Louisville Indie Film Festival (LIFF) is a brand‑new celebration of the bold, the heartfelt, and the fiercely independent voices shaping Kentuckiana’s film landscape. Created by the team behind Louisville Indie Films, LIFF exists to uplift local and regional filmmakers, connect artists across disciplines, and spotlight the creative energy that makes our city’s arts scene unlike anywhere else.

Our festival welcomes filmmakers at every stage of their journey, from first‑time creators to seasoned artists looking to experiment, take risks, and share their work with an engaged, supportive audience.

LIFF includes a one-night, Whirling Tiger-hosted screening, Q&A, and mixer designed to help artists meet collaborators, grow their craft, and celebrate the power of local storytelling. If you’re looking for a festival with personality, passion, and a genuine love for independent film, you’ll feel right at home here!

Awards & Prizes

Best Short Film - This award recognizes the standout film of the festival; the one that excels across story, craft, creativity, and emotional impact. It represents the strongest overall vision and execution, and showcases what’s possible within a 15‑minute format.

Audience Choice - Voted on by everyone attending the festival, this award celebrates the film that resonated most with the crowd. Whether it made people laugh, cry, cheer, or sit in stunned silence, this is the community’s pick for the night’s most memorable short.

Best Performance - Honoring an actor whose work brought depth, authenticity, and emotional truth to the screen. This award recognizes a performance that elevates the film whether subtle and grounded or bold and unforgettable.

Best Cinematography - Awarded to the film that demonstrates exceptional visual storytelling. This includes composition, lighting, camera movement, and the overall look and feel that brings the director’s vision to life in a striking, cinematic way.

Most Original Concept - This award celebrates creativity at its boldest. It goes to the film with the freshest idea, the most inventive approach, or the biggest creative swing.

Winners receive (non-monetary) prizes, laurels, social media spotlights, and featured placement on the Louisville Indie Films Instagram page. Select films may also be invited for encore screenings or interviews.

Rules & Terms

- Filmmakers must be from Kentucky or Indiana, or have been largely shot in either state to submit.
- Films must be under 15 minutes in duration and completed within the past calendar year.
- All genres are allowed.
- Filmmakers must be 21+ (due to venue constraints).
- Filmmakers must have the intent to attend this festival. Special cases will be evaluated as necessary.
-Filmmakers must make note of any trigger warnings for their film. We want to provide the audience with a warning to ensure a safe space.
-LIFF is a first‑year, small‑capacity festival hosted at a local venue. We aim to create an intimate, community‑focused screening experience. We plan to fill the space but capacity may be variable.
- Submissions must be the original work of the applicant.
- All rights, permissions, and clearances (music, actors, locations, etc.) must be secured by the filmmaker. By submitting, the filmmaker affirms they have full legal authority to submit the film and grant LIFF the right to exhibit it publicly during the festival.
- Films of all budgets and production scales are welcome.
- Works‑in‑progress are not accepted.
- Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway.
- By submitting, you grant LIF permission to use stills, trailers, and promotional materials for marketing and festival programming.
- Screening formats accepted: digital file (MP4, MOV). You will be responsible for sending us a 1080p video in one of these two formats.
- LIFF reserves the right to determine final programming and award categories.
- If a filmmaker cannot provide a screening‑ready file by the deadline, LIFF reserves the right to remove the film from the lineup.
- LIFF is not responsible for any damage, loss, or theft of submitted materials, nor for technical issues that may arise during the submission or exhibition process.
- LIFF reserves the right to disqualify any film that violates festival rules, contains illegal content, or is submitted with false information. No refunds will be issued.
- Films created by LIFF organizers, judges, or their immediate family members are not eligible for competition awards. (Or: “may screen out of competition,” depending on your preference.)
- LIFF reserves the right to adjust the schedule, venue, or programming as needed, including replacing films that cannot be screened due to technical or legal issues.
- Official selection does not imply award consideration; awards are determined solely by the festival jury.
- All judging decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
- By submitting, filmmakers grant LIFF permission to use film stills, trailers, descriptions, and names for press, marketing, and promotional purposes.
- LIFF reserves the right to remove any attendee who disrupts the event or creates an unsafe environment.
- Submission to LIFF constitutes acceptance of all festival rules, terms, and conditions.