The Hudson Valley-based Film Festival features a curated, diverse selection of films screened at the historic Warwick Drive-In Movie Theater, located only 55 miles from NYC. In addition to multiple Jury-selected Award winners (cash, custom trophies, & unique goody bags), the audience will have the opportunity to vote for Best Film of 2024. Every evening of the Fest includes pre-party gatherings with live music, photo opps, vendors, and art installations.

"The Hudson Valley Film Fest is a fantastic festival. They both value the artists in their community, in the community of NYC, as well as exceptional work from around the world. Seeing your film at a drive in is also a unique and fun experience. They bring everyone together for an outdoor event prior to the screenings where you can meet other filmmakers. You can tell that there's a lot of heart and passion put into this festival, and it is well-curated. Their awards are also beautiful handmade sculptures. As someone from the Hudson Valley as well, I have to say that this festival also captures something of the culture of the region."
-Francesco Cordaro, 2023 Best of Fest Winner

Event dates :
Night 1 : Tuesday, August 13th, 2024
Night 2 : Wednesday, August 14th, 2024
Night 3: Thursday, August 15th, 2024

Sundown at The Warwick Drive-In Movie Theater
5 Warwick Turnpike
Warwick, NY. 10990

•Jury Award: Best of Fest
Custom Trophy, $1000, & extras

•James Cromwell’s: Dare to Be An Artist Award
Custom Trophy, $1000, & extras

•Jury Award: Indie Award
Custom Trophy, $1000 & extras

•Jury Award: Best Actor Award
Custom Trophy: $500

•Jury Award : Rising Student Award
Custom Trophy, $500 & extras

•Audience Award : Audience Choice
Custom trophy, $500, & extras

THE 2024 HUDSON VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL

Early Submission Deadline: February 18th ,2024
Regular Submission Deadline: April 30th, 2024
Final Deadline: June 17th, 2024
Official Selections will be announced: July 1, 2024

Event Dates:
Tuesday, August 13th 2024
Wednesday, August 14th 2024
Thursday, August 15th, 2024
Sundown at the Warwick Drive-In Movie Theater in Warwick, NY.

The following rules govern all film submissions to the Hudson Valley Film Festival (“HVFF”)
Eligible projects include: feature & short films including documentaries, narratives, animation, experimental, horror, sci-fi, action, music, and more.
Any short film with a runtime of 25 minutes or less will be considered.

GUIDELINES:

Short film submission’s total runtime must NOT exceed the specified time limit of up to 25 minutes, credits included.

We strongly recommend that you triple check your audio levels and that your audio is NOT limited to one channel (ie: right or left).
Any film that includes main dialogue that is not english must be submitted with english subtitles.
Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. HVFF expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.
Films may have been previously entered in other film festivals.
Entrants grant the Festival organizers permission to use excerpts, not exceeding three minutes, for promotional purposes in various media, trade shows, and retail stores.
Entrants are required to supply promotional materials, such as still images, for the purpose of promoting the films and Tour.
***Entrants are required to notify Festival organizers if their submission HAS BEEN OR WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE 2024 WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL.
Entrants grant the Festival organizers the right to copy the entry in part or in its entirety in any media format to facilitate the operation or promotion of the HVFF.
The entrant acknowledges and agrees that all matters not covered by these Rules and Regulations, and questions arising from them, will be decided at the sole discretion of the HVFF’s organizers

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
FilmFreeway accepts all major video formats in full quality HD up to 10 GB. We transcode videos for playback compatibility and performance and recommend that you use settings close to our output settings:
Maximum video bitrate: 2200 Kbps, H.264, mp4
Audio: 128 Kbps, AAC, 2 channel stereo
Aspect ratio preserved; maximum video height of 720 pixels
Films that are accepted into the festival will be screened in 16:9 aspect ratio. If your film is submitted in a different ratio, your film will be letterboxed to display on the 16:9 screen.
Films will need to be in NTSC format. NTSC (National Television System Committee) is a Color TV standard for the United States, Canada, Japan, and other countries of North and South America and Asia. To resolve the incompatibility problem of the NTSC and PAL video formats, it is best to use software that can change PAL to NTSC and vice versa.
When uploading your submission, kindly use the following file naming conventions:
FirstNameLastName_FilmTitle.mov
Examples:
JaneDoe_MyFilm.mov
JohnDoe_MyMovie.mp4

PROMOTIONAL IMAGES/MARKETING MATERIALS
Entries are encouraged to be accompanied by a minimum of three (3) high-resolution images from the film, any websites and/or social accounts to be reproduced, published and/or exhibited for promotional purposes as they pertain to the HVFF.
The HVFF logo is used on our marketing materials which include posters, banners, website, socials, programs, and magazine ads.
Preferred Format: Digital; 300 dpi jpeg and/or Tiff format; minimum size is 4" x 6" landscape or portrait.

Please DO also feel free to include a press kit and bio, if available!

COMPETITION CERTIFICATION
I/We have read all of the rules, understand, and have complied with these rules.
I/We warrant the submission of my/our original work and that there are no disputes regarding the ownership of the submission.
I/We also warrant the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead.
To the best of my/our knowledge, all the statements herein are true and correct.
I/We understand that failure to adhere to the competition rules and regulations will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee.
I/We acknowledge that once an entry payment has been processed, HVFF will not provide a refund.
No revisions of materials will be accepted once entry has been submitted.
BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, I/WE HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Hudson Valley Film Fest is a true gem. I can't describe the joy of being able to see my film projected on a drive-in screen at night. Such a cool and unique experience. Excellent communication and organization all around; I'd be honored to return. Five stars!

    February 2024
  • Lily Giannoni

    I'm so happy that my short film BUG was selected to screen at Hudson Valley Film Fest this year. The Paramount was a beautiful venue and the tech and selection of films was just delightful. I hope to attend again in years to come!

    September 2023
  • Francesco Cordaro

    The Hudson Valley Film Fest is a fantastic festival. They both value the artists in their community, in the community of NYC, as well as exceptional work from around the world. Seeing your film at a drive in is also a unique and fun experience. They bring everyone together for a outdoor event prior to the screenings where you can meet other filmmakers. You can tell that there's a lot of heart and passion put into this festival, and it is well-curated. Their awards are also beautiful handmade sculptures. As someone from the Hudson Valley as well, I have to say that this festival also captures something of the culture of the region.

    September 2023
  • Anne Hickey

    Hudson Valley Film Fest was an absolute dream to be a part of. The organizers are amazing and such a pleasure to communicate with. The venue was perfect. Vendors, music, food, the works! This will be an annual MUST from now on!

    September 2023
  • Amelia Wyeth Ponirakis

    Was unable to attend the festival in person but, the programmers did a great job with outreach with me about the film and coordinating getting the file/details from me about the film! Hope to attend one day in person! :)

    September 2023