The (In)Justice for All Film Festival International (IFAFF) was originally developed to bring films to audiences that expose America's criminal (in)justice system – police, courts, and corrections – and the for-profit industries that feed off this trough of human misery. While we share the stories of the millions relegated to second-class citizenship under this unforgiving system, we also explore the root causes of mass incarceration, including racism, poverty, failed education systems, mental illness, the War on Drugs, and the criminalization of Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Over the years, we have also screened films that shine a light on a host of other justice issues, from immigration challenges around the world to police violence and even eco-justice.

The 7 days in October 2023 will once more showcase feature-length and short documentaries and narratives, spoken word and music videos and animated films. In 2023, we'll concentrate on submissions that spotlight the following central themes:
The American Crisis of Mass Incarceration
Housing and Food Insecurity
Eco-justice
Poverty in America
The Global Refugee Crisis
Undocumented Workers and Immigration
American Racism and White Supremacy
Racial Capitalism
Violence Against Women
Police Abuse of Power
Voting Rights
Healthcare and Mental Healthcare Disparities
Political and Community Organizing

Filmmakers are encouraged to submit works that shed light on these issues, including the difficulties, the triumphs, and both individual and systemic solutions.

Awards & Prizes

Awards (plaques or trophies) will be given to the top three narrative or documentary feature-length films and the top three narrative or documentary short films, as well as the top Archival Film (narrative or documentary). And, a film chosen by our audience will receive our "Curley Cohen" Fan Favorite Award.
Additionally, cash awards, as well as plaques or trophies, will be given to the:
- third-place winner, the Freedom Award;
- second-place winner, the Impact Award;
- first-place winner, the Justice For All Award.

Rules & Terms

Official Regulations and Guidelines

Eligibility requirements:

Submitted feature-length and short documentaries and narratives, spoken-word, and music videos must have a completion date between January 1, 2019, and July 15, 2022, to be eligible for entry and all awards.
Any film, feature or short, documentary or narrative, spoken-word, or music video submitted with a completion date prior to January 1, 2019, will be considered an archival submission and is eligible for the Archival Film Award.
All entries must be in English or be subtitled in English.
Entrants confirm and warrant that they have the legal right to submit the entry and use of all music, images, and content in the entry.

Submission Guidelines:
All films must be submitted to our FilmFreeway page and, if selected, uploaded to our distribution platform, Eventive, in the required format.
Only entries submitted with completed submission forms, entry fees, and attestation forms, in the requested format, will be considered.
For 2023, we are only accepting completed works. No works-in-progress will be considered.

Important note: Please follow these additional guidelines when submitting your films.

Trailers and film media should be uploaded with your film submission to FilmFreeway. Please include film descriptions, interviews, laurels, specifications, and any screenings/awards to be added to the film profile.

Required sizes/links:

Film File size: 1920 x 1080p h.264 @ 10Mbps
Recommended size is under 10GB (a 90-minute film is approximately 5GB).

Film File type: .mp4
DCPs and ProRes files are not accepted.

Trailer URL: Add a YouTube or Vimeo link to embed a film trailer. The video must have embedding turned on, and cannot be password protected.

Poster image: vertical poster image, displayed in the film guide and on detail pages. Recommended: 2:3 aspect ratio. PNG or JPG.

Cover image: horizontal cover image, displayed as a background in the film guide and on detail pages. Recommended: 960 x 380 px. PNG or JPG.

Still image for the virtual festival: horizontal image displayed on the film's virtual watch page. Recommended: 1920 x 1080 px. PNG or JPG.

The submission deadlines are:

September 1, 2022 - September 30, 2022 (Early-bird period)
October 1, 2022 - November 30, 2022 (Regular period)
December 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022 (Late period)
January 1, 2023 - January 31, 2023 (Last chance period)

Late entries will not be considered.

All film selections for the 8th (In)Justice for All Film Festival International will be announced by April 30, 2023, and posted on our website. Filmmakers will be notified via email.
17 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Scott Barnett

    (In) Justice for All has become an essential source for stories that challenge audiences to delve deeper into the root causes of our discontent and creates an opportunity for a fair and just society.

    November 2023
    Helpful
  • Kerry Ann Zamore

    What a great experience! I can’t wait to submit again!

    December 2020
    Helpful
  • Anike Bay

    I had a blast - I loved the film festival! It's one of the best film festivals in Chicago . . .

    January 2019
    Helpful
  • Branden Hampton

    Great film festival and amazing topics covered that shed light on injustices that are often glazed over by mainstream media. While I wasn't able to attend, our team was proud to show our film FEARLESS! Great promotion from the social media team and Trinity United! Will definitely apply again with our next film and also attend to see over groundbreaking films!💯✊🏿

    November 2018
    Helpful
  • Carrie K. Thomas

    Great feedback for the injustice. A wonderful platform to screen a spoken word film. Thank you for the support and for showcasing “Gentrification”

    October 2018
    Helpful