) or March 27th, 2026 (regular deadline).

There is a $5 earlybird deadline submission fee, and a $10 regular deadline submission fee for films under 5:00 minutes. There is a $10 earlybird deadline submission fee, and a $15 regular deadline submission fee for films under 15:00 minutes.

AI POLICY

By submitting to the festival, you are confirming that you have not used AI at any point in the creation of this film.

SCREENING COPIES

To submit a film, please provide a password protected or unlisted private streaming link (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.). Your link and password should be available and valid until April 15th 2026. We cannot accept DVD screening copies.

SELECTION RESULTS

Hartford Film Festival will notify the contact person of the selected work by April 10th, 2026 to deliver text, images, and video material for print, internet and promotion.

SCREENING OF FILMS

Films selected for the program should be available as downloadable digital MOV or MP4 files, with a resolution of up to 4K. Screening copies should arrive by Friday, April 17th, 2026 via WeTransfer, Google Drive, or Dropbox. Films that are not received by this date or that have technical difficulties may be unable to screen in the festival program.

ELIGIBILITY DISCLAIMER

If at any point following its initial consideration, Hartford Film Festival determines that a submission no longer meets all the eligibility criteria described above, such submission will be deemed ineligible. Hartford Film Festival reserves the right to disqualify a submission, without refund of any kind, if eligibility requirements are not met.

COPYRIGHT/CLEARANCE DISCLAIMER

If your project is accepted into the festival you must execute a release agreement wherein you (i) accept responsibility for obtaining any and all clearances necessary to exhibit and promote your project and any promotional materials provided by you in connection with Hartford Film Festival; (ii) warrant that you have the rights necessary for Hartford Film Festival to exhibit and promote your project and use any promotional materials provided by you in connection with Hartford Film Festival; and (iii) indemnify and hold harmless Hartford Film Festival, the University of Hartford, its affiliates, and subsidiaries and any of their respective directors, officers, employees, and representatives against any claim arising out of exhibition and promotion of your project in connection with Hartford Film Festival.