Submissions are now being accepted for our 2026 Film Festival. We are on a mission to dispel prejudices about people. We believe racism and xenophobia have no place in civilized society, and can be addressed with art, volunteerism, and education about other cultures in an entertaining way. We especially are interested in non-English films with English subtitles for the hearing-impaired and for an American audience. We are a welcoming and inclusive festival; we think DEI is AOK. Please do not submit a musical film, or a horror film.

Our audiences have been small, but we believe the number will be much larger in 2026, as we partner with more entities in our region.

Awards & Prizes

We are expanding our awards to include:
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Comedy
Best Documentary
Best Environmental Film
Best Editing
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Animated Film
Best Director
Best Student Film
Best Family Short
Best Family Feature
Best New Mexico Film - (for NM based filmmakers only)

For our 2025 festival, we were able to award a total of $6,500 in monetary prizes among four of our awards. We cannot guarantee, but hope to award cash prizes again in 2026. We can promise to award a $500 prize for Best Student Film, and that is due to a committed donor and volunteer.

Our judges are educated in film, production techniques, and/or are creators of films.

Rules & Terms

If you submit a film, you agree to allow our festival to screen it at a Los Alamos movie theater or impromptu theater location during the festival. We agree to publicize the festival and selected films prior to and immediately following the event utilizing social media.

Film submissions should have been completed on or after January 2022. Selections do not have to be U.S. premieres.

You retain all copyrights to your work. We ask all who submit a film to make an effort to be available (via zoom at a minimum) for audience Q&A, if selected. Submission fees are non-refundable.
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Bella Coyne

    What a joy to be a part of this festival! Sandy was communicative and encouraging, even over email, and did a wonderful job organizing a Q&A session so that I could connect with the folks who had just watched my film. It was an absolute honor to win Best Screenplay, and be a part of such a beautiful festival. Thank you so much to everyone at Los Alamos, and I can't wait to hopefully be back with another film next year! <3

    March 2025
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Bella, we were thrilled to include your work in our festival. We hope to see your films in the future, either at our festival or others! Best Wishes.

  • Nima Tabandeh

    It was an honor for me to have my film screened at your festival. Although I was unable to physically attend the festival, I could feel your warmth from afar. I thank the judges for the award for best cinematography and editing, and I hope to be with you in the future.

    March 2025
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Nima, your film is unforgettable and we were honored to screen it. Our audiences were really moved. Thank you. We wish you the very best!

  • Mikheil Gabaidze

    I am very sad that I was physically unable to attend the festival. Despite this, I think the festival is wonderfully organized. Very interesting program, very interestingly organized. I am grateful to the festival organizers, jury members, and every viewer. I wish the festival success and a long existence. Thank you very much once again.

    March 2025
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your generous rating. We were so pleased to include your film. It is a great work. We wish you all the best, Mikheil.

  • Chichester Filmmakers

    Lovely film festival run and managed by a very caring team that really want to help grow a rich and diverse culture of film and filmmakers.
    Thank you for screening The Barn, and for arranging the Q&A - which we were sadly unable to attend.

    Wishing you all the very best for the future.

    February 2025
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your generous rating. We were honored to be able to share your beautiful film with our community of film enthusiasts! We hope you will keep us in mind with your future works. Best wishes!