The Poetry Film Festival is international and for shorts -- under 20 Minutes --Screening Official Selections in Los Angeles, California, near Venice Beach. The festival will welcome only poem-based short films in Narrative, Animation, Documentary and Experimental. For information and examples please go to our website. Screening will take place at Beyond Baroque, a physical literary and theater venue in Venice, California, at the end of April, 2024. Later in May 2024, parts of the festival will be on-line with winners only. More information will be forthcoming.

We will also take in for the 2024 season feature length films, not over 2 hours, for a selection of two films only.

Awards & Prizes

Judges are from many backgrounds in the arts. They award prizes in each category. These awards are limited to Best, Finalist, and Honorable Mention, depending on the number in the Official Selections in each category.

The Directors will give an award -- The Director's Choice.
There may also be Audience Award, also, depending on the response through both in the venue and on-line.

Director and judges may determine a fitting category, if it is not apparent, or it seems confusing.

All winners will receive a laurel. Certificates are available on demand.

Rules & Terms

Poems and music must be copyright safe/legal.
Visuals may not contain gratuitous violence, nor pornography. They also may not be promotional in nature for a political or a religious party. This does not exclude spiritually driven poems or any political issue deemed important for a culture or country.

The director will make all final decisions on Official Selection, or categories.

Short films must be under under 20 minutes. Credits may extend 30 seconds. Films may have been screened before at another festival or on a site, but must have been created within 3 years.

All films must have English subtitles. All poems must be included in their entirety on FilmFreeway's space for Description or Overview. They do not have to be a whole poem, just what is in the film.
For the festival, poems may be available on-line.

Credits count! All music must be credited. Original Score, MUST say ORIGINAL SCORE and have the composer's name. Original Scores may be judged independently. If they don't say Original Score they may get passed over for judging. Just saying "Composer, or "Composed by" does not complete the task. If MUST say Original Score and be for the film only, to be judged as such.

13 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
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Networking
  • Alicia Sometimes

    What a wonderful and diverse festival. So thrilled to be part of it!

    May 2023
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  • Mayuri Bhandari

    Wonderful festival to attend. Lynn and the entire team are lovely, professional, organized, and attentive. The Beyond Baroque space was a wonderful location to host! Highly recommend submitting to this festival; Lynn, the team, and judges pay attention to each piece of work and provide attentive feedback. Definitely recommend. Thanks to you all!

    May 2023
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  • Bryan Hewitt

    I had a wonderful experience at this festival! The organizers are very welcoming and hospitable. The films were consistently interesting, diverse, thought-provoking and enjoyable. The venue was comfortable and historic. It was great to be in the company of so many other creative people who share my deep interest in poetry film.

    May 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Bryan. It was wonderful having so many filmmakers and poets in attendance. It was a wonderful time for all of us.

  • Patricia Meek

    I am honored that my poetry film, "A Dialogue with GeorgO'Keefeefe lll: The Simple Truth of Light," was selected and screened at Poetry Film Festival. The communication was the best of any film festival I have been in. I appreciate all of the clear communication and updates. I love the links to social media where I could learn more about the other amazing creators. I wish I could have attended in person, but otherwise am very grateful to be part of such a fantastic experience.

    May 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Patricia. We so enjoy screening all the diverse and meaningful poem-based films. We are grateful for creatives like you.

  • Sally Rawhey

    I am honored and proud that my film was chosen as a finalist in this wonderful film festival. This is one of the most amazing experiences I ever had in my life and being part of this highly professional festival has added great value to my career. Ms. Lynn, this unique amazing lady is behind all this successful festival, her passion to unite poetry with the film industry is a magnet to so many talents waiting for a chance to live this experience. A perfect job and a great festival that is highly, highly recommended.

    May 2023
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    Response from festival:

    On behalf of all of us involved in this special festival, many, many thanks. I appreciate your kind words, this is a labor of love for me. Onward for all of us!