Human Threads Film Festival presents Indie Night, a special short film showcase celebrating stories that inspire.

This event is dedicated to emerging and independent filmmakers who want to share meaningful, creative, and heartfelt work in a supportive community setting. We are looking for short films under 5 minutes that explore the theme of Inspiration, whether that inspiration comes from personal growth, faith, resilience, creativity, love, justice, healing, or everyday moments that spark hope.

Indie Night is not about perfection or big budgets. It’s about storytelling, intention, and impact. We especially encourage submissions from filmmakers who are early in their journey and those whose voices are often underrepresented.

Selected films will be screened during an intimate community showcase, with opportunities for filmmaker recognition and conversation.

If your film has the power to encourage, uplift, or move someone forward, we’d love to see it.

Theme: Inspiration
Film Length: Under 5 minutes (including credits)
Event Type: Short Film Showcase

Awards & Prizes

Indie Night is a non-competitive showcase created to celebrate creativity, community, and storytelling. This event does not include awards or prizes and is intended solely as a space for filmmakers to share their work and connect with others.

We encourage filmmakers to stay connected and look out for our larger Human Threads Film Festival, where awards, prizes, and additional opportunities for recognition will be offered.

Rules & Terms

Overview:
The Human Threads Film Festival is open to all, regardless of filmmaking experience. We celebrate videos made with hope, heart, and creativity. No professional skills needed, just a passion for storytelling. Your video can be in any style, but must not exceed 5 minutes in length.

    •    Submissions must align with the theme “Inspiration.”
    •    All genres are welcome (narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, etc.).
    •    Films must be submitted through FilmFreeway.
    •    Submissions may be student or independent productions.
    •    By submitting, filmmakers confirm they have full rights to all content used in their film, including music, images, and likenesses.
    •    Films must not infringe on any copyrights, trademarks, or third-party rights.
    •    Selected films grant Human Threads Film Festival permission to screen the film during Indie Night and to use stills, titles, and brief clips for promotional purposes.
    •    This event is a non-competitive showcase and does not include awards or prizes.
    •    Submission fees (if applicable) are non-refundable.
    •    Films containing sensitive content should be clearly noted in the submission.
    •    The festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission that does not meet eligibility requirements or contains harmful, discriminatory, or inappropriate material.
    •    Submission does not guarantee selection.

Acceptable Styles:
- Documentary: Real-life stories and experiences.
- Drama: Fictional stories that convey powerful messages.
- Comedy: Light-hearted tales with meaningful undertones.
- Animation: Creative animated narratives.
- Experimental: Innovative and abstract interpretations of the themes.
- Music Video: Songs with visuals that emphasize the themes.

Rules:
1. Content: Can be original or prior work and not contain copyrighted material.
2. Format: High-quality video format (MP4, MOV).
3. Language: Non-English films must include English subtitles.
4. Submission Limit: One entry per person.
5. Ethics: Must not contain offensive, hateful, or inappropriate content.
6. DUE FEBRUARY 16, 12:00PM!!!! We will be ending submissions this date/time.