LAKE STEVENS FILM FESTIVAL brings filmmakers and screenwriters from the Pacific Northwest together for a two-day screening & networking event. LSFF was created in partnership with the city to cultivate an appreciation for the arts within Lake Stevens, showcasing diverse viewpoints from both established and emerging creators.

We kick off the fest with a catered filmmaker reception at a lakeside estate and spend the next day screening films and meeting others from around the PNW.

Awards & Prizes

SCREENPLAY SUBMISSIONS
LSFF will select one winning screenplay that will receive a $2500 production grant
-The top 3 scripts will receive table reads at LSFF 2025
-Must be under 10 pages
-Story set and filmed in Lake Stevens
-Scripts will be considered by a panel of industry experts
-Submissions due by Aug 3rd, 2025

NARRATIVE FILM SUBMISSIONS
All accepted films receive an Official Selection Laurel.

Cash prizes and Laurels are awarded for jury selection of the following:

Best PNW High School Student Film - $250
Best Narrative Short Film - $500

The audience will cast a vote for their favorite film screened at each block of the festival, for an Audience Choice Award with accompanying laurel.

Rules & Terms

Lake Stevens Film Festival screens films produced in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia) or by filmmakers from the PNW. We define origin from PNW as someone who has lived in the PNW for at least half their life.

All films must have been completed after Jan 1st 2023.

Student Films must be completed while a student in a PNW High School and with student cast and crew only.

Student films must be under 11 minutes.

Narrative films must be 25 minutes or less in length.

All films must be in English OR have English subtitles present.

Entry fees are nonrefundable. Limited waivers available for demographics historically lacking in on-screen representation or for alumni LSFF filmmakers.

We do not send judging notes for each submitted film but if requested, we will send a summary of notes as time allows to any film that was not accepted.

By submitting to Lake Stevens Film Festival, you agree to the following:
-You own this film, have obtained all necessary permissions (music, collaborators, etc) and it in no way infringes on the rights of any third party.
-You grant LSFF the right to use for promotion purposes, stills, excerpts, and the trailer for your film

11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nate Fieldson

    Had a blast at Lake Steven’s 3rd annual festival this year! The programming was great, they had a wide variety and the order in which different content was screened together in the blocks was quite nice.

    The jury were very welcoming and approachable. Laura, the festival director, and Emily, the creative director, did an amazing job pacing the whole event and really felt excited to see us there.

    Will definitely be submitting to this fest again with future work!

    October 2024
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  • Misty Shipman

    This film festival is a wonderful, highly communicative, and thoughtful collaborative opportunity for filmmakers. I highly recommend submitting to this festival.

    August 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Misty! We are so glad your film was part of our fest and hope to see your work again soon!

  • Sarah Rodenbaugh

    I can't say enough about this festival! It's really going to continue to blow up and is a festival not to miss. I attended from Los Angeles and they went above and beyond. Laura Bettelheim, the founder, is a true filmmaker lover and supporter and couldn't be more gracious, communicative and hard working. Her passion is clear and it wasn't a question that I wanted to support her and a festival like this. Chris Pratt sent a video he made about this festival and this season, and I know it will continue to grow.
    We were awarded the Best Narrative Short award for HANGMAN in addition to $500 with a real-life giant check. And I promise I would say ALL of these things had we won or not.
    It's a delightful small town with a beautiful scenery and kind people. I can't wait to go back and see how this fest grows. Wonderful experience all the way around.

    August 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Sarah, it was a delight to meet you and we're so pleased you were able to attend. Thank you for the kind words and we've loved seeing HANGMAN continue to pile up the awards! Bravo to the whole team. We look forward to having you back!

  • Mike Kearby

    Highly recommended and worth the attendance. Thanks to Laura and staff for bringing together a true meet and greet festival for film makers.

    August 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Mike for sharing your crowd-favorite with us!

  • Maia Cassie

    Great festival! An incredibly welcoming community and lovely selection of films.

    August 2023
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    Response from festival:

    We loved having you attend the day's screening and student lunch with the VIP's! Hope to see what you've been working on soon!