43nd Annual KidFilm Family Festival
January 2027
Dallas, Texas

Featuring an international program celebrating excellence in children's film arts.

KidFilm, presented by the USA Film Festival, was the first festival of its kind and is the largest children's media arts event in the United States.

The festival gives audiences of all ages an important opportunity to see and discuss films together. The public weekend programs showcase challenging, educational, and entertaining films.

Studio films that have premiered or previewed at KidFilm include THE POUT-POUT FISH, THE LAST WHALE SINGER, THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE, ROBOT DREAMS, THE TIGER'S APPRENTICE, THE LEGO MOVIE, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 3, KUNG FU PANDA 3, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY, ICE AGE, NANNY MCPHEE, CURIOUS GEORGE, A WRINKLE IN TIME, THE SECRET OF KELLS, AKEELAH AND THE BEE, THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING, THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS, CASTLE IN THE SKY, along with dozens of independently-produced feature and short films every year.

KidFilm welcomes the submission of both feature and short family-friendly films!

Rules & Terms

Submission fee for both feature- and short-length films is $15.00 if submitted by October 1st. If submitted by the Regular Deadline (Nov. 1st), the fee is $20.00. If submitted by the Late Deadline (Dec. 1st), the fee is $30.00.

Family films (features - over 45 minutes, and shorts - under 45 minutes) should be appropriate for audiences of all ages.

Professional and nonprofessional filmmakers may submit works.

All shooting formats accepted.

The film cannot have premiered in Dallas before the Festival.

Submissions must be made via online screener. Filmmakers should provide synopsis and any press materials (photos, etc.).

All screenings will take place in-person in Dallas during the 43rd Annual KidFilm Family Festival, January 2027.

The KidFilm Family Festival is a NONCOMPETITIVE event. Films accepted for inclusion are not prevented from being considered for subsequent competitive events.

13 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Olivia Whitaker

    The festival was an amazing experience. It was Olivia’s first film festival she attended in person. The staff was very welcoming and attentive and really made her feel like a winner. We would love to participate again.

    February 2026
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  • Paweł Olearczyk

    Thank you for screening "Elves don't eat rice"!

    January 2026
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  • Luke Bechtel

    Thanks for your team's hospitality and for selecting "Gooseberry: Sam's Sandwich." Clear communication, well organized, and hosted at a wonderful theater (the Angelika) to boot. Would recommend!

    January 2025
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  • Don Dixon

    Fantastic Festival connecting creators with new audiences.

    January 2025
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  • Jaime Jangles

    What an amazing experience!!! Tori and all the staff were incredibly hospitable, awesome with communications and put on one heck of a festival with some incredible films. It was such an honour to have Jaime Jangles up on the big screen at such an amazing event and with such talented creators! See y'all next year!

    January 2025
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