The Hudson Valley-based Film Festival features a curated, diverse selection of films screened on the historic Warwick Drive-In Movie Theater, located only 55 miles from NYC. In addition to Jury-selected Award winners, the audience (both live and online) will have the opportunity to vote for Best Films of 2023.

Event dates :
Night 1 : Tuesday, August 15th, 2023
Night 2 : Wednesday, August 16th, 2023
Night 3: Thursday, August 17th, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

THE 2023 HUDSON VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL

Early Submission Deadline: Friday, March 24th, 2023
Regular Submission Deadline: Tuesday, May 30th, 2023
Final Deadline: Sunday, July 16th 2023
Official Selections will be announced: Sunday, July 23rd 2023

Event Dates:
Tuesday, August 15th 2023
Wednesday, August 16th 2023
Thursday, August 17th, 2023
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 26 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 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
  • Phyllis Bulkin Lehrer

    Hudson Vally Film Festival was a great experience! Everyone was so welcoming and it was fabulous to see my experimental animated work projected on the
    drive-in screen!! The films were diverse and always expert in there own way .. It was an honor to be in the mix..will definitely enter projects moving forward..

    August 2022
  • Max Friedlich

    Hudson Valley Film Fest was beyond lovely. They made every filmmaker feel special and valued. And wow it is truly the most beautiful festival you will ever attend. Can't beat the outdoors, the sunsets. All of the local vendors were super rad. 10/10 would go back, even just as a fan.

    August 2022
  • The nicest people! Wonderful communication.

    August 2022
  • Stacey Larkins

    I had a fantastic time at the Hudson Valley film festival! Communication and marketing of the films were great! Having films play at the drive in was a very unique experience. Thank you for selecting my film!

    August 2022
  • Aaron T

    I wasn't able to make it to the festival due to the distance this year. I was not only grateful for the acceptance into the festival I was thankful and eager for A Dose of The Buzzer to be viewed by an audience. Thanks Hudson Valley Film Fest! I wish you much success in the future.

    August 2022