Nestled in a 106-year-old classic cinema house in Arlington (Boston), MA, The Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay & Music Festival showcases “Stories Aching To Be Told." So, if you have one, we want it. Furthermore, we support your career far beyond our festival dates, so we'll be in your corner throughout your career. It's cinematic magic!

Special focus is put on Female Filmmakers, as well as the LGBTQIA, Minority, Indigenous, and Disabled Filmmakers. However, we LOVE AND SUPPORT ALL CONTENT CREATORS.

Our prizes include showcases for Worldwide Buyers at Cannes, cutting-edge websites, prominent placement on a new crowdfunding platform, Final Draft software, strategic advice, and other career-enhancing gems. So, check out our abundance of five-star reviews from creators just like you, then, submit your fantastic creativity to us today!

Awards & Prizes

Prizes & Key Dates

We look forward to experiencing your awesomeness!

GRAND PRIZE AWARD

Grand Prize – A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes, one year of development advice and one year of and strategic financing and distribution advice. The Grand Prize also includes a cutting-edge website, with two-years of hosting, Final Draft software, and prominent placement on Hourglass24, a new crowdfunding site.

* Our Grand Prize may be awarded to ANY FILMED PROJECT in our festival. 

SPECIAL AWARD

Best Female Filmmaker - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes, development advice and and strategic financing and distribution advice.

FILM & DOCUMENTARY AWARDS:

Best Feature Film - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best International Feature Film - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Film Accessible Film - (Feature or Documentary) - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best LBGTQIA Film - (Feature or Documentary) A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Short Film - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best International Short - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Documentary Short - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best LBGTQIA Short - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

SCREENPLAY AWARDS

Grand Prize Screenplay Winner - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes, one year of development advice and one year of and strategic financing and distribution advice. The Grand Prize also includes a cutting-edge website, with two-years of hosting, Final Draft software, and prominent placement on Hourglass24, a new crowdfunding site.

Best Dramatic Screenplay - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Comedy Screenplay - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Script Accessible Feature Screenplay -  A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best LBGTQIA Screenplay - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Play/Musical - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Short Screenplay - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Script Accessible Short Screenplay - A showcase for cinema buyers  at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Short Play/Musical - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

AUDIENCE AWARDS

Best Narrative Feature  - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Narrative Short Film  - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Documentary Feature  - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Documentary Short  - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best International Narrative Feature - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best international Narrative Short - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best International Documentary Feature - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best International Documentary Short - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

MUSIC AWARDS

Best Music Video - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

Best Song -  A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.

KEY DATES

Submissions open on August 30, 2021
The early bird submission deadline is October 30, 2021.
The regular submission deadline is March 30, 2022.
The late submission deadline is May 30, 2022.
The extended deadline is June 30, 2022.

Selected Films, Screenplays and Songs will be notified by July 5, 2022.

Our festival takes place from October 5-10, 2022, at the Regent Theater in Arlington  MA.

* We will also festival dates in Amelia Island, Florida in the summer of 2022.

Winners are announced on Monday October 10, 2022, at our awards ceremony.

Good Luck!

Rules & Terms

FILM FESTIVAL RULES & REGULATIONS

-- Competition is open to U.S. and International entries.

-- Entries must not have been publicly shown before 2021. 

-- Entries must be submitted online through FilmFreeway.

-- You may submit multiple entries but must fill out a separate entry form and pay an entry fee for each.

LIABILITY
Every possible care will be taken with entries while in our possession, however, we cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or additional charges incurred en route, or due to normal wear and tear, or due to equipment failure. Additionally, Lonely Seal International Film and Screenplay Festival is held harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity or screening of any film.

THE FOLLOWING MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR ENTRY

-- Entry fee (must be paid online).

--3-Line Synopsis. 

--Feature Films: Please include no more than a 250-word synopsis (may be used for Festival Program and website).

--Accepted entries must submit at least one web-ready still at 72dpi and 560x315 pixels.

SCREENWRITING CONTEST RULES & REGULATIONS

All entries are eligible to win the top prizes.

Employees (and their immediate families) of The Lonely Seal International Film and Screenplay Festival and any of their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies or festival sponsors, are not eligible to win.

There is no limit on the number of screenplays you can submit; however, each screenplay must be submitted separately and accompanied by its own completed submission form.

Feature Film Screenplays must be between 70-120 pages, must be in English and must be submitted in proper script format.

By submitting the material, the applicant hereby agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the festival & its employees from any liability, claims, and damages in connection with the submission and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees, that any of them may incur in connection therewith.

I/We understand that failure to adhere to the competition rules and regulations will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the entry fee.

I/We agree to hold the Lonely Seal International Film, Music and Screenplay Festival harmless from and defend them against all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether or not groundless, based on any music video, advertisement, film or media submitted to the Festival.

129 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Carl Hansen

    This festival is a hidden gem, nestled in a historic theater right outside Boston, with phenomenal films, top-notch hospitality and personal attention. I am grateful to Hammad and the entire Lonely Seal staff for making it such a warm and positive environment and with really high-quality films spurring amazing conversations. It cannot be missed.

    November 2021
    Helpful
  • Anna Averianova

    Many thanks for the quick response and accurate work. I am very grateful to the festival team for choosing my film. I look forward to fruitful cooperation in promoting the film.

    October 2021
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  • Terri Kauffman

    This was an outstanding festival! I've attended a number of film festivals over the years, and this was probably my favorite. The film selections were top notch and the personal attention was unmatched. Highly recommend this festival, especially if you're able to attend in person.

    October 2021
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  • Virginia Austin

    This was a well-executed and phenomenally run film festival. It would be one of my top recommendations to enter for any filmmaker or screenwriter. - Virginia Austin

    October 2021
    Helpful
  • Steven B. Newman

    It was a great honor to have my screenplay, "Bode" selected as a finalist in the Script Accessible Category. Thank you so very much for all the hard work and dedication.

    October 2021
    Helpful